Innovations in Protecting Water Quality through Implementing a Nitrogen Cap and Trade System, Lake Taupo Jan Hania Environment Waikato Aotearoa, New Zealand International Rivers Symposium, Brisbane, Australia September 2008
Presentation Outline Current Issues in Land Use and Discharge Effects on Water Quality in Lake Taupo Background to the Lake Taupo Policy and Rules An Overview of Innovations Now Being Developed and Applied
Waikato Region
Waikato Region Area 25,000 km 2 Population 390,700
Lake Taupo Catchment area = 3487 km 2 Lake area = 622 km 2 Effective Farmland = 540 km 2 (54,000 Ha)
The Lake Taupo Problem Lake water quality affected by surrounding land use Increased loads of nitrogen from land = increased algal growth and reduced Lake health Several indicators are showing Lake water quality needs protecting Even if we act now, Lake will get worse before it gets better
Nitrogen cycle of Lake Taupo N 2 fixation Urea, NH 4 NO NO NH 3 3 4 NO 3 NO 3, DON, ON NO 3 NH 4
Nitrogen loss from different sources 40 Yield (kg N/ha/y) 30 20 10 Catchment-average N yield 0 Bare Native Pine Dairy Sheep/beef Septic tanks
Manageable Sources of Nitrogen Urban, 7% Pastoral, 93%
Nitrogen Loads to Lake Taupo tonnes per year 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 Predevelopment Current High dairy Rainfall Undeveloped & pine Sewage/urban TPD Sheep & beef Dairy
Taupo District Output Tourism Forestry & Logging Ownership of Owner - Occupied Household Consumption Electricity Generation Wood & Wood Products Construction Wholesale & Retail Trade * Central Government Services Real Estate Health & Community Services Education Accommodation, Rest & Cafes * Business Services Finance Sheep, Beef & Mixed Livestock * Domestic only (i.e. no tourism) 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 Value Added (millions)
Lake Health Target Four options + pre-development 1 Pristine Lake Health we are here 2 Existing N load 3 Existing Land Use - 4 - No Controls 1960 1980 2000 2020 2040 2060 Year
Summary of Issues: Generating Coincidence Policy options Political issues Tangata Whenua Economic scenarios Community concerns Best practice options Lake processes N loss from land use Land - water transfers
Objectives of Lake Taupo Protection Policy: Maintain current water quality by 2080 Avoid near shore effects from wastewater Avoid adverse effects from land use change Manage nitrogen leaching farming activities Minimise social and economic costs and spread financial costs
Lake Taupo Variation Maintain current water quality by: No increase in nitrogen entering the Lake Reduce inputs of N into the lake by 20% Lake Taupo Protection Trust Funded by central, regional and local govt Allow for flexibility to optimise land use Future review of the Regional Plan
Benchmarking NDA - Consent Process Managed by Environment Waikato Farm Owner (Farm Consultant) Scenarios Farm Information Gathered Benchmarking NDA (review) Nitrogen Management Plan (NMP) Consent Funded by Lake Taupo Protection Trust
EW Implementation Staff Specialist Ag advisors Contracted Expertise Provider Workshops One on one discussions Step by step guides Protocols Website Databases Other advisors Farmers need to seek own advice on business under N cap
Innovations Trading non-point source to non-point source nitrogen credits Forested sub-division (lifestyle blocks) Lake weed harvesting - vermiculture Imposed Innovation Climate Change Grapes, olives,?
Innovations Approach language, forms, consultation, confrontation N critical components for NMP Interpolated / integrated rainfall Green and Unique product branding
Innovations Science Nitrification Inhibitor Land Application Nitrification Inhibitor Animal Supplementation Strategic salt - diuretic High Sugar Grasses Stock Ratios Overseer upgrades mitigation options
Innovations Land use optimisation Scenario gross margin analysis Eco tendering for nitrogen reduction N efficiency based farm systems Alternative land use - dairy goats/dairy sheep - alternate crops - blueberries - Salix willow for biofuel - land outside catchment - cut and carry
Bridging the Gaps Balancing the Needs Balancing: Economic Environmental Research and Policy Practical Implementation Regulation Education Innovative, new, complex and challenging Widespread agreement to protect water quality in Lake Taupo