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