Anglers, kayakers and fisheries scientists pleaded their case yesterday for the Nevis River to remain dam-free.
Six witnesses gave evidence in the Environment Court in Queenstown, appearing for the New Zealand and Otago Fish and Game Councils and Whitewater New Zealand.
The case, before Judge Jon Jackson and commissioners John Mills and Kathryn Edmonds, was in its fifth day and will continue today. It revolves around whether a water conservation order should be amended to keep the river dam-free.
The amendment was sought by the fish and game councils and is being heard by a special tribunal, appointed by the Ministry for the Environment, Amy Adams.
The tribunal decided the conservation order should be changed to ban damming and diversion, to protect the habitat of a native fish known as the Gollum galaxiid.
That decision has been appealed to the Environment Court by three parties - Pioneer Generation, which has plans for a dam on the river, the fish and game councils, who want the river's wild and scenic landscape values and trout fishery values to be recognised as "outstanding", and Whitewater New Zealand, which wants a ban on damming to protect the kayaking amenity provided by the river.
After hearing all the evidence, the court will make a recommendation to the Minister for the Environment on the matter.
Freshwater fisheries scientist John William Hayes said the Nevis catchment was "scientifically outstanding".
Damming and impoundment would risk impairing the features of the Nevis trout fishery that made it so special.
Angler Allan Campbell said the Nevis was one of the only remaining unmodified rivers in Central Otago where there was a chance of landing a large trophy trout within an outstanding landscape.
"Isn't it the irony of this case that the publicity attached to this case has made the Nevis more attractive for fishing?" Pioneer counsel Kerry Smith asked him.
"Regrettably, yes," Mr Campbell replied.
