HARVESTING OPERATIONS
Chester 01 forest coupe
| Location: | Brockman Highway, 24Km NE of Augusta, Western Australia. |
|---|---|
| Total size: | ~1300Ha |
| Protected area: | ~500Ha (as informal reserve) |
| Permitted harvest area: | ~800Ha |
| Scheduled for harvest: | ~200Ha (2009) |
| Primary species: | jarrah |
As part of the Forest Products Commission’s contractual obligations, the forest block known as Chester 01 was identified for harvesting as part of the Commission’s 2005 indicative harvest plan.
Chester 01 is a regrowth forest, last harvested during the 1950s. Like all well-managed forests, this part of Chester will return to its previous state in time thanks to practical, science-based forestry techniques and methods first introduced by WA’s first Conservator of Forests, Charles Edward Lane Poole in 1916.
- Why harvest in this area?
- Who decides where the FPC can harvest?
- How does FPC protect the environment in and around the harvesting operations?
- What happens after harvesting?
- How can I find out more?
Why harvest in this area?
Timber harvested from this and other forests forms part of our mission to provide a sustainable yield of sawlogs to the Western Australian timber industry.
The timber is primarily destined for processing into high value products and also supplying other products such as specialty timbers and firewood.
This is in line with Western Australia’s Sustainability Strategy, designed to achieve an integration of environmental, economic and social outcomes. All areas available under the Forest Management Plan are an important part of the supply chain to the WA timber industry.
Who decides where the FPC can harvest?
Areas available for harvesting are defined by the Conservation Commission in the Forest Management Plan (FMP) 2004-2013, a document which went through a lengthy consultation phase and an independent panel confirmed the regimen was compatible with ecologically sustainable forest management.
All native timber harvesting operations conducted by FPC under the FMP have been:
- proposed by the Conservation Commission,
- recommended by the Environmental Protection Authority,
- approved by the Minister for Environment, and
- regulated and overseen by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC).
Additionally, the FPC conducts broad community consultation each year with the release of the annual harvest plans. These plans are widely advertised, and identify areas of native forest which are planned to be harvested during the coming year to meet sawlog and other timber supply requirements in line with the Forest Management Plan.
How does FPC protect the environment in and around the harvesting operations?
FPC is committed to ensuring rigorous standards of environmental planning and protection are applied prior to, during and after harvesting in accordance with the Forest Management Plan.
FPC and DEC officers carry out rare flora assessments, erosion and soil damage prevention measures and strict disease hygiene management to protect forest health and long term sustainability of the forest.
As in all harvesting operations, flora surveys have been conducted and any populations of rare and endangered plants, as found in Chester 01, are protected.
Additional information is also gathered by DEC on fauna present within the harvesting area, and significant management planning takes place to ensure their protection during the harvesting operation.
Additionally, the FPC works to prevent the spread of Dieback by implementing strict hygiene procedures. These include ensuring logging machinery and harvesting vehicles, trucks, and even the footwear of people working in the area are fully decontaminated at designated wash down stations.
FPC is also fully certified to the international standard for environmental management systems ISO 14001:2004.
What happens after harvesting?
The FPC is responsible for regeneration of these areas once harvesting has been completed in accordance with the Forest Management Plan.
Part of the regeneration process for Chester will involve burning to create a seed bed and/or stimulate the growth of lignotubers and understorey species. Such burning would be carried out at a time and using processes that are designed to ensure risks to surrounding life, property and forest are minimalised.
Every year, FPC regenerates more tress than it harvests. In a typical year, we will plant between 15-20million new trees.
How can I find out more?
To find out more about harvesting operations in Chester or FPC’s role and work in protecting forest ecosystems before, during and after harvesting, please contact:
Attn: Peter Beatty
Community Consultation Coordinator
Forest Products Commission
Locked Bag 6
MANJIMUP WA 6258
Telephone: +61 (08) 9777 0988
Facsimile: +61 (08) 9777 2233
Email: info@fpc.wa.gov.au
