Mokihinui River hydro scheme consent appealed
The Department of Conservation is appealing the decision granting resource consent for Meridian’s hydro project on the Mokihinui River.
DOC filed papers with the Environment Court today, saying the decision did not adequately address the department’s concerns over the 80m-high hydro dam to be built on the West Coast river.
State-owned enterprise Meridian Energy received resource consent for the $300 million dam and power station earlier this month.
It will be built 3km upstream of the Seddonville settlement, northeast of Westport, creating a 14km-long lake and inundate public conservation land.
DOC opposed the proposal during hearings arguing the dam, the associated transmission line and other infrastructure would have significant environmental effects on the river and native wildlife.
Source: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3638950/Mokihinui-River-hydro-scheme-consent-appealed
