EPA Report: Verified

Source: Pestlink

Operational Report for Possum, Ship rat, Stoat Control in the Cascade/Hope/Gorge

13 May 2014 - 26 Aug 2014 29/09/2014 Department of Conservation Weheka / Office Contents

1. Operation Summary ...... 2 2. Introduction ...... 3 2.1 TREATMENT AREA ...... 3 2.2 MANAGEMENT HISTORY ...... 5 3 Outcomes and Targets ...... 5 3.1 CONSERVATION OUTCOMES ...... 5 3.2 TARGETS ...... 5 3.2.1 Result Targets ...... 5 3.2.2 Outcome Targets ...... 5 4 Consultation, Consents & Notifications ...... 5 4.1 CONSULTATION ...... 5 4.2 CONSENTS ...... 5 4.3 NOTIFICATION ...... 6 5 Methods ...... 6 5.1 TARGET SPECIES...... 6 5.2 ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ...... 9 5.2.1 Effects on Non-Target Species ...... 9 5.2.2 Effects on Soil and Water Quality ...... 9 5.2.3 Effects on Ecosystems ...... 9 5.2.4 Effects on Human Health ...... 9 6 Monitoring Results and Outcomes ...... 10 6.1 RESULT MONITORING - TARGET SPECIES ...... 10 6.2 RESULT MONITORING - ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ...... 10 6.3 OUTCOME MONITORING ...... 11

1. Operation Summary

Operation Name Possum, Ship rat, Stoat Control in Cascade/Hope/Gorge Operation Date 13 May 2014 - 26 Aug 2014 Office Weheka / Fox Glacier Region: Northern and Western Pestlink Reference 1314SWS07 Treatment Area Size (ha) Cascade/Hope/Gorge 25795.00 Conservation Unit Name(s) GA Id(s) Arawata Conservation Area 2792983

Treatment Block Details Treatment Blocks Size (ha) Cascade ground 698.00 Cascade/Hope/Gorge 25079.00

Contractor Name Central South Island Helicopters Ltd(CSI) Treatment Dates Start Completion

Cascade ground 24 Jul 2014 26 Aug 2014 Cascade/Hope/Gorge 13 May 2014 30 May 2014

Target Pest Details Target Treatment Blocks Control Method Name Pests Cascade ground Possum, Pesticide Bait Bag Pesticide - Bait Bag in Cascade Ship rat ground-(1) Cascade/Hope/Gorge Possum, Pesticide Aerial Pesticide - Aerial in Ship rat, Cascade/Hope/Gorge-(1) Stoat

Conservation Outcome(s) The structure and composition of the forest in the Hope river valley is maintained in its current state. Result Target(s) Treatment Area/Block What we got • 1% or less (ground) Cascade/Hope/Gorge Not monitored residual trap-catch index of possums within four months of the operation occurring

Pestlink Ref: 1314SWS07 Page 2 of 11 Date Printed: 30 Sep 2014 Outcome Targets What we got • The mean foliar cover score for monitored No monitoring done mistletoe, wineberry and fuchsia does not decline below 50% during a three year period after the operation.

2. Introduction

2.1 TREATMENT AREA

Non-target species Common Name Scientific Name Red deer Cervus elaphus scoticus

Target benefit species Common Name Scientific Name Bellbird Anthornis melanura melanura Blue duck, Whio, mountain duck, blue Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos mountain duck Brown Creeper, Pipipi Mohoua novaeseelandiae Piwakawaka, South Island Fantail Rhipidura fuliginosa fuliginosa Bowdleria punctata Grey Warbler, Riroriro Gerygone igata Kea Nestor meridionalis pigeon, Kereru Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae Long-tailed Cuckoo, Koekoea, koekoea, Eudynamys taitensis kohoperoa, long-tailed koel, longtailed cuckoo, long tailed cuckoo Morepork, Ruru Ninox novaeseelandiae novaeseelandiae Bush falcon, Karearea Falco novaeseelandiae "bush" - Acanthisitta chloris Shining Cuckoo, Pipiwharauroa Chrysococcyx lucidus lucidus Silvereye, waxeye, tauhou Zosterops lateralis lateralis Tomtit Petroica macrocephala Tui Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae novaeseelandiae Snail Powelliphanta "vittatus" Tree fuchsia Fuchsia excorticata Red mistletoe, pikirangi, pirirangi, Peraxilla tetrapetala pikiraki, pirita Scarlet mistletoe Peraxilla colensoi

