Volume Three Appendix 1 23. Bryant Range, Upper Pelorus River Area, Richmond Range Conservation Estate and Red Hills Ridge Biophysical - High geological legibility. Values Geopreservation sites include: Lake Chalice debris dam; Wellington Gold Mine, Top - Valley; Pelorus Bridge river gorge; Onamalutu Valley metachert; Dun Mountain and Alfred Stream earthflow (regionally important geological feature). - The ecological values are of national significance. - A band of ultramafic rock extends through Red Hills area, which leads to stunted, sparsely distributed plants that are quite unique to the ar ea. - Mount Richmond Forest Park contains relatively unmodified native vegetation including alpine herbfields, beech forest and ultramafic zone vegetation. - The small Onamalutu Scenic Reserve and its unique remnant of virgin podocarp forest provide an example of the forests that once covered the alluvial plains of the Wairau and surrounding valleys. - The Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve is one of the last stands of river-flat forest in Marlborough. - Mount Richmond Forest Park provides habitat for native bird species, including Blue duck, New Zealand falcon and South Island kaka. - Lake Chalice, located in the Forest Park, is unusual in that its only fish are the native koaro. Perceptual - Very high levels of natural character, due to unmodified landscape in the upper Values Pelorus River catchment. - Visually interesting rusty tinge in Red Hills and Dun Mountain, which is discernible from the Wairau Valley and Nelson, and is extremely memorable. - The skyline of the Richmond Range forms a key feature in the Marlborough landscape, especially as the northern backdrop of the Wairau Valley. - Mt Richmond and Johnston Peak are the highest peaks, and highly visible. Mt Fishtail is a distinctive peak. - V ery high scenic quality of Lake Chalice, one of the few natural lakes in this area. Associative - The remains of old gold mines in valleys of the Richmond Range and Wairau River Values north bank. Some interest by early European prospectors in minerals around Dun Mountain. - Archaeological sites in the area indicate use of the argillite resource. - A number of tramping tracks in DOC-managed Mount Richmond Forest Park, including tracks to Mt Richmond and Lake Chalice. The park provides a semi-remote, forest wilderness experience. Overview Based on the above values, Bryant Range, Upper Pelorus River Area and Richmond Range Conservation Estate and Red Hills Ridge have been identified collectively as an ONL due to the exceptional biophysical and associative landscape values and very high sensory landscape values. The hills, valleys, ridges and mountains of the Bryant, upper Pelorus area and Richmond Range include the highest and most recognisable peaks of north Marlborough. The ONL covers peaks, ridgetops and remote conservation land, extending from the peaks backing Pelorus Sound to the upper, narrow valley of the Wairau River at the Red Hills Ridge. Much of this large area lies within conservation estate and remains predominantly in indigenous forest. It contains high ecological and biological values and is of scientific interest due to the underlying geology of the mineral belt. Being under DOC management, this area also incorporates a high level of scenic and recreational value, providing public access to many semi-wilderness recreational opportunities, such as in and adjacent to the Pelorus River. These ranges also form a visual backdrop north-west of Blenheim and the Wairau River Plains, the steep, bush- covered upper slopes and impressive skyline appreciated from a number of well-travelled App 1 - 23