Explanatory note

This Supplementary Order Paper amends the West Coast Wind-blown Timber (Conservation Lands) Bill to exclude areas of high ecological values from the designated area where logging could occur, and limiting logging to areas where Cyclone Ita has caused significant windthrow. It also imposes statutory conditions to restricts the removal of wind-thrown timber to helicopters and prohibit construction of new roads and logging access ways to protect to avoid such impacts and better protect conservation values.

The Bill as drafted prevents timber removal from occurring in some areas with high ecological values, including national parks and ecological areas. However, there are a number of other areas with high ecological values which were not excluded from logging. These include conservation parks, scenic reserves and wildlife management areas.

The Bill as drafted does not provide any threshold for wind blown damage before logging can be permitted. This would mean that areas that suffered little damage from Cyclone Ita, could be logged, with the few trees damaged by the cyclone removed. Logging should only occur where there is significant damage caused by Cyclone Ita. The Department of Conservation and Ministry for Primary Industries have mapped the areas where Cyclone Ita has caused significant wind-blown timber and these could be used to identify areas where logging could occur.

Indigenous vegetation dominates the forest areas affected by windthrow, with no or limited presence of exotic plants. Timber removal risks introducing exotic species via seeds on equipment and machinery used for logging and footwear. The establishment of plant pests such as Himalayan honeysuckle and broom in areas which are currently weed free reduces their ecological integrity, degrades conservation values, and creates future management costs for the Department. Steam cleaning of equipment and footwear can reduce this risk.

Ground extraction methods using heavy machinery such as skidders to remove logs cause significant damage to soil profiles, natural watercourses, and other healthy vegetation. Such methods compact the soil and impede regeneration, as well as disrupting natural drainage patterns. Road construction can involve significant clearance of indigenous vegetation including healthy trees.

This Supplementary Order Paper would—

• ensure that the removal of timber did not occur in areas that are known to have high ecological values:

• restrict logging to areas where Cyclone Ita resulted in significant damage and relatively high levels of wind-blown timber:

• prevent any authorisation being granted where there is a risk of introduction of exotic plants:

• restrict the method of removal of wind-thrown timber to helicopter extraction, and prohibit construction of new roads and logging access ways.