Discretionary pastoral activity decision - Forming tracks - A7100100

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.

Forming tracks

10 years with maintenance rights

The Commissioner of Crown Lands has determined that the proposed tracks have positive farming benefits, and the conditions will enable any adverse effects on inherent values to be avoided, remedied or mitigated. The tracks are needed to facilitate the removal of pine plantations and wilding pines. As there is very little indigenous vegetation present within the approved areas, it is not expected that there will be any adverse effects on inherent values provided the conditions outlined above are complied with.

Consent is granted for forming tracks, subject to the following conditions:

1. Track formation is limited to the green areas and pink lines indicated on the map attached to this Notice of Decision and shall only be formed to facilitate the pine clearance operation.
2. The formed tracks shall be no wider than 6 metres.
3. The tracks so established should be suited to logging trucks only where this is needed. Otherwise, tracks are to be established so that they are suitable for appropriate farm vehicles and stock management.
4. Wetland areas, if present, to be protected and not disturbed, including avoiding the discharge of water off the new track into these areas. Any seepages shall be dealt with through the installation of appropriately placed culverts.
5. Unstable and erosion-prone areas are to be avoided, and earthworks within riparian margins and waterway crossings kept to an absolute minimum.
6. Ensure sediment losses to water are avoided where practicable and that all reasonable steps are taken to minimise the release of sediment to water.
7. Permanent tracks are to be sloped at 3-4cm per metre (2 degrees) in towards the bank and a water table constructed to provide free drainage of water via culverts or cut-offs.
8. Frequent culverts or preferably cut-offs are to be constructed on permanent tracks with adequate protection at inlet/outlet to prevent erosion of water tables, fill batters and waterways.
9. In general, the maximum grade of permanent tracks should be 12 degrees.
10. Significant stands of native shrubland are to be avoided.
11. All machinery intended to be used to construct the track is cleaned of plant material and soil prior to entering the Hawksburn Pastoral Lease to avoid weed contamination.
12. Any cuts and fill be battered to ensure stability and shaped, so they blend into the surroundings and are suitable for re-vegetation.
13. To avoid visible bare ground following construction, once the tracks shown in pink on the attached map have been formed, any incidental ground disturbance must be remediated by oversowing with weed-free pasture seed.
14. Permanent tracks must be maintained and kept clear of debris that could impede drainage.
15. If any historic sites are accidentally uncovered in the process of carrying out the proposed activity, earth disturbance work should cease, and the appropriate authorities should be notified.
16. It is the Lessee’s responsibility to ensure that everyone involved with the forming or maintaining of tracks is made aware of all conditions of this consent, and the need to comply with them, prior to undertaking the activity.

The Crown Pastoral Land Act 1998 provides that permission to undertake the activity may still be needed under other enactments.