Notes on Waiatoto access
p24
"Despite that, much of the park retains its wild and natural character and is largely unaffected by increasing recreational and tourism use."
p26
"Management of public use, including concessionaire activities, is essential to ensure that the remote and wilderness qualities for which the park is renowned are not lost."
p26
"This plan proposes that aircraft landings in the remote zone be restricted to only a few areas and/or for limited time periods. This differs from some other national parks and reflects both the park’s special character and the overall objective to retain its remote, quiet, and undeveloped values. This may limit these areas to self-reliant outdoor recreationists who have the ability and inclination to reach the remote zone on foot."
p26.
"There is no intention of providing for the full spectrum of recreational activities."
p28.
Section on "Aircraft use and preservation of natural quiet"
p57
"The effects of some activities may also cause conflicts between different visitors and be inconsistent with the values of particular zones or places. An example is the noise generated by aircraft, both overflights and actual landings. In the wilderness and remote zones in particular, visitors generally expect to experience high levels of solitude and natural quiet. This may not be realised if aircraft noise intrudes."
Remote zone described p59-61
6.6.5 Aircraft p70
p71
"This plan proposes that one of the roar sites (site R7 at Bonar Flats) may also be used by recreational river users55 to access the upper reaches of the Waiatoto River from mid October to 31 December annually. This recognises the value of the two-day kayaking trip on the Waiatoto River and the opportunities it provides for a remote experience for moderately experienced kayakers. This site is also used by the occasional rafting party.
55=For the purposes of this plan this includes kayakers (or canoeists) or rafters."
Need greater time window to get range of flows, match public holidays, etc.
p73
"roar landing site R7 (Bonar Flat on the upper Waiatoto River) should also be available for kayaking and rafting parties from 15 October to 31 December (inclusive) annually, with a maximum party size of 12.59
59Generally in the remote zone the maximum party size for concessionaires is 7. This has been increased to 12 for this particular site, in recognition of maximum permitted party sizes for existing rafting concessions, and to enable helicopter space to be used efficiently for kayakers and their equipment."
p76 Table row: "Roar site 7 Bonar Flats G38 734 529 Low
"Access only during roar and for kayaking and rafting parties not exceeding 12 people from 15 Oct to 31 Dec."
Also, access to the Waipara only during roar.
p112-113 Outlines use of landing zone at Bevan Col for climbers.
Seems inconsistent in that kayaker access is restricted more than aircraft access to Bevan Col, yet number of affected people is much less. Propose allowing greater kayaking access, with monitoring to see if effect is more than minor (per p114).- Jonathan
