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National environmental standard on ecological flows and water levels

The Ministry for the Environment has prepared a Summary of Submissions. The submission period closed on 29 August 2008.

The Government is developing a proposed National Environmental Standard on Ecological Flows and Water Levels. Ecological flows and water levels are defined as the flows and water levels required in a water body to provide for the ecological function of the flora and fauna present within that water body and its margins. If the levels of rivers, groundwater systems, lakes and wetlands run too low it can risk animal and plant life and impact on water users.

Ecological flows and water levels are defined as the flows and water levels required in a water body to provide for the ecological function of the flora and fauna present within that water body and its margins. If the levels of rivers, groundwater systems, lakes and wetlands run too low it can risk animal and plant life and impact on water users.

The proposed National Environmental Standard on Ecological Flows and Water Levels is intended to complement and enhance the existing Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) process for establishing ecological flows and water levels through regional plans.

The proposed standard aims to promote consistency in the way we decide whether the variability and quantity of water flowing in rivers, ground water systems, lakes and wetlands is sufficient. The proposed standard would do this by:

Setting interim limits on the alteration to flows and/or water levels for rivers, wetlands, and groundwater systems that do not have limits imposed through regional plans.
Providing a process for selecting the appropriate technical methods for evaluating ecological flows and water levels in rivers, lakes, wetlands, and groundwater systems.

The proposed standard is one of several tools being developed to meet the outcomes of the Sustainable Water Programme of Action.

See the links below if you would like to read more about the proposed National Environmental Standard on Ecological Flows and Water Levels and how it is being developed:

Process - where we are at

The diagram below outlines the process for developing a national environmental standard. The arrow indicates what stage the Ministry for the Environment is at in developing the standard.

Process - where we are at

Text description of the diagram

This flow diagram of the NES development process starts with Cabinet approving the scope. This is followed by a public process phase comprising a scoping proposal with stakeholders. This leads to a discussion document. The scoping proposal and discussion document are the informal process.

The public process continues by public notification and a submissions period. This is an 16-week formal process for this NES.

Close of submissions is followed by a phase of analysis which leads to a report and recommendations to the Minister. This will include a Section 32 RMA cost-benefit analysis, and a Regulatory Impact Assessment and a final proposal . The Minister consults his colleagues, the report and recommendations are released, and legal drafting of the standard takes place. Eventually, the draft becomes regulation.

The Minister consults his colleagues, the report and recommendations are released, and legal drafting of the standard takes place. Eventually, the draft becomes regulation.

Submissions on the standard are currently being analysed.

Further information

See the fresh water page for other policies, reports, projects, partnerships, guidelines and tools related to fresh water.
For more information on standards, see the national environmental standards under the RMA page.
See the Resource Management Act page which is a gateway to information about the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA).
For a full list of publications relating to water refer to the water publications page.

Last updated: 16 February 2009