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Science

1 Water Monitoring & Research

1.1 Targets – Year to Date Progress (% progress)

MEASURE

Reporting Period

YTD ACTUAL

Target

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

Track changes in the health of the

Region’s water resource *1 20% 20% 20% 15% 17% 8% 100% 100%

Inform policy and non-regulatory

programme development *1 20% 20% 20% 15% 17% 8% 100% 100%

Assess policy and implementation

effectiveness *1 20% 20% 20% 15% 17% 8% 100% 100%

*1 AP/LTP targets

The water monitoring and research activity summary is arranged in three sections to summarise work on groundwater, surface water quantity (allocation), and surface water quality and biomonitoring. A summary of targets for the 2015-16 reporting year has been provided in a table at the end of each section. A more detailed introduction to the monitoring and research programmes for this year is provided in the accompanying activity reports, along with brief updates for the reporting period (1 June 2016 to 31 July 2016).

1.2 Activity Report (groundwater)

Groundwater monitoring programme:

Groundwater monitoring is carried out across the Region for State of Environment (SoE) monitoring purposes and to contribute to national monitoring programmes including the National Pesticides Survey, National Groundwater Monitoring and National Groundwater Age Programmes.

1.2.1 Groundwater level monitoring throughout the Region has progressed as scheduled, with monthly surveys completed in June and July. Across the Region, groundwater levels have followed a similar pattern to recent years and continue to show a response to reduced rainfall recharge. At the time of reporting, groundwater levels across the Region for July 2016 were around 0.5 – 1 m lower than measurements recorded in July 2015. It is worth noting that even following periods of increased rainfall, there can be a delay in response in aquifers, particularly at depth, and recovery to previous levels will depend on longer-term rainfall recharge.

1.2.2 During the reporting period, staff carried out an audit of the Region’s annual allocation volumes, daily flow rates and maximum daily flow volumes for groundwater consents for all Groundwater Management Zones (GMZ). Data is now being processed by Horizons’ Catchment Information team to enable regional reporting of groundwater allocation, with the intention of presenting this information as part of the One Plan Implementation dashboard. This information will provide

reporting information for future State of Environment reporting and national freshwater accounting, as required by the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPS-FM).

1.2.3 Quarterly groundwater quality monitoring has progressed as scheduled during the reporting year and was completed in June 2016. This monitoring is carried out in 35 bores across the Region and includes a range of chemical parameters (such as chlorine, sulphate, fluoride), metals (including iron, manganese, arsenic), nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), as well as a bacteriological indicator Esterichia coli (E. coli). This monitoring is carried out to provide an indication of the state of groundwater quality in our Region across a range of depths and aquifer conditions. This monitoring is not intended to provide information about the suitability of water for human consumption in each well. Well owners, however, are provided with the data (on request) and encouraged to carry out the appropriate testing through an accredited laboratory, if they intended to utilise their bore for drinking water supply.

1.2.4 As reported in Horizons’ 2013 State of Environment report, and illustrated through ongoing monitoring – groundwater varies in quality across the Region. Due to a range of natural and human causes such as elevated metals (iron, manganese and arsenic), nutrients (nitrate-nitrogen) or bacteria (as indicated by the presence of E. coli), groundwater is not always suitable for human

consumption, and may require treatment prior to use.

1.2.5 Information on how well owners can ensure their water supply is secure is provided by Horizons in the form of a brochure and accompanying guidance document. This information is available on Horizons’ website, or on request.

1.2.6 Monitoring for early signs of seawater intrusion along the coastal margin continues. Groundwater level and conductivity are measured continuously at eight monitoring sites along the west coast and data is provided via telemetry to Horizons. Groundwater level data at these sites is available

via Horizons’ Environmental Data webpage (Figure 1). Conductivity data is available on request. To date, there have been no signs of seawater intrusion in any of the continuous monitoring sites in our Region. Any concerns or public enquiries regarding seawater intrusion (or our wider groundwater monitoring network or programme) can be directed to the team at [email protected].

Figure 1: Groundwater level monitoring at MDC Himitangi Shallow – as shown on Horizons Environmental Monitoring webpage.

Photo 1: Secure groundwater bore at the Centennial Lagoon, Palmerston

mailto:[email protected]

Hydrogeology and Conceptual Modelling

The overall management of the groundwater system relies on a good fundamental knowledge of groundwater recharge, discharge and movement through the subsurface environment. While there is a general understanding of the geology and hydrogeology on a regional scale, further development and refinement of conceptual and hydrogeological models for groundwater management zones are required to maintain a cohesive approach to groundwater management in the Region.

1.2.7 A review of the existing conceptual hydrogeology of the Ohau and Waikawa Catchments has been provided by Pattle Delamore Partners Ltd (June 2016). Prior to finalising the report, analysis of additional data collected during 2015-16 will be carried out during the early stages of the 2016-17 reporting year. This will provide a more robust analysis by incorporating the results of the Ohau and Waikawa groundwater level survey, and draw on additional information provided by the age tracer and isotope analysis that is being carried out by GNS Science (Section 1.2.18).

1.2.8 The development of a 3D flow model for the Santoft area is now complete. This work follows on from the Rangitikei-Turakina conceptual hydrogeology and water balance work that was completed during 2013-15. The model provides a representation of recent trends in groundwater levels and predicts the potential pattern of groundwater levels, assuming different abstraction scenarios. The model is accompanied by a report that describes the modelling methodology and outlines the next steps required to support the development of a sustainable allocation limit, which include:

Further assessment of the sensitivity of surface water bodies to reductions in discharge from groundwater, including assessment of the ecology and community value;

Development of thresholds to protect those surface water bodies, if required;

Applying those thresholds in the model to determine what they may mean in terms of an allocation limit for the area.

A final report outlining the development of the model will be available following peer review.

1.2.9 A recommendation for further assessment of surface water body sensitivity has been incorporated into the 2016-17 Science and Innovation work programme, as set out in our Operational Plan. A cutaway 3D image of the model is shown in Figure 2 below.

1.2.10 A community workshop and meeting with the Santoft water user group was held. Staff provided a presentation of the monitoring and research work completed to date, which was followed by a discussion about the implications for future resource consents and the potential use of trigger levels as a mechanism for flow restriction.

Figure 2: Cutaway of the 3D Model of Santoft, showing the modelled aquifer layers and different hydraulic conductivity values applied to the model.

Massey University Collaborative Research Programme:

A collaborative research programme by Massey University and Horizons Regional Council investigates the transport and fate of nutrients from farms to the waterways in the Tararua and Rangitikei Catchments. The work is carried out through a range of PhD and MSc projects and at present we have three students contributing to different facets of this programme.

1.2.11 Two PhD studies investigating the fate and transport of nutrients from farms in the Tararua District are now in their third (and final) year. The field components of both the PhD studies are now complete and both are well into the report writing stage.

1.2.12 A BSc(Hons) project investigating nutrient flow pathways is progressing to schedule. The investigation includes natural and artificial surface waterways and groundwater pathways, on a dairy farm in the coastal sand country of the Santoft area. A number of piezometers have been installed to enable testing of shallow groundwater quality and the study is progressing to schedule with final reporting anticipated later in 2016.

1.2.13 Recent work in the Tararua Groundwater Management Zone (Tararua GWMZ) in the upper Manawatu River catchment has shown good agreement between redox characteristics and denitrification potential (Elwan, Singh, Horne, Roygard, & Clothier, 2015). However the spatial resolution of prior work is limited to testing of existing bores or and a limited number of piezometers to sample shallow groundwaters in the study area. A new MSc study by Pete McGowan, will further knowledge of the denitrification potential of specific combinations of rocks and soils present in the Tararua GWMZ, to identify spatial variation in capacity for attenuation of nitrogen. Ultimately it is hoped that the methodology employed, and identification of key characteristics of rocks and soils presented in this thesis may be of use to others outside the Tararua GWMZ study area (McGowan, pers. comm.).

1.2.14 Our collaborative research programme with Massey University continues to develop, with a number of new PhD research projects being scoped. While the Mangatainoka catchment

continues to remain a focus for further research, the proposed PhD studies will focus on understanding the fate and transport of nutrients in the Rangitikei catchment, with a particular focus on the use of novel methods for characterising groundwater and surface water interaction. One PhD study is already underway, mapping the geology of the Pourewa catchment.

Resource Accounting:

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) recently identified land use intensification, particularly in the Rangitikei, Manawatu, Tararua and Horowhenua areas, as a key opportunity for economic growth in Horizons’ Region (MPI, 2015). While supporting this growth, Horizons must also ensure the Region meets environmental targets set by regional and national policy, such as the 2014 National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management.

To achieve this, a significant investment has been made by Council to fast-track our knowledge and understanding of the Region’s groundwater resources. Focus areas include the Rangitikei and Turakina groundwater management zones, where increasing demand for water has led to Horizons increasing both our monitoring coverage and targeted research programmes to better inform policy implementation in these areas. The Horowhenua and Tararua management zones are the focus of investigations of nutrient transport and attenuation to identify opportunities for reducing nitrogen loadings in these catchments.

