2 August 2005

Forest & Bird claim is wrong

Forest and Bird's Conservation Manager Kevin Hackwell is wrong to claim the community is being excluded from the development of national RMA policy statements and standards, Environment Minister Marian Hobbs said today.

"Small reference groups are working on practical details for six proposed national policy statements and environmental standards dealing with infrastructure," Marian Hobbs said. "They are considering for example, whether NPSs are needed or whether NESs are the best way forward.

"Once the reference groups have completed their work, the public, environmental and other interest groups will have the opportunity to contribute to this scoping work.

"The public will have a further opportunity to have their say when we progressively release the drafts for discussion and before any decision is taken to adopt them."

The Environment Ministry's Talk Environment Roadshow, scheduled for October, will also give people the opportunity to discuss the proposals with officials.

ENDS

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