The release, ‘Rules for Lake Rotorua catchment a step closer’, “is disingenuous in its statement about reaching the “sustainable water quality target set by the community for Lake Rotorua”, and in direct conflict with the council’s own monitoring data, which shows the lake quality has already exceeded the community target,” Morgan says.
“What I think the release meant to say was, ‘between the proposed rules and incentive fund, Bay of Plenty Regional Council is confident it can reduce nitrogen leaching into Lake Rotorua where necessary by 2032’.”
Morgan says Federated Farmers is “disappointed the council seems unable to celebrate collaborative success, which has enabled the community to reach its goals over the last seven years”.
Isn’t a significant improvement worth celebrating? he asks.
“There are already rules for the Lake Rotorua catchment, such as Rule 11, which is a key rule in the Regional Land and Water Plan. Farmers and industry bodies such as AgResearch, DairyNZ and Fonterra have been working hard in achieving a considerable reduction in nutrient loss and corresponding positive water quality outcomes for many years.
“The agreed water quality target for Lake Rotorua has just been met, as measured by Bay of Plenty Regional Council. The target trophic level index (TLI) is 4.2 and Lake Rotorua is sitting at 4.08 so it has exceeded its target.
“TLI is a measure of lake health and water quality and should not be confused with a nitrogen reduction target as set out in the Bay of Plenty regional policy statement. Nitrogen is only one of four parameters that make up TLI. They are nitrogen, phosphorous, turbidity (water clarity) and chlorophyll A (algae).
“Scientific reviews [will be done] every five years up to 2032 to ensure only necessary change is imposed on landowners and the community. Targets such as nitrogen reduction can be reviewed through this process and adjusted where appropriate.”
Morgan says Federated Farmers insists any nutrient management is “appropriate and accountable to the best science and actual data of the day”.
