B-6 – Area 6 – Assessment of Environmental Effects 88 recognising that there will be variable management responses within different catchments;17 and recognising the interrelationship between land use and water quality and quantity.18 Objective 3.15 seeks that the allocation and use of freshwater is managed to achieve those freshwater objectives by: avoiding any new over allocation of ground and surface water;19 seeking to phase out any existing over allocation of ground and surface water by 31 December 2030;20 increasing efficiency in the allocation and use of water;21 and recognising the social, economic and cultural benefits of water takes and uses.22 Policies 8.2, 8.3 and 8.6 of the RPS are the primary policies (insofar as Area 6 is concerned) that give effect to Objectives 3.14 and 3.15. Of particular relevance to the activities undertaken within Area 6 is Policy 8.3, which directs the effects of activities be managed to maintain or enhance the identified values of freshwater bodies by: reducing sediment in freshwater bodies, microbial and nutrient contamination;23 protecting and enhancing (where appropriate) riparian and wetland habitat, instream habitat diversity and indigenous biodiversity;24 providing for migratory patterns of indigenous freshwater species up and down rivers and streams;25 avoiding physical modification of freshwater bodies where practicable and inappropriate development in floodplains;26 and managing groundwater and surface water flow/level regimes, the linkages between groundwater and surface water and pest and weed species where they contribute to freshwater body degradation.27 17 Objective 3.14(g), Waikato Regional Policy Statement. 18 Objective 3.14(h), Waikato Regional Policy Statement. 19 Objective 3.15(a), Waikato Regional Policy Statement. 20 Objective 3.15(b), Waikato Regional Policy Statement. 21 Objective 3.15(c), Waikato Regional Policy Statement. 22 Objective 3.15(d), Waikato Regional Policy Statement. 23 Policy 8.3(a)(i) and (iii), Waikato Regional Policy Statement. 24 Policy 8.3(b)(i)-(iii), Waikato Regional Policy Statement. 25 Policy 8.3(c), Waikato Regional Policy Statement. 26 Policy 8.3(d)(i)-(ii), Waikato Regional Policy Statement. 27 Policy 8.3(e)(i)-(iii), Waikato Regional Policy Statement.
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