Abstract
In New Zealand and elsewhere no system has existed for objectively ranking the relative importance of different use (e.g., irrigation and hydro electric power) and non-use (e.g., whitewater kayaking, recreational angling, native birdlife) river values. Development of such a system would provide an opportunity for improved policies and rules around water and river use, development and conservation opportunities, and for understanding tradeoffs when competing and overlapping demands are placed on the same resource. In this paper the River Values Assessment System (RiVAS), a Multi Criteria Analysis based approach, is described and demonstrated by application to the salmonid angling value (and in a more limited way to swimming) in Tasman District rivers of the South Island, New Zealand. The system has 10 steps, and a decision support system which finally helps decide the national, regional or local (or high, medium or low) importance or significance of rivers for particular values. As with any MCA approach there is a wide range of limitations all of which are addressed, and none of which are ultimately fatally detrimental to the system.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Balica SF, Wright NG, van der Meulen (2012) A flood vulnerability index for coastal cities and its use in assessing climate change impacts. Nat Hazards 64:73–105
Egarr GD, Egarr JH (1981) New Zealand recreational river survey: part 1: methods and conclusions. Water and soil miscellaneous publications no. 13. Ministry of Works and Development, Wellington
Hajkowicz S, Collins K (2007) A review of multiple criteria analysis for water resource planning and management. Water Resour Manag 21:1553–1566
Hermans C, Erickson J, Noordewier T, Sheldon A, Kline M (2007) Collaborative environmental planning in river management: an application of multicriteria decision analysis in the White River Watershed in Vermont. J Env Manag 84:534–546
Hughey KFD (2012) RiVAS (and RiVAS+): insights and lessons from 5 years’ experience with the River Values Assessment System. Proceedings of the New Zealand Agricultural and Resource Economics Society Conference, 30–31 August, Nelson, http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/bitstream/136047/2/Huhgey%202012%20complete.pdf. Accessed 23 November 2012
Hughey KFD, Booth KL (2012) Monitoring the state of New Zealand rivers: how the river values assessment system can help. NZ J Mar Freshw Res 46:545–556
Hughey KFD, Booth K, Baker M-A (2010a) River Values Assessment System (RiVAS)—the method. In: the River Values Assessment System: volume 1: overview of the method, guidelines for use and application to recreation values. Hughey KFD, Baker M-A (eds) Land environment and people report no. 24. Lincoln University, New Zealand, pp 47–67
Hughey KFD, Booth K, Harris S, Baker M-A (2010b) A guide to using the River Values Assessment System (RiVAS). In: the River Values Assessment System: volume 1: overview of the method, guidelines for use and application to recreation values. Hughey KFD, Baker M-A (eds) Land environment and people report no. 24. Lincoln University, New Zealand, pp 69–72
Hughey KFD, Sinner J, Booth K (2011) RiVAS and RiVAS+: opportunities for application of a multi criteria river value assessment system approach which considers existing and potential states. Proceedings of the New Zealand Agricultural and Resource Economics Society Conference, 25–26 August, Nelson, http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/bitstream/115406/2/Hughey%20Paper.pdf. Accessed 23 November 2012
MfE and MAF (2004) Water programme of action: potential water bodies of national importance. Technical working paper. Ministry for the Environment, Wellington
Mladenović-Ranisavljević I, Takić L, Vuković M, Nikolić D, Živković N, Milosavljević P (2012) Multi-criteria ranking of the Danube water quality on its course through Serbia. Serbian J Manag 7:299–307
Teirney LD, Richardson J (1992) Attributes that characterize angling rivers of importance in New Zealand, based on angler use and perceptions. N Am J Fish Manag 12:693–702
Teirney LD, Unwin MJ, Rowe DK, McDowall RM, Graynoth E (1982) Submission on the draft inventory of wild and scenic rivers of national importance. Fisheries environmental report No 28. Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Christchurch
UN-Water (2008) Status report on integrated water resources management and water efficiency plans. Prepared for the 16th session of the commission on sustainable development. United Nations, New York
Unwin M (2009) Angler usage of lake and river fisheries managed by Fish & Game New Zealand: results from the 2007/08 National Angling Survey. Prepared for Fish & Game New Zealand, NIWA client report: CHC2009-046. National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research Ltd, Christchurch
Acknowledgments
This work was funded by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology as part of the project ‘Developing a significance classification framework for water body uses and values’—funding was by means of several grants and I thank the Foundation for support via:
1. Small Advice: 532-TSDC40
2. Medium Advice: 612-TSDC41– Developing a significance classification framework for water body uses and values: Project scoping workshop; 894-TSDC69—Significance assessment of river uses and values in Tasman; 898-TSDC70—Significance assessment of hydro-electric power generation values of NZ rivers
3. Tools: LINX0810—Uses and values of water bodies.
Many council staff assisted with all of the trial applications and to them I extend a sincere thanks. Likewise I thank the members of non government organisations who helped improve the method and specific applications to specific values.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hughey, K.F.D. Development and Application of the River Values Assessment System for Ranking New Zealand River Values. Water Resour Manage 27, 2013–2027 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11269-013-0269-4
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11269-013-0269-4