New Zealand Environmental Code of Practice for Plantation Forestry
Preface
The new zealand environmental code of practice for plantation forestry (E-CoP) is intended to replace the new zealand forestry code of practice (the lirA code) that was first published in 1990 and revised in 1993. The new Code updates the information contained in the original lirA code; however, the focus has also been expanded to include a section setting out industry Best Environmental Practices (beps).
The code aims to be a key reference tool for a wide range of parties involved in managing forests by providing information on environmental values, how such values should be assimilated into operational planning, other references and resources as well as the BEPs. It may also serve as a useful framework for training purposes.
The bep section is intended as a toolkit; describing a range of management options that
could be applied to a particular situation. It is up to the planner or operator to consider all the relevant factors, on a site by site basis, and decide which one (or more) of the options provided is most applicable. The provision and exercise of such discretion for the planner or operator means that it is not suitable or appropriate for any regulatory body to require blanket compliance with this
Code.
Appropriate websites are quoted wherever possible and are recommended as the source of
up-to-date information. This is particularly relevant in areas such as legislation,
Council plans
and research.
When using this document in electronic format, text in blue marks live hyperlinks to websites or other sections within the code or to the meanings of terms compiled in the glossary. In the latter case, only the first such use of any term in each bep is hyperlinked. Commonly used glossary terms are generally not hyperlinked in Parts 2 through to 5 where more information gives better context to the terms used.
To order further copies of this publication please refer to the FITEC website www.fitec.org.nz
Endorsement and commitment to the NZ Code of
Practice for Forest Operations
The
nz Forest
Owners Association has
always identified the important environmental values that well grown and
managed plantation forests can provide - clean water, soil conservation and
rehabilitation, biodiversity and more recently the values associated with
carbon.
It is a matter of record that the forest growing industry is also one of the major contributors to the country’s economy and is an important element in the pattern of rural land
use which largely drives that economy. Approximately 25,000 people, mostly living in regional centres and rural communities, are directly employed in the forest growing and primary wood processing industry, while a further two to three times that number derive much of their income from directly supporting this activity.
At least part of the reason for the success of forestry in nz has been the ability of the
And over time, as environmental knowledge and understanding has developed, these expectations have changed. The forest industry has played its part in this process as well, with the commitment to the
Forest Accord, forest sustainability standards, the present effort to develop sustainability certification standards - all including a high level of consultation with community groups best able to address such matters.
In 1992 the first code of practice for forest operations was produced by the
Logging Industry
Research Association.
It set out clear guidelines for forest operations, designed to minimise environmental impacts and encourage best practice without exception. Many local authorities further developed the lead these provided, requiring adherence to the
Environmental Code of
Practice as a minimum standard for forest operations in their area.
Although much of the content of this
Code is still relevant there have been significant changes in the machinery, techniques and materials utilised in present day forestry practice; much of which has come about because of the desire to continue to provide the highest levels of environmental protection.
Accordingly, two to three years ago, it was determined that the code of practice for forest operations should be completely revised to include standards that will continue to ensure
the highest level of excellence in our forest operations.
The new 2007 environmental code of
Practice achieves all of that - it is a more comprehensive, state of the art, yet practical guide to forest operations that will ensure a high level of protection of the environment throughout the life cycle of a forest crop.
Peter Berg
Chairman,
nzfoa
Pat milne
President, nzffa
Fica endorses the
Best Environmental
Practices defined in this updated
Code and acknowledges their value for assuring compliance with the
Resource Management
Act 1991 and other relevant legislation.
John stulen
Chief executive
Fica - forest industry contractors association
Environmental aims and goals The goals of environmentally sound management
Commercial values and sustainability
To ensure all forest operations are carried out in an efficient, economic and effective manner whilst meeting appropriate environmental standards and ensuring applicable environmental regulation is met or exceeded.
Ecological values and scientific values
To identify and protect areas of significant ecological and scientific value within managed forests.
Forest protection
To maintain healthy forests while avoiding, remedying, or mitigating adverse effects on the environment.
Historic and cultural heritage values
To identify and protect sites of traditional, historical, and archaeological value.
Neighbour and other off-site impacts
To avoid, remedy, or mitigate adverse effects of forest operations on neighbouring properties and off-site values.
Recreational values
To recognise and provide for recreational values throughout the forest cycle.
Scenic and landscape values
To recognise and manage the potential adverse effects of forest operations on visual amenity values.
Soil and water values
To avoid, remedy, or mitigate adverse effects of forest operations on soil and water values.
Understanding the environmental benefits of plantation forestry
To assist community understanding of the environmental benefits of plantation forestry.
Training
To provide a resource that can be used as part of environmental training programmes.
