TEKAPO POWER SCHEME ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT // 01.07.14 30.06.15 ENVIRONMENTAL This report summarises the key environmental outcomes at the Tekapo Power Scheme for the reporting period 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015. There are a number of technical reports, research programmes, environmental initiatives and agreements that have fed into this report; it is not the intention of this report to reproduce or replicate this information, rather to provide a summary of it. Genesis Energy is happy to provide further details or technical reports or discuss maters directly with interested parties. 15 HIGHLIGHTS 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015 02 01 INTRODUCTION 02 1.1 Document Overview Tekapo Canal Road Access The Tekapo Canal road public 02 1.2 Resource Consent Overview access enhancements continued during the reporting period 02 1.3 How to use this document 02 1.4 Genesis Energy’s Approach with upgrades of fencing along Gate 17, improved signage and to Environmental Management the installation of cycle and pedestrian access arrangements 02 1.4.1 Environmental Management System along-side Lake George Scott. These measures have improved 03 1.4.2 Resource Consents Management System the access over Gate 17 and along the Upper Tekapo River to 03 1.4.3 Hydrology the Tekapo township [Section 6.5]. 03 1.5 Feedback 04 02 TEKAPO POWER SCHEME Aquatic Weed Monitoring Genesis Energy commenced an 05 2.1 Operating the Tekapo Power Scheme aquatic weed monitoring programme, as part of a 05 2.2 Climate and Power Generation Waitaki-wide catchment programme. The programme aims 06 03 LAKE TEKAPO to proactively detect aquatic weed incursions, so that early 07 3.1 Lake Tekapo Hydrology measures can be taken to manage the incursion. The weed surveillance was carried out by NIWA, during February and 08 04 TEKAPO RIVER AND LAKE GEORGE SCOTT April 2015. No new incursions of aquatic weeds were detected 09 4.1 Lake Tekapo Control Structure 10 4.2 Lake George Scott during the surveillance [Section 7.1]. 10 4.2.1 Lake George Scott Control Weir 10 4.2.2 Lake George Scott Weir Discharge Aoraki Bound During the reporting period, Genesis Energy 10 4.3 Recreational Releases was proud to confirm sponsorship support for the Aoraki Bound programme for a further three years. Aoraki Bound 12 05 TEKAPO A POWER STATION, TEKAPO CANAL AND is a cultural and personal development programme which TEKAPO B POWER STATION 13 5.1 Tekapo A Power Station combines Ngãi Tahu cultural knowledge and expertise with the 13 5.2 Tekapo Canal experience and reputation of Outward Bound [Section 7.4]. 14 5.2.1 Stock Water and Irrigation Take 14 5.3 Tekapo B Power Station Christchurch Curtain Bank The Christchurch Curtain Bank 15 5.4 Ground and Surface Water Monitoring supported a record number of families with new curtains 15 5.5 Water Management Agreement and also began a new mobile curtain initiative to extend their 15 5.5.1 The Pukaki Supply Flow reach to outer suburbs and towns in the greater Canterbury 17 5.5.2 High Flow Management Coordination Group region. Genesis Energy is pleased to continue its support of the 17 5.6 Mount Cook Alpine Salmon Farm Christchurch Curtain Bank [Section 7.7]. 18 06 SCHEME-WIDE OUTCOMES 19 6.1 Cultural Health Assessment 19 6.2 Project River Recovery - Department of Conservation ABBREVIATIONS 20 6.3 Lake Alexandrina Fishery Enhancement Project - Fish & Game AER Annual Environmental Report 20 6.4 Mackenzie District Council Agreement DOC Department of Conservation 20 6.5 Tekapo Canal Road Access EMS Environmental Management System 21 6.6 Maintenance Activities GWh Gigawatt hour 21 6.6.1 Oil Interceptor Inspections HiCoG High Flow Management Coordination Group 21 6.6.2 Control Systems kW Kilowatt 21 6.6.3 Diesel Generator Fuel Tank at Tekapo B masl Metres above sea level – Moturiki Datum 21 6.6.4 Tekapo A Plantings MW 22 6.7 Dam Safety Megawatt 22 6.8 Public Complaints NIWA National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research 22 6.9 Publically Available Hydrology Information PRR Project River Recovery RCMS Resource Consent Management System 23 07 COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES RECC Renewable Energy Control Centre 24 7.1 Tekapo Power Scheme Aquatic Weed Monitoring TekPS Tekapo Power Scheme 24 7.2 Schoolgen WMA Water Management Agreement 24 7.3 Lake Tekapo Footbridge Society 25 7.4 Aoraki Bound - Ngãi Tahu 25 7.5 Whio Forever 26 7.5.1 Whio Practitioners Workshop 26 7.6 Tekapo 10 27 7.7 Curtain Bank 27 7.8 Alder Removal 28 08 KEY OBJECTIVES 29 8.1 Review of Key Objectives for 2014-2015 30 8.2 Key Objectives for 2015-2016 31 09 REFERENCES 01 INTRODUCTION 1.3 HOW TO USE THIS DOCUMENT E mihi ana ki a koutou i runga i ngã tini ãhuatanga o te wã. Anei te This report documents environmental outcomes based on three Ripoata Taiao e hãngai ana ki ngã mahi hihiko mõ te rohe o Takapõ. key areas of the scheme: Welcome to the 2014/15 Annual Environmental Report (AER) for Lake