5. Allocation of Public Resources Volume One [R] Policy 5.2.10 – Have regard to the importance of flow connection to maintaining natural and human use values when considering resource consent applications to take water from intermittently flowing rivers, including: (a) the timing and duration of that flow connection; (b) the physical extent of any disconnection in flow; and (c) any adverse effects on connected aquifers. Even though some rivers do not have surface flow at all times, there may still be circumstances where the flow connection is important in maintaining natural and human use values. For example, flow at a critical time of year may be important to facilitate the migration of indigenous fish, trout or salmon upstream or downstream. The policy allows the importance of flow connection to be considered when determining a resource consent application to take water from an intermittently flowing water body. The matters set out in (a) to (c) are those that are relevant to this consideration. Matters (a) and (b) relate to changes in the temporal and spatial extent of any disconnection, while matter (c) recognises that the intermittent flow may recharge connected aquifers. The changes created by the taking of water in this regard must be considered in light of any adverse effect on natural and human use values. [R] Policy 5.2.11 – Set specific minimum levels for Freshwater Management Units dominated by aquifers to: (a) prevent physical damage to the structure of the aquifer; (b) prevent headwater recession of spring flows; (c) prevent a landward shift in the seawater/freshwater interface and the potential for saltwater contamination of the aquifer; (d) maintain natural and human use values of rivers and wetlands where groundwater is physically connected and contributes significantly to flow in the surface waterbody; (e) maintain groundwater quality; and (f) prevent long-term decline in aquifer levels that compromises the matters set out in (a) to (e). Policy B1 of the NPSFM requires the Council to set environmental levels for all FMUs, including minimum levels. This is a complex task for aquifers given the range of factors that influence rates of aquifer recharge and the difficulties determining the effect of abstraction on groundwater levels. This includes lags in response to either recharge and/or abstraction. This policy sets out the matters that have been considered in the process of setting the minimum levels in the MEP for FMUs dominated by aquifers. The minimum levels are intended to achieve the matters in (a) to (f) and therefore protect the sustainability of the FMUs in the long-term. [R] Policy 5.2.12 – Set conductivity limits for Freshwater Management Units dominated by aquifers adjoining the coast to manage the potential for saltwater contamination of the aquifer. One of the potential effects of taking water from FMUs adjoining the coast is the potential within an aquifer to reduce water pressures at the interface between freshwater and salt water. Reduced pressures will result in a landward shift of the interface, creating the potential for salt water intrusion into the aquifer. Any salt water intrusion will adversely affect the ability to use the groundwater and is likely to result in long-term effects. Conductivity is an indicative measure of the salt levels in groundwater. The setting of conductivity limits for FMUs adjoining the coast is intended to ensure the taking of water from aquifers does 5 – 6