B-6 – Area 6 – Assessment of Environmental Effects 81 third, the ability of people and communities to provide for their social, economic, and cultural wellbeing, now and in the future. The sole objective of the NPSFM reflects this hierarchy of obligations and states: …to ensure that natural and physical resources are managed in a way that prioritises: (a) first, the health and well-being of water bodies and freshwater ecosystems (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 6 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. The activities proposed in Area 6 have been carefully identified and assessed to ensure that the health of freshwater and of the wider environment is prioritised and protected, as set out in section 5.5 of this AEE and summarised below: Will be managed during the construction phase in accordance with the erosion and sediment control plans proposed to be implemented by way of consent conditions, to avoid discharges of silt and/or sediment to the Ohinemuri River; Will not significantly alter groundwater flows reporting to the Ohinemuri River; Will not adversely affect other groundwater users as none are present between the NRS and the Ohinemuri River; Are designed to provide separate pathways for clean runoff captured upstream of the NRS, and leachate-laden runoff generated from the NRS. The former will be captured and discharged separately to the Ohinemuri River via a diversion (discussed below). The latter will be treated at the WTP before it is discharged to the Ohinemuri River; Will not measurably alter the quantity of surface water (runoff) flows reporting to the Ohinemuri River; and Will establish an approximately 3.5 km long diversion of the upper reaches of tributary TB1 to the Ohinemuri River. This will convey clean surface water from above the NRS to a new confluence with the lower reaches of TB1. The diversion will create new
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