1.2.15 An extensive investigation of groundwater and surface water interaction in the Ohau and Waikawa Catchments is progressing to schedule. Surface water quality and bio-monitoring will continue for the remainder of 2016-17 to improve our understanding of seasonal changes in surface water quality. The Ohau Waikawa investigation seeks to inform long-term natural resource use for both water quantity and water quality, particularly the implementation of nutrient management rules set by Horizons Regional Policy and Plan (One Plan) in the Waikawa catchment, and guide decision making around land use conversion in the Ohau catchment.

1.2.16 Analysis and interpretation of additional age tracers, collected from rivers and streams during 2013 low flow conditions around the Region, is expected to be delivered by GNS Science early in the 2016-17 year. This co-funded project builds on the initial data set by providing additional spatial coverage to address gaps in the current data and further assist with our understanding of catchment transport (lag) times – i.e. the time it takes from water to enter the groundwater system and make its way to surface water bodies.

1.2.17 This regional-scale data set is unique nationally (and internationally) due to (a) its spatial coverage, and (b) collection at extreme low flow conditions, when water in our rivers and streams was primarily groundwater inflow (known as baseflow) and rainfall runoff was minimised. This information assists in our understanding of catchment flow and transport mechanisms and provides crucial information for informing natural resource decision making, particularly around land use and its potential effects on water quality.

1.2.18 Included in this report will be the age tracer and isotope results for Horizons State of Environment groundwater quality network, sampled in June 2014. These results will provide a better understanding of the residence times for groundwater in shallow wells to add to a previous analysis of groundwater age information sourced from public water supply bores and previous catchment investigations.

1.2.19 An additional co-funded project is also in place to analyse and report on the recent age tracer and isotope sampling carried out in the Ohau and Waikawa catchments, as part of an intensive groundwater – surface water investigation. Samples included radon, to identify areas of groundwater inflow to surface water bodies; stable isotopes, field parameters and chemistry to identify geo-chemical and hydrochemical processes; age tracers to establish catchment lag times; and nitrate isotopes to identify potential sources of nitrate-nitrogen in these catchments. A report is anticipated early in the 2016-17 reporting year.

1.3 Groundwater Monitoring and Research Summary

Project Key deliverables Progress to date

Groundwater Monitoring Programme

Monthly groundwater (GW)

levels Monthly water level monitoring progressing to

schedule.

Quarterly GW quality Sampling of 30 wells was completed in Sep,

Dec, Mar and Jun.

Quarterly National Groundwater Monitoring Programme (NGMP) quality

Sampling of three wells was completed in Sep, Dec, Mar and Jun.

New seawater intrusion site A new seawater intrusion monitoring station

near Turakina Beach is now monitoring continuous groundwater level.

National age tracer programme Additional sites are being scoped for the

national age tracer programme, to the north of the Region.

Data management

GW quality data analysis

Historic and current State of the Environment (SoE) quality data has been

analysed by GNS Science to provide guidance for quality coding and state and trend analysis.

Continuous improvement of the groundwater data management system

Groundwater quality data was successfully migrated from Qualarc (a historic software programme) to Hilltop (our current data management system for water quality and level data)

Hydrogeology and Envirolink

Ohau/Waikawa conceptualisation

Analysis of the existing data was carried out by PDP and provided to Horizons. Further analysis will be carried out early in the new financial year to include the groundwater level survey and findings of the GNS age tracer and analysis report.

Ohau/Waikawa age tracer and isotope analysis

A co-funded research project carrying out analysis and interpretation of the age tracer and isotope data collected by Horizons during the summer survey was initiated and is due to be completed early in 2016-17.

Santoft water balance conceptual model development

A 3D flow model was provided by PDP to determine the current effects of water use on the groundwater resource. The model was also used to show the effects of abstraction at fully consented rates, if well owners were to exercise their permit using the full allocation volume.

Regional age tracers

A co-funded research project to provide further analysis and interpretation of our regional age tracer and isotope data set was initiated and is due to be completed early in 2016-17.

Massey University Collaborative Research Programme

Massey sampling programme Massey field research is now complete.

Completion of PhD studies

Both PhD projects are nearing completion.

Two MSc research projects were completed. The first investigated the use of radon as a tracer of groundwater inflows to surface water; the second looked at the fate and transport of nutrients in the Rangitikei area.

New Tararua MSc project A new MSc project to further refine our

understanding of the denitrification potential of specific combinations of rocks and soils

Project Key deliverables Progress to date

present in the Tararua GWMZ is now underway.

New Rangitikei BSc(Hons) project

A new research project investigating the movement of nutrients via surface and subsurface drainage on a dairy farm in the Santoft area is underway and due to be completed early in 2016-17.

Ohau / Waikawa surface water/ground water (SW/GW) Investigation

Advice grant for field study An Envirolink-funded workshop was delivered

by GNS Science to Horizons staff in Sept 2015.

Field GW/SW investigation

An intensive catchment-scale investigation of GW/SW interaction, GW recharge and lag times was completed Feb-Apr 2016. Sampling for surface water quality and periphyton continues.

Santoft Resource Accounting Project

Water level surveys

Water level survey was carried out in Sept 2015 with a post-irrigation season survey planned for Apr-May 2016 to provide seasonal comparison of groundwater flow throughout the year

Water user group A newsletter was provided to the Santoft

water user group providing an update on monitoring and research progress.

Upper Manawatu Groundwater Availability

Groundwater Availability Study Report was completed in Oct 2015.

Policy, Consents and Resource Management Act (RMA) Advice

Guidance document for Policy 5.6

A technical note to provide guidance as to the interpretation of Policy 5.6 – Maintenance of Groundwater Quality was completed by PDP.

Communication and Reporting

National engagement and reporting

Staff presented at the Hydrological Society conference in Nov 2015 and attended the Dec 2015 and May 2016 Groundwater Forum meetings.

Staff facilitated a national freshwater and policy workshop with Regional Council’s and MfE in May 2016.

Staff contributed to the development of the National Environmental Monitoring Standard (NEMS) for Discrete Water Quality.

Staff provided feedback on the national Draft Operational Plan for Carcass Disposal.

A community workshop and meeting with the Santoft Water User Group was held at Lake Dudding Hall to share the monitoring and research work completed to date in the Santoft area.

Stephen Collins RESEARCH ASSOCIATE Abby Matthews SCIENCE AND INNOVATION MANAGER

2 Water Allocation

2.1 Activity Report (water allocation)

Water allocation monitoring programmes:

Horizons undertakes a wide range of core environmental monitoring programmes that include the measurement of river level, flow, rainfall, soil moisture and gauging rivers during low flows.

2.1.1 Fieldwork for this core area of environmental monitoring continues.

2.1.2 The development and refinement of modelled (or synthetic) flows is a project that continues (being year two of the three year programme). The modelling provides an extra dimension to being able to manage resources at any particular point in a catchment without the expense of in-field gauging at that point.

Water metering programme and water quantity accounting:

Water metering is a fundamental component of managing water allocation. The data is crucial for assessing the actual volumes of water taken compared to consented volumes. The WaterMatters website is used to deliver information back to consent holders and the public, and for compliance purposes

Water use restrictions

2.1.3 Over the summer of 2015-16, the majority of flow restrictions were in place by late January, and continued throughout February and March. There have been no further low flow restrictions since 20 May 2016. The figures and tables below draw from Horizons’ WaterMatters Website.

Figure 3: Low flow restriction summary published on Horizons WaterMatters website as at 12 February, 2016, (near peak for the 2015-2016 summer) and 30 June (end of the reporting period). Areas shaded in white on the map indicate where water take restrictions were in place within these water management sub-zones.

2.1.4 For more detailed information on which sites are in restriction, WaterMatters reports the latest flows and number of consent holder’s potential in restriction here: http://www.horizons.govt.nz/managing-environment/resource-management/water/low-flow-restrictions-summary/. The map of affected catchments is here: http://www.horizons.govt.nz/managing-environment/resource-management/water/watermatters/by-region/.

National Water Metering Regulations

This project is to ensure that holders of water take consents continue to work toward meeting the National Regulations on Water Use Measurement and Reporting.

2.1.5 A summary of the progress made by Horizons against the National Regulations on Water Use Measurement and Reporting as at May 2016 can be seen in Table 1 Summary of progress against National Regulations on Water Use Measurement and Reporting as at January 2016. The regulations are presently in effect for water takes of 20 litres per second or more, and for takes of 10 litres per second up to 20 litres per second. Regulations for takes of more than five litres per second but less than 10 litres per second will be in place from 10 November 2016.

http://www.horizons.govt.nz/managing-environment/resource-management/water/low-flow-restrictions-summary/

http://www.horizons.govt.nz/managing-environment/resource-management/water/low-flow-restrictions-summary/

http://www.horizons.govt.nz/managing-environment/resource-management/water/watermatters/by-region/

http://www.horizons.govt.nz/managing-environment/resource-management/water/watermatters/by-region/

Table 1 Summary of progress against National Regulations on Water Use Measurement and Reporting as at January 2016

2.1.6 In summary, 407 consents are identified as requiring provision of water metering information to the Council as they provide for more than 10 L/s of water to be abstracted. Currently 287 of these 407 consented water take consents provide data automatically. In the interim it is required that the remaining 120 consents will provide the water use data by manual methods. Of the 407 consents, 364 have been identified as having water meters.