Threatened species Common Name Scientific Name

Pestlink Ref: 1314SWS07 Page 3 of 11 Date Printed: 30 Sep 2014 Geographical location The Cascade/Hope/Gorge is situated 51 km NE of Haast. TREATMENT BLOCK DETAILS: Treatment block Cascade ground Vegetation type Mixed podocarp, tree fern and some areas of Manuka scrub Bioclimatic zone lowland Climate characteristics: Rainfall 4000 mm Temperature: Average Summer 15.0 Average Winter 5.0 Snow level 1500 m Altitude 20-200 m Community and This treatment area is part of the Haast Roar block ballot Iwi interests system. The area is lightly used for hunting throughout the year. The upper Cascade river is sometimes used for fishing and Jet Boating. The Cascade - Barn Bay 4x4 track is used to access baches at Barn Bay and the Hope River. This track is also used by trampers to access the coast. Whitebaiters frequent the Cascade river during the season and some possum trappers venture into the area. Historic sites N/A Treatment block Cascade/Hope/Gorge Vegetation type Mixed Beech and lowland coastal Podocarp Bioclimatic zone lowland sub-montane montane sub-alpine Climate characteristics: Rainfall 4000 mm Temperature: Average Summer 15.0 Average Winter 5.0 Snow level 1500 m Altitude 20-1161 m Community and This treatment area is part of the Haast Roar block ballot Iwi interests system. The area is lightly used for hunting throughout the year. The upper Cascade river is sometimes used for fishing and Jet Boating. The Cascade - Barn Bay 4x4 track is used to access baches at Barn Bay and the Hope River. This track is also used by trampers to access the coast. Whitebaiters frequent the Cascade river during the season and some possum trappers venture into the area. A family live near the southern boundary on the true left of the .

Pestlink Ref: 1314SWS07 Page 4 of 11 Date Printed: 30 Sep 2014 Historic sites N/A

2.2 MANAGEMENT HISTORY Management history was not chosen to be shown in this operational report. This history is, however, available via Pestlink.

3 Outcomes and Targets 3.1 CONSERVATION OUTCOMES The structure and composition of the forest in the Hope river valley is maintained in its current state. 3.2 TARGETS 3.2.1 Result Targets The result targets for the treatment area were: • 1% or less (ground) residual trap-catch index of possums within four months of the operation occurring.

3.2.2 Outcome Targets The outcome targets for the treatment area were: • The mean foliar cover score for monitored mistletoe, wineberry and fuchsia does not decline below 50% during a three year period after the operation

4 Consultation, Consents & Notifications 4.1 CONSULTATION Parties including but not limited to, Iwi, land owners, concessionaires and other interested parties were consulted during the period February to April 2014 as per the requirements set out in the 'Consultation and Notification of Pest Operations Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

Some people raised concerns about buffers from huts and water supplies. Email, phoning and or personal visits to notify the interested parties were completed 24 hour prior to the operation commencing. Consultation outcomes All parties involved were given the required notice and opportunity to raise any concerns. Appropriate buffers were put in place as per the concerns raised. Lessons learned Nil 4.2 CONSENTS Consent Consent date File Reference Permission ID Public Health Permission 30/04/2014 DOCDM- 14/765/GRYPH/CB

Pestlink Ref: 1314SWS07 Page 5 of 11 Date Printed: 30 Sep 2014 1398559 DOCDM- DOC Permission 29/04/2014 Exp:30/11/2014 1395555 DOCDM- Resource Consent 16/12/2011 RC11113/1 1401476

Lessons learned Nil 4.3 NOTIFICATION All parties including, but not limited to, Iwi, Westland Regional Council, Public Health, DOC, Police, hospitals, vets, land owners, concessionaires and other interested parties were notified prior to the operation, including 24 hour notice by phone or email on the 28 May 2014.

