Marlborough Sounds Resource Management Plan 11 September 2014 Policy 1.8 Providing for minor adjustments to boundaries of resource consent areas for existing farms without increasing their size so as where necessary to reduce adverse effects or to recognise existing locations of farms. Policy 1.9 Enable the adverse visual or ecological effects of particular farms to be addressed when the rules expressly provide for that. Policy 1.10 Recognise the necessity of maintenance, improvement and enhancement of roading structures and that these activities may, in some circumstances, result in an alteration of the seabed or foreshore. Policy 1.11 Recognising (by way of discretionary activity status in the Coastal Marine Zone 3) provision for salmon farming at three appropriate sites. Some alteration to the foreshore and seabed is necessary to enable the continuation of normal coastal marine activities. The policies seek to provide a guide for their continuation while controlling the potentially significant adverse effects which can arise from any alteration to the foreshore and seabed. Some alteration is also necessary to enable salmon farming at three identified sites. 9.4.2 Methods of Implementation Rules In general, rules provide for certain alterations to the foreshore and seabed as Permitted Activities subject to specific performance standards. Most alterations however, will be assessed on their merits, as a Discretionary Activity. Assessment The assessment criteria for Discretionary Activities involving Criteria foreshore and seabed alterations, enable the effect of the alteration on the coastal marine area to be assessed. An assessment of the effect of the proposed alteration on Maori, cultural and heritage values, natural character, landscape and ecological values will also be required. Monitoring The Council will monitor the effects of permitted and consented activities in the coastal marine area to: determine the effectiveness of plan policies and rules; assess compliance with consent conditions; and promote sustainable management. The use of rules and associated assessment criteria, and performance standards where minor alterations are permitted, allows for control over the adverse effects of alterations to the foreshore and seabed. It also enables the numerous variabilities which exist in assessing the effects of the various types of alterations to the foreshore and seabed, to be taken into account. 9.4A Issue Allocation of the right to apply for a coastal permit for marine farming in Aquaculture Management Areas (AMAs) in a manner that is effective, efficient and fair to all parties e involvd. As explained in Section 9.1.2 of the Plan, there are three different processes for Plan Changes to include new AMAs in the Plan. With a Council-initiated Plan Change, authorisations are allocated by public tender. Where an AMA has been 9 - 18