Tuamarina farmer Philip Woolley is due to appear in the Environment Court next month to answer charges related to a drainage channel that was dug into a Department of Conservation (DOC) wetland near Rarangi.
DOC has laid seven charges against Mr Woolley under the Reserves Act, while the Marlborough District Council had laid up to five charges against him under the Resource Management Act.
At a callover in the Blenheim District Court yesterday, the hearing was set for March 7 and 8.
Lawyers for DOC and the council said they would present nine witnesses.
Mr Woolley did not say whether he would call anyone to the stand.
Mr Woolley said he would argue that the Environment Court did not have jurisdiction to hear a charge under the Reserves Act, which could result in part of the case being delayed.
The case will be heard by Environment Court judge Brian Dwyer.
The Marlborough District Council will be represented by Blenheim lawyer Miriam Radich and DOC by crown prosecutor Hugh Boyd-Wilson and lawyer Rachael Ennor, both of Nelson.
Mr Woolley will represent himself.
The incident at issue took place at the Hinepango coastal wetland in May last year.
- The Marlborough Express
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