Wetlands report sought

Press, 3 June 1982, Page 11

Wetlands report sought

PA Wellington The Environmental Council has been asked to report to the Government on the environmental implications of wetland use and management. Public submissions would be sought soon, to enable the council to assess the various demands made on wetlands.

and how to achieve protection where necessary, said the Acting Minister for the Environment (Mr Talbot). “There is a widespread awareness of the need to look after our diminishing wetlands with care and wisdom." he said. The term, “wetland." includes . swamps, peatland.

and salt water marshes and estuaries. Wetland modifications proposed include peat mining in the Chathams, damming inlets near Nelson for freshwater irrigation, as well as steady depletion of wetlands as a result of normal farm development. “We are realising, for ex-

ample, that estuaries are often more productive than our rye grass-clover pastures, a discovery that surprised many people,” Mr Talbot said.

“Some species are becoming endangered due to destruction of habitat. In addition. continued loss of wetlands could diminish some of the beauty that makes up the New Zealand landscape, and opportunities for . many diverse forms of wildlife are lessened. “It is time to take stock of the situation, and try to look for policies which can take account of the multitude of demands which we make on our wetlands," Mr Talbot said.

Wetlands in the past had been seen largely in terms of how they could be developed, how they could be farmed or drained, or how estuaries could be filled and reclaimed, or even used as rubbish tips.