Pomahaka - Landcare Issues and Options... · The Pomahaka River is highly valued by the local community for its intrinsic values as well as ... Kate McGregor Ravensdown ... Morgan

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Pomahaka Catchment Issues and Options to Improve Water Quality A Pathway for the Pomahaka Prepared by Janet Gregory, NZ Landcare Trust, for Sustainable Farming Fund Project 13-053 June 2014

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Content Page

Introduction 3

Background

Catchment Map

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Water Quality Table 1: Mean readings measured for 5 years from 2008-2013, Water quality and tributaries

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New Rules Schedule 15: Group 1 Water Quality, WQ, limits Schedule 16: Area 1, Discharge thresholds

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A Pathway for the Pomahaka

Stakeholder Group

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Issues

River Management

Riparian Management

Wetlands

Biodiversity

Effluent Management

Nutrient Management

Hill Country Management

Winter Grazing

Forest management

Iwi Values

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Next Steps

Pomahaka Farmers Water Care Group

Programme for 2014-15

ORC Water Plan 6A Road show

Further Funding Programme and Opportunities

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Introduction The Pomahaka Catchment contains a mix of farming types with dairy, sheep, beef and some deer, with main communities based at Tapanui, Heriot, and Clydevale. The Blue Mountain Range is a dominant landscape feature providing the eastern boundary to the catchment with large tracts of forest managed by Ernslaw One with the remaining native forest managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC). The Pomahaka River is highly valued by the local community for its intrinsic values as well as a number of recreational pursuit’s eg picnicking, swimming and fishing and it is an internationally recognised trout fishery. This document outlines issues identified by farmers and stakeholders that impact on water quality and options of good management practice that can be implemented to improve water quality in the Pomahaka River and its tributaries.

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Background The Pomahaka catchment is located in south-west Otago and has a catchment area of roughly 2060km2. Due to its size the catchment is diverse in relation to both land types and correspondingly, land use. The upper half of the catchment is steep and mountainous and is dominated by tussock with much of the farm land extensively managed, while the lower catchment is pastoral rolling hill country and more intensively farmed. Rainfall is relatively high and reliable. The Pomahaka catchment has been identified by the Otago Regional Council (ORC) as a ‘hot spot’ due to its poor water quality. Farming in the catchment relies on artificial drainage (mostly tile and mole drains) which has been identified as a significant source of contaminants from grazed pastures to waterways. Stock access to waterways is also an issue, as is winter feed crop grazing on saturated pastures. These practices, in combination with the relatively high rainfall have contributed to the water quality issues in the catchment. This in turn brings pressure from local government and industry to meet regulatory requirements and industry standards, often at the expense of farm profitability. Any solution to the water quality issue must also enable farms to remain economically sustainable in the long term. Due to the size of the catchment there is not a single cohesive community – even within sub-catchments farmers at one end of a tributary will not necessarily know farmers at the other end. This presents a challenge in developing a cohesive, effective approach to addressing the water quality issues facing the catchment. Lessons learned from other catchment projects such as the Aorere-Rai and Upper Taieri that the NZ Landcare Trust (NZLT) has facilitated have been adopted to engage with the community, support farmers as leaders, and develop a stakeholder group to work together to develop a plan and approach that meets the range of needs of the community and stakeholders and meet new rules and water quality standards.

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Water Quality Monitoring of Water quality through 8 sites has shown decreasing trends in water quality particularly in the intensively farmed areas. Different studies have been undertaken in the catchment to identify the current state of water quality, causes of unacceptable water quality and management recommendations to improve water quality. State of Environment (SOE) monitoring continues to identify poor water quality in a number of tributaries. The following indicators are measured for water quality:

NNN Nitrate-nitrite nitrogen: a subset Total Nitrogen, excess levels may cause nuisance algal growth or toxicity

DRP Dissolved Reactive Phosphorous: a subset of Total Phosphorous, excess levels may cause nuisance algal growth

TN Total Nitrogen: result of run off and leaching, encourages growth of nuisance aquatic plants.

TP Total Phosphorous: sources waste water or runoff from land, encourages growth of nuisance aquatic plants.