2.1.7 Verification of the accuracy of the meters for takes > 10L/s is also required as part of the National Water Regulations. Verification is required initially and then every five years. Presently a total of 261 metered takes in this category have been confirmed as being accurate (verified) by certified verifiers.

2.1.8 Of the metered consents in the region (all sizes of water takes) a total of 404 are currently providing automated information to Horizons, typically by telemetry. Of these, 294 were inspected over 2015-16 as part of the annual summer inspection programme. Of the 404, 78 are FTP sites where inspection occurs as part of the consent compliance checking programme. Overall, 92% of telemetered sites received at least one check. The remaining sites are non-irrigators and are programmed to be checked in the “off” season of early 2016-17.

Metering of Discharges to Land and Water

2.1.9 As previously reported, a programme has been established to improve the measurement of the volumes of effluent discharged to rivers and land. Over the reporting period, one further flow meter has been installed, bringing the number of unmetered discharges down to two. Table 5 below summarises the number and status (in terms of level of metering and data availability) of the 46 discharges assessed so far. Of these 44 have flow meters. Of the two that do not have flow meters both are discharges to land; one of which requires metering of the inflow as condition of consent. The two that are not metered are relatively small volumes (16.2m

3/day. and 18m

3/day

respectively). Of those that are metered, 15 are automated and the data are available.

2.1.10 The next step will be to establish a prioritised schedule of improving automation and data supply, including ensuring that meters are installed (if required), improving the rate of automated data provision, verification of data that is being provided against meter readings, and verification of the meters that are providing the data. Further work also continues on refining the data connections in-house (for example, ensuring that the data naming conventions are correct).

Takes >20L/s Takes 10-20 L/s Takes 5-10 L/s

267 sites confirmed as metered 97 sites confirmed as metered This category not yet in force – interim numbers suggest:

102 consents in this category;

52 have meters installed already;

31 have telemetry installed to date;

Verification status of meters: unknown.

Numbers will change and be updated as 10 Nov 2016 approaches.

17 sites not yet set up to abstract / not using at all

4 sites not yet set up to abstract or not using at all

3 sites not required to comply with regulations due to mode of abstraction

10 have been followed up with correspondence; working on flow meter installs, verifications or awaiting verification certification from company.

5 new sites not yet metered / awaiting installation

2 where the location of the water meter needs to be reviewed

1 consent holder to surrender 1 new consent to be followed up

Total = 293 consents in this category Total = 114 consents in this category

212 of these confirmed as verified and passed test

49 of these confirmed as verified and passed test

Table 2: Summary of discharge metering status across the Region

1 These discharges are unavailable via our database at this stage but may be available via other means.

Consent holder

No. of discharges assessed

No. of discharges with flow meters

No. of discharges with no flow

meter

Reporting mechanism

Manual (via spreadsheets)

Automated and

available

Automated not

available1

Horowhenua District Council

7 7 0 5 2

Manawatu District Council

7 7 0 3 4

Rangitikei District Council

7 6 1 4 2

Palmerston North City Council

1 1 0 1

Ruapehu District Council

6 6 0 2 4

Tararua District Council

7 7 0 3 4

Wanganui District Council

3 2 1 2

New Zealand Defence Force

2 2 0 1 1

AFFCO Feilding

1 1 0 1

DB Breweries 1 1 0 1

Riverlands 1 1 0 1

Fonterra 2 2 0 1 1

Winstone Pulp International

1 1 0 1

2.2 Water Allocation Monitoring and Research Summary

Project Key Deliverables Progress to Date

Water Allocation Status and Monitoring Programmes

Surface and groundwater quantity monitoring including flow monitoring.

Ongoing.

Water metering programme / National Water Metering Regulations

Telemetry installed to automatically measure water use in the Region.

Receiving data from 404 sites across the region (including smaller takes).

Annual inspections of water take flow meters as part of the telemetry programme.

294 sites inspected to date for the season and all meters reading correctly.

Verifications complete as per the National Water Metering Regulations.

256 verifications completed (and passed) by third party suppliers (Irrigation NZ certified verifiers).

Quality assurance and archiving of historical water metering information.

28 sites processed for 2014-15 data

Meeting requirements of the National Water Metering Regulations – takes >20 L/s, and10-20 L/s must comply by 10 Nov 2012, 2014 respectively.

There are presently 407 consents in these categories. To date 364 confirmed as metered, 287 of which provide data automatically. Non-compliances are being followed up by Regulatory Team.

Communication

Ongoing communication with Upper Manawatu consent holders to assist in process of consent renewal.

Ongoing communication with water users as required throughout year.

Dairy Farm Water Use Project Support of PhD study in collaboration with Massey University and DairyNZ.

Project initiated in 2013. Work ongoing with farmers contacted and sites set up. Expected completion date is late 2016.

Water Allocation Policy Implementation Effectiveness

Scope the scale and contents of a programme for water allocation policy effectiveness monitoring and reporting.

Staff met with stakeholders to relay information on over-allocated catchments and to assist with identifying possible solutions.

James Lambie SCIENCE COORDINATOR

Abby Matthews SCIENCE AND INNOVATION MANAGER

3 Surface Water Quality & Biomonitoring

3.1 Activity Report (Surface Water Quality & Biomonitoring)

Surface water quality and biomonitoring:

Horizons undertakes a wide range of water quality monitoring programmes that include monitoring of physico-chemical and biological parameters, in addition to aquatic macroinvertebrate, periphyton, cyanobacteria, didymo and freshwater fish monitoring for State of the Environment Reporting, discharges, and contact recreation. The programmes include ongoing monitoring of rivers and lakes.

3.1.1 Water quality monitoring programmes have been ongoing throughout the 2015-16 year. During 2016-17 staff will begin scoping a review of the monitoring network design to assess the suitability of the network for a range of different monitoring and reporting requirements.

3.1.2 An automatic nitrate (Nitratax) sensor was installed at the Manawatu at Teachers College flow recording site in February to trial the use of continuous nitrate monitoring. The trial is being carried out in partnership with Massey and Ulster Universities.

3.1.3 Biomonitoring programmes continued during the reporting period with the main focus being enabling the analysis of samples through management of lab contracts, and preparation for the 2016-17 monitoring season.

Phormidium (cyanobacteria in rivers) monitoring:

Phormidium continues to be a key issue for Horizons and we are partnering with external research agencies to better understand the causes of Phormidium proliferation in order to inform management practices. The monthly periphyton monitoring runs are used to check if Phormidium (a type of cyanobacteria) is present. Where Phormidium is found a sample is taken and this is sent for analysis for toxicity levels.

3.1.4 Phormidium was observed at a range of monitoring sites within the Region during summer. During the reporting period, 38 samples that were collected over the course of the 2015-2016 monitoring year were sent to Cawthron for toxin analysis. The results were received by the end of June. Thirty-four of the 38 samples returned positive results for cyanotoxins. With the highest concentrations being located in the Makakahi, Makotuku, Mangatainoka, Oroua and Whanganui Rivers.

3.1.5 The project investigating ecological effects of Phormidium on macroinvertebrates has been completed for the financial year with five sites completed.

Macroinvertebrate monitoring:

Macroinvertebrate communities (MCIs) provide an integrated indication of the health and life supporting capacity of waterways over annual time periods.

3.1.6 A final report has been received looking at the state and trends of macroinvertebrate communities across the Region, including the data from the 2014-15 season. The results were presented to the May Environment Committee meeting.

3.1.7 Monitoring has ceased for the 2015-16 season with 97 sites completed. Samples are currently with Stark Environmental for analysis with results being expected in October 2016.

Periphyton monitoring:

Periphyton is the community of slime and algae that grow on the river bed. This project suite informs the relationship between periphyton growth, nutrient loads and stream flows

3.1.8 The medium advice ($20,000) Envirolink grant to investigate whether the preferential uptake of ammonia is a factor in nuisance periphyton growth downstream of point source discharges has been completed. The report identifies that very little work has been completed on this process in freshwater environments. In addition the report identifies that when nitrate is absorbed by periphyton from the water column it is converted to ammonia for growth. Finally, the report recommends a research proposal for testing whether ammonia does lead to faster growth of periphyton or increased biomass (the amount of periphyton). Funding from external stakeholders is currently being sought to enable this work to occur.

3.1.9 The Ohau-Waikawa Catchment water quality/periphyton fortnightly monitoring programme continues. The Ohau-Waikawa project is supported by the new funding provided by Council to link the state of periphyton and other surface water quality indicators to land use and groundwater flows in key catchments. This programme is sampling 16 sites for water quality and 10 of those for periphyton fortnightly.

