Site-specific Assessments of Environmental Effects

B-6 – Area 6 – Assessment of Environmental Effects 115 the maintenance and enhancement of the life-supporting capacity of ecosystems, the mauri of natural resources and the extent and representativeness of indigenous biodiversity;201 and the promotion of greater public awareness, support for and involvement in the protection and enhancement of significant indigenous vegetation and significant habitats of indigenous fauna.202 As noted in Section 5.8 of this AEE, the NRS will occupy an 8.1 ha area of native restoration planting and 1 ha of pine-dominant vegetation. The area is identified as having low terrestrial ecological value, with limited faunal populations or habitats present. Accordingly, the proposed vegetation removal will generate a very low level of adverse effect. While the loss of vegetation has been assessed as generating a very low level of adverse effect that does not warrant mitigation, the effect will be reduced even further by adopting appropriate precautionary measures, such as those set out in Bioresearches (2022): Implementing restoration planting with a similar footprint adjacent to the nearby SNA166; Undertaking precautionary long-tailed bat surveys prior to the removal of large trees. In the unlikely event that native bats are present, the DOC guidelines will be applied, to ensure appropriate management (i.e., monitoring until bats leave the roost); Avoiding vegetation clearance within the main bird breeding season; and Implementation of a lizard management plan, including details of capture, habitat enhancement and relocation. Despite the low ecological value of the area of indigenous vegetation and the lack of indigenous faunal habitats and species present, the mitigation proposed ensures that the outcomes sought by Objective 2 Section 6.2 and the associated policies are achieved. The offsetting will also ensure that the life supporting capacity of ecosystems present within Area 6 and extent and representativeness of indigenous biodiversity is enhanced such that a positive net gain will be achieved within this area. 7.6.2.3 Riparian Margins and Esplanade Reserves Objectives 1 and 2 of Section 7.3 of the HDP relate to the management of public access to waterbodies, and seek the following outcomes: 201 Objective 2, Section 6.2, Hauraki District Plan. 202 Objective 3, Section 6.2, Hauraki District Plan.

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