Tribunal for water ordered

Press, 24 August 1988, Page 9

Tribunal for water ordered

A tribunal has been appointed to consider two applications for national water conservation orders. The applications, by the Nelson and West Coast Acclimatisation Societies, and the South Island Acclimatisation Societies, cover the Buller River system including all lakes and tributaries, and the Grey River system above the Arnold River. The societies made the application to protect

what they considered the outstanding angling, recreation and fisheries values of the rivers. The Associate Minister for the Environment, Mr Woollaston, said the societies’ applications met criteria for being considered by a tribunal, under the National Water and Soil Conservation Act. Chairing the threemember tribunal for the Grey River application would be Dr Neil Algar, a past member of the

National Water and Soil Conservation Authority; The tribunal’s chair for the Buller River application would be Dr Mike Johnston, geologist and catchment authority member. The third member of the tribunal would be Dr Jonet Ward, a freshwater biologist and environmental research officer. “The tribunal will have the power to make a final decision on the applica-

tions,” said Mr Woollaston. Written submissions on the application are being accepted by the Secretary for the Environment, P.O. Box 10-362, Wellington, until September 10, 1988. Mr Woollaston said the purpose of water conservation orders was to maintain rivers or lakes in their natural state or to place restrictions on water use to protect the valued features of rivers and lakes.