TEKAPO POWER SCHEME ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT // 01.07.13 30.06.14 ENVIRONMENTAL This report summarises the key outcomes at the Tekapo Power Scheme for the operating period 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014. 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 matters directly with interested parties. 14 HIGHLIGHTS 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014 02 01 INTRODUCTION 02 1.1 Document Overview Tekapo Canal Remediation Project The Tekapo Canal 02 1.2 Resource Consent Overview Remediation Project was successfully completed. The works 02 1.3 How to use this document were completed ahead of time, to specification, and without any 02 1.4 Genesis Energy’s Approach significant health and safety incidents and with full resource to Environmental Management 02 1.4.1 Genesis Energy’s Values consent compliance (Section 7) 02 1.4.2 Environmental Management System Tekapo Canal Road access The length of the Tekapo Canal 03 1.4.3 Resource Consents Management System 03 1.4.4 Hydrology Road has been opened for access to pedestrians and cyclists 03 1.5 Feedback following the completion of the Tekapo Canal Remediation Project. Public vehicles retain access to the upper seven 04 02 TEKAPO POWER SCHEME 05 2.1 Operating the Tekapo Power Scheme kilometres and to the lower four kilometres of the Tekapo Canal 05 2.2 Climate and Power Generation Road. Genesis Energy has incorporated improved signage, parking and toilet facilities at the lower end of the Tekapo Canal 06 03 LAKE TEKAPO 07 3.1 Hydrology (Section 8.4). 08 04 TEKAPO RIVER AND LAKE GEORGE SCOTT Environmental Monitoring Genesis Energy completed four 09 4.1 Hydrology synoptic environmental monitoring studies which provide a 10 4.2 Recreational Releases snap shot of the current environment in which the Tekapo 11 05 TEKAPO A POWER STATION, TEKAPO CANAL AND Power Scheme operates. The results provide information to TEKAPO B POWER STATION determine the future environmental monitoring needs for the 12 5.1 Hydrology Tekapo Power Scheme (Section 6) 13 5.2 Water Management Agreement 13 5.2.1 The Pukaki Supply Flow Cultural Health Assessment Representatives from Te Runanga 13 5.2.2 High Flow Management Coordination Group o Moeraki, Te Runanga o Arowhenua and Te Runanga o Waihao 14 06 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING embarked on a project in partnership with Genesis Energy to 15 6.1 Introduction build on the understanding of the cultural significance of the 15 6.2 Lake Tekapo Shoreline area around the Tekapo Power Scheme (Section 8.1). 15 6.3 Aquatic Ecology of the Tekapo River and its Tributaries 16 6.4 Water Quality Lake Tekapo Community Fund The Lake Tekapo Community 16 6.5 Hydrology Fund saw $50,000 awarded to eight Lake Tekapo community 16 6.6 Future Environmental Monitoring Requirements initiatives. The Lake Tekapo Community Fund was set up to 17 07 TEKAPO CANAL REMEDIATION PROJECT recognise the Lake Tekapo community’s support during the 18 7.1 Overview Tekapo Canal Remediation Project (Section 9.5). 18 7.1.1 Construction Management Site 18 7.1.2 Internal Canal Repair Works 20 7.2 Resource Consents ABBREVIATIONS 21 7.3 Environmental Management 21 7.3.1 Tekapo Canal Water Quality Management AER Annual Environmental Report 22 7.3.2 Ground and Surface Water Monitoring CCC Christchurch City Council 22 7.3.3 Fish Salvage CSR Comprehensive Safety Review 23 7.3.4 Dust Management DO Dissolved Oxygen 23 7.3.5 Noise Management DOC Department of Conservation 23 7.3.6 Traffic Management EMS Environmental Management System 23 7.3.7 Lighting Management GWh Gigawatt hour 23 7.3.8 Contaminant Spill Contingency Management HiCoG High Flow Management Coordination Group 24 7.3.9 Stormwater, Sediment and Erosion Control Management HNZ Housing New Zealand 24 7.3.10 Archaeological Discovery Management kW Kilowatt 24 7.3.11 Rehabilitation masl Metres above sea level – Moturiki Datum 24 7.4 Communication MW Megawatt 25 7.5 Lake Tekapo Levels and Tekapo River Spill NIWA National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research 25 7.6 Acknowledgements PRR Project River Recovery 26 08 SCHEME-WIDE OUTCOMES PV Photovoltaic 27 8.1 Cultural Health Assessment RCMS Resource Consent Management System 27 8.2 Project River Recovery - Department of Conservation RECC Renewable Energy Control Centre 28 8.3 Lake Alexandrina Fishery Enhancement Project SMP Supplementary Management Plan - Fish and Game TekPS Tekapo Power Scheme 29 8.4 Tekapo Canal Road Access WMA Water Management Agreement 30 8.5 Maintenance Activities 30 8.5.1 Oil Interceptor Inspections 30 8.5.2 Maintenance of Fork Stream Culvert 30 8.5.3 Removal and Planting of Trees at Tekapo A Power Station 30 8.5.4 Redundant Lake Tekapo Water Supply Pump Removal 30 8.5.5 Tekapo Canal Remediation Project 30 8.5.6 Control System