By EW sustainable agriculture coordinator Gabriele Kaufler
Farmers can potentially save themselves big money if they plan well ahead for the maize growing season starting at the end of September.
Environment Waikato and Thames-Coromandel District Council are making good progress over protecting people’s lives in a flood-prone part of Coromandel township.
Use of so-called "sacrifice paddocks" is best avoided and they need particularly careful management if they are used, says Environment Waikato’s sustainable agriculture coordinator Bala Tikkisetty.
The new River co-management agreement involving Waikato-Tainui and other iwi ispositive for the health of the river and the wider regional environment, says Environment Waikato chairman Peter Buckley.
Waikato farmers would best protect the environment by keeping effluent irrigators switched off until local soils have had a chance to dry out, says sustainable agriculture coordinator Gabriele Kaufler.
Environment Waikato is prosecuting three parties over alleged illegal works in the Arapae Wetland area south of Te Kuiti.
There is good news for the rain-soaked Waikato region this week, with finer weather forecast over the next few days – but the worries are not over yet, Environment Waikato says.
Waikato Rivers have responded to overnight rain in the region, but falls were not as heavy as expected.
Flood models based on the current weather forecast suggest water levels in the lower Waikato and Waipa rivers will not rise as high as last week.
Hamilton river front houses are still safe from flooding, despite the swollen Waikato River coming under more pressure from overnight rain in the Taupo area.
Environment Waikato is working closely with Mighty River Power (MRP) to carefully control the release of water from Lake Taupo through the Waikato hydro system in advance of more heavy rain.
Fresh heavy rain forecast for Taupo on Friday means Environment Waikato and Mighty River Power will be working together over the next few days to manage the potential for additional water flows in the Waikato River.
Amendments to the systems for collecting rates for the Piako and Waihou flood protection schemes have today been recommended by Environment Waikato’s river and catchment services committee for formal consultation.
Collaboration between Environment Waikato, Taupo District Council, Mighty River Power, Tuwharetoa and other groups is the key to addressing Lake Taupo foreshore erosion problems, says EW’s regulatory committee chairman Ian Balme.
Farmers are being reminded they have just four more years to apply for financial help from Environment Waikato to fence stock off from waterways under the Clean Streams programme.
Environment Waikato is urging Waikato farmers with flood-damaged pasture to seek expert advice to help paddocks recover and get grass growing again.
Environment Waikato’s deputy chairman John Fisher, Waipa mayor Alan Livingston and other councillors from Waipa District Council and Environment Waikato helped Te Miro School celebrate its prestigious green-gold Enviroschools award in Cambridge today.
A new focus on road safety announced by the Government will help reduce the number of crash deaths in the Waikato, which had the highest regional road toll in the country last year, says Regional Transport Committee chairman Norm Barker.
As expected, water levels in the swollen Waikato and Waipa rivers are easing today as finer weather gives the catchments a chance to drain.
Environment Waikato is seeking the community’s help in the battle against pest animals and plants.