Status of Op Report: Verified Source: Pestlink Operational Report for Norway rat, Ship rat Control in the Oparara Valley

03 Dec 2009 - 04 Feb 2010 10/08/2010 Department of Conservation Buller - Kawatiri Contents

1. Operation Summary...... 2 2. Introduction...... 3 2.1 TREATMENT AREA ...... 3 2.2 MANAGEMENT HISTORY...... 4 3 Outcomes and Targets ...... 4 3.1 CONSERVATION OUTCOMES...... 4 3.2 TARGETS ...... 4 3.2.1 Result Targets...... 4 3.2.2 Outcome Targets...... 4 4 Consultation, Consents & Notifications ...... 5 4.1 CONSULTATION...... 5 4.2 CONSENTS ...... 5 4.3 NOTIFICATION...... 5 5 Methods...... 6 5.1 TARGET SPECIES...... 6 5.2 ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ...... 7 5.2.1 Effects on Non-Target Species ...... 7 5.2.2 Effects on Soil and Water Quality...... 8 5.2.3 Effects on Ecosystems...... 8 5.2.4 Effects on Human Health...... 8 6 Monitoring Results and Outcomes ...... 8 6.1 RESULT MONITORING - TARGET SPECIES ...... 8 6.2 RESULT MONITORING - ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS...... 9 6.3 OUTCOME MONITORING ...... 10

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1. Operation Summary

Operation Name Norway rat, Ship rat Control in Oparara Valley Operation Date 03 Dec 2009 - 04 Feb 2010 Area Office Buller - Kawatiri Conservancy: West Coast Tai Poutini Pestlink Reference 0910BUL02

Treatment Area Size (ha) Oparara Valley 10176.00 Conservation Unit Name(s) Conservation Unit Number(s) M27001 Treatment Block Details Treatment Blocks Size (ha) Oparara Valley 10176.00

Contractor Name Coastwide Helicopters

Treatment Dates Start Completion Oparara Valley 03 Dec 2009 04 Feb 2010 Target Pest Details Treatment Control Target Pests Name Blocks Method Oparara Valley Norway rat, Ship rat Pesticide Aerial Pesticide - Aerial rat control in Oparara Valley-(2)

Conservation Outcome(s) The conservation objective is to protect from rat predation the locally endemic land snail, Powelliphanta annectens and short tail bats and to protect the fauna and flora values of the area in general.

Result Target(s) Treatment Area/Block What we got • Low rat numbers Oparara Valley 0% in tracking tunnels.

Outcome Targets What we got • To maintain viable populations of Powelliphanta annectens and protect general flora and fauna values especially short tail bats.

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2. Introduction

2.1 TREATMENT AREA

Non-target species Common Name Scientific Name Prosthemadera Tui novaeseelandiae novaeseelandiae Bellbird Anthornis melanura melanura pigeon, Kereru Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae Grey Warbler Gerygone igata Rifleman Acanthisitta chloris chloris South Island Fantail Rhipidura fuliginosa fuliginosa Nestor meridionalis South Island Kaka meridionalis Bush falcon Falco novaeseelandiae "bush" Apteryx haastii Yellow-crowned Parakeet Cyanoramphus auriceps Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella Ninox novaeseelandiae subsp. Morepork novaeseelandiae Long-tailed Cuckoo Eudynamys taitensis Chrysococcyx lucidus subsp. Shining Cuckoo lucidus Western Gallirallus australis australis Nestor notabilis

Target benefit species Common Name Scientific Name Large land snail Powelliphanta annectens Mystacina tuberculata Southern short-tailed bat tuberculata (South Island)

Threatened species Common Name Scientific Name Mystacina tuberculata Southern short-tailed bat tuberculata (South Island) Nestor meridionalis South Island Kaka meridionalis Great spotted kiwi Apteryx haastii

Geographical location

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The Oparara Valley is situated 18 km NE of .

