A Guide to Preparing Draft Sustainable Forest Management Plans, Sustainable Forest Management Permit Applications and Annual Logging Plans

Sustainable Forest Management Plans

Drafting an SFM Plan requires an understanding of forest ecology and species replacement processes. The forest inventory is the core of an SFM Plan, as it will enable you to determine harvest rates and choose a management system that will achieve long-term sustainability.

To prepare a draft SFM Plan, you may need help from a forestry professional experienced in indigenous forest inventory and management systems. A forestry professional can compile a summary of resources based on the forest inventory, prepare a draft SFM Plan, oversee forest operations and monitor forest management outcomes.

Preparing a draft SFM Plan

Your draft SFM Plan must include the following information:

  • land ownership details;
  • land description;
  • forest description, including its history;
  • forest inventory, including proposed harvest volume;
  • proposed forest management systems, including monitoring and record keeping;
  • forest protection measures;
  • the case for representative areas;
  • other values of the forest, and proposed measures to retain and enhance these values;
  • the SFM Plan's term;
  • Resource Management Act 1991 requirements.

Land ownership

You must provide the following details in your draft SFM Plan:

  • the forest owner's full name, physical address and postal address (where the forest owner is a company or corporate body, include the address of its registered office; for Māori land, the address may be the office of the appropriate Registrar of the Māori Land Court);
  • a legal description of the land and other details, such as whether the interest in the land is freehold or a registered lease or forestry right;
  • an up-to-date search copy of the Computer Freehold Register Unique Identifier(s) (Certificate(s) of Title);
  • a copy of the registered lease or forestry right document, if applicable;
  • the name and address of the person responsible for the draft SFM Plan if the land is owned by more than one person, company or body.

Land description

This section of your draft SFM Plan should describe the topography, geology, soils and climate of the forest area that the SFM Plan applies to. You should use this information to select appropriate management and harvesting systems for the management of your forest.

You should include maps that show the:

  • Property location: NZ 262 Map Series, Scale 1:250 000 is suitable for this purpose.
  • Land title boundaries and forest area to be managed: This map should be at a scale of 1:25 000 or larger to show the forest area reasonably accurately. The relevant part of an NZ 260 Map Series 1:50 000 topographic map enlarged on a commercial colour photocopier is acceptable for this purpose. A recent aerial photograph of similar scale can be used instead. You may be able to source aerial photographs from your district or regional council, or from the internet.

Forest description

The forest description in a draft SFM Plan describes the forest before the SFM Plan is put in place. In this section you must include a description of:

  • forest types;
  • flora and fauna;
  • forest history;
  • natural and amenity values;
  • pests and weeds.

Forest types

As part of the forest description, you must show the forest types on a map. This map must be a different map to the maps outlined in Land description. The map should be based on the species-distribution information collected as part of the forest inventory (see Forest inventory). Key each forest type to a legend that includes a written description of the forest type and its total area. Areas already harvested or modified should also be typed and keyed to the legend (see Forest history).

The forest types map can be a topographic map, aerial photograph or plan with the property boundaries and forest type boundaries accurately marked. A scale of 1:25 000 will be adequate to record the required detail. A copy of the relevant part of an NZ 260 Map Series 1:50 000 topographic map that has been enlarged on a commercial colour photocopier is acceptable for this purpose.

Flora and fauna

You are required to describe the forest's flora and fauna, preferably by forest type. A catalogue of the diversity and condition of flora and fauna before sustainable management operations start establishes a benchmark against which to measure changes and improvements in species distribution and density over time.

Forest history

You should describe the extent, impact and dates of previous logging within the forest area that the draft SFM Plan applies to. This history should include:

  • the area harvested, or an indication of previously logged or otherwise modified (for example, mined) areas;
  • a description of the species removed (if known);
  • the composition and condition of the residual forest in the harvested area and frequency of regeneration of harvested species;
  • the location and condition of any roads and tracks.

The previously harvested areas should be marked on the forest types map. The history of the forest may assist assessment of the forest's future capacity to recover after being disturbed and may indicate necessary restoration measures.

Natural and amenity values

The Forests Act defines amenity values as "those natural or physical qualities and characteristics of an area that contribute to people's appreciation of its pleasantness, aesthetic coherence, and cultural and recreational attributes". Amenity values include noteworthy features such as landscape values, public use of the forest and proximity to other forests with special values. Natural values may include threatened species and locally or nationally important vegetation types or animal habitats.

In the draft SFM Plan, you should describe the likely effects of forest management on any amenity and natural values within and beyond the property. You should also specify how you will protect these values. This information helps build a picture of the importance of the values of the area proposed for management relative to other forest areas in the region.

