The Ruataniwha Plains of New Zealand are rich in wildlife, especially fish and birds. So why is a local council pushing to open the region up to the pollution of new dairy farms?
A dam and irrigation project proposed for the Hawke's Bay region, would open up a sensitive ecological area to 200 new dairy farms. The fertilizer and manure run off from those new farms could put several threatened fish species at risk, including the longfin eel, inanga, lamprey, and koara, along with several bird species. For that reason, a number of environmental groups oppose the project.
Please join me in asking the Hawke's Bay Regional Council to desist from building this dam and irrigation project.
Dear Hawke's Bay Regional Council Members:
It's fairly evident that the dam and irrigation scheme proposed for your region has the potential to really devastate local fish and wildlife. The forests and rivers in your domain should be cherished. The world can do without two hundred more dairy farms. Dairy farms despoil water ways both with fertilizer and manure run off. These chemicals will find their way into the rivers where your native fish live. The phosphate content of dairy farm run off is well known to kill fish. Please desist from building this dam and irrigation project.
Thank you,
[Your name here]
