The implications of land yachting for part Greenpark Sands: A project submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Diploma in Natural Resources

Abstract

In 1974, the Pegasus Sand Yacht Club applied to the Department of Lands and Survey for use of approximately 110 ha of unoccupied Crown land located on the Greenpark Sands. Though an ecological assessment was not carried out, this application was declined on biological grounds. The Club folded in that year. In 1976, the Wildlife Service (Christchurch Office) identified the above area as being important for wildlife and requested that it be considered for reservation as a wildlife management reserve. In 1981, the Pegasus Land Yacht Club applied for the right to yacht over approximately 338 ha of unoccupied Crown land located in the same area as the 1974 application. The Club has been using this land without formal approval since December 1977. The Department of Lands and Survey agreed to monitor and assess the impact of their activities over a trial period - the 1981/1982 sailing season. This ·assessment includes an appraisal of the biological and regional importance of the 1981 application area and an assessment of the effects and implications of land yachting upon it. The final aim is to determine whether land yachting is an appropriate land use. As this is concluded to be the case, methods for resolving real and stated land use conflicts have been identified. No environmental assessments of land yacht use have been conducted within New Zealand; those sighted from overseas concern the use of dry lakes (Bayley 1981).