Economic assessment of options to mitigate sediment loss from New Zealand agriculture – in the context of managing freshwater quality

Abstract

The purpose of this literature review is to provide an accessible summary of relevant research carried out in New Zealand on methods to manage sediment and their economic assessment. It also includes a basic explanation of the processes that lead to erosion and sedimentation. This review is aimed primarily at regional councils and other parties involved in freshwater management in New Zealand. Sediment is a major freshwater contaminant throughout New Zealand and it is expected that sediment-related attributes will shortly be included within the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2014. It is anticipated this would make the setting in regional plans of objectives, limits and methods for sediment related attributes compulsory.