Tekapo; the Tekapo Power Scheme (TekPS). The purpose of this report is Tekapo River and Lake George Scott; and to update the community and stakeholders on the wide range of Tekapo A Power Station, Tekapo Canal and Tekapo B activities that occurred at the TekPS between 1 July 2014 and 30 Power Station. June 2015 (the ‘reporting period’). This document is the fourth AER for the TekPS and follows the previous year’s (2013/14) report. This report also provides information for: This report will: Scheme-wide Outcomes; and provide an overview of resource consent compliance at the TekPS; Community and Environmental Initiatives. provide an update on monitoring and research programmes; Bold text like this will help you to find your way around the report. report back on key projects; report on community and environmental initiatives; and Consent # (condition) identifies the parts of the report that relate define environmental objectives for the next 12 months. to specific resource consent conditions. Genesis Energy aims to be accessible to the public, to address Orange text like this throughout the report provides useful issues as they arise and to develop closer working relationships background information on specific issues. within the communities in which it operates. 1.4 GENESIS ENERGY’S APPROACH TO 1.1 DOCUMENT OVERVIEW ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT Genesis Energy produces a suite of reports and other 1.4.1 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM documentation on its activities each year (Figure 1). These include detailed technical reports, audit reports and various reporting Genesis Energy operates an Environmental Management System requirements to stakeholders. They address specific issues at a (EMS) which incorporates a suite of management processes and site/local level. tools that are well integrated with other core business systems. The EMS applies to all activities involving the use of natural and The Company’s Annual Report provides an overview of Genesis physical resources and the environment, from the conceptual Energy’s performance as a company. stage of any project through to Genesis Energy’s normal day-to- day operational activities. The EMS aligns with the core Company behaviours of: Make it happen – Be brave, smart, real and deliver together. Keep it Simple – Make it easy for our customers and ourselves Do what’s Right – For each other, our customers and communities During the reporting period, the Environmental Management and Community Engagement Policy Statement was approved by the Genesis Energy Board, and is now one of the overarching documents in the Business Management System (BMS). This policy can also be found on the Genesis Energy website: www.genesisenergy.co.nz/environmental-management FIGURE 1 // Report hierarchy at Genesis Energy. This AER bridges the gap between site specific reporting and the company’s Annual Report. It provides an overview of all environmental and stakeholder activities relating to the TekPS. It does not detail company strategy or performance (refer to the Annual Report for this information) or provide extensive detailed information on monitoring programmes and other initiatives undertaken (refer to specific technical reports listed in the references). More information about Genesis Energy, including an electronic copy of this document, can be found on the website: // 15 www.genesisenergy.co.nz 1.2 RESOURCE CONSENT OVERVIEW The resource consents for the TekPS are regulated by Mackenzie District Council and Canterbury Regional Council. They include TEKAPO a range of water permits, land use and discharge permits to take and use water from Lake Tekapo throughout the TekPS and to allow for minor maintenance works around the scheme. The 02 consents are operative until 30 April 2025. An internal audit was completed during the reporting period of the Tekapo resource consents and third party agreements. Minor ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY improvements were identified and implemented as a result of ENGAGEMENT POLICY STATEMENT the audit. Whilst meeting its commitments to its shareholders, Genesis During the 2012/13 reporting period, improvements to the RCMS Energy is committed to ensuring that environmental, social and were identified including enhanced reporting functionality and cultural awareness and responsibility are cornerstones of the ensuring that the system is more user-friendly. A project was Company’s business activities and that a duty of care towards planned to incorporate these changes in the RCMS in the reporting people, communities and the environment is exercised at and period, however IT infrastructure upgrades and the possible re- around our assets. development of the RCMS mean this project has been deferred. The Company achieves this by implementing an Environmental 1.4.3 HYDROLOGY Management System that aligns with core Company values to ensure that: Genesis Energy has an extensive hydrology monitoring network around the TekPS.