❓ WA Parliamentary Question on Notice regarding old growth forest mapping, conservation, and logging practices since the Regional Forest Agreement (RFA).
AnsweredQoN 1143Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(b) old growth forest in existing and approved formal conservation reserves, including formal reserves approved under the RFA; (c) old growth forest in existing and approved informal conservation reserves, including informal reserves approved under the RFA; (d) old growth forest available for logging in State forest; (e) unlogged forest disqualified as old growth forest and available for logging in State forest; and (f) negligibly disturbed forest disqualified as old growth forest and available for logging in State forest?
(c) old growth forest in existing and approved informal conservation reserves, including informal reserves approved under the RFA; (d) old growth forest available for logging in State forest; (e) unlogged forest disqualified as old growth forest and available for logging in State forest; and (f) negligibly disturbed forest disqualified as old growth forest and available for logging in State forest?
(d) old growth forest available for logging in State forest; (e) unlogged forest disqualified as old growth forest and available for logging in State forest; and (f) negligibly disturbed forest disqualified as old growth forest and available for logging in State forest?
(e) unlogged forest disqualified as old growth forest and available for logging in State forest; and (f) negligibly disturbed forest disqualified as old growth forest and available for logging in State forest?
(f) negligibly disturbed forest disqualified as old growth forest and available for logging in State forest?
(c) old growth forest in existing and approved informal conservation reserves, including informal reserves approved under the RFA; (d) old growth forest available for logging in State forest; (e) unlogged forest disqualified as old growth forest and available for logging in State forest; and (f) negligibly disturbed forest disqualified as old growth forest and available for logging in State forest?
(d) old growth forest available for logging in State forest; (e) unlogged forest disqualified as old growth forest and available for logging in State forest; and (f) negligibly disturbed forest disqualified as old growth forest and available for logging in State forest?
(e) unlogged forest disqualified as old growth forest and available for logging in State forest; and (f) negligibly disturbed forest disqualified as old growth forest and available for logging in State forest?
(f) negligibly disturbed forest disqualified as old growth forest and available for logging in State forest?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
16 October 2003
Responded by
Minister for Local Government and Regional Development representing the Minister for the Environment
Response time
58 days
(b) old growth forest in existing and approved formal conservation reserves, including formal reserves approved under the RFA and proposed under the Government’s ‘Protecting our old growth forests’ election policy; (c) old growth forest in existing and approved informal conservation reserves, including informal reserves approved under the RFA and proposed under the Government’s ‘Protecting our old growth forests’ election policy; (d) declassified old growth forest available for logging in State forest; (e) unlogged forest disqualified as old growth forest and available for logging in State forest; and (f) negligibly disturbed forest disqualified as old growth forest and available for logging in State forest?
(c) old growth forest in existing and approved informal conservation reserves, including informal reserves approved under the RFA and proposed under the Government’s ‘Protecting our old growth forests’ election policy; (d) declassified old growth forest available for logging in State forest; (e) unlogged forest disqualified as old growth forest and available for logging in State forest; and (f) negligibly disturbed forest disqualified as old growth forest and available for logging in State forest?
(d) declassified old growth forest available for logging in State forest; (e) unlogged forest disqualified as old growth forest and available for logging in State forest; and (f) negligibly disturbed forest disqualified as old growth forest and available for logging in State forest?
(e) unlogged forest disqualified as old growth forest and available for logging in State forest; and (f) negligibly disturbed forest disqualified as old growth forest and available for logging in State forest?
(f) negligibly disturbed forest disqualified as old growth forest and available for logging in State forest?
(b) who was in attendance; and (c) where are the details and outcomes of their inspection published?
(c) where are the details and outcomes of their inspection published?
(b) all areas previously classified as non-old growth now classified as old growth?
