Wairau/ Awatere Resource Management Plan is a Permitted Activity. Where the risks from hazardous substances are greater the activity is managed as either Discretionary or Prohibited. Activities involving the use of hazardous substances and facilities can contaminate and reduce water quality. Topography, soil type and vegetation can affect the amount of contamination that occurs. Runoff from land can carry contaminants into streams, rivers, aquifers and coastal water. Many industrial operations and the majority of residential developments in the Plan area are located over the unconfined aquifers of the Wairau Plains. Adequate controls for hazardous facilities are needed to ensure community health and safety. The Plan establishes a management regime that minimises the risk of hazardous substances to the community and the environment. 18.3 Objectives and Policies Objective 1 Avoidance, remediation or mitigation of adverse effects on the environment and community health caused by facilities and activities involving the use, and storage of hazardous substances. Policy 1.1 The establishment of facilities that store and use hazardous substances should not give rise to a level of risk that is unacceptable to the environment or the community's health and safety. Policy 1.2 Avoid, remedy or mitigate the adverse effects resulting from the discharge of hazardous substances to land and water. The improper release of hazardous substances into the environment presents a major threat to the life supporting capacity of the environment and community health. Minimising the risks from use is necessary for preventing or mitigating adverse effects on the environment. Definition of this risk occurs through the Hazardous Facility Screening Procedure (see Appendix C, Volume Two) which determines appropriate locations for hazardous facilities. Important for hazardous facility planning is the avoidance of adverse effects caused by spillage or other accidents. Contingency planning and relevant training are essential to facilitate efficient and co-ordinated emergency responses. Rural activities may involve discharges of chemicals to land, for example pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers. This is of particular concern in respect of the aquifers which are an important resource for drinking water. The use of hazardous substances provides benefits to the community by providing products and services. Such use commonly does not involve any unacceptable risks and is controlled by other legislation. However, the Plan needs to address environmental protection aspects. 18.4 Methods of Implementation Assessment The Council will assess and manage hazardous facilities with a focus on the hazard potential of those facilities and activities that use and store hazardous substances, including the intrinsic properties of the 18 - 2