Marlborough Sounds Resource Management Plan Global warming may cause sea levels to rise significantly. Increased sea level could alter coastal processes and increase inundation of low lying coastal and estuarine areas. Activities which affect coastal processes include: • Extraction of sediments as aggregates; • Dredging and dumping; • Reclamation of tidal areas; and • Erection of coastal protection structures. Sustainable coastal management avoids hazards and adopts practices which are sympathetic to the functioning of coastal processes. Floodable areas include the lowland areas adjacent to the Pelorus and Kaituna Rivers, and within the urban areas of Picton and Waikawa, adjacent to Waitohi Stream and Waikawa Stream respectively. Flooding causes damage to property and can remove land or deposit new material burying existing soils. Fire hazard relates to fuel type, drought and proximity to settlements. Fire destroys property and severely interrupts ecosystems. Climatic hazards include windstorms, thunderstorms, intense rainfalls, and major droughts. These events can directly damage property or trigger other forms of natural hazard. 16.3 Objectives and Policies Objective 1 Management of areas prone to natural hazards to avoid loss of life, and avoid, remedy or mitigate damage to property and infrastructure as a result of the occurrence of natural hazards. Policy 1.1 Locate new works and structures to avoid their damage from the effects of natural hazards. Policy 1.2 Establish and maintain protection works designed to avoid, or mitigate the effects of natural hazards including adverse environmental effects, where the benefits outweigh the costs. Policy 1.3 Define areas at risk from natural hazards, including sea level rise, within a Natural Hazards Register to assist future sustainable management of resources. Policy 1.4 Consult iwi to identify areas of waahi tapu, and taonga needing protection from the effects of natural hazards, including sea level rise. Policy 1.5 Provide warnings and emergency response procedures for areas at risk from or affected by natural hazards. Policy 1.6 Assess potential protection measures for mitigating natural hazards to ensure that in themselves they do not cause adverse environment effects. 16 - 2