Graeme Martin
A device to help farmers measure pollution in run-off
from land is planned and the Otago Regional Council is
proposing to put $100,000 towards its development.
Last year, the regional council announced its intention to
take a new approach to dealing with pollution in run-off
(non-point pollution) by making land use, such as farming, a
permitted activity subject to contaminant discharge
standards.
It acknowledged at the time no tools were available to test
for run-off but was committed to making sure such devices
were found.
Chief executive Graeme Martin said at a recent policy and
resource meeting that, after an approach by the council,
Landcare Research had developed a tool concept.
The device could be embedded into the ground but further
details were unavailable at this early stage due to
"intellectual property right issues", Mr Martin said.
It was a practical concept and would give farmers the ability
to find out what was happening to their run-off.
"It's looking very good," Mr Martin said.
The tool now needed to be manufactured and subject to trials,
he said.
To develop it and do field testing would cost the "best part
of $1 million".
The next step was to approach the dairy industry and others
to seek their opinion on the concept and funding, Mr Martin
said.
"The Government has got to be a key funder.
They are deeply concerned about non-point pollution," he said
in a later interview.
The council was also discussing it with regional councils in
Hawkes Bay and Canterbury.
He suggested it would be appropriate for the regional council
to make a "small capital contribution toward the process of
$100,000".
A provision for this would be included in the draft annual
plan this year.
Landcare was also working on a tool to measure run-off in
tile and mole drain areas.
rebecca.fox@odt.co.nz
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