Te Waikoropupū Springs and Associated Waterbodies
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Water Conservation Order: Te Waikoropupū Springs and Associated Waterbodies Submission Reference no: 199 Heather Jameson, Heather Jameson Submitter Type: Individual Source: Email Overall Notes: Clause The specific parts of the application that my/our submission relates to are: Notes I support all specific parts of this application with the additional note that for clause 12, pg 5 of the WCO order I would strongly suggest that given the grave evidence of rising nitrate levels, decreasing water clarity and high E.coli levels in various parts of this fragile and extraordinary national resource that all bodies involved also take this opportunity to seriously reassess any existent consent grants in the Takaka Valley area. While this water conservation order may enable some status quo to be reached in time to protect the clarity and sanctity of Te Waikoropupu Springs there is clearly already measurable damage being done to this site and ongoing unsustainable practices in the area. Clause What is/are your view/s on the application? Position Support Notes I support all specific parts of this application. A particular note regarding the clause 12, pg 5, WCO order. Historically and currently the Tasman District Council approach to Te Waikoropupu Springs and the supporting Arthur Marble aquifer can be summarised as follows: “Less for many, more for a few” There will be much less for all NZers and visitors to NZ in coming years as our second clearest body of water clouds over. This is not a Pink Terrace event where nature unexpectedly reclaims a treasure. This is deliberate and sustained poisoning of groundwater through unnecessarily extravagant but lucrative agricultural practices. A few are receiving short-term profit with no long-term sustainable economic growth for the country or district while these same people enjoy the remaining brief period of time the Te Waikoropupu Springs remains clear before succumbing forever. This is treating the trashing of a precious, unique and sacred place as someone else’s problem to deal with and pay for in future. I would strongly state that given the grave evidence of rising nitrate levels in this fragile and extraordinary national resource that all managing bodies involved also take this opportunity to seriously reassess any existent consent grants. Decreasing water clarity in the upper Springs River downstream of the confluence with Fish Creek and recent, exceedingly high E.coli levels within Fish Creek from cattle further shows that already in Takaka Valley the water resources are experiencing unsustainable strain. While optimistically this water conservation order may enable some status quo to be reached in time to protect the clarity and sanctity of Te Waikoropupu Springs there is clearly ongoing unseen but measurable damage being done to water quality in the Takaka Valley area. Given the lack of direct measurement of clarity at the main spring since 1993 which, if still true today, places Te Waikoropupu Springs second only to Blue Lake – the clearest lake in the world, it is unconscionable that Tasman District Council be allowed to consider additional resource consents that would certainly further damage this taonga. The link between groundwater nitrate contamination and farmland being unquestionably established at this time (Environ Monit Assess. 2016; 188: 172. doi: 10.1007/s10661-016-5167-9 as an example study). There is no controversy except from self-serving spin on the impact of irrigation and intensive agriculture on groundwater quality. Further leaching of nutrients from farmland or water takes from the river decreasing flow will only accelerate the death of the aquifer organisms that give us this special stunning spectacle. This attitude of wait and see, without actually checking even if Main Spring water clarity has already been affected, is an unacceptable approach. Which leaves only the ethical issue here of how, knowing that future generations may only have photos of this amazing part of NZ, can the Te Waikoropupu Springs be allowed to further degrade. Currently we have no concept of if we are even capable of cleaning aquifers post-pollution. 60 years of sewage contamination to an aquifer in Cape Cod, Massachusetts shows that natural cleaning is taking significantly longer than scientists expected. If anyone reading this has any idea how to clean an immense body of water buried underground of significant contamination please do share. And also explain why future generations should pick up the bill for those profiting currently from unnecessarily environmentally damaging business practices. Damage is already being done to this treasure. It needs to stop now. In fact we need to do this and more, look carefully at existent claims to this precious resource. Do we really need to make someone gold over sharing a priceless wonder with future NZers and visitors? Do we need to export yet more unsustainably sourced products to the world until the groundwater in NZ no longer springs forth clear? Do we need to encourage further global plastic contamination through water bottling that returns little profit to the country it takes from? I hope that this WCO is granted and Tasman District Council asks these questions of existing resource consents. Or future generations will see clearly in the cloudy and algae-infested Te Waikoropupu waters the dirty greed and grey morals of the current people managing this area and NZ. It is shameful that Te Waikoropupu Springs so desperately needs this WCO. When there is very little knowledge on how to undo damage done a sensible approach is to proceed extremely cautiously. There are less intensive agriculture practises that more efficiently use the land and water resources and minimise leaching by smartly tailoring the land to hold on to the nutrients. There are more sustainable ways of turning a profit without risk to a national treasure. There are better options and NZ should be leading the way. This is our land. Not someone else’s pantry or a way for a few to fatten their wallets. If business as usual is allowed to continue there will be nothing for those to come but yet another dirty pond where Te Waikoropupu Springs once sat. And our drinking water will be as bitter as the realisation that something could’ve been done, but you chose not to. Clause I/we seek the following recommendation from the Special Tribunal to the Minister for the Environment Position Grant the order Notes Current unsustainable, environmentally damaging practices with regards to the Arthur Marble aquifer and Te Waikoropupu Springs are a disrespect to the land and all NZers. This order should be granted to halt future damage from ill-considered consents, draw a line at the current status quo and enable further work to be done to repair and remove strain from the resource by introducing regular monitoring and best practice for the land so that future generations may enjoy the beauty, clarity and wonder of the Te Waikoropupu Springs. Clause Would you like to present your views on this submission to the Special Tribunal at a public hearing? Position I/we do not want to present my/our views at a public hearing Notes Happy for submission to be presented via another person on my behalf but do not have time to attend a public hearing. The submitter have elected to withhold their personal details from publication. .