Weed tree worry

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 318, 19 December 1989, Page 1

Weed tree worry

The Army, the Department of Conservation and the Manawatu Wanganui Regional Council are concerned the sale documents for the Karioi State Forest don't include passing on Timberland's responsibility for Pinus contorta eradication.

The forest contains a large block of the noxious weed tree which the landowner is legally obliged to clear by 1993, but the three bodies are concerned that new owners of the forest will not be interested in continuing the battle to eradicate the weed.

They are concerned that the sale documents do not explain to prospective buyers the obligation they will be taking on with regards the weed tree and the Army and DoC are asking their respective government ministers to ensure the sale documents include the contorta responsibility. Colonel Phil Maguire said the dillema is that the trees are a valuable crop while at the same time being a noxious plant. He said the Army is spending $500,000 a year on eradicating contorta on Army land and that removing the seed source, which is mainly the Timberlands block, is very important. He said once the seed source is gone they would be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel - that from then on the Army will work on a maintenance programme of controlling trees sprouting from seed left in the ground. "We've got much better things to do with that money and \ve would not want to be spending that money forever," said Col Maguire. He said the weed tree would, if left uncontrolled, make a large percentage of the training land inaccessible. He said the Army Turn page 2

Weed tree worry

From page 1 is also legally obliged to control the tree as it is a noxious weed. "The message will be heard loud and clear by the ministers," said Col Maguire. Conservation officer Rob McCallum said DoC is now working

on a maintenance programme having finished clearing the trees from the Tongariro National Park. He said the unoccupied Maori land block the department is responsible for is clear of seeding trees and will be under control by the 1993 due date. He confirmed that

DoC has asked the Minister of Conservation to ensure the sale bills cover the eradication of the seed trees and said there was concern in DoC ranks that new owners of the forest might not understand the need to meet the requirement to clear the block by 1993.