B-1 - Area 1, Coromandel Forest Park – Assessment of Environmental Effects 100 (b) second, the health needs of people (such as drinking water) (c) third, the ability of people and communities to provide for their social, economic, and cultural well-being, now and in the future In respect of the NPSFM policies, those of most relevance to the activities within Area 1 are discussed in detail below. 7.4.1.1 Policies 1 and 2 Policy 1 of the NPSFM seeks to ensure that freshwater is managed in a way that gives effect to Te Mana o te Wai. Policy 2 seeks to ensure that tangata whenua are actively involved in freshwater management and Māori freshwater values are identified and provided for. As described in Section 5 of this AEE: The nature of the activities been undertaken within Area 1 are primarily sub surface mining activities, with very few surface expressions. The underground mining methodology has been carefully developed to avoid dewatering impacts on the natural state waterbodies located above the subsurface mining activities within CFP. This will ensure dewatering activities will not adversely affect the relationship between ground and surface water or result in the physical modification of these waterbodies within the CFP. No adverse effects on ecological values anticipated as a result of this. An unavoidable effect of dewatering within Area 1, is the removal of a small, warm natural spring located within the Wharekirauponga Stream catchment. The warm spring, and the length of the waterbody affected by its presence, is very small and its life supporting capacity is compromised by the attributes of the spring water itself. The quality of the stream water may improve modestly as a result of the spring discharge ceasing. Conservative estimates indicate the spring contributes less than 5% of the catchment baseflow. Regolith water and interflow are not expected to change as a consequence of any potential dewatering. Plants which access water from the Regolith soils are also not expected to be adversely affected. The distance between the WUG and the closest groundwater users, coupled with the limited draw down effects anticipated, mean the dewatering effects on groundwater users will be indiscernible. As demonstrated above, the proposed activities within Area 1 will be undertaken in a manner which prioritises and protects the health of freshwater and the health and wellbeing of the wider environment.
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