Here is a submision I have written on behalf of the club oposing the Mokihinui damn proposal. If you have and changes. corrections, comments or objections, please post them or contact me.

 Thanks,

Terra

Dear Hon. Steve Chadwick,

Dear Hon. Dr. Nick Smith,

(two separate letters will be sent)

The Victoria University of Wellington Tramping Club is disturbed by Meridian Energy’s proposal of damming the Mokihinui River for hydro power. The Mokihinui River is one of New Zealand’s most valuable rivers for biodiversity as well as having unique recreational and historical values, which are not worth destroying for more electricity for the West Coast’s coal and dairy production.

The Victoria University of Wellington Tramping club has over 100 members with a common interest in enjoying New Zealand’s natural environment on land and on the water. Though we are based in Wellington we do numerous trips to the South Island, and many of our members enjoy the Mokihinui area.

The Mokihinui River has very high aquatic biodiversity, which Landcare Research has concluded will be decimated with the building of the proposed damn. The river is home to around 250,000 long finned eels as well as whitebait. Both these species need to be able to migrate to and from the sea. This would be impossible with an 85m damn in the path. The rising water level caused by the damn would also drown 300-odd hectares of magnificent native forest.

Damning the Mokihinui would mean the loss of the white water playground that is currently used by many New Zealanders. It is one of the few rivers on the West Coast that holds challenges for experienced paddlers yet still suitable for beginners. The creation of an artificial lake where the Mokihinui Gorge once was would also diminish the appeal of the popular tramping track along the river. We realise Meridian Energy is planning on making the area a developed and accessible flat water recreation area, but we can always transform wilderness into such artificial playgrounds, but we can not recreate wilderness.

The damn would inundate the historic pack track to Karamea and historic remains such as the Iron Bridge that has lain on the river bank since the 1929 earthquake toppled it. Such pieces of our history are irreplaceable.

It concerns us that the first step taken to meet the growing energy demand in the West Coast is to damn another wild river.  This is especially true as the escalating energy demand is the result of the expanding coal mining and dairy farming industries in the area, not population growth. Both these industries have efficiency and co-generation options available to them, which they should be required to explore fully before we annihilate another river.

Wild rivers are non-renewable. We urge you, as a leader of today, to take a stand and protect the Mokihinui River.

Sincerely,

Victoria University of Wellington Tramping Club