Discretionary pastoral activity decision - Burning - A6701086

For this decision summary:

• LINZ received the application before 17 November 2022
• accordingly, the decision was made under the Crown Pastoral Land Act 1998 excluding the amendments taking effect on 17 November 2022.

Burning

5 years

The Commissioner of Crown Lands has determined that granting consent to burn the described areas will make it easier to use the land for farming purposes by removing dead standing sprayed sweet briar and St John’s wort. Any adverse effects on inherent values can be minimised through compliance with the conditions specified above.

Consent is granted for burning, subject to the following conditions:

1. Burning may only occur when ground conditions are appropriate (i.e. cold and damp), and weather conditions are ideal for burning (i.e. little to no wind).
2. No area approved for burning in this consent shall be burned more than once during the term of the consent.
3. The burning of large clusters of indigenous biodiversity above 1.5 metres in height are to be avoided where possible.
4. No burning shall occur within at least 10 metres either side of any wetland, seep or permanent waterways.
5. Any chemical used to control a fire must be mixed in a controlled setting where there is no possibility of run off into any waterway.
6. Burning vegetation on rocky or erosion-prone areas is to be avoided.
7. All burned areas are to be top-dressed and sown with seed within 12 weeks of the burn occurring, and in accordance with the terms of the approval for this activity. Top-dressing shall be thereafter maintained on an ongoing basis.
8. All burned areas are to be spelled from grazing until at least 1st March of the year following the burn. Unless stock can be effectively excluded from the burned area through temporary fencing, this will require the entire block where burning has occurred to be spelled from grazing during this time.
9. Consultation with local authorities and Fire Emergency New Zealand must be completed prior to undertaking any burning to ensure all consents and permits have been obtained.
10. The people involved in lighting and controlling the fire shall have prior experience with burning and shall supervise the burn closely throughout the duration of the burn. Furthermore, the burnt area shall be inspected thoroughly following the completion of the burn to ensure the fire is completely extinguished before leaving the area.
11. A helicopter with a monsoon bucket is to be held on standby during all burning operations.
12. That all staff and/or contractors employed to work on Lowburn Station are aware of the approved areas for burning and the conditions imposed on the consent.
13. The LINZ Customer Regulatory Specialist for Lowburn Valley shall be advised at least 24 hours prior to any burning occurring.
14. LINZ shall be notified within 24 hours of completion of the burning. This notification from the lessee should confirm that all conditions have been complied with, and/or advise of any incidents or issues that may have occurred during the work. Any fire that burns outside the area for which consent has been granted, for whatever reason, is to be reported to the Commissioner of Crown Lands supplying full details of the circumstances.
15. An inspection may be undertaken on an annual basis by LINZ or its appointed agent, and the Lessee, to evaluate the if the conditions of this approval have been complied with.
16. Should it be determined as the result of an inspection that the conditions of this consent are not being complied with, or the inspection determines that the burning is causing a significant effect on inherent values, this consent may be revoked. 
    The Crown Pastoral Land Act 1998 provides that permission to undertake the activity may still be needed under other enactments.