TREATMENT BLOCK DETAILS: Treatment block Oparara Valley Vegetation type Mixed beech podocarp forest. Bioclimatic zone lowland sub-montane Climate characteristics: Rainfall 3000 mm Temperature: Average Summer 18.0 Average Winter 10.0 Snow level 0 m Altitude 100 - 800 m

The area is used for recreational pursuits by the general public. Community and Mostly day visitors looking at the arches and caves and walking Iwi interests the newly formed valley track. The Oparara Valley Trust conducts cave tours and canoe trips within the valley. The Oparara Valley has had a history of gold, and timber Historic sites extraction dating back to the late 1800's.

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 conservation objective is to protect from rat predation the locally endemic land snail, Powelliphanta annectens and short tail bats and to protect the fauna and flora values of the area in general.

3.2 TARGETS 3.2.1 Result Targets The result targets for the treatment area were: • Low rat numbers in tracking tunnels.

3.2.2 Outcome Targets The outcome targets for the treatment area were: • To maintain viable populations of Powelliphanta annectens and protect general

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flora and fauna values especially short tail bats.

4 Consultation, Consents & Notifications 4.1 CONSULTATION 02/09/09 - Iwi and the Buller District Council were consulted prior to the operation starting (letters were sent).

Hunters are informed of the operation through the Pesticide Summary when applying for a hunting permit.

Warning signs were placed along McCallums Mill road from the entrance to the Kahurangi National Park, at the Arch car park and at the start of tracks leading towards the operational area.

Consultation outcomes No concerns were raised during the consultation and the operation commenced as planned. Lessons learned When consulting with Iwi post information and follow-up with a phone call. Any minor concerns can then be resolved at that time.

4.2 CONSENTS Consent Consent date File Reference Permission ID DOC 15/07/2008 NHT-02-16-1024 docdm- 500312 Iwi 05/06/2008 NHT-02-16-1024 Buller District Council 03/07/2008 NHT-02-16-1024 WCRC resource consent 20/11/2003 NHT-02-16-1024 MOH 04/06/2008 NHT-02-16-1024 09/397/GRYPH/CB

Lessons learned Allow enough time for consultation in the planning stage and request a reply by a set date. 4.3 NOTIFICATION Public notice was put in the Westport News on the 16/10/09, due to delays in sowing the toxic bait (caused by the weather) it was again put in the Westport News on 19/01/10.

Hunters were informed when applying for a hunting permit by receiving a copy of the Pesticides Summary.

Lessons learned

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Signs need to be checked more regularly when there is more publicity about 1080 operations due to protest action.

5 Methods 5.1 TARGET SPECIES

Treatment Block Oparara Valley Control method Name Target pest species Pesticide - Aerial Pesticide - Aerial rat Norway rat control in Oparara Ship rat Valley-(2)

Target Treatment Block Control Method Name Pest Species Oparara Valley Pesticide - Aerial Pesticide - Aerial rat Norway control in Oparara rat Valley-(2) Ship rat 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 Not Conducted

Bait Details Pre-feed Toxic Bait type Cereal pellet Cereal pellet Lure/mask/deterrent Cinnamon Cinnamon Lure/mask/deterrent 0.02% 0.02% Dye None Green Individual Bait Weight 6.0g 6.0g

Sowing Rate Details Pre-feed Toxic Wind Wind Date Rate(kg/ha) Direction Date Rate(kg/ha) Direction Speed Speed 03/12/2009 1.00 Light SW 04/02/2010 2.00 Calm Nil

Time between pre-feed and toxic 63 End of Caution Period Date 03/06/2010 Aircraft type Hughes 500D or E

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Hughes 500NT Number of Aircraft 2 Sowing gear details Description Capacity Underslung stainless steel/alloy cone buckets with 500 kg petrol motor driven spinners. Power source is compressed air and electrics direct from the helicopter. Type of navigational Both helicopters used Satloc GPS systems to

guidance system used record flight paths and spreading. Manuel loading of bucket from deck of truck for prefeed. A pivot steer loader and bucket Loading Method fitted with weigh scales was used for the toxic loading.

