A 50,000kg aerial drop of 1080 poisoned bait has been
approved for part of Fiordland National Park this winter.
Yesterday, Environment Southland released its decision, which
grants the Department of Conservation resource consent for
one aerial drop of 1080 poison in the Waitutu Forest, part of
Fiordland National Park.
Doc Murihiku biodiversity ranger Colin Bishop, of
Invercargill, said 50,000kg of bait was required to control
the possum population in the 25,000ha area.
The operation was likely to cost $600,000, and was expected
to begin in August or September.
While he accepted there would be opposition to the aerial
drop, people had a chance to voice their concerns during the
submission phase.
Mr Bishop said an aerial drop was required as possums were
having a significant impact in the area, particularly on the
five species of mistletoe and the kaka.
Environment Southland senior consents officer Stephen West
said the consents committee had no choice but to approve the
application as it was deemed a controlled activity.
While many of the issues raised by submitters related to
whether 1080 was cruel to animals, that was a matter outside
the council's jurisdiction, he said.
However, to address concerns by submitters, conditions have
been attached to the five-year consent, including areas where
the bait cannot be laid.
A condition is also imposed requiring an independent peer
review of the proposed monitoring for effects of 1080 on the
native bird population following the poison drops.
More signs and water monitoring were other submission
suggestions which have been adopted.
hamish.mcneilly@odt.co.nz
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