Chapter 3 - Freshwater For water bodies not identified for regulatory methods of riparian management, education and advocacy methods will target in particular, those areas identified by a working group of relevant interested organisations and individuals as having significant values that require protection or enhancement of riparian management by non-regulatory means. The Council will advocate the development of national policies relating to the use of agricultural chemicals. Liaison The Council will liaise with organisations, the Tangata Whenua and interest groups regarding the state of, and enhancement of, fresh water quality. In particular, the Council will liaise through a riparian manage- ment working group comprising of relevant organisations and individuals. The aims of the group will be to review and prioritise water bodies for non-regulatory methods of riparian management and determine appropriate methods of management. This working group will complete the initial prioritisation of water bodies by the end of the year 2000. Monitoring The Council will undertake comprehensive fresh water quality monitoring. Monitoring the effectiveness of regulatory and non- regulatory methods of riparian management in terms of achieving natural hazard management, provision of public access and recreation, protection and enhancement of riparian habitat diversity, in-stream habitat and water quality. Rules are necessary in part because the Act makes it an offence to discharge water into water or contaminants to land or water without a consent (refer section 15 of the Act). Thus some provision needs to be made in the Plan in order for the community to be able to make use of the resource where any adverse effects on the environment are able to avoided, remedied or mitigated. It is however acknowledged that non-regulatory methods may be more appropriate and effective in some circumstances in achieving the objective, and accordingly these methods are also incorporated into the Plan. 3.2.4 Issue Degradation of the quantity of surface water within wetlands, lakes and rivers due to use and development of resources. Historically, the Marlborough Sounds has had sufficient surface water resources available to meet the requirements of water users in the area. However, increased subdivision and development over recent years, corresponding with an increased demand for surface water resources, has created at times a seasonal water shortage. For the most part though, there is plenty of water available in the Marlborough Sounds area for most anticipated uses for the foreseeable future. 3 - 5