New deal for Kauri roading

Forest and Bird, Volume 17, Issue 1, 1 February 1986, Page 27

New deal for Kauri roading

Forest and Bird has achieved significant changes in the way that road works are to be planned and carried out in our interna-tionally-treasured Waipoua Forest. Works Minister Fraser Colman finally conceded that the Society's criticisms of insensitive roadworks were correct after disclosure of an internal MWD report which also condemned the "upgrading" work. _ Before Ministry of Works bulldozer gangs are let loose along the remaining portion of the Waipoua Forest road they must now: ecomplete a management plan of the entire route with full public involvement. @undertake environmental impact assessments for each segment of the road to be upgraded in consultation with the Nature Conservation Council, F.R.I., Forest and Bird, MWD Environmental Design and other parties with skills in forest roading. econduct a.staff-training seminar for all those in MWD involved in forest roading to explain the need for more care and to establish new techniques such as matting and single lanes around and between large kauris. erestore damage to the forest wherever possible, i.e., remove seal and metal from base and roots, remove illegal dumps, revegetate machine-storage . areas, etc.