What is the purpose of a Nitrogen Management Plan?
The purpose of a Nitrogen Management Plan is to identify and document how the Nitrogen Discharge Allowance for a property is to be achieved by 2032. Nitrogen Discharge Allowances will set out how much nitrogen each landowner can legally discharge from their property.
A Nitrogen Management Plan can apply to:
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An individual property; or,
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A Farming Enterprise (a group of land parcels in single or multiple ownership that constitute a single farming operation unit)
Who will need a Nitrogen Management Plan?
Nitrogen Management Plans will apply to all properties that require a resource consent under the proposed rules.
Submitting a Nitrogen Management Plan with a resource consent application means that the application would be processed as a controlled activity. In other words, the application must be granted. A 20 year consent term also applies to this type of application, which provides greater certainty for consent holders.
What is in a Nitrogen Management Plan?
Minimum information requirements for Nitrogen Management Plans include:
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Identifying all sources of nitrogen associated with the property;
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The Nitrogen Discharge Allowance for the property;
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A nitrogen budget for the property that matches the current farm system;
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The range of actions proposed to meet the Nitrogen Discharge Allowance. These would include specific targets and timeframes dates.
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Current nitrogen losses from the property (supported by an Overseer file where appropriate)
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Nitrogen Discharge Allowance (NDA) that needs to be met by 2032
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Actions that will be taken to achieve the NDA (supported by an Overseer file where appropriate)
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A plan showing managed reductions with stepped targets over time.
The proposed rules provide a comprehensive list of information requirements.
Nitrogen Management Plans must be updated at least every five years.
Who prepares a Nitrogen Management Plan?
Nitrogen Management Plans are prepared with land owners by approved Land Use Advisors.
Funding is available for all affected landowners to have a Nitrogen Management Plan developed by enlisted Land Use Advisors. See more information on Land Use Advice & Support service or email adviceandsupport@rotorualakes.co.nz