Federated Mountain Clubs of NZ P O Box 1604 Wellington [email protected]

Director-General Department of Conservation Private Bag 701 Hokitika 7842 Attention: Jo Kearns Licence to 41 Degree South Limited to occupy the Pelorus Bridge recreation reserve Thank you for the opportunity to submit on this application. Federated Mountain Clubs objects to this proposal as it stands. The Pelorus area is a gem in a heavily modified landscape between Blenheim and Nelson. The Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve and associated recreation reserves are located adjacent to the beautiful and pristine Pelorus River as it exits the conservation land in the Richmond Ranges. The reserves straddle the river and State Highway 6, the major gateway for visitors between Nelson and Marlborough. It is an important stopping-off point for tourists and other visitors, many of whom take advantage of the excellent paths and tracks maintained by DOC in the reserves. This includes tracks into Mt Richmond Forest Park with the Te Araroa trail being one of these. The 50 ha of Recreation Reserve in the grazing concession to 41 Degree South is a high proportion of the total area of reserve land at Pelorus. This land can surely in the long-term be put to a use more sympathetic both to the purpose for which it is held and to the status and use of the adjacent scenic reserve. Dairying may be part of this, but the land has possibilities for both recreational and ecological linkages. FMC would support the granting of a licence under the following terms:  



That the extension be for 10 years rather than 20 years; That the public be notified at the expiry of the licence. Any new proposals should include an appraisal by DOC of the medium/long term future of all the leased/licenced Pelorus Bridge reserve land with a view to its return to the true Conservation estate; That the part of the recreation reserve from the northern edge of Te Araroa Trail to the narrow river reserve is excluded from the licence and is fenced off. This ca 5 ha strip should be managed for restoration with planting of suitable native species.

Yours sincerely

Robin McNeill President