Volume One 13. Use of the Coastal Environment Disturbance of the foreshore or seabed not elsewhere provided for [C] Objective 13.13 – The effects of disturbance to the foreshore or seabed not provided for elsewhere are appropriately managed. Previous objectives and policies under Issue 13E have provided direction on specific disturbance activities. There are other circumstances where disturbance activities may occur and a framework within which these activities are managed is necessary. [C] Policy 13.13.1 – Activities that result in little disturbance of the foreshore or seabed will be provided for as a permitted activity. Some activities, particularly recreational activities, have minimal or no impact on the foreshore or seabed in terms of associated disturbance. These activities are considered to be appropriate and are provided for as a permitted activity, subject in some cases to standards. [C] Policy 13.13.2 – Enable disturbance of the foreshore and seabed in the following circumstances: (a) at London Quay Beach, Shelly Beach and Waikawa Beach for the excavation or removal of foreshore or seabed material for the purpose of removing marine debris or litter or for the renourishment or grooming of beaches; (b) for the excavation or removal of foreshore or seabed material for marine mammal rescue or burial; or (c) for oil spill response operations. The policy provides for three specific instances where disturbance of the foreshore and seabed are appropriate. In the case of the beach areas in Picton and Waikawa, the disturbance activities enabled have positive social benefits in terms of enhancing recreational use within the identified areas. For (b), the policy enables disturbance to deal with infrequent occurrences of marine mammal deaths or strandings. Both instances are considered to have minor adverse effect and are enabled through permitted activity rules, subject to standards. [C] Policy 13.13.3 – Discourage the use of motorised vehicles on the foreshore where this will impact on ecological values or safety of other foreshore users, where the foreshore acts as protection from the sea or on cultural, heritage and amenity values. There are some locations around Marlborough’s coastline where the foreshore environment is such that motorised vehicles can be used. However, the use of motorised vehicles can have adverse impacts on other beach users, from both a safety and amenity perspective, as well as on ecological, cultural and heritage values. Where there is the potential for these values to be affected this policy discourages the use of motorised vehicles. The policy gives effect to Policy 20 of the NZCPS. [C] Policy 13.13.4 – Where disturbance of the foreshore and seabed will occur as a result of structures being fixed to the seabed (for example, during the construction of jetties, boatsheds or retaining walls, or when placing moorings on the seabed), this shall be regarded as appropriate where the effects are short-term, reversible and/or minor. There are some circumstances where minor disturbance of the foreshore and/or seabed will occur as a result of structures being erected. In many cases the effects will be short term, reversible and/or minor, so in these circumstances the disturbance is regarded as appropriate. 13 – 37