Official finds illegal waste

Press, 30 March 1985, Page 3

Official finds illegal waste

Illegal chemical waste was discovered by a North Canterbury Catchment Board official during a waste monitoring survey in Malvern County, the board’s operations committee heard yesterday. Mr R. Ayrey, who would not name the site, said he had found evidence of a chemical applicator having washed his equipment out by a water-race, although there were no real facilities there.

He said he thought a contractor had wrongly directed the spray applicator to the site, and he referred the matter to the Malvern County health inspector.

Mr Ayrey said no direction had been given by the Catchment Board to allow such equipment to be cleaned at the site. He is meeting Malvern and Ellesmere council staff to discuss the over-all matter of waste disposal, to try to identify the extent of the problem, and to find a safe method of discharge. Equipment purchases The board will spend $669,700 on plant and equipment purchases during 198586. Included in this figure are seven vehicles, a bulldozer, and electronic surveying equipment. The board is

also considering conversion to liquefied petroleum gas.

Conservation plan

The committee recommended a $48,000 soil and water conservation plan for The Poplars, a 6069 ha property in the northernmost part of the board’s district, 135 km from Christchurch.

The property is well known in that it lies across State highway 7, one of the main routes to the West Coast, and is also one of the main starting points for access to the Lake Sumner State Forest Park.

Proposals in the plan are for the erection of 12.4 km of soil conservation fencing, the establishment of 2.52 km of wind erosion control planting, and the erection of

I.Bkm of wetland protection fencing. The proposals are designed to achieve soil and water aims while recognising scenic and botanical values.

The Conservator of Forsets said the need for care of the forest margin forming the boundary of a large part of the property was of particular concern to the Forest Service and this was recognised and appreciated by the landholder.

The Comissioner of Crown Lands has indicated his support for the plan as providing for sound land management. Chathams

An offer made by the board two years ago to help

the Chatham Islands in soil and water conservatrion has been withdrawn. However, if the matter arose again the board would reassess its own position on the subject. The offer of providing an “agency” service was never taken up. The chief executive officer, Mr E. R. Wood, said the board had no responsibility for the islands and that to provide a proper service, staff would have to be based there.

McLeans Island A draft management plan of McLeans Island was received by the committee. It provides guidelines in the form of management aims, policies, and implementation proposals for de-

cisions to be made on the ongoing management of Waimakariri reserve lands. The plan is for the area zoned for recreation at McLeans Island, together with the riverbed, the river berms, and plantations to the southern side of the mid-line of the Waimakairi River. Policies on recreation, administration, roading, wildlife, and zoning are included.

Rent increases Total rental on board properties has incresed $32,000 after the review last December. The board holds a total of 36 leases. No-one involved has objected to the rise.