Wairau/ Awatere Resource Management Plan Coastal or Freshwater Landforms Examples of landform include tidal estuaries, dune formations, coastal cliffs and river terraces. The Plan addresses adverse impacts on landform by incorporating rules on land disturbance and alteration to the foreshore and seabed. Refer to Chapter 14: Land Disturbance, and Chapter 9: Coastal Marine. Flora and Fauna and their Habitats Important vegetation and fauna habitats are incorporated into ‘areas of significant ecological value’ and policies to protect these are provided in Chapter 4 Flora and Fauna and their Habitats. In addition for the Coastal Marine Area the Department of Conservation have identified areas of special conservation value which include areas of significant ecological value. Coastal Marine Area ecosystems, and ecosystems in the coastal environment, are described in Chapter 9: Coastal Marine. Water and Water Quality Water management issues and water quality are addressed in the Water and Coastal Marine sections of the Plan. Refer to Chapter 6 Fresh Water. The achievement of the policies in these sections and the implementation of the relevant rules in Volume Two will also contribute to the preservation of natural character. Scenic or Landscape Values Scenic values are essentially people’s appreciation of the visual qualities of a particular area. Protection of visual qualities is provided in the Landscape section (Chapter 5) and throughout a number of other sections of the Plan (eg Rural and Urban Environments). Cultural Heritage Values Cultural heritage values include historic places of early settlement and sites of significance to iwi. Policies to recognise and protect the values of tangata whenua and heritage values are contained within Chapters 2 and 3 and rules to protect specific heritage resources are contained in Volume Two of the Plan. The protection of the individual elements of natural character will assist in preserving the natural character of the coastal and freshwater environments and protecting them from inappropriate subdivision, use and development. In addition to protecting those elements which contribute to natural character, it is important to address the cumulative effects of subdivision, use and development. The irreversible adverse effects on natural character of some types of subdivision, use and development also need to be addressed. In such cases remedying or mitigating the change brought about by such activity can be complex. Both of these issues create difficulties for ensuring the protection of natural character, and can only be assessed on a case by case basis. The policies which follow allow for this. 10 - 2