Pests and weeds

You must describe the presence of introduced animal pests (such as possums, deer or goats) and any damage to the forest that could ensue from such pests. Include details of any noxious weeds such as old man's beard, blackberry, gorse or broom. You should also prescribe control measures for pests or weeds that threaten forest regeneration, the forest canopy or wildlife in the forest.

Forest inventory

A comprehensive forest inventory is a key part of a draft SFM Plan. Successful implementation of sustainable forest management relies on the inventory, together with an understanding of the forest ecology and growth characteristics of the commercial and associated species.

The forest inventory should provide:

  • an accurate picture of the structure of the forest (by stem numbers and diameter, and distribution by species);
  • a reliable estimate of merchantable timber within the forest;
  • information on existing regeneration of timber species.

The extent of the forest inventory may range from measurement of all trees of commercial size in small forests to a sample assessment in larger forests. To ensure that the calculated harvest rates are sustainable, sample estimates should have probable limits of error of no more than plus or minus 10 to 20 percent.

To obtain a reliable estimate of volume, small- to medium-sized forests (up to 100 hectares) may need an assessment of up to 10 percent of the forest area. The assessment should include any windthrown and dead standing trees in the inventory plots.

In forests greater than 100 hectares, a sample of less than 2 percent of the area is unlikely to give reliable inventory results, except in the most uniform forests. A higher sample level may be necessary for forests made up of multiple forest types and varying composition, for example, podocarpmixed hardwood or podocarpbeech forests.

Preparing a forest inventory

If you do not have experience in forest measurement you should seek help from a forestry professional to prepare a forest inventory.

Inventory information

You should collect inventory information that includes quantitative information on all canopy species, so that a summary of forest resources can be presented separately and collectively for each forest type, including:

  • density (numbers of trees per hectare);
  • distribution (whether the trees are evenly spread across the forest, or if they are in clumps, or as single trees);
  • basal area;
  • timber volumes for merchantable species;
  • growth rates.

The stages of tree growth should also be assessed (for example, numbers of seedlings, saplings and pole-sized trees) for each of the tree species growing in the forest.

Presenting tables or graphs on each species' size-class distribution will help you:

  • determine growth and harvest levels by indicating the forest's ability to replace harvested trees in the short term;
  • identify opportunities for accelerating growth or improving tree quality, for example, by thinning and pruning;
  • identify potential management opportunities or problems (for example, a large number of small trees could indicate opportunities for thinning, while a lack of young growth could indicate browsing by an undesirably high number of animal pests).

Tree measurement

Measuring the merchantable volume of timber in a standing tree is a specialised task.

There are established procedures for calculating volume by measuring tree diameter at breast height and the length (height) of the merchantable part of the bole of the tree. Similar procedures calculate the volume of merchantable branches (toplogs), using an estimation of the centre girth diameter and length of each branch. The volume of the bole of individual trees can be calculated by using "Tree Volume Equations for the Major Indigenous Species in New Zealand" (Ellis, 1979). The volume of toplogs is calculated using the booklet "Indigenous Timber Table of Metric Cylinder Volumes" (MAF, 2007). If in doubt, contact Sustainable Programmes of  MAF.

Precision levels

There is no set rule on the precision level of the inventory required to establish appropriate management prescriptions (management prescriptions describe the methods for achieving the long-term management goals). This is because forests differ in size, topography, species, regeneration patterns, tree distribution and density, and the standing quantity and quality of merchantable timber. Guidelines are given in the "Standards and Guidelines for the Sustainable Management of Indigenous Forests" (MAF, 2009).

Forest growth

Inventory information and individual species' net growth rates (measured growth rates less an allowance for natural mortality) together determine the number and volume of trees by species that can be harvested annually or periodically.

Growth rates can be estimated using published information. MAF has diameter increment models, derived from National Vegetation Survey data, for a number of species and regions. These models are available on request from MAF. Where forest-specific growth information is limited, you should err on the side of caution when proposing harvest rates until permanent sample plot data showing growth rates becomes available.

You should establish permanent sample plots throughout the forest at the time the inventory is undertaken. Periodic re-measurement of permanent sample plots will enable you to confirm forecast growth rates and monitor the success of forest management operations.

Sustainable harvest rates

The proposed annual or periodic harvest rates must be sustainable, underpinned by the inventory and growth rate information provided for each species and forest type.

In the draft SFM Plan you must specify the:

  • species proposed to be harvested;
  • standing (tree) volumes proposed to be harvested, by species;
  • forest growth information to justify the proposed harvest rates.

The harvest volume of an individual species in a mixed forest is generally expected to be in proportion to its contribution to the forest's structure and growth rates. As it is difficult to predict the amount of defect timber inside a standing tree (particularly in beech), proposed harvest volume calculations should be based on the gross standing volume (being the standing volume including hidden defects).

Management systems

In the draft SFM Plan you must specify the systems to be used for managing the forest, including:

  • management proposals;
  • management prescriptions;
  • monitoring and record keeping.

