'Strategic alliances' to be sought to face forestry problems

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 617, 19 December 1995, Page 3

'Strategic alliances' to be sought to face forestry problems

Effects of more afforestation on the social and economic make-up of the Ruapehu District, the

environmental quality of the district, and on Council infrastructure have given rise to concerns expressed

in the community and the council. This has led the council to seek 'strategic alliances'

with the exotic forest industry "with the aim of minimising any adverse effects on the community

and the council infrastructure". The Ruapehu District Council passed the above resolutiori at their December meeting, adding that they will liaise with other districts to try to develop a common approach to "problems of forestry". "Over the last 12 to 24 months afforestation of the northern parts of the Ruapehu District with' exotic tree species has been raised by both the Council and the community as a matter of concern," stated council planner Jeff Page in a report to the council. He said this could be partly attributed to the actions of Carter Holt Harvey Forests Ltd who have been purchasing rural land for conversion to forestry uses. Protection of pastoral land Mayor Weston Kirton said he was concerned that valuable pastoral land would be locked up in forestry when, he believed, pastoral farming would provide better returns longterm. He said forestry would suit some marginal land such as erosion-prone hillsides.

Cr Bobby Vine cked the movement of logs on metal roads in winter as being a problem. Cr Mastrovich said afforestation could also have adverse effects on tourism. "It' s not a pleasant sight, driving through vast areas of forest." The total area of the Ruapehu District planted in exotic forests is difficult to determine, stated Mr Page. The National Exotic Forestry Description (NEFD) indicated in 1991 that in the district 26,324 hectare is planted in exotic forests of 100 hectares or more and 84.4 per cent of this is planted in trees of an age of 16 years and under (Ministryof Forestry 1993). As the NEFD only covers about 91 per cent of all forests and given that it doesn't include forests less than 100 hectares, the area of exotic forests in the District will be higher. The Manawatu- Wanganui Regional Council (MWRC),estimated that there were 49,248 hectares of exotic forests in the district in 1989. Council estimates were that 21.2 per cent of rural land was planted in exotic

forests, or 60,934 hectares. Effects studies divided Studies on the effects are divided, said Mr Page, with one done in Wairoa showing that the effects would be positive but that the level of positive effect would depend on how much wood processing was carried out in the district. A MWRC report concluded that while there would be a reduction in the quantity of water flowing in the Ongarue River if the entire catchment is planted, this would be offset by positive effects on water quality, aquatic habitat and water management. Options facing the council to control the effects of forestry included regulation to stop or slow afforestation; monitor the effects and act once trends become clear; or to develop "working relationships with the major 'players' in the industry" with the aim of avoiding adverse effects. Mr Page said the Council has already made adecision not to use the Resource Management Actto address social, economic and infrastructure concems. He said they could use bylaws Turn to Page 5

Forestry

FROMPAGE3 to address issues associated with roads. The main weakness of using monitors is that they would need the cooperation of forest owners and by the time a trend is clear it may be too late to react. Developing strategic alliances was most likely to produce positive results, he stated, but it would depend on the goodwill of forest owners and Council. "Such an approach may include the development of "Memorandum of Understanding' with the principal forest owners.