Module 5 - VicForests

Table B.1
Determining the Extent/Duration of the impact
Duration of Impact (t)
Extent (E) Short Term Medium Term Long Term
0 - 10% A C F
11 - 25% B E H
26 - 50% C F I
> 50% D G J
offsite E H K
Environmental Asset Value (z)
The environmental asset value of the impacted area is defined by the relative
resilience and resistance of the area affected, and the significance of the
environmental value of the area, which may be characterised by its protection status
within the Forest Management Zoning system or the Code of Forest Practice. The
environmental asset value is divided into four categories;
• General environmental value;
• Filter or drainage line;
• Representative SMZ or SPZ, i.e. habitat corridors, landscape buffers and some
linear buffers; and
• Specific SMZ or SPZ, i.e. for specific flora and fauna, rainforest buffers and
riparian or streamside reserve buffers.
The Et rating and Environmental Asset Value (z) are applied in an additional risk
matrix to determine an environmental impact assessment level for the noncompliance.
The impact is categorised into five nominal levels as follows:
• Negligible (including areas of no impact) – impacts typically within marked harvest
areas with a short duration of impact.
• Minor – impacts typically within marked harvest areas or filter strip with a short to
medium duration of impact
• Moderate – impacts typically within marked harvest areas with a medium to long
term duration of impact or impacts within filter strips, buffers or reserves with a
short to medium term impact
• Major – impacts typically within marked harvest areas leading to a long term offsite
impact or impacts within filter strips, buffers or reserves with a medium to
long term on-site or off-site impact
• Severe – impact within buffers or reserves with a long term on-site or off-site
impact.
FOREST AUDIT PROGRAM – MODULE 2 AUDIT PROCESS
PAGE B2