Protection for wild rivers advocated

Press, 3 June 1981, Page 23

Protection for wild rivers advocated

PA Wellington Wild and scenic rivers should be protected by a two tier system of legislation, the Environment and Conservation Organisation believes. E.C.O.’s wild-rivers spokesman. Mr Robert Fantl. says proposed amendments to the Soil and Water Conservation Act may be adequate for rivers of local or regional importance. But those of national importance required a status similar to that of national parks, and decisions concerning them should be taken out of the hands of the Water and Soil Division and the Minister of Works, Mr Fantl said. In a statement congratulating the Minister for the Environment (Dr Shearer) for shelving a proposal that absolute water rights could

be usurped to build hydro dams on designated wild rivers. E.C.O. said it appreciated what Dr Shearer was working against in the Cabinet. The shelving was a brief respite which E.C.O. would ensure became permanent after the election. A reversal would be a breach of faith. Mr Fantl said. No rivers had been preserved in their natural state and big rivers such as the Waikato. Rangitaiki, Tongariro, Waitaki. Clutha and Waiau were being modified. Before any further development, an equal number of rivers should be set aside, such as the Motu, Mohaka. Wanganui and tributaries, Rakaia, Clarence, and Buller, Mr Fantl said.