12 Aquatic life – the abundance and diversity of biota including microbes, invertebrates, plants, fish and birds Ecological processes – the interactions among biota and their physical and chemical environment such as primary production, decomposition, nutrient cycling and trophic connectivity. In a healthy freshwater ecosystem, all five biophysical components are suitable to sustain the indigenous aquatic life expected in the absence of human disturbance or alteration (before providing for other values). Threatened species refers to the extent to which an FMU or part of an FMU that supports a population of threatened species has the critical habitats and conditions necessary to support the presence, abundance, survival, and recovery of the threatened species. All the components of ecosystem health must be managed, as well as (if appropriate) specialised habitat or conditions needed for only part of the life cycle of the threatened species. We note that WRC has identified FMUs in their regional plan but has not yet implemented the NOF by undertaking the necessary plan changes to develop water quality targets and timeframes for implementation, including for the Ohinemuri River. Notwithstanding this, in our values assessment we have given recognition to the attributes requiring limits on resource use (Appendix 2A of the NPS-FM) and attributes requiring action plans (Appendix 2B of the NPSFM). 5.2.4 National Environmental Standards Freshwater 5.2.4.1 NESF regulations on natural wetlands The NESF provides some specific regulations for natural wetland activities, notably: • Earthworks within a natural wetland, and the taking, use, damming, diversion or discharge of water outside, a natural wetland, that results in complete or partial drainage of all or part of the wetland, is prohibited (Reg. 53). • Earthworks outside, but within 100 m setback from a natural wetland, and the taking, use, damming, diversion or discharge of water outside, but within a 100 m setback from a natural wetland, that results in complete or partial drainage of all or part of the wetland, is a non-complying activity (Reg. 52). • Vegetation clearance within, or within a 10 m setback from, a natural wetland, earthworks within, or within a 10 m setback from, a natural wetland, and the taking, use, damming, diversion, or discharge of water within, or within a 100 m setback from, a natural wetland is a non-complying activity (Reg. 54). 5.2.4.2 NESF regulations on reclamation of rivers Subpart 2 of the NESF provides that reclamation of the bed of any river is a discretionary activity. 5.2.4.3 NESF regulations on fish passage Subpart 3 of the NESF provides for the passage of fish affected by structures, with specific requirements for culverts, weirs, flap gates, dams and fords (Regs. 58-66). For culverts, regulations 62 and 63 sets out the requirements for information that has to be collected and supplied to the regional council.
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