Clause 3.9: Identifying values and setting environmental outcomes as objectives
- The compulsory values listed in Appendix 1A apply to every FMU, and the requirements in this subpart relating to values apply to each of the 5 biophysical components of the value Ecosystem health.
- A regional council may identify other values applying to an FMU or part of an FMU, and must in every case consider whether the values listed in Appendix 1B apply.
- The regional council must identify an environmental outcome for every value that applies to an FMU or part of an FMU.
- The regional council must include the environmental outcomes as an objective, or multiple objectives, in its regional plan.
- The environmental outcomes must:
- describe the environmental outcome sought for the value in a way that enables an assessment of the effectiveness of the regional policy statement and plans (including limits and methods) and action plans in achieving the environmental outcome; and
- when achieved, fulfil the relevant long-term visions developed under clause 3.3 and the objective of this National Policy Statement.
Councils must include all environmental outcomes as objectives in their regional plans.
All councils must apply the four compulsory values listed in appendix 1A of the NPS-FM to every FMU:
- human contact
- threatened species
- mahinga kai
- ecosystem health.
Ecosystem health
This has five biophysical components. For each FMU, councils must apply the four compulsory values, and support ecosystem health by managing each of the five biophysical components.
Also consider each of the nine values listed in appendix 1B of the NPS-FM, and determine for each FMU whether they apply. The value of hydro-electric power generation, for example, only needs to be considered for FMUs that are or could be used for this, while keeping in mind the specifications for the five large hydro-electric generation schemes mentioned in clause 3.31. As a second example, councils only need to consider irrigation in FMUs that are currently valued for irrigation, or may be in the future.
Council must engage with the community to identify values, and collaborate with tangata whenua to identify Māori values.
For each value that applies to an FMU or part of an FMU, councils must describe an environmental outcome so that it is possible to assess if, and when, it is achieved. The outcomes must jointly fulfil the long-term visions. Figure 4 shows how clause 3.9 and the following clauses lead the councils from identifying values to setting target attribute states.
Figure 4: From values to target attribute states
Six-step, one-directional flow chart identifying the steps between setting the long-term vision for freshwater and setting targets to achieve environmental outcomes.
Set the long-term vision for freshwater (3.3)
Develop long-term visions for each freshwater management unit (FMU) or part-FMU or catchment, and require that the long-term vision:
- is developed through engagement with tangata whenua and communities.
- is included as objectives in regional policy statement.
- sets ambitious but reasonable goals and specifies a timeframe to achieve goals.
Identify freshwater management units (3.8)
The following must be identified in each FMU:
- Monitoring sites, located at either or both:
- representative or part FMU.
- representative of one or more primary contact sites.
- Monitoring sites for Māori freshwater values must be determined in collaboration with tangata whenua.
- Location of threatened species.
- Outstanding water bodies.
- Natural inland wetlands.
Identify values in FMUs (3.9)
- Apply the compulsory values in Appendix 1A.
- Identify Māori values with tangata whenua.
- Identify whether other values apply (including considering Appendix 1B values).
- Identify environmental outcomes for each value and each of the five biophysical components of ecosystem health.
- Translate outcomes into objectives in the regional plan that can be assessed and will fulfil the relevant long-term visions when achieved.
Set environmental outcomes and include as objectives in regional plans (3.9)
Identify attributes (3.10)
- For the compulsory values, use all relevant attributes identified in Appendix 2A and 2B.
- For all other values, identify specific attributes.
- Identify any other attributes for compulsory values and Māori freshwater values (which may include those from Appendix 2A and 2B).
- Identify baseline state for each attribute.
Set target attribute states, environmental flows and levels, and other criteria to support the achievement of environmental outcomes (clauses 3.11, 3.13, 3.16)
Next Steps
Achieving target attributes states and environmental outcomes (3.12).
Six-step, one-directional flow chart identifying the steps between setting the long-term vision for freshwater and setting targets to achieve environmental outcomes.
Set the long-term vision for freshwater (3.3)
Develop long-term visions for each freshwater management unit (FMU) or part-FMU or catchment, and require that the long-term vision:
- is developed through engagement with tangata whenua and communities.
- is included as objectives in regional policy statement.
- sets ambitious but reasonable goals and specifies a timeframe to achieve goals.
Identify freshwater management units (3.8)
The following must be identified in each FMU:
- Monitoring sites, located at either or both:
- representative or part FMU.
- representative of one or more primary contact sites.
- Monitoring sites for Māori freshwater values must be determined in collaboration with tangata whenua.
- Location of threatened species.
- Outstanding water bodies.
- Natural inland wetlands.
Identify values in FMUs (3.9)
- Apply the compulsory values in Appendix 1A.
- Identify Māori values with tangata whenua.
- Identify whether other values apply (including considering Appendix 1B values).
- Identify environmental outcomes for each value and each of the five biophysical components of ecosystem health.
- Translate outcomes into objectives in the regional plan that can be assessed and will fulfil the relevant long-term visions when achieved.
Set environmental outcomes and include as objectives in regional plans (3.9)
Identify attributes (3.10)
- For the compulsory values, use all relevant attributes identified in Appendix 2A and 2B.
- For all other values, identify specific attributes.
- Identify any other attributes for compulsory values and Māori freshwater values (which may include those from Appendix 2A and 2B).
- Identify baseline state for each attribute.
Set target attribute states, environmental flows and levels, and other criteria to support the achievement of environmental outcomes (clauses 3.11, 3.13, 3.16)
Next Steps
Achieving target attributes states and environmental outcomes (3.12).
Values (other than the four compulsory values, which apply everywhere) can apply to all or part of an FMU. Non-compulsory values like ‘natural form and character’ may apply to water bodies covered by water conservation orders or where communities identify characteristics listed in the value and want these protected. The values, and where they apply, should be clearly set out in the regional plan.
Maps or other new data-display tools may be useful, either in the plan or online, showing the values and where they apply. This kind of detail will help the council and community envisage the environmental outcomes and eventual limits, and assist future decisions on resource consents.
- Implementing mahinga kai as a Māori freshwater value
- Guidance on values and attributes in the National Objectives Framework
- Webinar on vision setting and value identification on YouTube
- Example of mapping values from Environment Southland: Share your wai
Clause 3.9: Identifying values and setting environmental outcomes as objectives
July 2022
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