3.1.10 Monitoring has been undertaken in the Ohau-Waikawa Catchment using nutrient diffusing substrates at five sites. This monitoring is being undertaken to look at the changes that may occur in the catchment in terms of nutrient limitations on periphyton growth. This information helps inform us on how different parts of the catchment respond to different nutrients. Results of this work for the 2015-16 season have been received. A further round in the 2016-17 season is currently being planned to better inform results.

3.1.11 As reported in the Surface Water Quality section of the Environment Committee Report, the project to analyse the last six years of periphyton data has been completed. This analysis was co-funded by DairyNZ and will be the most comprehensive of its type in New Zealand. The state and trends component of the report was presented to Council in the Nutrient Management workshop in early August.

Freshwater Fish Monitoring:

The Freshwater Fish Monitoring programme involves an ongoing survey of fish species abundance at selected fishable SoE sites, re-checking the Sites of Significance - Aquatic as part of the One Plan policy effectiveness assessments, and undertaking exploratory surveys to further our knowledge.

3.1.12 The Medium Advice ($20,000) Envirolink grant to investigate ways to successfully monitor piharau (lamprey) populations in the Whanganui Catchment continues in collaboration with the Department of Conservation (DoC) and local iwi. Piharau samplers were deployed at 30 sites in

the Whanganui catchment as recommended by Dr Cindy Baker from NIWA.

3.1.13 Monitoring, analysis and reporting of results for piharau (lamprey) surveys have been completed. A map outlining results is shown below. This displays the Whanganui River catchment and the monitoring points where pheromone traps were installed. The colour of the dot relates to the concentration of pheromone in the water column and can be used to loosely infer likely juvenile Piharau populations upstream of the monitoring point.

Figure 4: Estimated larval abundance based on POC15 deployment in the Whanganui River catchment. The Whanganui River is indicated by the thick blue line, with other main rivers indicated by thinner blue lines. Sites names in red indicate samplers affected by heavy fouling or being out of the water when retrieved so they will be underestimating larval abundance. The predicted probability of piharau occurrence is also displayed for all stream segments. For graphical clarity the probability of occurrence is displayed as a % ranging between 0 and 12, and greater than 12.

3.1.14 Brown mudfish monitoring has started for the 2016-17 season with three sites having been surveyed. Another three sites are planned to be surveyed by November 2016.

Coastal & Estuary Monitoring & Research:

The coastal and estuary monitoring and research programme involves monitoring the state and trends of estuarine and coastal water quality as a performance indicator of policy effectiveness and to provide information on the general health of the estuarine and coastal water management zones.

3.1.15 Monthly monitoring of water quality at coastal and estuary sites continues.

3.1.16 Work also continues on the Envirolink funded project engaging NIWA and Wriggle consultants to assess the susceptibility of the Region’s estuaries to nutrients and sediment. The analyses are complete and the team at Wriggle are on track to report on the findings by 30 October 2016. The project will utilise the recently developed Estuary Trophic Index (ETI) to define each estuary’s trophic and sedimentation state and subsequently provide monitoring recommendations and priorities. A draft report has been received.

3.1.17 The broad scale estuary habitat mapping programme has been initiated with a survey of the Manawatu Estuary by Wriggle consultants over the reporting period. The estuarine and terrestrial habitats of the Manawatu Estuary have been mapped following the National Estuary Monitoring Protocol. A draft report was received in June 2016. This work is currently being reviewed with a final report to be completed by 30

October 2016. This work will enable the tracking of estuary

health over time.

Lake monitoring

The purpose of this project is to establish the current water quality and ecological state of a select number of lakes within the region.

3.1.18 The Lake monitoring programmes have been ongoing throughout the 2015-16 year. Highlights from the programme this year are:

The Lake monitoring programme was expanded this year to include five new lakes in the quarterly programme and complete LakeSPI monitoring for 12 coastal lakes.

Bathymetric surveys of Lakes Wiritoa, Pauri and Dudding were completed during the reporting year.

A successful bid by the University of Waikato and NIWA to the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment for their research programme “Enhancing Health and Resilience of New Zealand Lakes” has led to part of the research programme being carried out in the Region.

Envirolink funding was approved for advice from NIWA for creating Lake nutrient budgets. A draft copy of the report has been received and a meeting with NIWA staff to go through the analysis has been held during the reporting period.

During the reporting period, staff spent time determining the priorities for Lake Submerged Plant Indicators (LakeSPI) investigations for 2016-17 monitoring year. This methodology has been developed by NIWA and allows a comparison of lakes at both a regionally and national scale.

3.1.19 The selection process for determining which lakes are to be surveyed during the 2016-17 process has begun. A range of lakes have been selected and the organisation of land access has begun.

Lake Horowhenua macrophyte survey

3.1.20 As previously reported, NIWA repeated a macrophyte distribution survey at 13 sites across Lake Horowhenua. A copy of the results have been received. This information helps inform the Lake Horowhenua Weed Harvesting Strategy and was utilised as a part of the recent resource consent appeal process.

Resource accounting and joint research programme with DairyNZ

A joint research programme with DairyNZ investigating nutrient management opportunities and outcomes has been initiated. The project work is to focus on three separate water quality related projects during the 2015-16 year. The projects are outlined in the following paragraphs.

Project 1: Sources of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Sediment in the Mangatainoka Catchment

This project investigates the likely water quality benefits of increased uptake of good management practices on dairy farms in the Mangatainoka Catchment. The project builds on knowledge from the Mangatainoka Environmental Farm Plans (EFP) project and includes practices such as effluent management, stock crossings and runoff from tracks. This project has been contracted to AgResearch to complete with input from Horizons and DairyNZ staff.

3.1.21 The final report was received and presented to Environment Committee during the June meeting.

Project 2: State, Trends and Drivers of Periphyton in the Horizons Region

This project assesses the state, trends and drivers of periphyton in the Region. National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) has been commissioned to undertake the project and a report is expected to be delivered in June 2016. Monitoring data from Horizons’ periphyton monitoring, flow monitoring and State of the Environment and discharge monitoring programmes has been provided to NIWA for inclusion in the project.

3.1.22 During the reporting period the final state and trends of periphyton report has been received. A summary of results can be found in the biomonitoring section of this agenda.

Project 3: Resource Accounting

This project is to focus on contaminant accounting in Horizons’ region. The National Policy Statement – Freshwater Management (NPS-FM) requires allocation and contaminant accounts to be undertaken every five years for Freshwater Management Units within each regional council boundary. This project builds on progress Horizons has already made toward creating a set of contaminant accounts for the region, with the aim of delivering resource accounts for monitoring sites that have sufficient information. The focus of the project with DairyNZ will be the Rangitikei Catchment but many of the learnings from the work in this catchment will be utilised across the rest of the region.

3.1.23 Analysis of the state and trends of effluent quality and contaminant load contributions for the major point source discharges in the Rangitikei Catchment has been completed and the report is currently being reviewed.

3.1.24 Analysis of the state and trends of river water quality in the catchment has progressed and a report is being drafted.

3.1.25 Landcare Research has completed work to pull together the different sources of land use information to inform a comprehensive picture of land use for the catchment, in order to determine the contribution of the different land uses to the measured load in river. Massey University now have this information and are using it to inform the final report which is currently being drafted.

3.2 Surface Water Quality & Biomonitoring Monitoring and Research Summary


River water quality monitoring programme

Continuous river water quality monitoring

Continuous water quality monitoring of sediment, pH and dissolved oxygen continues within the established measurement networks for these parameters.

Monthly river water quality sampling via the SoE programme and discharge monitoring network

Data from this project has been provided for reporting on the LAWA website, as reported in the Environmental Monitoring and Reporting section of this report.

Data from this programme has been provided to NIWA and Cawthron to inform the development of a sediment attribute for the National Objectives framework (NOF)

Lakes monitoring, reporting and informing lake restoration programmes

Lake monitoring

As proposed, five additional lakes have been included in the monitoring programme for the 2015-16 year.

The NIWA and Waikato University funding bid successfully gained $5 million over 5 years. Staff attended the first governance meeting for the project in late May.

Lake bathymetry Bathymetric surveys of Lakes Wiritoa, Pauri, and Dudding

completed.

Macrophyte communities within the Region’s lakes

NIWA has undertaken and reported on Lake SPI mapping for 12 coastal lakes.

The lakes to be surveyed during 2016-17 have been selected. The LakeSPI report for 12 of the regions coastal lakes was completed by NIWA.

The macrophyte distribution surveys completed in 2002 in Lake Horowhenua have been repeated twice this monitoring year. A final report was provided by NIWA.

Lake Horowhenua monitoring programme undertaken.

Monthly sampling of Lake Horowhenua resumed and is ongoing.

Lake buoy deployed and operational from July 2013.

Data from this monitoring programme has been provided for reporting on the LAWA website.

Coastal and Estuary monitoring

Broad scale estuary monitoring programme established and a report completed on the susceptibility of the Region’s estuaries to nutrient and sediment inputs.

Water quality monitoring is ongoing.

The broad scale estuary monitoring of Manawatu Estuary was completed in late January. A draft copy of the report has been received and comments are to be provided.

