Meeting Paper For West Coast Tai Poutini Conservation Board
TITLE OF PAPER STATUS REPORT
AUTHOR: Mark Davies
SUBJECT: Status Report for the Board for period ending 12 September 2017
DATE: 22 September 2017
SUMMARY:
This report provides information on activities throughout the West Coast since the July meeting of the West Coast Tai Poutini Conservation Board. KARAMEA PLACE
Planning Resource Consents received, Concessions/Permissions, Management Plans
None during this period.
Community Involvement/Initiatives – Suvi van Smit Rangers spent two days with the Karamea Area School working on the trapping programme at the mouth of Oparara River. Trap-lines were cut and 19 traps were set and monitored by the students. Discussions were had around the importance of predator control and trapping.
The Buller Conservation Volunteers spent two days working with the Karamea Estuary Enhancement Group working on planting and weed control at the estuary.
Species Management Animal Pest Control – During August the DOC hunters were deployed to follow-up on the Heaphy pig population. The hunters covered in excess of 3,000 hectares searching the dense coastal forest and walked over 16 km of coastline searching for wild pigs. The pigs, appear to be migrating down from the north and although causing soil damage by digging up areas have also been pushing over small nikaus and eating out the stems from the base. A total of 17 pigs were removed during the 2 10 day trips, of which those females being the optimum target to stop their establishment in this relatively pig free area.
DOCDM- 3149843 - Status Report September 2017 1
Ranger / Hunter; Zac Beardmore observes a small nikau, Ranger / Hunter; Liam Ball, obtained a very large boar having the stem eaten out from the base. North of Wekakura Point. (The dogs wear protective vests). KAWATIRI PLACE
Planning
RMA, Concessions/Permissions, Management Plans
Completed applications include: a resource consent for rock extraction at Mokihinui River; resource consent for a water take; resource consent for humping and hollowing; a licence to excavate gravel from Organs Island; a reduction of an esplanade reserve at Gibsons Creek; a wildlife permit to work with kea; to capture tahr and chamois; to take feathers from penguins; catching wasps; lizard handling; disturbing and killing wildlife at the Westport airport; concessions for guided walks; guided climbing; collect spiders and stoneflies; new beehives; two applications for customary marine title/protected customary rights.
Community Involvement/Initiatives A ranger spent the day with Buller High School planting several hundred natives at Cape Foulwind and also undertook a field exercise around the importance of conservation and the flora/fauna of the area.
Buller Conservation Volunteers spent a day at Cape Foulwind cutting a trap line and setting 20 traps as well as planting natives. Volunteers also spent a day planting natives along the Orowaiti Estuary riparian margin.
Two evenings were spent with the Westport MenzShed making traps. 40 double set DOC150 traps were made and will be donated to local predator free groups.
Rangers are working with Alpeco Ltd a Rotorua based company working on a wireless trap activation notification over mobile network (the trap sends a text to a phone when the trap has been set off).
A management agreement was signed with the Omau Domain Board around maintaining the track to Gibsons Beach.
A new board has been appointed for the Charleston Hall Board.
DOCDM- 3149843 - Status Report September 2017 2 Animal Pest Control – No animal control undertaken this period.
PAPAROA PLACE
Planning Resource Consents received, Concessions/Permissions, Management Plans
Completed applications include a resource consent for rock extraction at Fox River.
Community Involvement/Initiatives Rangers assisted Predator Free Dolomite Point cut a trap line and place 20 traps along Dolomite Point. An additional 10 A24 traps will go out shortly.
Animal Pest Control – Departmental hunters have just commenced goat control in Paparoa National Park hunting the coastal faces from the Fox River to the Pororari River, results will be provided next period. INANGAHUA PLACE
Planning Resource Consents received, Concessions/Permissions, Management Plans
District comments were received and/or completed for: 2 guiding concessions for multiple tracks, 2 RMA s95 applications for alluvial gold mining & stop bank construction, 1 annual work programme application for alluvial gold mining and 3 research and collection permits.
Visitor Management • Slips and windthrow cleared, plus boardwalks repaired on Progress Water Race track • A new pedestrian bridge was installed on the Murray Creek track, this was to replace an old bridge with foundation issues. • Big River Hut damage has been repaired. This was after 4x4 drivers caused damage to the inside of the hut as well as the barriers at the car park that restricts walking only access up to the hut. • Costing and planning undertaken for a community funded surface upgrade for the Big River to Waiuta track to be completed in October- November ahead of a large number of summer mountain bike users.
Community Involvement/Initiatives We have some plans to engage with Maruia School to undertake predator trapping and riparian planting later in the calendar year.
