The Lake2Lake trail, which is in its last stages of construction, runs alongside Lake Te Anau and the east side of the Waiau River towards Lake Manapouri and totals 28km.
The hearing is focused on the last (sixth) leg of the trail.
The first application is for resource consent for a period of 25 years for the diversion of surface water and groundwater and for wetland modification associated with the installation of a third culvert on leg 6. The second is for retrospective resource consent for wetland modification to enable construction of 35m of the trail, the placement and use of two culverts and the use of leg 6.
Issues include the potential for adverse effects on the wetland.
Seventy-two submissions were received on the retrospective consent — 70 in support and two neutral.
Two submissions were received on the non-retrospective consent, one in support and one in opposition. Before notification, written approval was received from Te Ao Marama Inc and a written approval form was received from Fish & Game that neither supported nor opposed the application.
Three briefs of evidence were submitted by the Fiordland Trails Trust for the two applications and three submitters have requested to speak to their submissions at the hearing.
Independent commissioner Sharon McGarry will oversee the hearing, to be held from 9.30am today at Distinction Te Anau Hotel.