Marlborough Sounds Resource Management Plan Culturally the Marlborough Sounds is special to New Zealanders. Continuous human occupation of Marlborough’s coastal area probably stretches back at least 1000 years. Maori place great importance on links to their traditional sites both on land and in the sea and value their mahingakai. Non Maori also appreciate many links with our country’s history and the rich natural resources contained in the Sounds. An increasing number of people have already, or want to, make the Sounds their permanent home. Another fascinating dimension is the unique plant and animal life found in the area. Native plants range from sub-tropical to sub-alpine. Some of the rarest animal and insect life in the world can be found in the Sounds. The natural and physical resources of the Sounds and the activities which rely on these resources are all linked in some way. One activity may have an unexpected influence on resources or other activities in the Sounds’ environment. For example, poorly conducted land clearing may generate sediment which gets into streams, the sea and then harms marine organisms, which in turn may affect marine farming. The sediment may also detract from the aesthetic and amenity expectations of tourists and visitors staying in nearby accommodation and using the Sounds. We all have different values we place on the Sounds. We may also have a vision about how we would like the place to be in the future. Some want to see more commercial activity such as further diversification into marine farming. Others want limits placed on such activity. Some want to be allowed greater freedom to further subdivide their properties, others want no subdivision. Still others want to see major tourist development while some want to see no significant change. There are people who wish to promote eco-tourism, others who want further areas reserved - the list goes on. These different visions create conflict. If the Sounds environment is to remain special, we need to manage it. To use the current terminology, we need to be managing the natural and physical resources in a “sustainable” way, so that our children and their children can appreciate the same good qualities. We must also manage the environment as a whole. In other words in an “integrated” way - not just the individual parts of it. 1.3 Plan Structure The Marlborough Sounds Resource Management Plan is comprised of three volumes: Volume One Contains the introduction to the Plan which incorporates information requirements for resource consent applications, cross boundary matters and monitoring. Volume One contains the issues to be addressed by the Plan as a whole, the objectives, policies and methods to be used in promoting sustainable management of the natural and physical resources of the Marlborough Sounds and the environmental results anticipated from their implementation. 1 - 2