Waihī logging company fined $112,500 for stream pollution, breaching environmental standards
This was the first of six inspections over 2022 and 2023 that all found sediment and erosion control measures were deficient in protecting the environment from discharges.
In her sentencing indication, Judge Semple said during each visit to the site, the council told the defendants that the sediment and erosion control measures were unsatisfactory to prevent the discharge of sediment to waterways.
'Rather than work with the council to ensure that appropriate sediment and erosion control measures were put in place and appropriately maintained, Mr Savill determined that such measures were unnecessary or could be undertaken in a perfunctory manner or at a later date.'
Judge Semple also wrote that Savill was an experienced operator who knew, or should have known, that effective sediment and erosion control mechanisms are a fundamental component of forestry harvesting operations.
'I accept the prosecutor's submission that the offending was deliberate and sustained. I find the defendants' actions to be highly careless bordering on reckless and the culpability in this matter to be high.'
Waikato Regional Council's acting regional compliance manager Evan Billington said the Waitaheke Stream, which was affected by the failure to control sediment and erosion, should be protected.
He said the effects of sediment and forestry slash on waterways were widely known.
'The harvest and earthworks management was done very poorly, with Mr Savill failing to take his responsibilities seriously, despite the intervention of council officers,' Billington said.
– RNZ
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