Managing the environmental effects of plantation forestry: a case study in the Ngunguru catchment, Northland, New Zealand
Creators: name: Orchard, Shane
name: Smith, Elise
Publisher: name: figshare
Year: 2017
Subjects: subject: 50204 Environmental Impact Assessment
subject: FOS: Earth and related environmental sciences
subject: FOS: Earth and related environmental sciences
subject: 50205 Environmental Management
subject: 50211 Wildlife and Habitat Management
subject: 120501 Community Planning
subject: FOS: Social and economic geography
subject: FOS: Social and economic geography
subject: 120504 Land Use and Environmental Planning
subject: 120505 Regional Analysis and Development
subject: 160507 Environment Policy
subject: FOS: Political science
subject: FOS: Political science

description: AbstractThis case study investigated how a proposed National Environmental Standard for Plantation Forestry (NES) might affect management of a forestry site at which erosion and sedimentation concerns have been prominent, relative to the status quo. Of particular interest was whether some of the difficult management questions and related community concerns would be addressed any differently under the NES.<br>An evaluative approach was applied using criteria taken from relevant documents including Council plans and policies, NZFOA Code of Practice, and the most recent revision of the proposed NES. The case study site is a forestry block situated 20km north east of Whangarei in the Ngunguru River catchment, in Northland, New Zealand.<br><br>Evaluation of management practices during the recent rotation against industry guidelines identified a number of aspects that did not appear to meet the relevant guidelines. These included evidence of a lack of groundcover reestablishment, absence of effective stormwater management and erosion control in some areas, and maintenance issues with sediment control devices that had been installed. These considerations are especially relevant to forestry in the Ngunguru catchment given the presence of erodible soils, moderate to steep slopes, and a sensitive receiving environment.<br><br>Results from assessment of the proposed NES versus the status quo showed that multiple consents would be required under either regime, notably for earthworks and discharge / water permits. Operating the Ngunguru Forest under the proposed NES would not necessarily be more arduous or expensive than under the current planning framework. As long as no deep downhill ripping was undertaken, or earthworks within an Erosion Susceptibility red zone (of which there is only a very small amount), the whole forest could be operated with no more than a controlled consent under the NES. Implementation of the proposed NES would have some cost implications in terms of opportunity costs of lost productive area due to setback requirements. However, adjacent waterbodies may have better water quality as a result. <br>It could also be argued that improved sediment control is already needed under the current management regime. Increased setbacks from waterbodies would be one method of improving management in that respect, though not one which is currently required by the planning context. Irrespective of the proposed NES and current regulatory setting, greater riparian setbacks and attention to the protection of vegetation remnants and wetland areas would go some way to addressing community concerns regarding forestry practices at Ngunguru.