Waterway guide tackles leaching

Methods to manage leaching of nitrogen, faecal coliform bacteria and phosphorus from land production into waterways are among the details in a new document awaiting public comment during the next month.

The document, known as Change 5, would include changes to the regional policy statement which was the main guide for managing natural resources in Hawke's Bay.

A major focus would be a combined approach to managing water and land in the region, as outlined in the document released this week by the Hawke's Bay Regional Council.

The council's policy team leader Gavin Ide said the activities on the land impacted on river, streams and aquifers.

"Change 5 aims at providing clear direction to everyone who has responsibility for managing the many uses of our land and water resources."

It would not include new or changed rules but clearer policies on how conflicting values and uses of freshwater would be managed.

It outlined a way to manage leaching of nitrogen and phosphorus from production land and signals what future catchment regional plan changes would need to consider, for better land and water management.

It also included policies for land-based disposal of waste products.

In August, an earlier draft of the changes was released for public comment and the Change 5 proposal was "evolution" of the feedback.

Submissions to Change 5 were open until 5pm, Monday, November 5, 2012.