10 5.2 NPS-FM and NESF 5.2.1 Background The National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 (‘NPS-FM’, New Zealand Government, 2020a) and the National Environmental Standard for Freshwater (‘NESF’, (New Zealand Government, 2020b) were released on 5 August 2020 and took effect from 3 September 2020. Both documents make specific provisions related to natural wetlands and streams, as well as other freshwater-related activities. Here we provide a brief overview of the purpose and provisions of the NPS-FM and the NESF as they are relevant to the proposed Project activities. 5.2.2 National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management and National Environment Standards Freshwater 5.2.2.1 Objectives The objective of the NPS-FM is 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. The NPS-FM directs Regional Councils to undertake a variety of policy inclusions or modifications to policy, as well as to undertake specific tasks. The NPS-FM also directs Councils to be satisfied that the ‘Effects Management Hierarchy’ is applied to the existing and potential values where appropriate and provided for in the policy and regulations. 5.2.2.2 RMA and NPS-FM wetland definitions (s. 3.22) The RMA definition states: • Wetland includes permanently or intermittently wet areas, shallow water, and land margins that support a natural ecosystem of plants and animals that are adapted to wet condition. The NPS-FM definition1 states: • Natural wetland means a wetland (as defined in the Act) that is not: (a) a wetland constructed by artificial means (unless it was constructed to offset impacts on, or restore, an existing or former natural wetland); or (b) a geothermal wetland; or 1 NPS-FM, s3.21(1)
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjE2NDg3