Historic • Nothing of significance, business as usual.
DOCDM- 3149843 - Status Report September 2017 3 Species Management Nothing to report.
Animal Pest Control – DoC200 trap lines have been serviced in the Maruia, a few Stoats showing up but rat numbers remain relatively low. A24’s self-setting traps in Maruia have been rebaited and re-gased,.
No animal control undertaken this period
Weed Pest Control No weed control undertaken for reporting period.
Fire No fires reported or attended. MAWHERA PLACE
Planning Resource Consents received, Concessions/Permissions, Management Plans
A busy period for District staff on concession and RMA work: 2 guiding concessions for multiple tracks 1 easement application 3 research and collection permits 1 gravel extraction permit variation 3 grazing licence applications 4 miscellaneous application for NZDF exercises, OTS applications and a land disposal 5 RMA s95 applications for alluvial gold mining, land use on vested land & a ford construction 1 annual work programme application for opencast coal mining 2 annual work programme applications for alluvial gold mining 5 access arrangement applications for alluvial gold mining and a lime quarry 1 one off permit for construction of a logging road
Visitor Management • Staff assisting with Paparoa track work when required. • Front country tracks, clearing water tables and vegetation cut ready for spring.
Paparoa Track & Pike 29 Memorial Track Contractors commenced construction of the Paparoa Track and Pike 29 Memorial Track at the beginning of August, Westreef Services Ltd in the Pororari River Valley and Nelmac Ltd in the Pike valley. At the time of writing each have completed construction of approximately 700m of new track.
Contracts for the 2 new Huts were let to the Natural Construction Company and they are planning to start when daylight savings comes in on the 25th September. Request for tender for the 4 major suspension bridges is out to the market currently.
DOCDM- 3149843 - Status Report September 2017 4 Some further engagement with a section of the community regarding the Ryall road and Inland Pack track has been ongoing with an onsite inspection for the options having been completed and some further community engagement to occur.
Community Involvement/Initiatives A successful Open/Community day was held in Blackball Community Hall on the 19th of August to share information about the Paparoa Track and Pike29 Memorial track project and the associated opportunities for supporting businesses, about 50 people attended. DOC Greymouth staff also presented at the Coast Road Dawn Chorus event at Barrytown Hall (on the same day, 19th August, as the Blackball open day). This event was organised by Forest & Bird with about 50 attending. A Freshwater education field trip was held with Kokatahi School at Duck Creek on the 31st of August.
Historic • Nothing of significance, business as usual.
Species Management Two adult Great Spotted kiwi transmitter changes were completed in support of the Paparoa Wildlife Trust. These birds were released as part of the trust’s Operation Nest Egg programme.
Pre-season checks of whitebait backpegs were undertaken and regular season checks of rivers commenced.
A whale stranding was attended at South Beach – a 4.5m long Gray’s beaked whale. This type of whale has a beak with a large protruding tooth each side but unfortunately it was illegally sawn off by a member of the public before staff got to the whale as it wasn’t reported until over 30 hrs after stranding, which is disappointing. Media were advised and an investigation is underway. The remains of the whale have been buried.
Animal Pest Control Stoat trap lines were cleared in the Pike Valley Pre-feed was completed for Roaring Meg BFOB operation. Predator Free day organised by Forest and Bird attended at Barrytown
Tahr Control No Tahr control was undertaken this period in the Waikiti / Haupiri catchments but inspections are planned and results will be provided next period.
Weed Pest Control Darwins Barberry control undertaken in Greymouth Hills and Ngahere. Gorse, broom and blackberry controlled on Croesus Road and at Cobden Island. Willow at Paroa Lagoon were treated with basal bark spray. Ginger control was undertaken at Cobden Gun emplacement, Karoro and Paroa. Buddleia and ginger control undertaken at Boddytown. Old man’s beard was treated at Cobden Cave. Gorse control undertaken at the Punakaiki River, and the Paparoa great walk staging area
DOCDM- 3149843 - Status Report September 2017 5 Habitat Protection Planting of flax and purple willow undertaken on various properties in Brunner Catchment as a replacement for Crack willow eradication.
Fire No fires reported or attended. HOKITIKA PLACE
Planning Resource Consents received, Concessions/Permissions, Management Plans Since the last report, Hokitika has received and/or completed 4 Mining access arrangement applications or variations, and reviewed 3 mining annual work plans.
We have received 12 concession applications, which include multi-region research and collection permits, a hydro scheme and guiding concessions. Hokitika District has considered the renewal of 2 leases for buildings on public conservation land. We also have received 7 Resource consent affected party approval applications, which correspond to the mining applications we have received, or relate to rock extraction from rivers in the District.
