Not offering the Coromandel community options for predator control in 2017

Wendy Pond made this Official Information request to Department of Conservation

The request was partially successful.

From: Wendy Pond

Dear Department of Conservation,
1. In April 2017 DoC Hauraki and Waikato Regional Council published advertisements announcing that aerial poisoning with 1080 would be used in the Battle for the Birds on Coromandel forests at Moehau and Papakai. That is, a decision had already been made on the method of control without consulting Coromandel iwi and community.

Please explain why iwi and community were not offered options for control.

2. Coromandel local government has resolutions opposing use of 1080 and supporting hunting and trapping. Please explain why DoC officers did not offer options for control to the Thames Coromandel District Council and to the Coromandel Colville Community Board.

3. The Communications Guideline for aerial 1080 operations states, The operations manager needs to establish the communication processes that are appropriate for the proposed operation. Step One of the Guideline is Consultation on the options for control and their effects ... Consultation will include options for control in the operational area and should take place with individual people ... groups and organisations with a special interest in the area ... entire communities ...

DoC officers who submitted applications for permission to use aerial 1080 in August 2017 declared they had provided evidence of compliance with the Communications Guideline for aerial 1080 operations. Please provide me with copies of the material supplied to the Public Health Officer in evidence of compliance with the Guideline, and any material that explains why Step One of the Guideline was not followed.

4. Please explain why DoC rangers did not offer the community options for control, and at the same time declared they had complied with the Communications Guideline.

Thank you.

Yours faithfully,

Wendy Pond

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From: Government Services
Department of Conservation

Dear Wendy

On behalf of the Director-General of the Department of Conservation, I confirm receipt of your request below.

Your request has been forwarded to the relevant business group for processing. You will receive a reply by 8/2/19 in accordance with the requirements of the Official Information Act 1982.

Please note that the Ombudsman has set an OIA holiday from 25 December to 15 January. The 20 working days allowed for your response will be on hold over this period, and will continue again from 16 January.

Yours sincerely

Alan Moran
for Director-General

Alan Moran 
Government Services Advisor (Government Services)
Policy and Visitors Group
Department of Conservation–Te Papa Atawhai
Phone:  0275665778
Conservation House (Level 2) 19-32 Manners Street [ PO Box 10420, Wellington 6143 ]
Conservation for prosperity Tiakina te taiao, kia puawai 
www.doc.govt.nz
 

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From: Penny Loomb
Department of Conservation


Attachment ATT78144 1.jpg
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Attachment PAP17 Application for toxic agent MOH DOC 2975711 Redacted.pdf
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Attachment MOE17 MOH Application for toxic agent DOC 3003399 Redacted.pdf
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Attachment 18 E 1075 Departmental OIA Pond Response Letter DOC 5696202.pdf
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Good morning Wendy
 
Please find attached a response to your Official Information Act request.
 
Regards
Penny
 
Penny Loomb
Personal Assistant to David Speirs, Director – Operations
Department of Conservation | Te Papa Atawhai
DDI: +64 7 858 1007 | M: +64 27 536 6894 | VPN: 6007
 
Hamilton Office
Level 4 | 73 Rostrevor Street | Private Bag 3072 | Hamilton 3240
T:  +64 7 858 1000
 
Conservation leadership for our nature Tākina te hī, tiakina te hā, o te
ao tūroa
 
 

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