Marlborough District Council Roading Assets - Activity Management Plan 2015 - 2018 SECTION 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.8 SUSTAINABILITY / ENVIRONMENTAL 1.8.1 Understanding our Environment The Marlborough Sounds are highly valued scenically and for recreational purposes, with uses ranging from farming (marine and pastoral) and residential to tourism. The Wairau catchment is dominated by the Wairau River and the associated plains and mountain ranges bounding both the northern and southern sides of the valley. Predominant land uses include residential, viticulture and pastoral farming with small remnant areas used for horticulture on the plains, with commercial forestry and traditional high country farming dominating in the hill country. The Awatere catchment and the area to the south reflects in many ways the Wairau catchment in general nature and land use, with pastoral farming, plains and hill country, and viticulture dominating. The Marlborough region as a whole contains a wide range of surface water bodies and accompanying ecosystems, including ephemeral watercourses, large rivers, lakes and wetlands. Undertaking activities in an efficient manner, throughout the region, will assist with meeting the environmental concerns of this Activity Management Plan and also achieve the maintenance of the values associated with the general environmental features of the region. 1.8.2 Impacts of Roading Activities There are two distinct areas of environmental impacts that roading activities give rise to. These are specifically the formation or physical alteration of the environment for a road, and then the everyday use of the road by vehicles. Understanding and addressing these impacts can ensure a more sustainable asset and range of activities are undertaken to maintain and protect that asset. 1.8.2.1 Road Maintenance / Formation Fresh water quality and ecosystems Coastal environment protection Landscapes and visual intrusion Natural hazards Noise and vibration Archaeology & historical values Indigenous flora, fauna and habitats Cultural and community values Climate change and sea level rise 1.8.2.2 Everyday Road Use Noise and vibration Hazardous substances Biosecurity Air discharge Waste 1.8.3 Environmental Regulatory Framework There are a number of Acts that provide guidance or regulatory requirements in terms of managing the roading network and the environmental effects of development. The discussion below addresses those Acts and supporting plans where relevant to this Management Plan. 1.8.3.1 Resource Management Act 1991 The Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) contains the consenting requirements, as well as outlines the responsibilities of Councils in terms of policy and plan documents. These policy and plan documents are discussed below and therefore directly relate to the environmental and sustainability aspects of managing a road asset and the activities undertaken on that asset. 30 September 2014 Page 151 of Section 1