Visitor Management • Replaced Scotty’s cableway (Taipo valley) with the construction of a new 3-wire cable bridge • Government ministers announced the extension of the Hokitika Gorge walking track and associated amenities, alongside safety improvements to the access road. The announcement was part of the West Coast Economic Development Action Plan 2017. • WDC started construction work on the Mahinapua Creek section of the Westland Wilderness cycle trail. The Mananui Tram walkway will be closed for 3 weeks to allow construction work over conservation land near the old mill site. DOC staff completed safety improvements on structures for the increasing number and diverse range of cyclist.
Community Involvement/Initiatives The community staff have been doing some freshwater invertebrate sampling with schools in the District. This is to raise awareness of what is present in the rivers, to build into work Enviroschools is doing, and a school project where Kokatahi-Kowhitirangi primary school is looking at riparian planting their local streams.
The Hokitika District is also planning some Conservation week events. One is a local business driven film screening called “The Plastic Ocean” highlighting how plastic effects wildlife in the ocean and its ecosystem, with a few more events being planned.
Historic – • Staff continue ongoing maintenance work along the Historic Mananui Tram and Mill site.
DOCDM- 3149843 - Status Report September 2017 6 Species Management – Whio/Blue Duck All the whio that did not form pairs during the flock mating process have now been released back into the Arahura, Styx and Kawhaka Rivers. The four pairs that have formed will now contribute to the Breed for Release Programme with their offspring being released into the wild. As we won’t need to collect any further wild clutches this season, we will be concentrating on survey work in our Security Site to get an accurate idea of how many pairs we are currently protecting and how close we are to our target of 50 protected pairs.
Chesterfield skink The DOC lizard technical advisory group met with biodiversity staff in Hokitika in mid-July to discuss plans for protection of the Chesterfield skink, a rare lizard found only in the Hokitika District, in an area of less than one hectare. There was a visit to the site and plans for habitat restoration and predator control are being developed.
Animal Pest Control Stoat control There has been ongoing work checking and rebaiting the stoat trap network in the Styx, Arahura and Taipo whio security site. Over the winter the trap network caught over thirty stoats and numerous rats. Goat/pig control
Pig Control Although no animal control was undertaken this period, 3 weaner pigs were observed at the Lake Mahinapua Scenic Reserve / campground. It is considered although pigs are present on the Woodstock Rimu Road across the lake these being very quiet and feeding in the open areas are possible the result of an unapproved release. Pesticides have been laid in the general area therefore our hunting dogs are unable to be used to remove these pigs at present.
Tahr Control Although no tahr control was undertaken this period in Northern Exclusion Zone 1 new inspections are planned and results will be provided next period.
Weed Pest Control – Contracts are being prepared for summer 2017/18 aerial and ground weed control in the Otira and Taramakau Valleys. These areas have been undergoing annual weed control for several years, to remove gorse and broom from the river flats and prevent spread of weeds into Arthurs Pass National Park.
Fire – No fires to report The department met with Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) and will identify DOC equipment resources and training needs going forward.
DOCDM- 3149843 - Status Report September 2017 7 TE WAHI POUNAMU PLACE
Planning – Resource Consents received, Regional and District Plans, Management Planning
3 guiding concessions for multiple tracks 2 guiding concession variations 1 guiding (horse trekking) concession 1 easement application 2 telecommunications concessions for Bald Hill 8 research and collection permits 4 Authority to Enter and Operate (AEO) applications (black sand/alluvial gold mining) 2 quarry access arrangement applications 1 AEO for a quarry 1 RMA s95 application for stop bank work in the Waiho 1 variation application for an existing beehive concession 1 letter of authority to access a private timber block 2 one off aircraft landing permits 1 one off filming application 2 hunting concessions
Visitor Management Ongoing track maintenance has been completed on the following front country tracks: Harihari Coastal Walk, Wilberg Walk, Waitangitaona Wetland Walk, Roberts Point, Callery Gorge, Terrace Walk, Tatare Tunnels, Lake Wombat, Douglas Walk, Alex Knob, Canavans Knob, Lake Matheson, Gillespie’s Beach, Moraine Walk, Minnehaha, Hapuka Estuary, Roaring Billy, Monro Beach, Lake Ellery and Wharekai te kou.
The toilets at Gillespie’s Beach have been upgraded and will provide a more pleasant visitor experience and better cater for the number of visitors to this site.
