Site-specific Assessments of Environmental Effects

B-2 – Area 2 - Assessment of Environmental Effects 93 (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 2 are discussed in detail below. 7.4.1.1 Policy 1 and Policy 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 concluded in Section 5 of this AEE, the activities contained within Area 2 will include: A comprehensive water management system which will see all runoff and seepage from areas of the site containing PAF rock collected and pumped to the WTP for treatment; Best practice erosion and sediment control measures during construction, and stormwater management during operation will also be implemented; The proposed infrastructure has been located to avoid and minimise impacts on water bodies, including wetlands as much as possible but will result in some loss of stream length. While the effects on stream ecological values arising from the loss of this stream area is considered to be low, an offset is being proposed. The offset will deliver a no net loss outcome in stream ecological values; Following rehabilitation of the site the affected tributary will also be rehabilitated. This rehabilitation has not been included as part of the overall offset, and therefore represents a further net gain for instream ecological values; The above is in addition to a substantial area of additional riparian enhancement planting, habitat enhancement of an existing wetland and extensive terrestrial planting. Collectively this this will result in Area 2 containing significantly improved and enhanced ecological values compared to that at present. Dewatering associated with the Willows Access Tunnel will not exceed the available management level within the Waihi Basin aquifer management area. The effects of dewatering on the on the baseflow of the Mataura Stream will have indiscernible effects within the surface water body; There is one registered bore located within 1.2 km of the tunnel (at its closet point), however the effects of dewatering on this bore will not be discernible given the separation distance between the bore and the tunnel; An underdrainage system and low permeability footprint will be established beneath the WRS, which will mean a majority of water that could potentially infiltrate will be captured, diverted to the Main Collection Pond, and pumped back to the WTP for treatment. On remediation of the site, it is expected that the natural flow pathways will

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