Mahia against the Polution of the Opoutama River

Ray Thompson has been allowed by the HBRC, WDC and Ruawharo Marae Trust board to spray Metsulfuron and Round Up to kill Kaunka forest on his farm.

Ray Thompson intends to cut a drain from the base of the hills where the forest are, behind the Opoutama school to the Opoutama (Waipiata) river to allow for the run off of the toxic waste to flood the Opoutama river and wash out to the ocean, thus causing potentially an environmental disaster, as local Maori and Iwi rely on the ocean there to gather pipi's and kaimoana.

The Waipiata River is a historical river and site to the local hapu and Iwi and should be protected from such abuse. This was not hi lighted by the Ruawharo Marae trust Board members at the time or the Kaumatua of the marae.

During drafting of the resource consent by Ray Thompson correct Iwi consultation did not take place with the local landowners that boarder his farm.

We do not oppose Ray Thompson cutting and burning the bush.

WE DO however oppose the use of Metsulfuron and Round Up to kill the Kaunka forest! We do oppose the flooding of the Waipiata River with toxic waste and the affluence from his intensive farming practices!

We want the HBRC and WDC to stop Ray Thompson from allowing the flooding of toxic waste into the Waipiata river.

We want an independent Govt inquiry to review the processes used during the drafting of the resource consent for Ray Thompson, to see if in fact the policies and procedures were followed in accordance with the Resource Management Act, Te Ture Whenua Act, the Treaty of Waitangi, the HBRC and the WDC.