8. Indigenous Biodiversity Volume One Conservation) provides advice and information for small and larger scale plantings and restoration projects; • approaching marine mammals from land, sea and air and on minimising acoustic disturbance to mammals from seismic survey operations (both produced by the Department of Conservation); • the benefits of and how to eco-source plants for restoration projects; and • for the restoration/creation of wetlands. The Council will prepare guidelines to assist developers on options available for enhancing indigenous biodiversity. The Council will investigate and document best practice guidelines to assist when planning for and undertaking drainage channel maintenance activities. The practices will vary between drainage channels, depending on the circumstances. Marlborough’s tangata whenua iwi and others with an interest in aquatic biodiversity will be provided the opportunity to assist in the development of the guidelines. As the need arises, the Council will develop further guidelines in an endeavour to enhance overall biodiversity in Marlborough. 8.M.9 Regional Pest Management Plan for Marlborough The Regional Pest Management Plan for Marlborough (prepared under the Biosecurity Act 1993) classifies a range of plant and animal species as pests because they cause or have the potential to cause significant adverse effects on Marlborough’s economy and/or environment. Individual pests are placed in one of three categories. The management regime, which includes rules for each pest, applies mostly to terrestrial environments but does include aquatic plant and animal pests. The plan also lists plant and animal species that pose potential threats to ecological values in Marlborough. These species do not have a specific regime for control because they do not pass the required cost benefit tests set out in the Biosecurity Act. However, control of these pests will likely be based on a ‘site led’ approach, targeted to sites with significant ecological value where the reduction of a range of pests would be effective in protecting those values. 8.M.10 Works The Council will undertake planting of riparian margins with indigenous species on land owned or administered by the Council where appropriate. 8.M.11 Partnership/Liaison The Council works closely with the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust, an independent organisation that assists landowners to formally protect their land through a covenant on the property title. The Council also works closely with the Department of Conservation in providing information for landowners and the public in general and in on-the-ground work to assist in enhancing biodiversity in Marlborough. Focussed projects to enhance indigenous biodiversity are supported and promoted by the Council. This can include projects such as landcare groups set up to restore areas such as the Grovetown Lagoon and Rarangi foreshore, working with nurseries to ensure locally-sourced native plants are available for restoration projects, establishing the Tui to Town project to entice native birds across the Wairau Plain from the Northbank forests and working with resident groups on local projects. Through its role in biosecurity the Council also acts in a liaison capacity with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Biosecurity New Zealand in the management of a range of undesirable animals and plants. Equally important in the control and management of pest animals and plants is the partnership role between the Council and private landowners and between the Council and Department of Conservation/Land Information New Zealand with respect to Crown land. 8 – 16