Full details of all parties involved are available in the Communications Plan. Lessons learned Nil

5 Methods 5.1 TARGET SPECIES

Treatment Block Cascade/Hope/Gorge Control method Name Target pest species Pesticide - Aerial Pesticide - Aerial in Possum Cascade/Hope/Gorge- Ship rat (1) Stoat

Target Control Treatment Block Name Pest Method Species Cascade/Hope/Gorge Pesticide - Pesticide - Aerial in Possum Aerial Cascade/Hope/Gorge-(1) Ship rat Stoat Trade name of pesticide 0.15% 1080 Pellets RS5 Name of pesticide Sodium fluoroacetate Type of bait Cereal pellet Toxic loading 1.5 g/kg Bait quality sampling Conducted Bait Details Pre-feed Toxic

Bait type Cereal pellet Cereal pellet Lure/ mask/ deterrent Cinnamon Cinnamon Lure/ mask/ deterrent 30.00% 60.00% Dye None Green

Pestlink Ref: 1314SWS07 Page 6 of 11 Date Printed: 30 Sep 2014 Individual Bait Weight 6.0g 12.0g

Sowing Rate Details Pre-feed Date Rate(kg/ha) Wind Speed Direction 13/05/2014 1.00 Calm Nil 14/05/2014 1.00 Calm Nil

Toxic Date Rate(kg/ha) Wind Speed Direction 29/05/2014 2.00 Calm Nil 30/05/2014 2.00 Calm Nil

Time between pre-feed and toxic 15

End of Caution Period Date 30/09/2014

Aircraft type Hughes 500D or E Hughes 500NT Iroquois Squirrel AS 350 Number of Aircraft 6

Sowing gear details Description Capacity Underslung bucket, Broadcast sowing 1000 kg

Type of navigational guidance TracMap DGPS

system used Hand loaded 25kg bags from truck into loader Loading Method hoppers, loader hoppers into aircraft hoppers

Complaints and Incidents No complaints. Small spillage (10kg) bait entirely within Toxic Loading zone was cleaned up by contractor and DOC staff. Following close detailed examination of the sowing data / map in the days following the operation, it was identified that in a few minor cases bait had been laid between 4m and in one case 42m outside of the RMA boundary but within the Public Health Permission boundary. The Cascade/Hope block is surrounded by large buffers of conservation stewardship land, or by the coastline, and the over sows did not pose any public or adjoining landowner risk. Once identified, staff took responsible action and notified the West Coast Regional Council, and provided them with the detail required. Council staff were satisfied with the information provided, and noted that the area was very remote, and that all bait was well within public conservation land. They have subsequently formally acknowledged the issue, and have opted to issue a formal warning, which has been received. They thanked staff for their prompt attention to the matter, and no further action will be taken. Other Details about this method

Pestlink Ref: 1314SWS07 Page 7 of 11 Date Printed: 30 Sep 2014 Nil Deviations from planned operation See above. Lessons Learned Take care not to place sowing boundaries to close to consent boundaries to avoid over sowing.

Treatment Block Cascade ground Control method Name Target pest species Pesticide - Bait Bag Pesticide - Bait Bag in Possum Cascade ground-(1) Ship rat

Target Pest Treatment Block Control Method Name Species Cascade ground Pesticide - Bait Bag Pesticide - Bait Bag in Cascade Possum ground-(1) Ship rat Trade name of pesticide Feratox (encaps pellet with prefeed paste) Name of pesticide Cyanide Type of bait Encapsulated pellet with prefeed paste Toxic loading 475 g/kg Bait quality sampling Not Conducted Bait Details Pre-feed Toxic

Encapsulated pellet with Bait type - prefeed paste Lure/ mask/ deterrent - Peanut Butter Lure/ mask/ deterrent 0.00% 0.00% Dye - Green Individual Bait Weight - g 20.0g

Treatment details Pre-feed Toxic

Start Date - 24/07/2014 Completion Date - 26/08/2014 No. of Bag Renewals 0 0 /checks Ave. Renewal/ check Freq. 0.00 0.00 Total bait used 0kg 30kg Quantity per bag 0g 20g

