Module 5 - VicForests

4 3BAudit Findings
Table 4-8 Summary of compliance findings for the River health, water quality and soil protection –
Filters Compliance Element
Compliance Element
River Health, Water Quality and Soil
Assessment - Filters
Total compliance 45
Total non-compliance 5
Non-compliance EIA breakdown
Severe 0
Major 0
Moderate 2
Minor 1
Negligible 2
No impact 0
Of the VicForests coupes, sections of filters were assessed as non-compliant in three coupes (C7, C9
and C15). Non-compliances resulted from machinery observed to have crossed drainage lines in
locations not authorised in the Forest Coupe Plan (C7, C15), assessed as Moderate EIA risk ratings;
and from harvest debris observed to have been pushed into filter strips (C9), assessed as a Minor EIA
risk rating.
Of the 200 m sample of filters assessed in the DSE coupe (C27), the whole length was assessed as
being non-compliant, as the filter had been marked by taping the centreline of the drainage line, rather
than the boundaries of the ten metre filter on each side of the drainage line. Taping also stopped
short of where the Auditor determined the filter to extend upstream and downstream, and field
observations suggested machines had entered during harvesting. Ground disturbance was minimal
however, resulting in the EIA risk ratings of the two non-compliances being assessed as Negligible
(Refer to Appendix K, Photograph 3).
Slopes
Of the 27 coupes audited, none of the provisions for harvesting on steep slopes was assessed as
being applicable.
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