What is 206 pages long but covers 355,54ha? The draft Mt Aspiring National Park Management Plan.
The Department of Conservation released the final version of the draft plan for public consultation last week and is now seeking public comment before approving it early next year.
The draft plan has taken staff about five years to write and will govern how the national park is managed until 2020.
The Mt Aspiring National Park was formed in 1964 with just under 200,000ha.
It is now the country's third largest national park.
In 1990, Unesco conferred world heritage status to parts of the park and, in 1997, the Olivine Wilderness Area was formally recognised.
The Mt Aspiring National Park extends from Otago to South Westland and is mostly a mountainous terrain popular with climbers, hunters, trampers, anglers, kayakers, explorers and tourists.
It is home to many indigenous species of plants, birds, bats, lizards, invertebrates and fish the native habitats of which are threatened by introduced plants and animals, many of which are difficult or expensive to control.
There is also a rich history of people who have lived, worked and played in the park, linking to the Waitaha, Kati Mamoe and Ngai Tahu tribes, early European explorers, such as James Hector and Julius Von Haast, goldminers, such as William O'Leary (Arawata Bill), and climbers, such as Alex Graham, Jack Clarke and members of the Otago University Alpine Club.
Doc Otago community relations manager Marian van der Goes said in a media release the draft plan was a very important guiding document.
"The park also makes an important economic contribution to communities in the Wanaka, Wakatipu and West Coast areas.
"People have a great affinity for Mt Aspiring National Park and recognise its special features, such as its remoteness and natural quiet; attributes that have been diminished or lost in other areas."
The draft plan provides guidance on dealing with conflicting demands and increased pressure on the park.
Issues include aircraft use, visitor numbers in some places, protecting natural quiet, whether commercial activity should be allowed in remote and wilderness areas, and protecting biodiversity from introduced pest plants and animals.
Significantly, the draft plan does not budge from New Zealand Conservation Authority policy, announced last year, that there would not be an amendment allowing Milford Dart Ltd to build a 1.5km road within the park to link up to a proposed $170 million tunnel from Routeburn Rd to the Hollyford Valley.
Milford Dart still has an opportunity to make submissions on the roading issue.
The draft plan says existing roads are adequate for public use and enjoyment, no further increase in roading is considered necessary and it would be inappropriate to provide for more roads in the park.
The last 10-year management plan was approved in 1994.
Doc planner Bronwyn Hunt consulted more than 200 people and groups in revising the plan.
Ms Hunt said public meetings would be held in four different locations, yet to be announced, next month and she looked forward to good community involvement and discussion.
Written submissions close on June 30, and public hearings will be held later this year before Doc seeks final approval from the New Zealand Conservation Authority and the Minister of Conservation.