Date Bait Bag Removed -

End of Caution Period Date 26/12/2014

Pattern of bait bags Grid

Bait bag type Bait bags - paper

Bait bag spacing 100m between lines

Total number of bait bags 1500

Pestlink Ref: 1314SWS07 Page 8 of 11 Date Printed: 30 Sep 2014 Other Details about this method Nil Deviations from planned operation Nil Lessons Learned Staffing and weather issues made it difficult to complete this ground treatment. I would consider using a contractor for this job if it occurred again

5.2 ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS 5.2.1 Effects on Non-Target Species Cattle are grazed in the river flats of the Cascade river. This area had a significant buffer from aerial sowing operations to mitigate the chance of accidental poisoning. Kea are present in the area. This operation was conducted before the new guidelines for aerial 1080 in keas habitat came out, so bait was not applied to open areas. Performance standard(s) Followed ? Monitored ? Sow bait only within the treatment block No Yes

Effectiveness of performance standards There was a slight over sow as described in the "Complaints and incidents" section. This did not affect any non-target species.

Bykill of non-target species One red deer found, suspected poisoning but unconfirmed. 5.2.2 Effects on Soil and Water Quality Water used for human consumption may contain trace levels of toxin Performance standard(s) Followed ? Monitored ? Buffer put around drinking water supplies. Water supply Yes Yes disconnected until water test results returned with no toxin detected.

Effectiveness of performance standards No bait sown within in 200m of water intake. Test results returned with no traces of toxin found. The area is very remote with only one private hut water supply located within the entire block. 5.2.3 Effects on Ecosystems The ecosystem is expected to benefit by the reduced numbers of possums, stoats and rats. Performance standard(s) Followed ? Monitored ? Are not available to manage these effects.

Effectiveness of performance standards A successful operation was carried out using CSI helicopters as a contractor. 5.2.4 Effects on Human Health

Pestlink Ref: 1314SWS07 Page 9 of 11 Date Printed: 30 Sep 2014 People involved in operation may be exposed to toxin, especially dust from loading hoppers. Performance standard(s) Followed Monitored Adhere to safety standards as set out in briefing on the day of Yes Yes operation.

Effectiveness of performance standards Contractors and Staff wore correct PPE therefore minimised any exposure to toxin

6 Monitoring Results and Outcomes 6.1 RESULT MONITORING - TARGET SPECIES Result target(s) 1% or less (ground) residual trap-catch index of possums within four months of the operation occurring.

6.1.1 Target Species Monitoring No monitoring done Method: Species monitored Possum - Trichosurus vulpecula in Cascade/Hope/Gorge Monitor method details No post monitoring completed

Deviations No post monitoring completed Target pest result details Pre During/Post

Monitoring dates 20th-30th Nov 2012 Not monitored Results 3.4%+-1.61% RTCI Not monitored

Result target met? No Monitoring Done Lessons Learned

No post monitoring completed 6.2 RESULT MONITORING - ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS 6.2.1 Non Target Species Monitoring of: Nil Monitor Method details Nil Deviations Nil Monitoring dates Nil Results Nil Lessons Learned Nil

6.2.2 Soil and Water Quality Monitoring of: Toxin in drinking water catchment for Landaus Hut

Monitor Method details Water sample taken the day after toxic bait was sown. The sample was then frozen and sent to Landcare Research for testing.

Pestlink Ref: 1314SWS07 Page 10 of 11 Date Printed: 30 Sep 2014 Deviations Nil Monitoring dates 31/05/14 Results No detectable toxin in water sample. Minimum detectable level is 0.0001 micro-grams per mL. Lessons Learned Nil

6.2.3 Ecosystems No monitoring of ecosystems was undertaken.

6.2.4 Human Health Monitoring of: The Health and Safety officer monitored contractors and staff to ensure compliance to PPE standards Monitor Method details Continually observed contractors and staff on site. Deviations Nil Monitoring dates 29-30/05/14 Results Contractors and staff on site complied with safety standards in regard to PPE. Lessons Learned Watch new contractors and staff closely to ensure compliance as they may not be as aware of the regulations as some others.

6.3 OUTCOME MONITORING Outcome targets The mean foliar cover score for monitored mistletoe, wineberry and fuchsia does not decline below 50% during a three year period after the operation.

No monitoring of outcomes was undertaken.

Pestlink Ref: 1314SWS07 Page 11 of 11 Date Printed: 30 Sep 2014