What environmental resources are affected?
Environmental incidents can be grouped according to the environment (called ‘resource') they affect. In 2009-2010, most incidents (335) related to our air resources – compared to 380 in 2008-2009. Greater public awareness of the rules prohibiting backyard burning in the Whāngārei airshed may have contributed to this drop. For more information on the rules, go to www.nrc.govt.nz/air
Incidents affecting inland waters – rivers, streams and lakes – recorded the second highest number of incidents (298), followed by incidents that affected the coastal marine area (130), land (124) and coastal waters (66). The chart below shows the percentage of incidents recorded for each resource during 2009-2010.
Photo: Removal of shipwreck from 90 Mile beach