1. Introduction Volume Two Identifying those rules in the RMP that have immediate legal effect Under Section 86B of the RMA, a rule in a proposed plan has legal effect only when a decision on submissions relating to that rule has been made and publicly notified by the Council. Exceptions to this are where the rule: • protects or relates to water, air or soil (for soil conservation); or • protects areas of significant indigenous vegetation; or • protects areas of significant habitats of indigenous fauna; or • protects historic heritage; or • provides for or relates to aquaculture activities. In these circumstances, a rule in a proposed plan has legal effect from the date of notification. The rules and/or standards that have immediate legal effect from 9 June 2016 are identified in a table at the start of the General Rules and at the start of each chapter of zone rules. The associated definitions and appendices applicable to those rules also have immediate legal effect. Definitions The Council has used a number of terms and/or words throughout the MEP, some of which are defined in the RMA and many of which are not. Words that are already defined within Section 2 of the RMA, such as ‘effect’ or ‘contaminant’ have established meanings and over time have been interpreted through the Courts; these definitions are not included within the MEP. Words or terms not given meaning through the RMA may be given meaning through the MEP definition section (see Chapter 25) or, where they are not so defined, should be read for their normal dictionary definition. 1 – 4