Environmental Plans are aimed at promoting long term sustainable land management and protection of the environment.
Works involving soil conservation are a good investment from a regional economic point of view.
The off farm regional benefits are substantial as all ratepayers benefit from soil conservation plans all ratepayers should contribute to their implementation. To ensure the security and maintenance of all subsidised soil conservation work by successive land owners a suitable covenant must be registered against the title of the affected property. A Successful Example Environmental Plans implemented in the Ngongotaha Stream catchment which involved protection of stream banks from grazing significantly increased the water quality of Lake Rotorua and served to retain nutrients and soil on the local farms. Although Environmental Plans are the voluntary responsibility of the land owner a number of organisations will provide assistance.