NH4 Ammoniacal nitrogen, sourced from either waste water or animal wastes (dung and urine), high levels are toxic to aquatic life especially fish

E.coli Indicator of faecal contamination (human or animal), an indicator of human health risk

Turbidity Clarity

Table 1: Mean readings measured for 5 years from 2008-2013, Water quality and tributaries

NNN NH4 DRP E.coli Turb

Schedule 15 Group 1

0.444 1.10 0.026 260 5.0

Waipahi .926 .01 .021 260 3.4

Crookston 1.11 .01 .032 1300 3.2

Heriot 1.47 .033 .039 1900 10.1

Wairuna 1.21 .07 .1 1600 16.4

Waikoikoi .41 .06 .026 748 4.8

Pomahaka Burkes Ford

.556 .01 .014 302 3.6

Table: Otago Regional Council

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New Rules

Fonterra Fonterra released its revised agreement Sustainable Dairying: Water Accord in 2013 which required all waterways and wetlands on dairy farms to be fenced by 1 Dec 2013. They have also committed to continuous improvement and working in partnership to contribute towards clean, healthy freshwater resources including streams, rivers, lakes, groundwater and wetlands in dairying areas.

The Accord has targets focused on effluent management, nutrient management, water use efficiency, and waterway management.

Reporting against the targets in the Accord starts in 2014.

Otago Regional Council, Regional Plan: Water, Plan Change 6A Water Quality This Plan change with a focus on water quality became active on 1 May 2014, following a period of submissions and arbitration with stakeholders. The plan is an effects based, permitted activity approach. It provides opportunity for land managers to decide how to best manage their properties to meet water quality standards. Water Quality Objectives • Good water quality will be maintained • Economic use of productive land will continue • Surface freshwater quality provides for safe contact recreation The environmental approach includes • Water quality limits set for waterways • Discharge of water and contaminants to water is permitted subject to conditions • Prohibited activities describe environmentally damaging activities

There are two schedules that provide rules that farmers must adhere to Schedule 15 below describes good quality water for catchments. This identifies limits for the following:

Schedule 15: Group 1 Water Quality, WQ, limits

Analyte WQ limit

Nitrate-nitrite Nitrogen (NNN) 0.444mg/l

Dissolved Reactive Phosphorus (DRP) 0.026mg/l

Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH4) 0.1mg/l

E.Coli 260cfu

Turbidity 5NTU

Table: Otago Regional Council

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These limits have been measured at the bottom of tributaries and the main river at Glenken and Burkes Ford, every 2 months over a 5 year period (2008-20013) to gain information. In future it is planned to be measured monthly, and data will be used when the river is at or below median flow to compare with the designated limits.

The Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH4) limit is operative now and already meets the required limit. Other values have to be met in 2025. Schedule 16 below describes contaminant discharge concentration thresholds for nutrients and bacteria (E.Coli) Schedule 16: Area 1, Discharge thresholds

Analyte Discharge thresholds

Nitrate-nitrite Nitrogen (NNN) 3.6mg/l

Dissolved Reactive Phosphorus (DRP) 0.045mg/l

Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH4) 0.2mg/l

E.Coli 550cfu

Table: Otago Regional Council

These will be measured at the outlet of a tile, prior to entry to a waterway, when the reference site (Glenken and Burkes Ford) is at or below median flow. Operative 1 April 2020.

Nitrogen Loading Limits - Groundwater protection Three nitrogen loading zones with a limit of 15, 20 and 30 kg Nitrogen/ha/yr have been established and will be assessed through the use of Overseer.

• Alpine lake catchments have a 15 kg N/ha/yr limit • Specific aquifers eg Kakanui, have a 20kg Nitrogen/ha/yr limit. • Rest of Otago has a 30kg Nitrogen /ha/yr limit eg Pomahaka catchment

The nitrogen loading limit must be reached by 1 April 2020 A landholding load is calculated as an average across all of that area located over the relevant nitrogen loading zone- over a property boundary.

From 2014, farm records can be sought by ORC on request to assess nitrogen loadings through Overseer.

From 2020, Schedule 16 provisions for contaminants and nitrogen loading must be met. There is an allowance to apply for a restricted discretionary consent, but it may only be issued for up to 5 years.

Consent will require the applicant to show how management will be staged to meet compliance over the duration.

Applications may be subject to limited notification, but not public notification.

