Executive Summary
This project is part of the Water Bodies of National Importance project, which is part of the Government's Water Programme of Action. This report presents a list of 105 potential freshwater bodies of national importance for recreation, including lakes, rivers and wetlands.
The study includes all forms of recreation in and around whole or parts of freshwater lakes, rivers and wetlands, where freshwater is important for recreational activity. It does not cover estuaries, ocean beaches or saltwater lakes, although we have included some freshwater-influenced estuaries if they are identified as closed off from the sea.
The list was created through surveys of active recreationalists and the general public, plus a review of existing information on recreational values of national significance, including statutory recognition provided through water conservation orders. Useful input also came from discussions with representatives of recreational groups.
Public input is now sought through consultation in 2005 on the methodology developed to identify a proposed list of water bodies identified as nationally important for recreation.