The assessment of the susceptibility of the Region’s estuaries to nutrients and sediment is underway. A draft copy of the report has been received for comments and the final report expected by 30 October 2016.

Periphyton

SoE information and knowledge of the relationship between flow, nutrients and periphyton growth around the Region

Monthly monitoring is ongoing.

The fortnightly monitoring in the Mangatainoka Catchment has ceased as 24 months of data has been collected. Monthly monitoring at these sites will continue.

An Envirolink bid was successful to commission NIWA to research whether ammonia is preferentially taken up by periphyton, resulting in faster growth and higher biomass being reached. A final copy of report has been received. Funding for stage two is currently being sought from external stakeholders.

The Ohau-Waikawa intensive monitoring programme has commenced with monitoring being completed twice a month.


Cyanobacteria Benthic cyanobacteria

When seen on periphyton monitoring runs, samples of cyanobacteria from around the Region are collected to investigate regional toxin production. 38 samples that have been collected over the 2015-16 have been sent to Cawthron for toxin analysis.

Results have returned showing some level of toxin in 34 of the 38 samples.

The research on the ecological effects of cyanobacteria has continued with five sites being sampled in this monitoring year following the recommendation made by Cawthron.

Didymo Monitoring to check for didymo incursions.

Monitoring occurs in May, November and February each year; the next round of sampling will be undertaken in November 2016.

All Results from May 2016 were negative.

Invertebrates

SoE information on the health of the Region’s waterways (both state and trend)

A final copy of the state and trends report for macroinvertebrate communities has been received. This report includes the data collected from the 2015 summer.

Monitoring for 2015-16 has been completed with 97 sites sampled. Samples are currently with the lab for analysis.

Freshwater Fish Monitoring programme completed and reported on.

Monitoring of the remaining SOS-A sites that have not been resurveyed has commenced.

An Envirolink bid was successful in providing a monitoring methodology for lamprey, building on the summer’s previous work. Monitoring, analysis and reporting were completed by June 2016.

Stream Ecological Valuation (SEV)

SEV model specific to the Horizons Region

Collection of reference data is continuing.

An Envirolink application for a fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) for the Region was successful. This will

inform the development of the SEV model for Horizons’ Region

Contact recreation monitoring programme

Contact recreation monitoring completed and reported via websites and annual report

2015-16 monitoring completed for the season.

Three new monitoring sites were added to the programme for the 2015-16 summer.

The data was uploaded to LAWA and Horizons’ Safe Swim Spots site during the season.

A summary of results for the 2015-16 season was presented to Environment Committee in June.

Support for the Manawatu Leaders Accord

Updated Accord Action Plan

Staff have attended meetings for the Accord Action Plan update and provided support and meeting spaces for sector groups.

Support for the Lake Horowhenua Accord

Lake Horowhenua Consents

The Lake Horowhenua Resource Consents were granted in January but were subject to appeal to the Environment Court.

Evidence was presented at the Lake Horowhenua Environment Court hearing.

A monitoring programme has been undertaken to provide further information for the weed harvesting operation.


Resource Accounting and Dairy NZ Joint Research Programme

Horizons internal work programme

Physico-chemical water quality data has been provided to NIWA for the periphyton project.

An assessment into the potential nutrient reductions from the first 35 nutrient management consents in the Mangatainoka Catchment has been completed and presented to council.

Envirolink funding has been secured for NIWA to provide advice to staff on calculating nutrient budgets for lakes.

Staff have met with NIWA around the Lakes Nutrient Budget Envirolink project.

DairyNZ/HRC Project 1:

Sources of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Sediment in the Mangatainoka Catchment Report

This work has been contracted to AgResearch to complete with input from Horizons and DairyNZ staff.

A workshop was held in August with experts from DairyNZ, Horizons, Massey University and AgResearch to review and prioritise the risk matrix.

Data has been provided to AgResearch to assist with reporting.

This work has been completed.

Dairy NZ/HRC Project 2:

State, Trends and Drivers of Periphyton in the Horizons Region

A contract has been established between DairyNZ and NIWA for this work to be undertaken.

Flow, periphyton and physico-chemical water quality data from Horizons’ monitoring programmes has been provided to NIWA to enable reporting to be undertaken.

The State and Trends of Periphyton work has been completed. Results of this work were presented to the Council workshop on Nutrient Management.

A workshop to scope the additional drivers work will be held in October.

DairyNZ/HRC Project 3:

Resource Accounting

A workshop was held in July 2015 with Horizons scientists, Massey University, Landcare Research and DairyNZ to scope this project further.

Contracts have been finalised with Massey University and Landcare Research to undertake work for this project.

A contaminant loading workshop was held in November.

Data was provided to Massey University in January for load analysis for the project.

River loads have been calculated for five monitoring sites in the catchments.

A state and trends assessments of effluent quality has been completed and a report is currently undergoing review.

A state and trend assessment of the river water quality was undertaken during the reporting period. A report is currently being drafted.

Maree Patterson SENIOR SCIENTIST – WATER QUALITY

Logan Brown FRESHWATER AND PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER

Abby Matthews SCIENCE AND INNOVATION MANAGER

4 Environmental Research and Monitoring

4.1 Targets – Year to Date Progress

Measure Reporting Period

Actual Target 1

st 2

nd 3

rd 4

th 5

th 6

th

Complete State of the Environment report including reviewing and updating environmental

indicators *1

20% 20% 20% 15% 17% 8% 100% 100%

Undertake policy and programme implementation effectiveness monitoring and provide input into programmes and policies that are in

development *1

20% 20% 20% 15% 17% 8% 100% 100%

Environmental information is made available to the public via Horizons’ website, Environment Committee reporting and on request, including

contributions to national level reporting *1

20% 20% 20% 15% 17% 8% 100% 100%

Monitor and report on air quality *1 20% 20% 20% 15% 17% 8% 100% 100%

*1 AP/LTP targets

4.2 Activity Report

This report covers the reporting period from 1 June 2016 to 31 July 2016. A summary of the progress made against the targets for the year is in the table at the end of this section.

One Plan Monitoring and Evaluation, and SoE Reporting:

The objective of this programme for 2015-16 is to continue to develop a framework for assessing the effectiveness of the One Plan in delivering intended outcomes, and to report on the State of the Environment. Staff time spent on this activity is generally encompassed within the reported outputs of environmental monitoring programmes.

4.2.1 The project to provide clarification and guidance around the interpretation of One Plan Policy 5-6 is now complete. This guidance on the management of groundwater quality concludes that the application of the policy requires three main considerations when assessing a consent application for discharges or land use activities that may affect groundwater quality:

1. An understanding and assessment of existing groundwater quality, together with hydrogeological setting in which that groundwater occurs;

2. An assessment of how a discharge or land use activity may change that groundwater quality, including an assessment of any changes and attenuation effects along a pathway; and

3. An understanding of which standards should be applied to determine whether existing groundwater quality should be maintained, or where it is degraded and should be enhanced.

4.2.2 The report describes a framework staff can follow to undertake a reasonable application of Policy 5.6 and help to maintain and enhance ground water quality in the region without restricting land use discharges unnecessarily. The implications for Horizons’ Science and Innovation team is that continued monitoring of groundwater quality and further hydrogeological modelling work (including groundwater / surface water interactions) will be essential for groundwater resource management.

4.2.3 Staff time dedicated to state of the environment monitoring and reporting activity is generally encompassed within the reported outputs of environmental monitoring programmes, captured

elsewhere in Environment Committee reports during the year. A bibliography of science reports for 2015-16, which includes reports on the state of the environment, is available.

Air Monitoring:

Horizons continues to monitor concentrations of fine particles under 10 microns in diameter (PM10) in Taihape and Taumarunui, the Region’s two gazetted airsheds or air quality monitoring areas. It uses Beta Attenuation Monitoring (BAM) instruments located in the two towns.

4.2.4 Three exceedances of the National Environmental Standards (NES) for air quality were recorded in Taumarunui over the Easter period 25 - 30 April 2016. These were investigated with no conclusive evidence found of any known or likely anthropogenic pollution event that may have contributed to the high mean daily PM10 concentrations recorded.

4.2.5 The report by Dr Emily Wilton of Environet Ltd identified that the lack of knowledge of the sources of this event was not as a consequence of poor monitoring processes, or lack of investment in air quality science, or lack of investigation, and concludes that this event can be considered “exceptional”. The 2011 Users Guide to the revised NES for Air Quality (updated 2104) allows for exceedances that are due to faulty equipment or an isolated one-off event to apply for an exemption from the Ministry for the Environment. An application to the Minister for the Environment to mark this as an exceptional event was made at the end of June. Staff anticipate receiving a response from MfE in September.

4.2.6 There was an elevated daily PM10 recording at Taihape on Sunday 26 June, 2016. This has also been investigated and attributed to recorder fault. To validate this assessment, further analysis of the monitoring record is currently underway.

4.2.7 A camera has been installed at the Taumarunui monitoring site. The camera is directed over the town to give an overview of the visual air quality during the day. A camera will also be installed at the Taihape monitoring site over the 2016-17 financial year to ensure the cause of any elevation in future can be quickly identified and addressed.