Management proposals

Management proposals are the proposed silvicultural systems for the long-term management and maintenance of each forest type.

Proposals may include:

  • Mapping the forest into compartments or management units: This relates management prescriptions (see Management prescriptions) to actual areas and forest types. It helps record completed forest operations according to practical geographical boundaries. You can show the forest compartments and boundaries on the forest types map (see Forest types). Compartment boundaries should take into account forest types, topography, roads and tracks. They will probably reflect the proposed cycle of forest operations to be carried out. For example, a 100-hectare silver beech forest may be divided into ten 10-hectare compartments, each with a return harvesting cycle of five 0.2-hectare coupes every 10 years. This will give a total harvest area of one hectare per year.
  • Mapping of existing major or secondary roading, machine accessways, walking tracks or gridlines: For example, tracks that have been used for carrying out inventories and assessments.

Management prescriptions

Management prescriptions describe the methods for achieving the long-term management goals. They should include:

  • criteria for tree selection, such as by species, size, maturity, health or a combination of these, and if they are to be selected as individual trees or in small groups;
  • how the trees to be harvested will be identified, for example, paint marks or tags with markings to indicate directional felling and direction of extraction;
  • the harvesting methods in general terms, for example:
    • tree length extraction by ground skidding with low-ground pressure tractor,
    • milling on site with a chainsaw mill and extraction of sawn timber by helicopter;
    • measures to protect natural and amenity values, including soil protection and water quality, such as the proposed low-impact harvesting technique;
    • quality control methods to ensure harvesting prescriptions are being properly followed, for example, to confirm that only marked trees are being removed;
    • steps to ensure the species being harvested will successfully regenerate;
    • silvicultural practices to be used, for example, thinning and/or pruning of regenerating forest, numbers of trees per hectare in the final crop, timing of operations;
    • frequency of assessment of post-harvest regeneration and any observed mortality.

These prescriptions must take into account the sustainable forest management prescriptions contained in the Second Schedule to the Act (see Appendix 1), which emphasise sustainability by:

  • requiring low-impact harvesting;
  • ensuring forest replacement through natural regeneration or, if necessary, the planting of seedlings;
  • harvesting forest species by either single tree or small group harvesting, or coupe fellings according to the regeneration characteristics of the species concerned.

Monitoring and record keeping

You must monitor forest operations to ensure the outcomes of forest management are being achieved. In the draft SFM Plan you should describe how you will monitor and record forest operations. Your records should include:

  • stand records, consisting of
    • map(s) showing the location of annual harvesting operations (beech forest coupes should be numbered and include the harvesting dates),
    • standing volumes harvested by species, including the area of each beech forest coupe harvested and the total area of coupes harvested during the term of each Annual Logging Plan
    • the species and volume of timber harvested under the SFM Plan, and the names and addresses of sawmills the timber was sent to;
  • other records to enable monitoring of forest diversity, health and growth, including:
    • regeneration survey(s) data,
    • details of supplementary planting and survival,
    • silvicultural (thinning and pruning) operations,
    • reconnaissance (forest description) plot sheets,
    • permanent sample plot sheets and maps (to help relocate the plots). Where available, Global Positioning Systems instruments (GPS) should be used to record plot locations.

These records can be stored on a computer or in hard copy, for example, you could use a simple card file index. In either case, they should list a location reference for individual coupes (and/or compartments where these are used) and be cross-indexed to correspond to information on a map.

Photographic records (from fixed photo points) may be useful, particularly for monitoring regeneration.

Forest protection

The draft SFM Plan must outline how the forest will be protected from:

  • fire;
  • pests, weeds and diseases (both indigenous and introduced);
  • domestic and feral stock, and damage caused by their grazing and trampling.

You should also include an evaluation of the compatibility between the management systems and the area's topography and soils. This evaluation should address how to reduce risks to soil stability and water quality (such as the placement of accessways, stream crossings and the provision of drainage cut-offs or culverts).

In the draft SFM Plan you should describe measures to maintain forest health, for example, cutting flanges from stumps to reduce suitable brood habitat for pinhole borer in beech species or taking care to avoid damage to residual trees during harvesting operations.

Representative areas

Following consultation with the Department of Conservation, MAF may deem it necessary to set aside a representative area of up to 20 percent of the forest's total area. No harvesting is permitted in representative areas.

Representative areas protect flora and fauna and other conservation values in an unmodified part of a forest. A representative area may be set aside where flora and fauna or other conservation values in the forest are considered to be of regional or national importance provided the representative area is of an adequate size and location to protect the identified values.

In general, representative areas will be set aside only where the values identified and the ability to protect them can be clearly demonstrated.

