Module 5 - VicForests

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4 3BAudit Findings Biodiversity conservation – Protection of biodiversity values Compliance Elements only, but also mentioned in this section of the report for completeness. 4.2.4 Biodiversity conservation Protection of biodiversity values Twenty of the 31 applicable measures intended to protect biodiversity values across the audited coupes were assessed as having been implemented appropriately. These measures included protection of exclusion areas from impacts of prescribed burns; maintaining buffers around significant habitat areas; and compliance with measures to protect threatened species. Among the coupes audited, it was assessed that appropriate buffers had been placed around significant habitat for the threatened species Barred Galaxias (Galaxias fuscus) and Leadbeater’s Possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri). As mentioned previously in the Coupe planning - General and Water catchments sections of this report, monitoring and management of weeds were identified as areas of systemic weakness. In the context of protection of biodiversity values, the Code requires that pest plants, animals and pathogens be managed to maintain forest health and ecosystem resilience. All of the non-compliances recorded for this Compliance Element related to the control of noxious weeds, which is discussed further in this section. A total length of 1,522 m of significant habitat buffer was assessed across five VicForests coupes, with all found to be intact. The taped boundary of a three-metre section of buffer (C19) established for the protection of habitat for Barred Galaxias (Galaxias fuscus) was observed to have been disturbed by machine entry. This was not recorded as a non-compliance as the prescribed width of buffer remained intact. This issue has been discussed in the Buffers Compliance Element. Table 4-12 summarises the compliance findings for the Biodiversity conservation – Protection of biodiversity values Compliance Element. Table 4-12 Summary of compliance findings for the Biodiversity conservation – Protection of biodiversity values Compliance Element Compliance Element Biodiversity Conservation - Protection of biodiversity values Total compliance 20 Total non-compliance 11 Non-compliance EIA breakdown Severe 0 Major 0 Moderate 1 Minor 4 Negligible 6 No impact 0 30 42807504/01/01
4 3BAudit Findings The audit identified 11 non-compliances across the same number of coupes, all managed by VicForests and all related to a lack of noxious weed control during harvesting operations. No noxious weeds were observed as present on the two audited DSE coupes. Of the non-compliances, one (C17) was determined as having a Moderate EIA risk rating, due to a heavy and widespread infestation of the noxious weed blackberry (Rubus fruticosus). Four were assessed as having Minor EIA risk ratings (C6, C8, C10 and C13) and six were assessed as having Negligible EIA risk ratings (C1, C4, C12, C21, C22 and C25). The risk ratings reflect the relative density and extent of blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) and spear thistle (Cirsium vulgare) observed on the coupes, with a Negligible risk rating representing individual or few occurrences of noxious weeds and a Minor risk rating representing a higher density and more widespread occurrence throughout the coupes. The Auditor notes that on an additional six coupes, single plants of noxious weed species were observed, however, non-compliances were not recorded in these instances. In each of these coupes, the weed species were not recorded in the pre-harvest weeds surveys and as such the Auditor was unable to determine if the weeds were present, and therefore could have been controlled, during the timber harvesting operations. Habitat trees In general, it was assessed that habitat trees had been retained appropriately, with habitat trees in 24 of the 27 coupes protected from harvesting activities in compliance with specified requirements. Table 4-13 summarises the compliance findings for the Biodiversity conservation – Habitat trees Compliance Element. Table 4-13 Summary of compliance findings for the Biodiversity conservation – Habitat trees Compliance Element Compliance Element Biodiversity Conservation - Habitat trees Total compliance 113 Total non-compliance 3 Non-compliance EIA breakdown Severe 0 Major 0 Moderate 0 Minor 1 Negligible 2 No impact 0 Non-compliances other than documentary issues were identified on three VicForests coupes. On two coupes, root balls had rolled downhill through retained habitat, one resulting in a Minor EIA risk rating, where the habitat was also serving as rainforest buffer (C20); and one resulting in a Negligible EIA risk rating (C5). The third non-compliance related to harvest debris and bark that had been pushed up around a tree marked to be retained for habitat, potentially compromising its long term survival (C6), which was determined as a Negligible EIA risk rating (Refer to Appendix K, Photograph 4). 42807504/01/01 31
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3.4 FLORA AND FAUNA GUARANTEE ACT 1
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The Fire Salvage Harvesting Prescri
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4 GLOSSARY Auditee Auditor Biodiver
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Annex A Electronic Toolbox CD FORES
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Prepared by Environmental Resources
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Forest Audit Program Toolbox Module
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CONTENTS 1 MODULE 5 - HARVESTING AN
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1 MODULE 5 - HARVESTING AND CLOSURE
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2 COMPLIANCE ELEMENTS The relevant
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• Identification of waterways and
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3 AUDIT APPROACH AND TOOLS An audit
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• Interviews, where appropriate,
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NFSG #13 - Native Forest Silvicultu
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Annex A Compliance Element Paramete
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It was identified that two coupes w
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Ref C1 EIA C2 EIA C3 EIA C4 EIA C5
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Module 5 - VicForests

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