Provide Environmental Information:

The provision of environmental information through servicing data requests directly or via working with other teams continued during the reporting period. This information provision includes data provision and reporting to the Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA) website.

4.2.8 Analysis of water quality data for the LAWA website completed in September 2015 and presented to the environment committee along with the Environment Aotearoa trends in December 2015. Over the reporting period the focus has been on preparation and provision of data for the LAWA freshwater update due to be completed in September 2016.

4.2.9 The Air Module of the LAWA website went live in June 2016. LAWA allows users to explore existing air quality data up to 2015 as supplied by regional councils (Figure 5 and Figure 6: Air quality monitoring data available on the LAWA website.). Horizons’ regional customers can continue to access up-to-date records for Taumarunui and Taihape from Horizons’ AirMatters website.

Figure 5 and Figure 6: Air quality monitoring data available on the LAWA website.

Envirolink Update:

The Envirolink Fund Provides funding from the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE) – Science and Innovation for regional councils to engage research from the Crown Research Institutes (CRI’s) and universities. Horizons is a proactive subscriber of the fund, which has been instrumental for adaptive management tools that translate environmental science into practical advice.

4.2.10 Since Envirolink’s inception on 1 December, 2005, Horizons has received a total of around $1.6M worth of science advice through the funding scheme. Over the course of 2015-2016, Horizons secured ten Envirolink projects, totalling $139,810. The outcomes of the findings of the projects are reported against the activities of the other Science monitoring and research sections of the

Environment Committee report as and when the projects are completed. At the time of reporting (August 2016), three of the projects are still to be finished. To recap, the projects for 2015-2016 are:

A groundwater / surface water interaction study for Ohau and Waikawa Stream – a workshop with GNS to identify the parameters and sample methods Horizons can use for this study ($5,000) - complete;

Creating nutrient budgets for coastal dune lakes - advice from NIWA on the information required to complete nutrient budgets and then how to create nutrient budgets using Lake Horowhenua as a case study ($19,810) – awaiting draft report;

A report on methods to assess the preferential uptake of ammonia by periphyton – a literature review and proposed monitoring methodology from NIWA ($20,000) - complete;

The use of pheromone samplers for monitoring lamprey populations – advice from NIWA on a novel technique to monitor this culturally important taonga species ($20,000) - complete;

Climate change projections for Horizons – regionally tailored analysis by NIWA of the IPCC Fifth Assessment ($20,000) – in final draft;

An assessment on the susceptibility of Horizons’ estuaries to nutrient enrichment and sedimentation – advice from NIWA and Wriggle on how to apply the estuarine trophic index to the Region’s estuaries ($20,000) – awaiting final report;

Revision of Horizons’ wetlands biodiversity monitoring systems – advice from Landcare Research as to the value of and any changes to the Top 100 wetlands monitoring and assessment programme ($5,000) – complete;

Coastal lakes prioritisation – advice from NIWA on the information needed to prioritise coastal lakes management and monitoring ($5,000) – complete;

Feral goats as exacerbators of soil erosion – a literature review by Landcare Research on the effects of feral goats on soil conservation ($5,000) – complete;

Options and implications for implementing nutrient management rules using farm-specific soil data according to Overseer best practice standards - advice from Landcare Research ($20,000) – awaiting final report.

Climate Change and Variability Horizons Region (NIWA, 2016)

Observed increases in temperature (globally averaged) since the mid-20th century are now having measurable effects in many parts of the world. A recent (2013-2014) assessment by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concludes that the increase in greenhouse gas concentrations caused by human activities have led to changing temperatures, and that continued emissions of greenhouse gases will cause further warming and changes in all parts of the climate system. Resulting projections for global and regional changes in temperature, sea level, and precipitation for the coming century, point to an expected increase in the frequency of heavy rainfall events.

New Zealand has warmed by 0.09 ± 0.03°C per decade since 1909, with more heat waves, fewer frosts, more rain in the south and west of New Zealand, less rain in the north and east of the North and South Islands, and a rise in sea level since 1900 of 1.7 ± 0.1 mm/yr. During the 21st century, New Zealand’s climate will certainly warm further.

The Ministry for the Environment climate change guidance manuals recommend that councils should build consideration of climate change into their planning activities rather than considering them in isolation, and should take a risk management approach. Consultation and discussion with stakeholders (e.g. groups of farmers, iwi) to help them identify climate-related risks and ways of building resilience will also be important to preparing our Region for an increase in the frequency of heavy rainfall events.

A recent review of climate change projections and potential impacts for the Horizons Region, since the publication of the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report in 2013 and 2014, has been provided by NIWA. This report describes climate changes which may occur over the coming century for the region administered by the Horizons Regional Council, and outlines some possible impacts of these changes (NIWA, 2016), such as predicted changes in seasonal precipitation (Figure 7).

Figure 7: Projected seasonal precipitation changes (in %) at 2040 (2031-2050 average). Relative to 1986-2005 average, for the IPCC RCP 8.5 scenario, averaged over 41 climate models. Image courtesy of NIWA.

4.3 Environmental Research Summary


One Plan Monitoring and Evaluation, and State of Environment Reporting

Ongoing information collection and analysis to inform future SoE reporting

Ongoing through a range of programmes.

Delivery of the SoE Portfolio 2015-16 and development of the 2016-17 Science and Innovation Operational Plan.

An assessment of the water quality outcomes from implementation of the One Plan rules around nutrient management in the Mangatainoka Catchment has been completed and reported to Council.

Technical guidance to the interpretation and implementation of Policy 5-6 for maintaining groundwater quality.

Audit and archiving of groundwater daily and annual allocation data is underway to inform reporting of groundwater use for the One Plan implementation dashboard.

A bibliography of the 2015-16 science reports including results of state of the environment monitoring is available.

Provide environmental information

Information provision to the public and external agencies

Information provision to external organisations has continued.

Information provision via websites

The Air Matters and Water Matters websites continue to provide up to date information on a daily basis.

The annual update of water quality information for the LAWA website was completed in September.

Analysis of the state and trend of water quality was completed for the nation’s data in October.

Provision of Air Quality data through LAWA in June.

Project team established to deliver the update to the water modules within LAWA for September 2016.

Monitoring and reporting on environmental health (air quality)

Air quality monitoring and reporting

Air quality monitoring continues in the Taihape and Taumarunui airsheds.

Investigation into recent air quality measurements in Taumarunui is complete and application made to MfE for Exceptional Event.

Air quality public education campaign – cleaner heating

Education material on encouraging healthier heating is being promoted and our website is being updated.

Region wide radio campaigns for firewood collection (February 2016) and good heating (June 2016).

Harold Barnett ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

Maree Patterson SENIOR SCIENTIST – WATER QUALITY

James Lambie SCIENCE COORDINATOR Abby Matthews SCIENCE AND INNOVATION MANAGER

5 Land Research and Monitoring

5.1 Plan Targets

The Land Research and Monitoring section reports on the Land Management Research and Monitoring service in the Annual Plan, which includes the fluvial monitoring and research, and land monitoring and research activity. This work is closely linked to other research and monitoring activities, and provides information for management of gravel takes, flood protection schemes, land application of wastewater, and the SLUI programme.

Brief updates for the reporting period (1 June 2016 - 31 July 2016) are provided in the sections below. Reporting against the full year (100%) target is provided in the table at the end of this section.

Measure

Reporting Period YTD Actual

Target

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

Track changes in the health of the

Region’s land and fluvial resource *1 20% 20% 20% 15% 17% 8% 100% 100%

Inform policy and non-regulatory

programme development *1 20% 20% 20% 15% 17% 8% 100% 100%


effectiveness *1 20% 20% 20% 15% 17% 8% 100% 100%

*1 AP/LTP targets

5.2 Activity Report

Fluvial monitoring and reporting:

The fluvial survey programme provides information on the changes in levels of aggradation or degradation of river channels and berms. This information is important for the management of gravel takes from the Region’s rivers and flood protection schemes, and as an indicator of the efficacy of programmes such as SLUI. The work is coordinated by a cross-organisational team involving Science, River Management, and Survey staff.

5.2.1 As previously reported, the 2015-16 field programme is complete, with the Survey team having undertaken bed level surveys of Oroua River, the Makino Stream, selected sections in the Kiwitea Stream and the Waikawa Stream.

5.2.2 At the time of reporting (August 2016), staff have had an initial meeting to discuss the scope and logistics of undertaking the survey of the lower Rangitikei River as part of the 2016-17 programme. Reporting of the results of the 2015-16 surveys is also programmed to occur over 2016-17. Horizons engineers undertake the data analysis and reporting of fluvial surveys and these are normally reported through the Catchment Operations Committee.

Gravel extraction:

The collection and storage of information on the amount of gravel being extracted from schemes and consents is an ongoing project, with gravel returns reported quarterly.

5.2.3 The figure below depicts the volumes of gravel extraction over the 2015-16 financial year compared to previous years. At the end of quarter four this financial year, the reported gravel extraction amounts were similar to those reported in 2014-15.