Other values of the forest

Your draft SFM Plan should list cultural, archaeological, historical and recreational sites. An inventory may be needed to identify such sites, which should be marked, mapped and protected. Special sites or values and any links between them could include:

  • geological features of interest;
  • significant landforms;
  • fossil sites;
  • archaeological sites;
  • wāhi tapu (sacred sites) and other culturally significant land;
  • recreational tracks;
  • scenic corridors;
  • recreational sites;
  • rare or endangered wildlife.

Protecting many of these features may be part of Resource Management Act 1991 requirements (see Resource Management Act 1991 requirements). Where possible, forest management should provide for the continued use of recreational tracks and sites.

In the draft SFM Plan, you should describe rare or endangered flora and fauna and any particular soil and water values. You should also prescribe measures to maintain and enhance these values, for example, "no harvesting shall take place in areas where rare birds are nesting".

We recommend that you contact the Department of Conservation when preparing a draft SFM Plan. The Department can help you identify natural values that may need to be considered.

SFM Plan's term

SFM Plans have a minimum term of 50 years unless your interest in the land is for a lesser term, for example, a registered forestry right of 30 years. The term commences from the date of approval of the SFM Plan.

The term of the SFM Plan must be stated in the draft. All SFM Plans must be registered against the land title or landholding interest noted on the title (see SFM Plan registration).

Resource Management Act 1991 requirements

In the draft SFM Plan you must detail any requirements pertaining to the proposed management activities and give references to the relevant regional and district council plan rules.

As a forest owner, you are responsible for checking if regional and district councils require any resource consents for indigenous forestry operations. Such requirements are often defined in district plans as "indigenous vegetation removal".

You should check resource consent requirements before you prepare your draft SFM Plan, as there may be a significant overlap between resource consent conditions and sustainable forest management obligations. This overlap could affect the content of the draft SFM Plan and when operations can start after the SFM Plan has been approved and registered.

Rules in regional and district plans (including transitional plans) that may apply to SFM Plans cover:

  • vegetation removal;
  • selective removal of trees;
  • general forestry operations;
  • earthworks;
  • maintenance of soil and water quality;
  • identification of significant areas;
  • amenity values.

If sustainable management of indigenous forest is provided for as a "permitted activity" under a district plan, it should be stated in the draft SFM Plan.

Regional and district council staff can provide you with helpful information and may be available for site visits to discuss the proposed work (usually as part of the consent application process). There may be some cost involved in obtaining a resource consent and this should be discussed with the relevant council.

SFM Plan approval process

To submit your draft SFM Plan for approval, send at least two copies of the draft SFM Plan and any supporting documents to MAF's Sustainable Programmes offices in Christchurch or Rotorua (see Where to go for help).

Forest inspection

MAF will normally carry out an inspection of the forest to confirm or adjust the harvest volumes applied for, and to assess any forest protection measures that may be necessary.

Consultation

MAF is required to consult with the Department of Conservation on all draft SFM Plans. MAF also consults with Te Puni Kōkiri on applications concerning Māori land. In addition, MAF must consult with these agencies when reviewing registered SFM Plans.

Approval

Once MAF has consulted on your draft SFM Plan, it may:

  • approve the draft SFM Plan without amendment; or
  • require that the draft SFM Plan be amended before giving approval.

Amendments could include:

  • correcting the area to which the SFM Plan applies;
  • adjusting (up or down) the proposed annual or periodic harvest rate;
  • altering the size, shape or location of a felling coupe;
  • requiring low-impact felling methods involving single tree or small group felling;
  • altering proposed recording systems, or providing recording systems where none are proposed.

MAF will prepare the SFM Plan in a final, legal format and will send two copies of the SFM Plan to the forest owner for signing before it is approved by the Secretary of Forestry. It is this document, along with maps, that is registered against the land title(s) to which it relates.

SFM Plan registration

As soon as practicable after approval, an SFM Plan must be registered against the relevant Computer Freehold Register Unique Identifier(s) (Certificate(s) of Title) of the land. In the case of Māori land without separate title, an SFM Plan can be registered through the local District Registrar of the Māori Land Court. Registering an SFM Plan will not constitute a subdivision under the Local Government Act 1974 or the Resource Management Act 1991.

Annual logging plan

Following registration of the approved SFM Plan, an Annual Logging Plan must be approved by MAF for each year harvesting is to take place (see Preparing an Annual Logging Plan).

The Annual Logging Plan must be approved by MAF before you begin any work or harvesting in the forest.

Contact for Enquiries

Sustainable Programmes
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

14 Sir William Pickering Drive
PO Box 20 280
Bishopdale
Christchurch 8053
NEW ZEALAND

Tel: 64 3 943 3700
Fax: 64 3 943 3701

Te Papa Tipu Innovation Park
99 Sala Street
PO Box 1340
Rotorua 3040
NEW ZEALAND

Tel: 64 7 921 3400
Fax: 64 7 921 3402

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