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A Pathway for the Pomahaka In 2013 the NZ Landcare Trust was granted funding from the Ministry of Primary Industry’s Sustainable Farming Fund to undertake a one year project in the Pomahaka catchment to work with farmers and stakeholders to ascertain the most effective way to assist farmers to improve water quality while optimising profitability. It includes: • Building on existing relationships within and between the catchment’s communities as

well as with agency and industry stakeholders. • Drawing together existing knowledge of current land use practices and their

contribution to water quality issues within the catchment • Identifying the effective options to assist land managers to change current land use

practices contributing to poor water quality while also optimising farm profitability.

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Stakeholder Group As part of the project a stakeholder group was developed with farming representatives from throughout the catchment and from different land uses, along with representatives from different agencies and organisations with an interest in the catchment. This includes:

Nelson & Fiona Hancox Sheep & beef farmers

Robert & Mary-Ann Kane Beef & dairy farmers

Bryce McKenzie Dairy farmer

Georgie McCall Dairy farmer

Lloyd McCall Dairy farmer

Athol Lawlor Farmer/contractor

Tracey & Jonnie O’Sullivan Sheep & beef Farmer

George Redditt Sheep & beef Farmer

Mark Shore Dairy Farmer

Logan Wallace Sheep & beef farmer

Simon O’Meara Sheep & beef farmer

Justin Kitto Dairy NZ

Julia Christie Dairy NZ

Paul McCauley Beef & Lamb NZ

Kate McGregor Ravensdown

Bruce Monaghan ORC

Robert Schick ORC

Brian Goodger Fonterra

Stephen Korteweg Federated Farmers

Nick Abbott Federated Farmers

Hamish Anderson Clutha District Council

Morgan Trotter Otago Fish & Game

Pete Ravenscroft DOC- freshwater

Ros Cole DOC- biodiversity

Jane Kitson Te Ao Marama

Wade Taylor Rabobank

John Hollows Ernslaw 1

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This group has meet regularly over the last 8 months, looking at key sites in the catchment and discussing issues and options of best practice that can be utilised in the catchment to improve water quality. This has also resulted in improvement relationships between all parties and increased understanding of the issues and farming systems and how we can all work together to protect and manage the waterways that provide important habitat for freshwater life as well as important recreational and social needs for the local community. This report outlines current issues that impact on water quality and identifies best practice options that farmers can utilise on farm to improve water quality and that will also help them meet new rules relating to water while maintaining productivity. My thanks to everyone who has attended the meetings, volunteered their time and provided information and particularly the farmers who have hosted us. The commitment shown is encouraging and I am sure that the water quality will improve as we work together.

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Issues River Management Annual rainfall for the catchment varies from 700mm in lower areas to 1400mm in the upper reaches which contributes to higher river flows and in particular numerous flushing flows. There are a number of sites in the Kelso area where there is ongoing river bank erosion on the main stem of the Pomahaka River during times of these high flows. This river bank erosion is now threatening important infrastructure including bridges and roads, as well as removing large areas of riverside paddocks. There has been a moratorium on the removal of gravel from the river fairway for a number of years and islands of gravel are building up in the river fairway. There was good discussion on the consenting process, the need for gravel extraction and what could be done to protect valuable land from further erosion as well as the need to protect strategic infrastructure such as bridges and roads. Some riverside owners have applied for consent and have undertaken substantial rocking along river banks to protect their land. Farmers have also carried out plantings to try and stabilize areas but these have been taken away in floods. Roading contractors have had to purchase valuable farm land to access gravel to meet local demand. Options Discussions are continuing with Otago Regional Council staff to exchange information and knowledge and identify practical and effective measures to reduce this erosion and protect valuable farm land.

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Riparian Management With the requirement of all dairy farms to have rivers streams and waterways and wetlands fenced, there has been discussion of the required width of riparian margins, management of weeds and the desire to keep some areas open and accessible for fishing, swimming, picnicking and camping. As the river changes over time the riverbed gets more incised in places, which can result in steeper river banks. Options • Fence all waterways on dairy farms, if a maximum width is allowed for in known

recreational areas these can still be kept accessible by mowing prior to summer or using that area for cut & carry.

• Outside corners of rivers should be planted and kept in trees to protect from river erosion.

• Where possible plantings should be on the northern side of the river as this provides shading for the river, in turn reducing water temperature which improves habitat for fish life and reduces the growth of nuisance aquatic plants.

• Weed maintenance should be undertaken on a regular basis, preferably a yearly check and control if necessary while plants are small and not seeding.

• Spraying is recommended rather than disturbing soil as this often results in further weed generation.

