Nick Smith4 February,
2010 - Environment Minister Nick Smith today
commended Puketapu 3A Incorporation and
Mighty River Power on their 2400 hectare
forest proposal in Taupo that will reduce
carbon emissions and nitrate
run-off.
"This innovative
agreement perfectly illustrates the benefits
of the Government's Emissions Trading Scheme
and its support for the Lake Taupo Protection
Trust," Dr Smith said. "It also
demonstrates the importance of the relationship
between the Crown and Maori on afforestation.
"The ETS provides
the financial incentives for landowners
to improve the environment by planting trees
and reducing nitrate pollution.
"The parties in
this afforestation project have made it
plain it would not be occurring if the Government
had not settled the ETS last year. This
complex scheme encourages those that burn
fossil fuels to contribute to forest planting.
"The tragedy of
the last five years is that New Zealand
has seen the loss of more than 65,000 hectares
of forest due to uncertainty and perverse
incentives under the previous Government
to deforest. A key objective of the ETS
is to boost forest planting and this deal
in Taupo - so soon after the legislation
was passed - is a clear sign that is happening.
"I commend Puketapu
3A Incorporation, Mighty River Power and
the Lake Taupo Protection Trust on the initiative
and hope others will see the economic opportunities
to make a positive difference to the environment."
+ More
New standards proposed
for soil contamination
Nick Smith5 February,
2010 - New standards are needed to assist
councils in dealing with contaminated sites,
says Environment Minister Nick Smith.
Dr Smith today released
a draft National Environmental Standard
on assessing and managing contaminants in
soil.
"The past use of
chemicals or hazardous substances in industry,
agriculture and horticulture has left a
legacy of soil contamination," Dr Smith
said.
"Soil contamination
in New Zealand is not as serious a problem
as many other industrialised countries but
we do have sites that pose risks to public
and environmental health.
"Our track record
of dealing with these at places such as
Mapua and Waiwhetu Stream is chequered.
Councils need greater guidance from Government
to assist them and that is what the National
Environmental Standard is all about.
"The standards
will provide clear guidance to councils
on the appropriate use of land depending
on the soil contamination. Affected properties
should only be regarded as safe for use
if they have been systematically identified,
assessed, and if necessary, cleaned up.
"The standards
also define the level of concentrations
at which the risk to human health is considered
acceptable. This is based on the latest
toxicological findings from international
research."
A 10-week consultation
on the proposed National Environmental Standard
for assessing and managing contaminants
in soil begins tomorrow (6 February). For
more information go to: http://www.mfe.govt.nz/laws/standards/contaminants-in-soil/
"These standards
are about ensuring the public and landowners
that district planning controls are appropriate,
are nationally consistent and that councils
gather and use the appropriate information,"
Dr Smith said.
