Operative Waikato Regional Policy Statement (October 2000)
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3 Significant Resource Management Issues, Objectives, Policies and Methods
3.3 Land and Soil
3.3.5 Eastern Ranges1 and Coastline
The Eastern Ranges - (Kaimai and Coromandel Ranges) are largely volcanic in origin. The ranges make an important contribution to the provision of fresh water in the area. High value is also placed on the ecological diversity, landscape and aesthetics of the bush-clad ranges, coastline and estuaries. They are the basis of a nationally significant tourist and recreational resource.
Dairying is the predominant land use on low lying areas, with horticulture on some good quality soils. On the hill country, dairying on the flat land gives way to dry stock, while in the foothills forestry is increasing and is extensive along the ranges as both protection and plantation forestry.
Many parts of the area are severely eroded following clearance for pastoral use, and now have little if any topsoil. The area is also prone to very intense rainfall, making erosion processes very active. During heavy rainfall events, processes such as earthslip, earthflow, soilslip, debris avalanche, sheet, rill and gully erosion are common on these steep slopes and the very steep mountain streams may scour their channels.
Mining is another land use in this area. The Hauraki Goldfield is considered to be the most highly prospective area of precious metal mineralisation in New Zealand. (Refer to section 3.14 Minerals).
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Footnotes
- Environment Waikato, Coromandel Management Strategy (Internal Draft), July 1992.