Figure 8: Extracted gravel volumes from 2011-12 financial year to the 2015-16 financial year showing the extraction in each quarter. Quarter 1 (Q1) is July, August and September, Quarter 2 (Q2) is October, November, and December, Quarter 3 (Q3) is January, February and March, Quarter 4 (Q4) is April, May and June.

Sedimentation and river schemes:

A new long-term research programme is being developed to investigate options that extend the life of the flood protection infrastructure by improving knowledge about sediment movement and deposition in rivers.

5.2.4 At the time of reporting (August 2016), the LiDAR survey of the Oroua River and Lower Manawatu River has been flown with the exception of areas of the west coast. The remainder of the data is expected to be acquired by November 2017. The 2016-17 programme will involve the processing and analysis of the LiDAR information, and ongoing discussion on methods to determine the sources of aggrading sediment and approaches to manage the issue.

The suitability of tephra to treat wastewater

Massey University, with support from Horizons, has been testing tephra for its suitability to strip phosphorus from partially-treated municipal wastewater. Research to date has demonstrated that some andesitic tephra soils show promise as low-cost media for the removal of dissolved reactive phosphorus. Horizons continues to engage with Massey in further research work associated with the full-scale use of tephra for polishing treated effluent at Dannevirke. The project also evaluates the agronomic use of tephra media once its absorption capacity has been exhausted. This is year two of a three year PhD project initiated in November 2014.

5.2.5 The pilot study at Dannevirke Sewage Treatment Plant was extended to look at optimising the phosphorus removal efficiency of tephra after sieving and pH dosing was completed in late 2015. The purpose of the study was to improve the performance of the pilot-scale tephra soil filters compared to a previous study (Hanly et al., 2013a) using the Site 17 soil (from a quarry near Ohakune). This previous pilot study only achieved a total of 2.14 mg P/g soil compared to the laboratory study, which removed 7.2 mg P/g soil (Hanly et al., 2012).

5.2.6 This current study started on the 20th November 2013 and operated for 440 days. Changes in Dissolved Reactive Phosphorus (DRP) concentrations for the untreated wastewater and soil filter treated wastewater were measured in two soil filters. Results to date are encouraging: by the end of the study the filters had removed around 2/3 (67%) of the phosphorus from the wastewater (Figure 10).

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16

Gra

vel v

olu

me

ext

ract

ed

(m

3)

Financial Year

Q4

Q3

Q2

Q1

Figure 9: Relationships between cumulative DRP added to the filters in wastewater and estimated cumulative DRP load removed by the filters.

5.3 Land Research and Monitoring Summary


Fluvial monitoring and research to inform gravel management

Cross-sectional survey information to inform gravel management and flood control works

Survey work in the Kawhatau River, Makuri-iti Stream, Upper Whanganui River, Upper Mangahao River and Mangatainoka River was completed last year.

The 2015-16 survey programme originally included the Lower Rangitikei River – this has been re-scheduled to 2016-17.

Survey of the Oroua River (122 cross sections) has been completed.

Survey of the Makino Stream (57 sections) and selected sections of the Kiwitea Stream (6) have been completed.

Survey of the Waikawa River (50 sections) has been completed.

Gravel use monitoring Gravel extraction data continues to be collected and collated

on a quarterly basis.

Sedimentation and river schemes

Scoping of a model to inform long-term management of schemes in relation to sediment

DHI has scoped development of a catchment/sediment transport model to inform long-term management decisions around flood protection schemes.

Staff have reviewed the report, River Management staff have revised the project scope, and the Survey team is completing a stocktake of the information available for the project.

Project team determined the immediate priorities for collection of new information, and LiDAR survey of the Manawatu and Oroua Rivers was commissioned.

By August 2016, much of the new LiDAR imagery was captured.

Staff are discussing the next steps for this project once the new LiDAR data is received. Existing LiDAR survey information continues to be prepped for the comparative analysis.

Lake Horowhenua implementation projects support

Staff advice and input into fluvial/land implementation projects as part of the Lake Horowhenua Clean-Up Fund project

Staff provided technical input into the integrated storm water management project and the sediment trap wetland project of the Lake Horowhenua Clean-Up Fund project.

Informing land treatment of wastewater

Information around wastewater treatment on land, including dairy farm effluent, on-site wastewater treatment and land treatment of municipal wastewater

The Dairy Shed Effluent Storage Calculator and the Town Effluent Calculator, tools developed by this research portfolio, continue to be used on a regular basis.

Horizons continues to support the on-site wastewater system trials at Rotorua, along with many other funding partners.

Staff continue to support and assist Territorial Authorities (mainly the Horowhenua and Rangitikei District Councils) and the general public with approvals of design and queries about on-site wastewater systems design and management.

The pilot trial of municipal effluent treatment using tephra at Dannevirke is complete.

Filter material from the Dannevirke pilot study will be utilised in a glasshouse experiment to evaluate the fertiliser use of the tephra.

Research findings from the tephra investigations are now being scaled up into full-scale systems. The Manawatu Clean-Up Fund has supported systems being constructed at Dannevirke and Woodville.


Predicting water quality outcomes from the Sustainable Land Use Initiative (SLUI)

Information on expected water quality results from SLUI work under different SLUI management scenarios

Envirolink funding was received to investigate the efficacy of the SLUI programme under different predicted climate change scenarios.

Landcare Research has provided a final report. A summary of results was reported in the Environment Committee report of October 2015.

An updated estimate of water quality outcomes from SLUI implementation to the end of 2015 has been provided by Landcare Research.

Nutrient leaching from sheep and beef farms

Report and gather information on nutrient leaching from sheep and beef farms in the Mangatainoka Catchment

Envirolink funding has been received to investigate leaching on representative sheep and beef farms in the Mangatainoka Catchment.

Landcare Research has provided a final report. A summary of results were reported in the Environment Committee Report of October 2015.

Supporting extension and research communication

Support of events that complete extension and research communication with farmers and the industry

DairyNZ and Horizons held a workshop in August 2015 to share knowledge around nutrient management, including looking at some of the nutrient management approaches from other regions and at the new science underway around nutrient management.

Overseer and soils data

Report implications of using farm-scale soils data in Overseer

Envirolink funding has been received to investigate options and implications for implementing nutrient management rules using farm-scale soil data in Overseer.

Harold Barnett ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST Maree Patterson SENIOR SCIENTIST – WATER QUALITY James Lambie SCIENCE COORDINATOR Abby Matthews SCIENCE AND INNOVATION MANAGER

6 Biodiversity Research & Monitoring

6.1 Targets – Year to Date Progress

Measure Reporting Period YTD

Actual Target

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

Track changes in the health of the Region’s

living heritage *1 20% 20% 20% 15% 17% 8% 100% 100%

Inform policy, habitat protection, and

biosecurity programme development *1 20% 20% 20% 15% 17% 8% 100% 100%


effectiveness *1 20% 20% 20% 15% 17% 8% 100% 100%

*1 AP/LTP targets

6.2 Activity Report

A summary of progress made against the targets during the year is provided in the table at the end of this section. Further brief updates for the reporting period (1 June, 2016 - 31 July, 2016) are included in the sections below.

Regional Biodiversity Monitoring Programme:

The objective of this project is to review Horizons’ current terrestrial and wetlands biodiversity inventory and monitoring systems, to check that these match the information needed to assess the effectiveness of policy implementation. The project also aims to determine what additional monitoring is needed to assess policy effectiveness and Horizons’ capacity to adopt the nationally consistent regional council biodiversity indicators.

6.2.1 Staff completed testing of the “Top 200” monitoring protocol. The objective this year was to produce a system for assessing the implementation of the “Top 200” programme and bush remnant condition. Over the course of the year 12 sites were assessed for the quality of the “inputs” measures (such as, fencing, control of weed infestation and pest animal) and “outputs” measures (such as, forest canopy cover and quantitative measure of regenerating understorey vegetation). The 2016-17 programme has now been drafted and includes a plan to assess a further 12 actively managed sites. The 2016-17 project plan also includes provision for reporting the monitoring results.

6.2.2 Staff completed the field work for, and are in the process of finalising the report on the assessment of the managed wetland sites in the Manawatu River catchment. Staff have also completed the report for the Coastal Lakes Wetlands assessment. Both reports conclude that the wetlands condition and integrity scoring system developed over the last two years is sufficiently robust enough to detect coarse scale ecological improvements in managed sites versus unmanaged sites. The Manawatu River Catchment wetlands report however also confirms that it will be difficult to measure the long-term effects of hydrological changes in swampy wetlands using the scoring system, and recommends adoption of Landcare Research’s earlier advice regarding a fixed plot system to close that knowledge gap. The 2016-17 programme includes an analysis of the financial implications of adopting this advice.

Forest Fragment and Wetlands Monitoring Programmes:

The objective of this activity is to continue to collect and maintain records on the condition and extent of high priority bush remnants and wetlands, and to track changes over time.

