The company has decided to relinquish its consent to take an extra 10 cumecs from the River when it is in high flow. (File)An irrigation company's decision to relinquish its consent to take extra water from the Rangitata River when in high flow has been hailed as a “gift to New Zealand” by anglers. Rangitata Diversion Race Management Ltd (RDRML) was awarded the consent to take an extra 10 cumecs in water when the river was flowing 110 cumecs or higher by an Environment Canterbury-appointed independent panel in 2018. “CSI Fish and Game had opposed the consent at the regional council hearing, arguing against taking more water from the Rangitata River,” Simpson said. “The next step should be the development of a statutory plan for the Rangitata River, which would put a cap on irrigation.”The Rangitata River has had a Water Conservation Order over it since 2006, but Hodgson said he felt this order had not been honoured properly.

Source: Stuff February 24, 2021 00:56 UTC