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National Environmental Standard for Plantation Forestry
Authors: Sally Strang, Kit Richards, Peter WeirPublication: New Zealand Journal of Forestry, Volume N.Z.J.For. 2015, Issue N.Z.J.For. 60(3) 2015, pp 20-25, Nov 2015
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry
Abstract: The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) released a proposed National Environmental Standard (NES) for Plantation Forestry for a third round of public consultation in June. This article examines the purpose of the NES for Plantation Forestry, provides some background to its development, goals and content, and the lessons learnt in the process. The NES as proposed has been developed over seven years by a working group with wide stakeholder involvement including representatives from ministries, councils, environmental non-governmental organisations (ENGOs) and forestry companies, supported by expert input as required from Crown Research Institutes. The goal of the NES was to develop one set of consistent rules across the country for eight core forestry activities. The NES draws on plan provisions and resource consent conditions currently operating well in parts of the country. The NES does diverge from current practice in some areas, most notably through the introduction of new rules requiring resource consent for afforestation in the most erosion-prone land in New Zealand. This will enable councils to undertake an assessment of the suitability of the land for production forestry use, and the risks of roading and harvesting, prior to the forest being established. The NES is supported by three new environmental risk assessment tools _ an Erosion Susceptibility Classification system, a Fish Spawning Indicator and a Wilding Risk Calculator. The submission period for the NES has now closed and MPI is currently analysing submissions. A report back to Cabinet and recommendations for the future of the NES is expected to take place in November 2015.