Upgrades 30 8.5.7 Generator Refurbishment 31 8.6 Dam Safety 30 8.7 Public Complaints 30 8.8 Publically Available Hydrology Information 32 09 COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES 33 9.1 Schoolgen 33 9.2 Lake Tekapo Footbridge Society 33 9.3 Aoraki Bound - Ngãi Tahu 34 9.4 Whio Forever 34 9.5 Lake Tekapo Community Fund 35 9.6 Tekapo 10 35 9.7 Alder Removal 35 9.8 Curtain Bank 36 10 KEY OBJECTIVES 37 10.1 Review of Key Objectives for 2013-2014 38 10.2 Key Objectives for 2014-2015 39 11 REFERENCES Cover photo: Representatives from Te Runanga o Waihao, Te Runanga o Moeraki, Te Runanga o Arowhenua, Cawthron Institute, Fish and Game, Department of Conservation, and Genesis Energy during the Tekapo Canal Remediation Project fish salvage operation (see Section 7.3.3 ). 01 INTRODUCTION The resource consents for the TekPS are regulated by Mackenzie District Council and Environment Canterbury. They include a range E mihi ana ki a koutou i runga i ngã tini ãhuatanga o te wã. Anei te of water permits, land use and discharge permits to take and use Ripoata Taiao e hãngai ana ki ngã mahi hihiko mõ te rohe o Takapõ. water from Lake Tekapo throughout the TekPS and to allow for minor maintenance works around the scheme. The consents are Welcome to the 2013-2014 Annual Environmental Report (AER) for operative until 30 April 2025. the Tekapo Power Scheme (TekPS). The purpose of this report is to update the community and stakeholders on the wide range of 1.3 HOW TO USE THIS DOCUMENT activities that occurred at the TekPS between 1 July 2013 and 30 June 2014 (the ‘reporting period’). This document is the third AER This report documents environmental outcomes based on three for the TekPS and follows the previous year’s (2012-2013) report. key areas of the scheme: This report will: Lake Tekapo; provide an overview of resource consent compliance at TekPS; Tekapo River and Lake George Scott; and provide an update on monitoring and research programmes; Tekapo A Power Station, Tekapo Canal and Tekapo B report back on key projects; Power Station. report on community and environmental initiatives; and This report also provides information for: define environmental objectives for the next 12 months. Scheme-wide Outcomes; and Genesis Energy aims to be accessible to the public, to address Community and Environmental Initiatives. issues as they arise and to develop closer working relationships within the communities in which it operates. There is also a chapter which describes Environmental Monitoring 1.1 DOCUMENT OVERVIEW (chapter 6) and the Tekapo Canal Remediation Project (chapter 7). Genesis Energy produces a suite of reports and other Bold text like this will help you to find your way around the report. documentation on its activities each year (Figure 1). These include Consent # (condition) identifies the parts of the report that relate detailed technical reports, audit reports and various reporting to specific resource consent conditions. requirements to stakeholders. They address specific issues at a site/local level. Orange text like this throughout the report provides useful background information on specific issues. The Company’s Annual Report provides an overview of Genesis Energy’s performance as a company. 1.4 GENESIS ENERGY’S APPROACH TO ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 1.4.1 GENESIS ENERGY’S VALUES Genesis Energy’s four core values define the way things are done at Genesis Energy. They are the actions and behaviours which help contribute to the success of the company. Genesis Energy Values Respect – We treat people and places as we would wish to be treated. Drive – We achieve with energy, courage and commitment. Imagine – We challenge today and change tomorrow. Support – We work together, take responsibility and have fun. Genesis Energy’s intent is to become the preferred provider of energy in New Zealand. We will achieve this by: Delivering efficient service and smart solutions to customers; Optimising the performance of our generation portfolio; ‘Living’ our values; and FIGURE 1 // Report hierarchy at Genesis Energy. Operating in a way that is safe and healthy for our people, our customers, our communities and the environment. 1.4.2 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM This AER bridges the gap between site specific reporting and Genesis Energy is committed to ensuring that environmental and the company’s Annual Report. It provides an overview of all social awareness are the cornerstones of its business. Achieving environmental and stakeholder activities relating to the TekPS. full regulatory compliance is considered the minimum standard It does not detail company strategy or performance (refer to the that Genesis Energy strives to achieve in the operation of its Annual Report for this information) or provide extensive detailed business.