Volume One 4. Use of Natural and Physical Resources [RPS] Policy 4.3.1 – Integrate management of the natural and physical resources within the Marlborough Sounds environment. There are very strong connections between land and marine environments in the Marlborough Sounds. This means that activities occurring in one locality can easily affect the surrounding environment and other activities occurring in that environment. This is especially true considering that the activities and values described in the issue and objective above are not always compatible. This makes integrated management of land and coastal water resources critical to retaining the special qualities of the Marlborough Sounds. As a unitary authority, the Council is well placed to achieve integrated management of natural and physical resources through its policy making and consenting functions. The policies in the MEP ensure that all of the effects of the use, development and protection of resources are identified and managed in a consistent manner. [RPS] Policy 4.3.2 – Identify the qualities and values that contribute to the unique and iconic character of the Marlborough Sounds and protect these from inappropriate subdivision, use and development. In order to determine whether particular activities in the Marlborough Sounds will have significant adverse effects, it is necessary to identify the qualities and values that contribute to the unique and iconic character of the Marlborough Sounds. These qualities and values are identified in the objectives and policies of other chapters, where criteria to help define appropriate activities are provided. In some cases, these qualities and values are also mapped and/or scheduled in the MEP. [RPS] Policy 4.3.3 – Provide direction on the appropriateness of resource use activities in the Marlborough Sounds environment. It is important that the MEP provides as much certainty as possible to resource users and the community about the outcomes anticipated under this suite of provisions. Following the identification of the qualities and values in accordance with Policy 4.3.2, this policy signals that direction will be provided on the sensitivity of these to change. This sensitivity will vary due to the different qualities and values in different parts of the Marlborough Sounds. Those activities more likely to have an impact on the Marlborough Sounds environment will be subjected to resource consent processes. This will allow an assessment of the nature and significance of the effects of any proposed activity on the immediate and surrounding environment (including cumulative effects). The policies in the MEP will assist that assessment. [RPS] Policy 4.3.4 – Enhance the qualities and values that contribute to the unique and iconic character of the Marlborough Sounds. Objective 4.3 seeks to maintain and enhance the Marlborough Sounds environment. This means that the Council can manage the use, development and protection of natural resources to enhance the qualities and values that contribute to the character of the Marlborough Sounds. This can occur through regulatory methods. For example, environmental enhancement may be a means of remedying or mitigating the adverse effects of resource use and development. Resource consent applicants and the Council should have regard to these opportunities when preparing or processing resource consent applications. Other opportunities may exist beyond the use and development of natural resources. The implementation of non-regulatory methods to enhance particular parts of the Marlborough Sounds environment, particularly the landscape and biodiversity, will make significant contributions in this regard. These non-regulatory methods are signalled throughout the MEP. 4 – 9