8.5 Methods

Managing activities in the CMA largely involves a regulatory approach. Chapter 18 in Part II of this Plan contains regional rules relating to the activities described in this chapter. The key non-regulatory methods which the Regional Council will pursue are outlined below.

Method 8-1	Coastal Management Forum
Description	Convene and facilitate a coastal management forum to address issues on an “as-required” basis. The coast is a complex area to manage and not all issues can be addressed through this Plan. The aim of the forum is to facilitate integrated solutions to problems arising in coastal areas. The problem may occur across the whole Region or it may require a site specific solution. Emphasis is on seeking a joint solution.
Who	The Regional Council will convene the meetings and, in conjunction with the Department of Conservation and Territorial Authorities, will identify issues that need to be addressed. Other key stakeholders, such as the Ministry of Fisheries, hapū* and iwi*, coast care groups, district health boards, conservation groups, infrastructure and energy interests or other interested parties, will also be invited to participate depending on the issue being addressed.
Links to Policy	This method implements Policies 8-1 and 8-2.
Targets	Year 1: Forum to meet six-monthly to identify priority issues facing the Region, and seek to develop joint actions for addressing any issues raised. Issues requiring joint management may include: vehicles on beaches and dunes land use pressures on coastal resources illegal dumping of waste restrictions on shellfish gathering or bathing due to water quality reasons restoration work. Year 2 onwards: Forum to continue six-monthly meetings and to undertake actions through the respective member agencies. Identifying resources (funding and people) needed to resolve issues will be required.

Method 8-2	Coast Care
Description	The Regional Council will work with the Department of Conservation, communities and landowners to restore and enhance the natural character of the coastal environment and promote sustainable land use practices, through establishing a regional coast care coordinator to support and resource coast care groups.
Who	The Regional Council will seek funding from a range of interested agencies to provide the funding needed to employ a regional coast care coordinator.
Links to Policy	This method implements Policies 8-1, 8-2, 8-4 and 8-5.
Targets	Years 1-5: Establish and develop working relationships with existing coast care groups, identify priorities for any new coast care groups, and help with resourcing of groups. Establish working links with land care groups for areas inland of MHWS. Provide advice on dune stabilisation and hazard risks. Years 5-10: Work with groups to achieve improvements to the coastal environment including weeding, planting, wetland enhancement, dune lake enhancement, stream enhancement, litter removal, monitoring of beach quality and monitoring of vehicle use on beaches.

Method 8-3	Vehicle By law
Description	The Regional Council recognises that vehicles on dunes and beaches is an increasing issue, particularly for the Region’s west coast. This issue cannot be successfully managed through the RMA or consent processes. It is considered that a bylaw should be developed and applied consistently across the west coast, to control the future use of vehicles on dunes and beaches.
Who	The Regional Council will take a lead role in convening the Territorial Authorities and Police to discuss the appropriate provisions to be included in a “model” bylaw.
Links to Policy	This method implements Policies 8-1, 8-2 and 8-5.
Targets	Year 1: Encourage Territorial Authorities to extend their territorial boundary down to mean low water spring to enable Local Government Act bylaws to apply to the whole of the foreshore area. Years 2-5: Each Territorial Authority to adopt a bylaw for their district to control vehicles on dunes and beaches. Seek commitment from Police to implement these bylaws, in conjunction with Territorial Authorities. Review effectiveness of bylaws after five years.

Method 8-4	Coastal Information
Description	This programme will support the collection of further information on biology, coastal processes, historic heritage and significant sites* and values within the CMA. This will enable refinement of the Protection Activity Management Areas and build upon the existing coastal information.
Who	The Regional Council, in conjunction with the Department of Conservation, will undertake to scope this work area. This will include a focus on natural features, historic heritage and Māori cultural information where appropriate. In guiding future development, it will also contribute significantly to a planning constraints map. The Regional Council is developing a monitoring strategy that will include coastal information. The Regional Council will seek to work with and involve other relevant agencies in this programme.
Links to Policy	This method implements Policies 8-2, 8-3, 8-4, 8-6, 6-11, 6-12 and Method 6-10.
Targets	Years 1-3: Identify scope (including costings) of further information required and appropriate methods for collecting. Years 3-10: Progressively aim to improve the coastal information base.

Method 8-5	Coastal Advocacy
Description	This area of work is wide-ranging and includes responding to proposals from other agencies, responding to activities landward of MHWS that could impact on the CMA, and ensuring coastal activities are undertaken in a way that is compatible with the management framework set out in the One Plan. The method may also involve working with other agencies, such as the Department of Conservation, on special projects.
Who	The Regional Council will undertake this work on an “as needs” basis. As issues arise in the Region that affect the coast, the Council will take an active advocacy role and work with other relevant agencies as appropriate.
Links to Policy	This method implements Policies 8-1, 8-2, 8-3, 8-4, 8-5 and 8-6.
Targets	Ongoing as issues arise.

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Chapter 8: Coast