The iconic Rangitata River is dying; we need your help

Bit by bit our river is disappearing down irrigation takes, a new 10 cumec take has been consented and we, along with other groups, are appealing this new irrigation take in the Environment Court.

Yet the Rangitata's outstanding values are supposed to be protected by a Water Conservation Order. Since the Conservation Order came into effect an additional 20 cumecs has been consented for abstraction from the river, and this proposed new take adds a further 10 cumecs, bringing the combined potential instantaneous take to about 65 cumecs a second from the river at flows of 142 cumecs. That's just a little shy of 50% and there is nothing to stop the next person from coming along and applying for the next 10 cumecs and so on... Currently there is no upper limit on the volume that can be taken.

Observations indicate sediment build-ups in the lower river, disappearing birds, fish and invertebrates point to a changing environment. A lack of any hard supporting data has seen our group commission its own sediment study to provide evidence for the appeal.

Every $$ will help, please give as much as you can afford. We need 1000+ people to donate $100

More info here http://www.futurerivers.co.nz/