The Department of Conservation is to appeal against the decision to grant consent for Meridian Energy to build a hydro electric power scheme on the Mokihinui River on the South Island's West Coast.
The department was a major opponent of the scheme in resource consent hearings last year.
It argued that building an 85m hydro dam on conservation land would have a significant effect on the river, forests and wildlife.
The department says it has decided to appeal to the Environment Court because the resource consent does not address its concerns.
