Commissioners to consider moratorium for Hurunui River

Environment Canterbury Commissioners will consider on Thursday whether to put in place a moratorium on the Hurunui River and its tributaries to take, dam, divert, or use water.

Commissioner Peter Skelton said Environment Canterbury had sought prior approval from Minister for the Environment Nick Smith to consider the moratorium, as required in the Environment Canterbury (Temporary Commissioners and Improved Water Management) Act.

The Commissioners will consider the proposed moratorium at a special Council meeting on Thursday, July 22, starting at 9am.

The effect of a moratorium, if imposed, on existing applications for water consents would be to place the applications on hold until six months after the end of the moratorium.

Existing resource consents would not be affected by a moratorium.

Any new consent applications submitted while a moratorium is in force would not be processed and would be returned to the applicant as soon as practicable.

Environment Canterbury is proposing the moratorium, if passed at Thursday’s Council meeting, would stay in effect until October 1, 2011.