2 October 2014 Chapter 11 – Rural Environments Policy 1.11 ephemeral stream, and any drain; (b) Provision of an appropriate, non-grazed, buffer along the margins of any water body, including a river, stream, creek, lake, wetland, significant ephemeral stream, and any drain, to intercept the runoff of contaminants from grazed pasture, with reference to Appendices H and I of the Plan; (c) Provision for storage of dairy effluent, with all storage ponds sufficiently sized to enable deferral of application to land until soil conditions are such that surface runoff and/ or drainage do not occur; (d) Demonstration of appropriate separation distances between effluent storage ponds and any surface waterbodies to ensure contamination of water does not occur (including during flood events); (e) A nutrient management plan that includes nutrient inputs from dairy effluent, animal discharges, fertiliser, and any other nutrient input. Policy 1.12 To recognise that activities permitted or provided for in rural areas may result in effects such as noise, dust, smell and traffic generation but that these will require mitigation where they have a significant adverse effect on the rural environment. Protection of the rural environment includes the maintenance of vegetation cover to provide a significant visual, and soil and water conservation function by protecting the land from erosion. The rural character and amenity is especially sensitive to development that removes the vegetative cover, alters existing landforms, and introduces extensive impervious surfaces. The quality and quantity of the District’s water resources are essential to the prosperity and pleasantness of the Marlborough Sounds, in terms of their life supporting capacity and availability for domestic and productive use. The aim of these policies is achieving the best rural environment for dwellers, users and visitors that maintains existing, and encourages new activities and sources of employment; allows sustainable distribution of utilities and services; and protects rural resources. The benefits of these policies are not directly quantifiable. They are intangible, and include improvement in rural environmental quality, saved rural land, and rationalisation of settlements and transport patterns within rural areas. The long term adverse effects of extractive industries need to be remedied by appropriate site rehabilitation that allows later establishment of alternative rural activities. Restrictions on subdivision seek to ensure that subdivision does not lead to loss of rural amenity or character, or increase the potential for conflict between adjoining activities. Significant ecological values should be protected from fragmentation through subdivision into small land holdings. 11 - 5