• Dairy NZ is developing Otago specific Riparian Management Guidelines which will provide advice for farmers and what species to plant in different areas.

• Local nurseries can also provide advice on the best species to grow in this district. • Although native species are often slower to establish (3-5 years) they eventually require

less maintenance and are ideal alongside slower stretches of rivers. They also provide important habitat for many of our native bird species.

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Wetlands There are a wide range of wetland types found in the catchment, from upland bogs and mires in the headwaters of the catchment to the more common red tussock wetlands in the lower part of the catchment. These wetlands play an important function in absorbing high amounts of rain and regulating runoff as well as a wide variety of plants and insects. Some of them endangered. They also trap and filter a lot of nutrients and so can aid in improving water quality. There are 8 Significant Wetlands listed in the ORC Water Plan. They are listed as significant due to their high degree of wetland naturalness, their scarcity in terms of its ecological or physical character and their high diversity of indigenous flora and fauna. These wetlands have specific Rules to protect them. They include: • Cairn Road Bog • Dunvegan Fen Complex • Willowburn Bog • Pomahaka River Oxbow marsh at Koi Creek • Pomahaka River Oxbow marsh at Dalvey School Road • Clifton Hill Marshes • John O’Groats Hill Fen • Macfarlane Road Oxbow Swamp

There are other wetlands in the catchment with high values but not listed as significant and these are worthy of protection and management too. Options • Protect wetlands from stock grazing through fencing • Consider permanent protection through QEII covenanting, (this also contributes to 50%

of fencing costs and pays for surveying. • Maintain existing hydrological levels by not draining or placing drains where they

impact on water levels within the wetland as this often results in increased weeds like gorse and broom.

• Get an ecological assessment of wetland areas to identify different species present and management recommendations. This information can then be used in funding applications to assist with fencing and any weed management.

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Biodiversity The Pomahaka catchment includes key areas of biodiversity such as the Blue Mountain Conservation Park and the Leithen Bush Scenic Reserve; both areas managed by DOC. The Blue Mountains are one of the few remaining areas of habitat for the endangered mohua or yellowhead. In addition isolated areas of native beech forest can be found on private land in different part of the catchment. The Blue Mountains Forest contains pockets of diverse hardwood forest, which is home to the largest known population of the declining fragrant tree daisy (Olearia fragrantissima) in New Zealand, along with a number of other threatened and at risk plant species. The Pomahaka River catchment contains important populations of the nationally endangered Hector’s tree daisy (Olearia hectorii) and the nationally vulnerable Pomahaka tree daisy (Olearia fimbriata). These areas provide important habitat for native birds, insects and lizards including both skinks and geckos and help to provide a network of habitat throughout West Otago. Iconic bird species that can be found in the district include Kereru, falcon, tui, bellbird, and Australian bittern. The Garvie Mountains at the head of the catchment provide diverse, intact alpine communities, such as extensive snow tussock environments, upland wetlands and fell fields. Alpine lakes, alpine seepages (bog communities) and cushion bogs are present in the Garvie and Blue Mountains and can be easily damaged by stock and vehicles. Rivers and streams in the catchment are important habitat for the native fish, the Pomahaka galaxiid, which has recently been identified as a separate species. Further work is underway to work with farmers to survey streams to identify where they are found and work with farmers and the local community to protect and enhance the habitat through riparian planting. Other important fish species include long finned eel, Upland bully, Common bully and the native crayfish/Koura and trout are present. Tributary waters with waterfalls are a common feature and an important barrier to trout colonisation, providing a safe habitat upstream for the non-migratory galaxiids. Options • Fence off key areas of native vegetation to keep stock out • Gain advice from DOC or an ecologist on what species are present, their values and how

best to manage the area. • Provide long term protection through QEII covenanting if the area has high values • Undertake animal and weed pest control to maintain habitat values and increase

survival of bird life. • Work with DOC, Fish & Game and Living Waters Trust to identify stream habitat where

the native fish, Galaxiid ‘Pomahaka’ may be found • Gain funding from different agencies to help protect and manage high value areas.

