New Exclusive Economic Zone regime explained – EPA roadshow in Wellington

A series of presentations to explain how the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) will perform its new role in managing New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) starts in Wellington this Monday.

New legislation gives the EPA the responsibility for granting marine consents for offshore mining and petroleum activities in the EEZ.

The EPA’s General Manager Applications and Assessments, Sarah Gardner, says the authority is keen to get out and talk to the general public and to industry and interest groups about how the new EEZ regime works.

“It’s our job to make marine consent decisions that strike a healthy balance between protecting the natural environment and enabling people to provide for their economic well-being,” said Ms Gardner “and we’re ready to monitor activity and enforce the regulations.

“We will be publically notifying applications for marine consent and there will be formal submission processes that give everyone an opportunity to have their say about proposed operations in the EEZ,” she said.

Going on the road

Ms Gardner said that the roadshow was going all around the country to explain how the new regime works, the marine consent process, how the public can have input into that process and the wider role of the EPA in the EEZ.

“It’s part of our mandate under the Act to increase public awareness and understanding of the EEZ management regime. This roadshow will allow the public to get an immediate understanding of how the regime will work and we encourage anyone who is interested to come along to a presentation”.

The Wellington roadshow is on Monday July 22 at 7pm, at the Amora Hotel, Wakefield St.

The full roadshow schedule:

*All presentations begin at 7pm

ENDS

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