6.2.3 As reported above, 12 bush remnants were visited to trial a monitoring protocol for assessing bush remnant condition and change over time.

6.2.4 The re-survey of palustrine (swampy) wetland systems in the Manawatu Catchment concluded with a total of 35 for wetland extent and condition. Table 1 below presents a summary of the results. The pressure index results tend to remain unchanged over time (regardless of management regime), which is expected as none of the catchments have undergone land use changes that are significant enough to change the score. The condition index shows a general trend of maintenance/improvement across the fully managed sites. The condition of one DOC managed site (Makerua Swamp) declined. For the edge condition index the managed sites either remained the same or improved. This trend highlights the effectiveness of the Wetland Top 100 programme. The trends for the ecological condition index show fully managed sites tend to be improving whereas partially managed sites have largely remained the same. For the wetland integrity measure there is a general trend of maintaining or improving regardless of the management regime. There has been no decline in this measure for the fully managed sites.

Table 1: Summary of the changes in Manawatu River Catchment wetlands pressures and condition scores over time.

State Fully Managed Partially managed

Unmanaged

Pressure index (threats that are in the

catchment)

Improved 1 0 0

Stable 10 8 7

Declined 1

Condition index (the extent of change from the likely original state of

the wetland)

Improved 6 3 4

Stable 4 2 1

Declined 1 4 2

Edge condition index (the threats to the wetlands

margin)

Improved 5 2 3

Stable 6 4 2

Declined 0 3 2

Ecological condition index (native dominance and pest

presence)

Improved 5 1 3

Stable 6 7 4

Declined 0 1

Wetland integrity index (hydrological intactness)

Improved 5 1 2

Stable 6 6 4

Declined 0 2 1

6.2.5 The report on the condition of the wetland margin of the Region’s coastal lakes is complete. Table 2 below presents a summary of the results. The report has found that for the pressures index scores remain the same regardless of the management regime. Fully and partially managed sites either remained the same or improved for the condition index. One unmanaged lake declined in condition. There is a general trend of increase or maintenance for partially and fully managed sites across the edge condition index. Horizons’ management practises are effective at maintaining or improving ecological condition scores. One unmanaged site declined in ecological condition. The results of the wetland integrity index mirror those of the ecological condition index, although one fully managed site (Lake Papaitonga) declined due to the presence of a drain that was put in sometime between 2003 and 2006. One unmanaged site also declined over the monitoring period.

Table 2: Summary of the changes in Coastal lakes pressures and condition scores over time.

State

Fully Managed

Partially managed

Unmanaged

Pressure index (threats that are in the

catchment)

Improved 1 0 0

Stable 11 2 7

Declined 0 0 0

Condition index (the extent of change from the

likely original state of the wetland)

Improved 7 2 2

Stable 5 0 4

Declined 0 0 1

Edge condition index (the threats to the wetlands

margin)

Improved 6 2 1

Stable 6 0 5

Declined 0 0 1

Ecological condition index (native dominance and pest

presence)

Improved 8 2 3

Stable 4 0 3

Declined 0 0 1

Wetland integrity index (hydrological intactness)

Improved 8 2 3

Stable 3 0 3

Declined 1 0 1

Totara Reserve Regional Park Outcomes Monitoring:

As part of the package of preserving and enhancing the natural heritage of the Totara Reserve, Horizons undertakes the control of invasive weeds and animals that threaten indigenous biological diversity. This project covers a range of activities that, together, inform decision-making regarding the control of pest plant and animals, and the biodiversity outcomes that accrue.

6.2.6 The report for the bird and pest monitoring for 2015-16 is complete and concludes six years of rat and mustelid monitoring of the Regional Park and four years of comparative bird monitoring between the Regional Park and the untreated “Kahikatea Zone”.

6.2.7 The report finds that the 2015-16 intensive rat control programme was successful in driving rat numbers down to half that of the numbers in the non-treatment block. The target of sub-5% Rat Tunnel Tracking Index remains unreached, but the report concludes that this target is largely irrelevant except to provide a standard by which effort might be gauged. As long as rat control input remains as high as that achieved in 2015-16, rat tracking outcome monitoring can be ceased and the time diverted toward controlling more pests.

6.2.8 Tui and kereru numbers increased proportionally better in the Regional Park this year when compared to tui and kereru numbers in the non-treatment block. While it is erroneous to conclude that the protection of tui and kereru from rats during nesting caused this effect (the bird monitoring took place at the same time as the intensive rat control, and therefore is not monitoring fledging success), it is likely that habitat enhancement and reduction of competition with rats (and possums) have contributed to increased tui and kereru numbers at Totara Reserve.

6.2.9 A number of bird species declined across all sites over the monitoring period. This is particularly evident for fantail and bellbird. The effect appears related to something other than the efficacy of pest management and may be outside the influence of Horizons to manage. This study has identified that the habitat differences between the Regional Park and the non-treatment block is a

key driver of the differences seen in bird numbers between sites. The non-pest drivers of bird numbers will remain a significant influence over bird numbers in the Regional Park. The report recommends the continuation of the bird monitoring programme to track bird change over time as the main means of assessing the biodiversity value of the Regional Park.

6.2.10 Whitehead are the pin-up bird for the Regional Park, being a species that is relatively uncommon, but persistently seen at both the Fern Walk and along the Pettifar Loop Walk. Reiterating a point made previously to the Environment Committee, whiteheads are only found in the North Island. Their numbers over the North Island have generally been in decline although several relocations have been successful (New Zealand Birds Online). The maintenance of the natural Regional Park population is something to celebrate and improvement of the population something work on.

Pest Management Support:

Horizons prepares pest management plans for managing pest plant and animal threats to the Region’s productive capacity and living heritage. Largely drafted during 2014-16, Horizons’ new Regional Pest Management Plan (RPMP) and Regional Biosecurity Strategy and Programmes (BSP) documents are proposed to replace existing pest management strategic documents.

6.2.11 Over the course of 2015-16 staff provided input to the refinement of the proposed RPMP and BSP, culminating in the Council deliberation on 14 June 2016. Over the June period, staff continued to work on changes to the Plan inspired by Council and submitter comments. At the time of reporting (August 2016), an amendment to the proposed plan is being undertaken, following the consultation earlier in 2016.

6.2.12 The significant task at present is getting the amended proposal ready for the Council to consider in September. Once Council have approved the amended proposal, the drafting of the plan into the national template and drafting of the final decision will be undertaken.

6.2.13 Another key pest management support task for the science team is assisting with the review of the Possum Control operation programme.

Biodiversity information requests:

The objective of this project is to provide support, information and advice – over and above formal contribution to the resource consenting and compliance technical assessments – to other staff, the public, and individuals seeking to undertake activities that may trigger the One Plan biodiversity rules or related to biodiversity restoration works.

6.2.14 Staff provided information and advice to the public and potential consent applicants 7 times during the reporting period.

Photo 2: Adult whitehead, Ruatiti Domain, February 2013. Image copyright for Tony

Whitehead, via NZ Birds Online.

6.3 Monitoring Summary


Totara Reserve outcome

Rat and mustelid monitoring

All 2015-16 monitoring is complete and data loaded.

Results reported.

Bird monitoring

Monitoring for 2015-16 has completed and data are being assessed.

Results reported.

Forest fragments and wetlands

Lake wetland margin assessment

Field survey complete and data analysed against Dr Singer’s recommendations.

Report in preparation.

Swamp wetland assessment

Trials of the assessment method have been completed and 35 wetlands have been surveyed.

Report in preparation.

“Top 200” bush remnants monitoring development

12 bush remnants have been visited to test the recently developed “Top 200” bush remnants monitoring protocol.

“Top 100” wetlands monitoring development

Workshop with Dr Clarkson complete.

Workshop results reported.

Regionally consistent biodiversity monitoring and information sharing

Biodiversity indicators

The biodiversity working group has met to discuss the progression of the implementation of the three “easy” indicators.

The final indicators report in preparation.

Biodata Services Stack

The Biodata Services Stack Steering Team has met to discuss the advancement of integrated biodiversity data management nationally, including a business case for funding the New Zealand Organisms Register.

Information requests

Provide information Formal information requests, which result in a letter

with disclaimer, are being served at a rate of approximately one per month.

Undertake RMA advice site visits

Advice being delivered as required.

One Plan implementation Provision of pre-consent advice to potential applicants

continues.

Pest management support

RPMP Public submissions and hearing has been undertaken.

Changes to Plan are being drafted.

Pest management advice

Staff presented the Bio-data Services Stack (BSS) weeds work at the National Education and Training Seminar (NETS) held by the New Zealand Biosecurity

Institute.

Envirolink project for feral goat impacts on soil erosion is complete.

Coastal lakes prioritisation

Alignment of work on lakes.

Staff have met with Waikato University and NIWA staff and workshopped the prioritisation of lakes implementation and research work.

A review (Envirolink funded) of work to date has been concluded.

James Lambie SCIENCE COORDINATOR Abby Matthews SCIENCE AND INNOVATION MANAGER

science - manawatu-wanganui · science 1 water monitoring & research ... groundwater, surface...

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