Volume One 13. Use of the Coastal Environment domestic wastewater, stability of the land, reflectivity of buildings, etc. Rules will specify minimum allotment standards and enable the development of papakāinga, subject to standards. Boat moorings and anchoring The enclosed waterways of the Marlborough Sounds offer many recreational boating opportunities to both residents of Marlborough and visitors. Commercial use of boats and other craft is a significant feature of the District’s tourism, marine farming and fishing industries. While many of the smaller recreational craft are stored on dry land and have no need for water-based storage, many boats do need some form of mooring, berthage or other method of storage. Moorings generally provide a convenient and readily available form of boat storage. Consequently, there are high-density moorings in areas such as Waikawa Bay, Ngakuta Bay and Okiwa Bay. Individual moorings have also been established around the Sounds, providing a place for occasional recreational users and adjoining landowners to moor their boats. In some cases, a mooring is established for the use of boating club members or boat charter companies. These moorings are referred to as collective moorings. Anchoring on a temporary basis is common in many places around the Sounds. This occurs for recreational purposes, where boats may overnight or, in some instances and particularly in recognised locations, provide for temporary shelter in bad weather. It is important that developments or activities in the coastal marine area do not affect the ability of the boating community to anchor in locations that are recognised anchorages. Issue 13E – How and where to provide for mooring and/or berthage facilities in Marlborough’s coastal environment. Deciding how and where to provide facilities or areas where boats can be safely moored or anchored is an issue, given the wide range of economic, cultural and social values of Marlborough’s coastal environment as well as significant natural character, landscape and biodiversity values. Historically, many property owners within the Sounds relied on swing moorings to moor boats. This continues to be the case today, although many property owners now also seek other structures such as boatsheds and jetties to provide enhanced forms of access. In some areas, especially close to nodes of settlement, issues arise surrounding competing demand for coastal space for moorings, especially swing moorings. The location of such moorings must take into account navigational routes for boats, as well as sufficient separation from one another to ensure the safety of boats on other moorings. For some people, especially those who do not own property in the Marlborough Sounds, the short term anchoring of boats is common. Some bays in the Sounds are recognised on navigational charts and in nautical publications as places for boats to anchor in certain wind conditions. However, the long term or permanent anchorage of boats can potentially give rise to adverse effects on the surrounding environment and other users of the coastal environment. These effects may include a reduction in water quality, loss or deterioration of benthic habitat, disturbance to marine species at important feeding sites, reduced amenity values, impacts on natural character or a reduction in public access or recreational opportunities. While it is important that recognised anchorages are available for use, it is also important that limitations are placed on longer term anchoring. Areas for large ship anchoring are identified on navigational charts and nautical publications. 13 – 17