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Effluent Management Correct management of effluent on dairy farms is critical to retaining and improving water quality and there are a variety of systems that are in use throughout the catchment. These range from the umbilical system which incorporates a towable tanker with a number of hoses and outlets that direct effluent into the topsoil, to muck spreaders, and k-line effluent systems. No matter what system is in place it is important that there is adequate storage for effluent and that it is applied at the correct rate and when soil moisture levels are suitable. It is critical that effluent is not spread over or has access to tiles and mole drains or runs directly into any waterway. Farmers are finding that where they are spreading effluent there is a reduced need for additional application of fertiliser, so there is an added benefit in saving costs. There are a number of tools available for farmers to help make sure they have the best system in place eg. Dairy Effluent Storage Calculator (DESC), Warrant of Fitness (WOF) and Sustainable Milk Plans (SMP). ORC and Dairy NZ are also developing a dairy conversion checklist for farmers to use to make sure the correct systems are put in place. ORC staff are keen to work with farmers undertaking conversions at the early stages. Options • Use Dairy Effluent Storage Calculator (DESC) to identify the required storage capacity

for your farm system • Remove effluent from pond as frequently as soil moisture allows through the milking

season to retain capacity

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• Undertake a Warrant of Fitness (WOF) with a certified assessor to identify and address risks of your effluent system.

• Undertake a Sustainable Milk Plan (SMP) with Dairy NZ to identify risk areas and prepare an action plan of tasks. This looks at land, water, effluent, nutrients and aligns them with your business goals.

• If undertaking a new conversion contact ORC staff and utilise the conversion template to identify risk areas.

• Also seek independent specialist advice. • Map tiles and mole drains and update maps when ever work is carried out so that new

staff or owners are aware of where they are. • Map where effluent is spread and make sure all staff are aware of this area.

• Have effluent tested to identify the amount of nutrients and include this in your nutrient budget

Nutrient Management Nutrient Management and traceability is of increasing importance on all farming operations. Working with your local designated fertiliser advisor a Nutrient Management Plan can be developed and implemented to suit your farming operation. Options • Get the Facts – set up maintenance soil transects that are GPS marked and tested

annually to monitor the soil fertility status of your farm. • Get the Advice – From the soil test results completing a Farm Production Plan tailored

to your property: this includes analysis of Nutrient Trends, completing an Overseer Nutrient Budget and a Fertiliser Plan for the season.

• Use a Certified Nutrient Management Advisor to prepare your nutrient budget. • Monitor Results – My Ravensdown and Smart Maps provide the ability to monitor not

only nutrient management but any activity happening on your farm. Smart Maps has the ability to upload pasture walks to create a feed wedge, show GPS tracked application maps as well as record any activity that has happened by paddock, block or management zone on your farm. For example; riparian planting, cultivation practices, crop types etc.

• Ravensdown has recently established an Environmental Division, Optimiser; a user pays service where Farm Environmental Consultants complete required Nutrient Budgeting and Modelling to assist with Council Consent Applications and other environmental requirements.

• AgHub a subsidiary of Ballance AgriNutrients, is a farm production monitoring and mapping programme that allows you to track nutrient use and manage nutrient budgets and can monitor 4 property aspects; production, environment, fertiliser and feed. The system can measure and control water, irrigation and effluent, and monitor things like soil moisture and weather conditions

• Apply fertilisers at the right time of year when conditions are suitable to get the greatest uptake and reduce nutrient leaching

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Hill Country Management Farmers in higher areas of the catchment are developing more of their land so that they can finish more of their stock to retain economic viability. A lot of this development includes winter crops, increasing nutrient levels and new high producing grasses. Due to the nature of the terrain most of this development is occurring on flatter ridges while they retain gully systems in existing vegetation which reduces run off. A lot of these areas are managed extensively with lower stocking rates. This results in good pasture covers which also helps to reduce run off in high rainfall events and retain high water quality. Options • Identify Critical source areas where there is potential for nutrient losses and or overland

flow eg stock crossings at streams, location of cattle yards so there is a wide pasture buffer to creeks.

• Retain existing vegetation in gully systems and on steep slopes to filter water in high rainfall events

• Undertake a soil sampling programme to identify nutrient status and needs prior to developing new grass areas.

