Save Te Waikoropupū : Tasman District Councillors
Stop big irrigation and Save Our Rivers 
We call on the Tasman District Councillors to ban taking any more water from Te Waikoropupū springs for industrial dairying.
Why is this important?
Te Waikoropupū (Pupū) springs in Golden bay has some of the clearest waters ever measured on earth.
And right now they are under threat from an extreme proposal to take water from the rivers that feed the springs and use it to water grass for more dairy cows. More cows would mean more pollution in these pristine springs.
If accepted the proposal would allow the springs to lose at least 20% of their world renowned clarity. It would also allow the level of nitrate pollution go above what National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) has recommended is the safe upper limit. (1)(2)
The springs are of immense cultural, ecological and spiritual importance to New
Zealanders and are also visited by tens of thousands of tourists every year. They are Wahi Tapu (sacred place) for local iwi.
But in the coming months, Tasman District Councillors could accept this drastic proposal from a group called FLAG – the Takaka Freshwater Land and Advisory Group. This would be a disaster for the springs, for New Zealanders and for the local economy that depends on tourism.
Our international reputation and one of our cherished places of unique natural beauty destroyed forever.
These councillors have a choice to make. They can either protect the springs, or they can choose more dairy cows.
We the undersigned call on them to protect and safeguard this national and international treasure for current and future generations.
(1)http://www.tasman.govt.nz/document/serve/Summary%20of%20Takaka%20FLAG%20process%20and%20interim%20decisions%20-16%20Dec%202016%20v41.pdf?path=/EDMS/Public/Other/Environment/Water/WaterManagement/000000709026.
(2)http://www.tasman.govt.nz/document/serve/RM130269_HearingDocument6_FriendsGB1.pdf?path=/EDMS/Public/Other/Property/ResourceConsents/NotifiedResourceConsentApplications/Gunsboro/RM130269_Gunsboro_HearingDocuments/000000442707.
How it will be delivered
In person to the council 5th April
SIGN PETITION AT THIS LINK:
https://www.toko.org.nz/petitions/save-te-waikoropupu-springs-tasman-district-council
