Volume One 6. Natural Character established. Given that natural character consists of a range of abiotic, biotic and experiential attributes, methods elsewhere in the MEP targeting an improvement in the quality of the environment will also contribute to the restoration of natural character. Methods of implementation The methods listed below are to be implemented by the Council unless otherwise specified. [RPS, R, C, D] 6.M.1 Regional and district rules As necessary, apply district or regional rules to activities that have the potential to threaten identified attributes that contribute to natural character, particularly areas with high, very high and outstanding natural character. The status of activities will depend on the severity of the threat and range from permitted activity standards through to prohibited activities. Activities to be regulated include: • subdivision; • erection and placement of structures, especially location, scale, density and appearance; • land disturbance; • indigenous vegetation removal; and • the planting of certain species of exotic tree. [RPS] 6.M.2 Identifying natural character within Marlborough’s freshwater and coastal environments An assessment of Marlborough’s coastal and freshwater environments has identified areas of high, very high and outstanding natural character. For freshwater environments, the assessment is included within the document “The Natural Character of Selected Marlborough Rivers and Their Margins,” and identifies rivers and parts of rivers that have high or very high natural character. For Marlborough’s coastal environments, the assessment is included within the document “Natural Character of the Marlborough Coast.” The results of the assessments are mapped in the MEP. Appendix 2 of the MEP also identifies the attributes that contribute to the high, very high or outstanding natural character of these mapped areas of coastal environment, while Appendix 5 identifies the values of Marlborough’s rivers, including natural character values. [R, C, D] 6.M.3 Information The Council has made available background information on the natural character of Marlborough’s coastal and freshwater environments. This information is included in the documents identified in Method 6.M.2. The contents of the documents is useful reference material generally, but can also be used by resource consent applicants to assist any assessment of adverse effects on natural character. [R, C, D] 6.M.4 Restoration of natural character The document “Natural Character of the Marlborough Coast” provides information on potential actions that can be taken to restore the natural character of the coastal environment. This information will help land owners and resource users to implement measures to restore natural character on their property or as part of their operations. 6 – 9