What Can You Do?
We all have a responsibility to future generations to look after the environment we live and work in. To stop the lagoon flipping we need to reduce the nutrients and sediment getting into the creeks and the lagoon. Listed below are actions you can take to help reduce the nutrients and sediments entering the water;
- Exclude stock from waterways and wetlands
- Make sure you have an up to date nutrient management plan and apply fertiliser at appropriate rates in appropriate conditions.
- Manage winter grazing activities carefully to prevent overland flow carrying sediment and nutrients to waterways. Good environmental practice includes; leaving a good buffer (minimum of 3m is required), break feeding towards the waterway and identifying swales that deliver runoff to waterways. Fence these swales out and leave ungrazed until the end of the season.
- Manage a decent riparian margin (buffer zone) along waterways. These can be planted to shade water and help trap contaminants. Not sure what to plant?
- Improve management of farm dairy effluent (storage, low rate and low depth application).
- Check the soil moisture monitoring site.
- Ensure your septic tank is well maintained and working properly. Septic tanks can contribute lots of phosphorus e.g. from dishwashing liquids, as well as other unwanted human waste to the environment.
- Get involved with planting days. Contact Polly Bulling at DOC for more information.
- Adhere to Good Environmental Practices on your land at all times. Contact your Land Sustainability Officer, for more information 03 211 5115. Katrina Robertson is the Land Sustainability Officer for the Waituna Catchment.
Environment Southland is the brand name of Southland Regional Council.