The toilets at Lake Paringa are being upgraded and will provide a more pleasant visitor experience and better cater for the number of visitors to this site.
The interpretation panels on the Ōkārito Trig viewing platform are being updated and should be replaced in the next few months.
Work to improve the Fox Glacier Access by lowering the gradient of the final section is progressing, with two days of drilling and blasting rocks remaining.
Visitor numbers for the Franz Josef Glacier Valley walk
July July Change August August Change YTD YTD Change 2016 2017 -/+ % 2016 2017 -/+ % total total -/+ % 2016 2017 27,465 23,073 -19% 22,920 21,351 -7% 414,056 480,303 +16%
DOCDM- 3149843 - Status Report September 2017 8 Community Involvement/Initiatives As part of a BNZ “Closed for Good” project, staff joined Haast community members to help clear vegetation on the Dennis Road community track.
In August community rangers from Haast and Greymouth were invited to the West Coast Primary Principals Association meeting. The purpose for this was to promote DOC’s new conservation and education strategy, showcase the availability of resources and offer guidance and support for the delivery of conservation education amongst primary school children.
From the initial pool of EOI applicants, the DOC Community Funds Team have invited two locals from Franz Josef to submit a full application for the 2017/18 allotment of funds.
As part of Conservation Week (running from the 14th to the 22nd of October), the Community Teams in Haast and Franz Josef will be connecting with the schools and local businesses to implement a local monitoring and trapping initiative. The goal is to help native birds, reptiles and insects flourish in our backyards.
Preparations underway for the annual Seaweek programmes.
Historic Regular maintenance work was undertaken on the Callery Suspension Bridge, the Tatare Tunnels, Douglas Suspension Bridge, the Harihari Coastal Walk, Hendes Hut and Gallery, Gillespie’s Beach Cemetery, Miners Tunnel and Galway Beach Track.
Species Management – A South Westland kiwi hui was held with the DOC operations team, Makaawhio, and the Kiwi recovery group at Bruce Bay.
Rowi – The ONE season is now underway with eggs being lifted from monitored adults within the Okarito sanctuary. Eggs are taken to the West Coast Wildlife Centre to hatch and so far 22 fertile eggs have been lifted. The first chick, Mataati, hatched September 3rd.
Haast tokoeka – The Haast tokoeka trapping network is now in and operating, with the exception of one line of traps still to be installed. The first check of these traps is due in September.
Two tokoeka eggs have been lifted as these eggs were within areas where the traps were not protecting the nest. Any eggs outside of the protected trapping are will be lifted for ONE, so there is an expected maximum of 6 potential eggs from the monitored pairs that could need lifting this season. The team have also been following up on reported kiwi outside of the sanctuary with night calling and installing recorders.
Haast Sanctuary traps The trapping network in the 11,400-hectare sanctuary has been intensified with about 1020 Goodnature self-resetting traps added this year. The network also includes about 910 DOC 200 boxed traps; each with two single-set stoat traps. An additional 37 DOC 200 traps will be added in the alpine area in spring.
DOCDM- 3149843 - Status Report September 2017 9 Weed Pest Control Lagarosiphon A recent trial of a new herbicide in Lake Ianthe on Lagarosiphon major, an aquatic weed in Lakes Paringa and Ianthe, continues to be monitored with the assistance of a NIWA specialist. Another monitoring run will be carried out in October to further assess the effectiveness of the herbicide.
Animal Pest Control –
Goat Control. No goat control was undertaken this period at the Te Taho site.
Tahr Control Although no tahr control was undertaken this period in Management units 2, 4 and 6. The department has issued 3 new Wild Animal Recovery Permits to recover tahr carcasses. Therefore, no DOC culling is planned outside the Northern and Southern Exclusion Zones and the Glacial Valleys.
Monitoring Compliance monitoring The Whitebait season has commenced and compliance patrols are being carried out throughout South Westland. No significant offending has been discovered as yet. Coordinating the removal of an unauthorised structure from public conservation land.
Concession Monitoring 5 grazing concessions 1 bach 1 black sand mining operation
Visitor Centre Statistics
July 16 July 17 Change August 16 August 17 Change July + Aug July + Aug Change -/+ % -/+ % total 16 total 17 -/+ % Westland Tai 1565 1883 +20% 1693 1638 -3.4% 3258 3521 +8% Poutini National Park VC Haast VC 2959 2704 -8.7% 2366 2506 +5.9% 5325 5210 -2.2%
RECOMMENDATIONS: That the Board notes the information in this report.
Mark Davies Director, Operations Western South Island
DOCDM- 3149843 - Status Report September 2017 10