Complaints and Incidents No complaints or incidents were recorded during the sowing operation.

Other Details about this method -

Deviations from planned operation All sowing was undertaken within the operation area however due to a misunderstanding by one of the pilots not all of the required area was treated during the initial sowing operation and a re-sow of these areas was required.

Lessons Learned Make sure the pilot/s are fully aware of why the control operation is being undertaken and on blocks that require multiple sowing rates they understand what is required. This can be assessed by asking the pilot to tell you how he is going to do the sowing and what rate will be used in the various blocks and any time conditions set for completion.

5.2 ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS

5.2.1 Effects on Non-Target Species All baits were dyed green and lured with cinnamon to reduce the risk to birds. Performance standard(s) Followed ? Monitored ? Baits dyed green and lured with cinnamon Yes Yes Effectiveness of performance standards No dead birds were found in or near the operational area by staff while working in the

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Oparara Basin following the aerial sowing.

Bykill of non-target species No bykill of non-target species were found or reported following the sowing of toxic bait.

5.2.2 Effects on Soil and Water Quality Water testing was undertaken from upstream of the water supply intake which supplies the toilets at the Oparara car park following the aerial sowing of toxic bait. Performance standard(s) Followed ? Monitored ? N/A Effectiveness of performance standards No detectable traces of 1080 were found in the water sample.

5.2.3 Effects on Ecosystems If any bait enters waterways it is rapidly degraded by micro-organisms. The product is insoluble in water but readily dilutes and is unlikely to cause poisoning of fish or other aquatic species and does not build up in the environment or food chain. Effects on Ecosystems Not Applicable

5.2.4 Effects on Human Health Conditions set out in the consents (RC, MOH, DOC and BDC) were followed with no reports of toxic baits having effected human health. Performance standard(s) Followed ? Monitored ? Signage Yes Yes Effectiveness of performance standards No detectable traces of 1080 were found in the water sample that was analysed by Landcare. Results of tests are in File # NHT-02-16-51-01.

6 Monitoring Results and Outcomes 6.1 RESULT MONITORING - TARGET SPECIES

Result target(s) Low rat numbers in tracking tunnels. 6.1.1 Target Species Monitoring Tracking tunnels Method: Species monitored Ship rat - Rattus rattus in Oparara Valley Monitor method details 19 lines of 10 tracking tunnels throughout treatment area, monitored following bait application.

Deviations The setting out of and monitoring of tracking tunnels went as planned.

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Target pest result details Pre During/Post Monitoring dates 2/11/2009 30/3/2010 Results 68.95% 0%

Result target met? Yes Lessons Learned N/A

6.2 RESULT MONITORING - ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS 6.2.1 Non Target Species No formal monitoring was undertaken of non- Monitoring of: target species. Monitor Method details Staff doing track checks following the aerial sowing of 1080 looked for any dead non- target species. Deviations Track checks went as planned. Monitoring dates 4th,5th,6th,7th and 11th Feb 2010 Results No non-target species were found. Lessons Learned N/A

6.2.2 Soil and Water Quality No monitoring of soil and water quality was undertaken. 6.2.3 Ecosystems No monitoring of ecosystems was undertaken. 6.2.4 Human Health Water supply to the toilets and wash basins at Monitoring of: the Oparara car park Monitor Method details A water sample was taken from the creek above the intake to the supply to the toilets/wash basin. This was collected in a clean plastic bottle and frozen before being sent to Toxicology laboratory at Landcare for analysis. Deviations Sample was taken as planned. Monitoring dates 7/2/2010 Results No detectable trace of 1080 was found. Lessons Learned Freeze water samples and avoid delays in getting sample analysed

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6.3 OUTCOME MONITORING Outcome targets To maintain viable populations of Powelliphanta annectens and protect general flora and fauna values especially short tail bats.

No monitoring of outcomes was undertaken

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