A Guide to Preparing Draft Sustainable Forest Management Plans, Sustainable Forest Management Permit Applications and Annual Logging Plans
Preparing an Annual Logging Plan
An Annual Logging Plan is required for any year in which harvesting is proposed under a registered SFM Plan or SFM Permit. It covers harvesting systems and the proposed harvest in more detail than the registered SFM Plan or SFM Permit.
The Annual Logging Plan must be approved by MAF before you begin any work or harvesting in the forest.
Your Annual Logging Plan must:
- describe your proposed methods of harvesting, including the machinery you will use;
- specify all special logging requirements, such as directional felling;
- include maps showing:
- the proposed harvest locations or areas from which individual trees or small groups will be harvested during the term of the Annual Logging Plan,
- the locations of roads, tracks and landings present or to be established for extracting timber during the term of the Annual Logging Plan,
- all waterways and topography, supplemented by written description.
MAF may require you to mark (tag), measure and record the location (using GPS) of all kauri and podocarp trees that are to be harvested, and to include this information in the Annual Logging Plan. This will help MAF confirm, through a field inspection, that your proposed harvest does not exceed approved harvest rates and check that your proposals are consistent with approved forest management prescriptions.
Providing all the necessary information is supplied, an Annual Logging Plan is usually approved within 10 working days. If a field inspection is required approval will take longer.
You can download an Annual Logging Plan template or request a printed copy from our offices (see Where to go for help).
Standards and Guidelines for More about Sustainable Forest Management
MAF’s Standards and Guidelines for the Sustainable Management of Indigenous Forests (MAF, 2009) provides auditable performance benchmarks for forest management operations. It provides a framework for the management and monitoring of indigenous forests pursuant to Part 3A of the Forests Act 1949. It is a valuable reference for planning a forest inventory, and preparing a draft SFM Plan, an SFM Permit application or an Annual Logging Plan.
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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