Environment Trends Reported

With regular droughts increasing irrigation demand, hillsides still vulnerable to slips in the next big storm, and rivers affected by run-off from farms and urban areas, you might think that Hawke’s Bay was in peril.

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council has released its five yearly State of the Environment report summary as an easy to read, magazine format publication, ‘Hawke’s Bay Trends’. The monitoring reported in the summary shows that there are many good and healthy aspects of the region’s environment, although there are some issues that require collective action. In some areas, real gains are being made, such as planting for erosion control, development of wetlands, protection of streams and better water management.

“In many ways it’s a report card for the region. It’s an easy way for people to understand the long term trend, what changes are happening in our environment, and how Council and others are responding,” says Regional Council Chairman Alan Dick.

“There should be few surprises for people as the Regional Council undertakes regular scientific studies which we use to frame policy and take action where needed. We have adapted many of the long term environmental strategies over the past 18 months, as monitoring has highlighted areas which need attention. However it’s not all up to us, and this summary report gives really good information for farmers, industry and even private citizens so that everyone can do their bit.”

The Council has legislative responsibility for resource management and is required to carry out state of the environment monitoring. This shows long term trends from weekly, monthly and periodic monitoring investigations for air quality, groundwater and surface water quality and quantity, land use, biodiversity, coastal changes and climate. Detailed reports are prepared and these are summarised in an annual State of the Environment Report.

Cr Eileen von Dadelszen, Chairman of the Council’s Environmental Management committee says, “The five yearly summary report is comprehensive and informative, and as it covers both urban and rural issues it is pertinent to everyone in Hawke’s Bay. People can use it to consider what actions they need to take.”

The ‘Hawke’s Bay Trends’ publication is available from the Regional Council and online at www.hbrc.govt.nz. It will also be available from public libraries around the region, and at the Hawke’s Bay Environment Centre. The detailed background reports listed in the summary are also available from the Council on request.

And what does the state of the environment five year summary say?

• Drought has been a major factor in 3 of the 5 years of monitoring and the region needs to be better prepared for more long dry spells and short, intense storms.
• There has been an increase in more intensive land use in some areas, such as vineyards, cropping and dairying. However many farmers are continuing to plant trees to reduce erosion on hillsides, while more croppers are using techniques to reduce wind erosion on arable soils.
• Water quality around the region is largely unchanged but steps are being taken to improve water quality over the long term, such as fencing out waterways from stock, developing wetlands as nutrient filters and planting more vegetation alongside streams.
• Biodiversity is starting to improve with better protection of bush areas, restoration of wetlands and more tree cover, but work needs to be done to evaluate the region’s biodiversity and set priorities.
• There are many environmental pressures that can affect the quality of our streams, rivers, lakes and estuaries including pollution, water takes, erosion, agricultural development, industrial and urban development, stormwater runoff ,habitat loss and climate change.
• Groundwater is generally good but demand for irrigation from groundwater last summer resulted in the lowest aquifer levels recorded. Council is bringing in new requirements for water metering and is developing allocation models for better water management.
• Air quality is generally good, except in winter when pollution goes above national environmental standards. The new Healthy Homes programme will help people switch to more efficient heating. Vehicle emissions are however within standards.
• The coastline is dynamic with some areas eroding and others accreting, and some community projects are at work to plant, fence and protect dune systems.
• Coastal water quality is good for swimming except after heavy rain and occasional algal blooms affect shellfish. Some sediments have high levels of contaminants from historical boat servicing and industrial discharges.