A Guide to Preparing Draft Sustainable Forest Management Plans, Sustainable Forest Management Permit Applications and Annual Logging Plans
Sustainable Forest Management Permits
SFM Permits allow you to harvest and mill specified volumes of timber within a 10-year period. Usually, an application for an SFM Permit does not require as much detail as a draft SFM Plan, but there are a number of features common to both, including the principle of management for long-term sustainability of the forest.
Preparing an SFM Permit Application
Your SFM Permit application should contain the following:
- landowner/landholder contact details;
- land description;
- forest description and history;
- a basic description of the topography, soils/geology, wildlife and any other special features;
- estimated standing volume of target species, including the source of the information;
- proposed harvest volume by species, within the permissible limits;
- silvicultural and harvesting systems/equipment to be employed;
- proposed follow-up management, for example, replanting of seedlings;
- forest protection measures, including pest control, stock control and protection of waterways;
- a map showing the property location (for example, NZ 262 Map Series, Scale 1:250 000 is suitable);
- a map showing the land title boundaries and forest area to be managed, preferably 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.)
MAF recommends you seek help from a forestry professional who has experience in indigenous forest appraisal and management. They will be able to help you complete the application form and assess timber resources within a forest. Accurate assessment of timber resources is critical as the assessment is used to set the harvest volume allowed under an SFM Permit.
Application form
To apply for an SFM Permit, please use the SFM Permit application form.
You can download a copy of the form from www.maf.govt.nz/forestry/indigenous-forestry or request a printed copy from our offices (see Where to go for help).
Harvest rate
The maximum harvests (standing volume) allowed within an SFM Permit's 10-year term is:
- 250 cubic metres of podocarp, kauri or shade-tolerant, exposure-sensitive, broad-leaved hardwood species; and
- 500 cubic metres of beech or other light-demanding hardwood species;
providing these harvests do not exceed 10 percent of the timber standing on the landholding, by species.
If MAF considers there are insufficient forest resources to support the proposed harvest rate, or that the application does not meet section 10 of the Second Schedule of the Forests Act's sustainable forest management prescriptions (see Appendix 1), MAF may request additional forest resource information that clearly justifies your proposed harvest rates. MAF will normally complete an inspection of the forest prior to issuing an SFM Permit.
As with SFM Plans, the forest's structure and natural values must be maintained, so the harvest of timber species will generally be proportionate to their presence in the forest area. Harvesting under an SFM Permit may be done as either:
- a single harvest in any one year during the term of the SFM Permit; or
- as a number of small harvests over successive years during the term of the SFM Permit.
Management prescriptions
You must incorporate the management prescriptions outlined in Section 10 (Sustainable Forest Management Prescriptions) of the Second Schedule to the Forests Act in your application (see Appendix 1).
In the SFM Permit application you must outline measures to protect the forest from:
- fire;
- pests, weeds and diseases (indigenous and introduced);
- domestic and feral stock, and damage caused by their grazing and trampling;
- erosion and the impacts of forest operations on water quality.
Resource Management Act 1991 requirements
Regional and district plans may contain rules for indigenous vegetation felling or clearance. As an applicant or forest owner, you are responsible for meeting any pertinent rules under the relevant regional or district plans. (See Resource Management Act 1991 requirements under SFM Plans for more information.)
SFM Permit approval process
Consultation
MAF is required to consult the Department of Conservation on all SFM Permit applications. MAF also consults Te Puni Kōkiri (the Ministry of Māori Development) on applications concerning Māori land.
This consultation process may take up to three months, and may involve a field inspection. You should allow for this time in your planning process.
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.
SFM Permit registration
As soon as practicable after approval, an SFM Permit 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, the SFM Permit can be registered through the local District Registrar of the Māori Land Court. Registering an SFM Permit will not constitute a subdivision under the Local Government Act 1974 or the Resource Management Act 1991.
Your interest in the land (if not freehold title) as it relates to the SFM Permit must be at least 10 years from the time the SFM Permit is registered.
You must register your SFM Permit within 18 months of the date of issue. SFM Permits are operative from the date of registration. If you do not register the SFM Permit within 18 months, it will expire.
Annual Logging 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.
Subsequent SFM permits
After an SFM Permit expires (10 years after it was registered), a second or subsequent SFM Permit may be issued for the same forest area. This subsequent SFM Permit can be issued only when the growth of the species that were harvested has replaced the quantity of timber removed under the initial or previous SFM Permit. For example, if 50 cubic metres of rimu are harvested, those rimu not harvested will have to have grown by 50 cubic metres before another SFM Permit can be issued. In addition, there should be sufficient replacement and recruitment occurring with naturally regenerated or planted seedlings, saplings and poles to replace the harvested trees.
If you are planning to apply for a second or subsequent SFM Permit, MAF recommends you establish permanent sample plots in the forest early into the term of the initial SFM Permit. Permanent sample plots will provide a basis for monitoring forest condition and growth. If you have not established permanent sample plots, MAF may require additional resource appraisals to confirm that the forest has replaced the quantity of timber removed.
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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