Introduction
The role of planted forests as sustainable and environmentally sound sources of renewable energy and industrial raw material should be recognised, enhanced and promoted. Their contribution to the maintenance of ecological processes, to offsetting pressure on primary and old-growth forest and to providing regional employment and development with the adequate involvement of local inhabitants should be recognised and enhanced (the forest principles, unced, 1992).
Planted forests, managed in a sound manner, contribute positively towards the provision of environmental services
(soil and water protection, rehabilitation of degraded lands, restoration of landscapes and carbon sequestration) and provision of social services and livelihood support (income generation, employment and recreation). The productivity of planted forests for forest products supply is substantially greater than in natural forests. The added benefits of wood products over competing products, is that they are renewable, energy efficient and environmentally friendly (un fao 2006).
Well-managed plantation forests provide a number of environmental benefits, particularly when compared with alternative construction products such as concrete and steel, and productive land uses such as pastoral farming. Plantation forestry compares very well with other commercial land management practices in the protection of soil and water values, (e.g. erosion control and stream habitat values). These benefits are seen to be increasingly important as public awareness of the environment increases (e.g. climate change and water quality). As the new zealand population becomes more urbanised, demand for recreational opportunities increases and plantation forests can provide a wide range of recreational experiences and opportunities. These additional values (environmental services) are described in more detail in later sections of the code.
Community expectations, expressed through legislation,
Council rules and voluntary commitments, encourage forest owners and managers to use sound environmental practices that maintain both forest productivity and profitability. To do this, forest practices must be safe, environmentally and socially acceptable, physically achievable and economically viable.
By selecting appropriate environmental and management practices as outlined in the code, along with existing legislation and other technical information, forest owners and managers can achieve sustainable commercial goals whilst meeting sound and practical environmental standards.
The nz environmental code of practice for plantation forestry was developed in accordance with the un food and agriculture organisation (faos) planted forest code. Both the un code and the nz code apply to planted forests grown to provide wood, fibre, and non-wood forest products and also fulfils a role in providing protective functions and the provision of environmental and/or social services. The code covers all aspects of planted forests, from policy development and planning, down to technical considerations of plantation management and day-to-day operations.
Use of
the Environmental Code of Practice
How to use the Code
The new zealand environmental code of practice for plantation forestry (the code) is intended for use by private and public forest owners, planners, contractors, forestry consultants and council staff involved in the forest industry.
A planned approach to environmental management within the industry means that environmental values and risks are identified at the planning stage, or earlier. Once the values and risks have been identified, appropriate operational methods can be recommended to ensure that values are protected and potential adverse effects are avoided or mitigated.
Some forest owners will have formal
Environmental Management
Systems (ems) in place to manage operations within their specific estates. Whilst these contain procedures and processes that are likely to be similar to those in this
Code, there may also be slight differences.
The relationship between this
Code and its anticipated user audience is listed below. The environmental code is divided into five parts:
Designed for operational practitioners
This section aims to provide ready access to recommended
BEPs by forestry practitioners and contractors. This section is also designed to allow for stand-alone production of the
BEPs for use and distribution in the field.
Designed for forest planners, regulators and the general public
This section aims to provide broad guidance into the means and processes involved in planning forest operations to achieve good environmental outcomes particularly for those newly contemplating forest operations.
Designed as a reference section for all users
This section provides summary information and references to the legislative structure and relevant industry agreements, standards and protocols that influence the commercial forestry sector.
Outlines training opportunities, requirements and courses relevant to environmental management in forestry operations.
Forest management staff have created a number of
New Zealand
Qualification Authority (NZQA) recognised environmental unit standards for use by the industry. Training by experienced, qualified environmental trainers is making a major contribution to environmental understanding within the forest industry.
The
Code complements a range of other material readily available to the industry. This includes:
• Industry Best
Practice Guides such as those produced by fitec and covering operational best practices within the industry.
• Industry produced material, company
Environmental Management
Systems (EMS), and company policy and procedures.
• Environmental legislation including council plans and guides.
• Forest certification standards.
Furthermore, all forest management and in this case forest environmental management, must comply with the environmental laws of new zealand. The forestry code is a subset of the wider framework of information designed to complement forward planning, operational conduct and appropriate training of all parties involved in forestry operations to ensure they can meet required legal and good practice standards.
The diagram below illustrates the relationship of the forestry code of practice and associated beps with the wider forestry management arena. Careful attention to their implementation will ensure a balanced outcome is achieved - between the critical elements of safety, environment and economy.
industry to adopt and even lead in the provision of new technologies, meeting the communities’ wood fibre needs while operating in a manner which met wider expectations in terms of environmental conservation.
Aims of the
Code
PART 1
PART 2 & 3
PART 4
PART 5
GLOSSARY &
APPENDIX
