The Westpower hydro scheme south of Ross is estimated to cost between $80 million and $100 million. Doc has approved in principal the application for a concession. The scheme does not involve damming the river.
A weir and diversion structure would be constructed at the upstream end of Morgan Gorge, at the head of the Waitaha Valley. A 2km access road, powerhouse and tunnel will also be built.
Initially Doc received 1680 submissions, but then found a further 2864 caught in its e-mail spam filters, as well as a petition from the Green Party with over 2000 names, some of them doubled up.
Ms Sage said yesterday she was "seeking advice from the department on the conservation values which would be affected by the proposed dam".
When asked if she, or Doc, would make the final decision she said: "The decision maker for the proposal has yet to be decided."
Forest and Bird chief executive Kevin Hague said he did not know previous Conservation Minister Maggie Barry's inclination towards the scheme.
However, the new Government had made a clear commitment to conservation in the agreements it had made, and through Labour Party policy.
"It bodes well for the protection of conservation values."
A submissions hearing was held in November 2016, but the decision has not been announced.
Whitewater NZ, Forest and Bird and Federated Mountain Clubs all wanted Ms Barry to announce the intention prior to the election. This did not happen.
Development West Coast backs the scheme and says of the cost of $80m to $100m, 75% or $64m, would stay on the Coast.