• Apply fertilisers at optimum weather and soil conditions with accredited applicators that can supply proof of placement

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Winter management Intensive grazing of stock during winter is a high risk period for sediment and nutrient losses. This can occur through mole drains and tiles or through overland flow to creeks particularly when feeding stock behind electric fences on winter feed crops or pasture. Studies have been done on wintering systems to identify best practice that can reduce these nutrient losses substantially and these are now being promoted and utilised throughout the area. A range of wintering sheds and stand off pads are now being used in the catchment, particularly when soils are saturated. This reduces damage to soils, and often results in improved feeding efficiencies due to the animals being inside. Options • Identify winter grazing paddocks early, undertake soil tests to identify nutrient

requirements for the winter crop and undertake drainage if needed. • Fence off all waterways prior to cultivating and grazing. • Identify the most suitable locations for troughs to allow for the optimum feeding

regime. • Retain wide pasture buffers from streams and grass on swales or where wet runs

during wet periods when cultivating paddocks. This will help to filter any run off. • Graze from the top down on slopes so there is always a buffer between bare ground

and a water way. • Back fence stock if possible to reduce pugging damage on soils when wet. • Leave grazing wet areas till soils are drier or utilise with a young stock class to reduce

damage to soils and sediment loss • Use stand off areas if possible when soils are saturated to reduce soil damage from

stock • For further information check http://www.dairynz.co.nz/farm/farm-systems/southern-

wintering-systems/

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Forest management Logging and roading operations in forest areas have the potential to affect water quality particularly through the loss of soils and increased sediment and phosphorous in rivers. Forestry companies develop logging and roading plans to reduce soil loss and retain water quality by identifying best practice that must be carried out during these procedures. This may include retaining vegetation in gully systems and where ever possible leave vegetation along stream margins, and not allowing machinery to cross streams. Some forest companies have FSC (Forest Stewardship Certification) which requires that forest resources and associated lands should be managed to meet the social, economic, ecological, cultural and spiritual needs of present and future generations. There are 10 principals that must be met to gain and keep certification. Options • ORC is working with forestry companies to see how they can manage their forests and

meet the new rules • Forest Companies use the Forest Code of Practice-Logging and Roading

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Iwi Values Ngai Tahu ki Murihiku is the Iwi with jurisdiction over the Pomahaka catchment, with represents from Te Ao Marama supporting and interested in this programme. They understand that pastoral farming is an important economic activity in the high country and lower intensively farmed areas. However management of these lands should ensure that soil, water, natural and cultural heritage values are conserved and protected. Option • Encourage sustainable pastoral farm land management practices whereby impacts on

soil, vegetation and water quality are minimised. • Discourage the drainage of peat bog areas for pasture which were in the past and still

remain a significant mahinga kai resource source. • Encourage development of riparian zones and buffer strips along both sides of all

watercourses to minimise effluent and nutrient run off and prevent stock access. • Prevent direct stock access to waterways and provide for watering of stock using

efficient pumping mechanisms to paddock troughs. This is to avoid the damage by stock to lake or river edges and riparian zones.

• Promote at all times the protection of all aquatic species. • Maintain appropriate minimum flows to ensure that native aquatic species have

uninhibited passage between high country lakes and rivers and the sea at all times. Any structure must provide for fish passage.

• Avoid any discharge of contaminants to water as a result of pastoral farming activity, including pest control poisons.

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Next Steps Pomahaka Farmers Water Care Group This group has recently formed to monitor water quality in key tributaries, promote what the water quality is like to the catchment community, and promote what farmers are doing to improve water quality. Programme for 2014-15 The Otago Regional Council has agreed to fund the NZ Landcare Trust to work part time in the Pomahaka catchment for the July 2014-June 2015 year. This will involve continuing to support the Pathway for the Pomahaka programme, in supporting the development of tributary groups, and working with farmers in key tributaries to improve practices that impact on water quality. Part of this role is to also raise awareness of the 6a changes and how farmers can work with industry and stakeholders to exchange information and implement best practice to improve water quality an meet the new rules. ORC Water Plan 6A Road show A series of meetings will be run throughout Otago in July-August to provide information to local communities on the Water Plan 6a changes, and the timeframes to achieve them. We are keen to work together to develop avenues to exchange information and identify farming practices that help achieve the desired Plan outcomes. Further Funding Programme and Opportunities The NZ Landcare Trust in conjunction with local farmers and agencies is keen to prepare a further 3 year funding application to the SFF, to gain further funding to support the local community in implementing some of the options identified in this report to improve water quality. Funding support including cash and in-kind time is anticipated by the range of organisations that have been involved to date. If this is successful a further programme will start in July 2015. For further information and feedback contact: Janet Gregory NZ Landcare Trust, Southland Regional Coordinator p. 03 208 7883 / m. 027 222 4005 e. [email protected]