Erua management plans released

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 17, 17 September 1985, Page 5

Erua management plans released

The Minister of Forests, Koro Wetere, has approved future management plans for Erua State Forest. The approval follows a land use study done in 1982 after interested people expressed conflicting views on the use of the forest. Some farmers wanted parts of Erua developed for agriculture and horticulture, conservation organisations wanted the native bush protected, and a forestry company hoped to plant areas of exotic forest. The land use study was released for public comment. From the submissions made on that, the Forest Service has prepared the management proposals. The original management plans have been changed because of changes in the Forest Service's policy on native forest management. Assistant Conservator of Forests David Viles said the policy changes had made it necessary to "modify slightly" some of the plans that followed the land use study. Major changes to the management of Erua under the latest plan are: ★ Two ecological areas will

be set aside because of theirscientific importance. ★ Some pasture areas will be released for sale. ★ Grazing rights in the forest will be withdrawn to allo-w natural regeneration. ★ The forest alongside the main trunk railway line and State Highway 4 will be declared a scenic and amenity reserve. Mr Viles said the proposed ecological areas had been inspected by scientists. "One ecological area is specifically to protect the rare native shrub pittisporum turnerii, and is also prime habitat for the native fernbird," Mr Viles said. "The other includes an

area of vegetation typical of the original forest on the volcanic plain and its distinctive sequence of changes from volcanic country to the Wanganui hill region. "The area of Erua State Forest east of Highway 4 was of such importance to the adjoining Tongariro • National Park that it has been added to the national park and is now permanently protected," Mr Viles said. He said that in defining the boundaries of the pasture land to be sold, the Forest Service had been very careful to ensure that native bush areas were not put at risk. L