(1) (a) The total area of old-growth forest mapped to December 1997 and reported in the Regional Forest Agreement (RFA) was 347,082 hectares. Using the boundary of the proposed Forest Management Plan, the extent of old-growth on public land within the three forest regions was 345,900 hectares. (b) The area of old-growth forest within existing and proposed formal conservation reserves under the RFA was 214,579 hectares. Approximately 213,870 hectares of this total occurred on public land within the proposed Forest Management Plan boundary. (c) The area of old-growth forest within existing and proposed informal conservation reserves under the RFA was 31,172 hectares. Approximately 30,890 hectares of this total occurred on public land within the proposed Forest Management Plan boundary. (d) The area of old-growth forest available for timber harvesting under the RFA was 97,020 hectares. This included areas in State forest and timber reserves. Approximately 96,720 hectares of this total occurred within the proposed Forest Management Plan boundary. (e) Figures for this category were not separately generated when deriving the old-growth status for the RFA. As the tenure and other contributing datasets have changed considerably since the RFA, it is a complex and time-consuming task to attempt to reconstruct this information. (f) During the RFA approximately 25,000 hectares were inspected for possible inclusion in this category and approximately 2,800 hectares were subsequently classified as old-growth forest. (2) The various datasets that contributed to the determination of old-growth status in the RFA were current to December 1996, with areas on the 1997 indicative harvest plans assumed to be harvested to December 1997. Since 1997, there have been refinements of some data and routine updates arising from disturbance activities. These processes have given rise to patches of forest of varying extent being reclassified from old-growth status to non old-growth. While some changes had been made to the contributing datasets at the time of the State election, a resulting updated old-growth coverage had not been generated. The total area that has been reclassified from old-growth to non old-growth shown below is therefore for the period 1997 to December 2001, rather than from February to December 2001. These area statistics are for public land within the proposed Forest Management Plan boundary, and have been rounded to the nearest 10 hectares. Refinement of ecosystem records – 11,820 hectares Areas harvested 1997 to 2001 – 4,460 hectares Update of dieback mapping – 5,000 hectares Refinement of harvesting records – 15,120 hectares (3) No. (4) Approximately 6,660 hectares of the area in State forest and potentially available for timber harvesting, including 2,010 hectares that were harvested before the last State election and 140 hectares of reclassified non forest diverse ecotones. Consequently there would be about 4,510 ha available for harvesting during the term of the new FMP. A further 2,620 hectares are located on the other public land, for which a classification has not been determined and which includes about 470 ha on Unallocated Crown Land (UCL) which is potentially available for harvesting. However, the UCL is generally along streams and roads and fragmented in small patches which require investigation as to whether they are viable for harvesting. (5) The total area that has been reclassified from non old-growth to old-growth between 1997 and December 2001 under the same processes described in question (2) is as follows: Refinement of ecosystem records – 12,220 hectares Areas proposed but not harvested 1997 to 2001 – 2,110 hectares Update of dieback mapping – 880 hectares Refinement of harvesting records – 6,810 hectares (6) Yes. These areas occurred across both conservation reserve land categories and in State forest and timber reserves. Under the proposed Forest Management Plan, areas of old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission are set aside from timber harvesting either in formal or informal reserves. (7) Not applicable. See (6). (8) Following the National Forest Policy Statement (1992) definition of old-growth forest, the determination of old-growth status involved consideration of the disturbance history of areas together with the structure and condition of the forest. The definition of old-growth for each forest type and the criteria developed for mapping their extent have been previously published in Chapter 13 of the Comprehensive Regional Assessment (CRA) Volume 1 report (Commonwealth and Western Australian RFA Steering Committee, 1998). These were used in the subsequent refinement or update of datasets. Consequently, the reclassification of areas has arisen from the refinement of earlier records or the update of records that contribute to the determination of old-growth status, such as dieback occurrence, previous timber harvesting or mining extent. The rulesets applied when mapping these values followed standard operating procedures used in the RFA work (for consistency) and routine operations such as Phytophthora cinnamomi disease mapping. The occurrence of Phytophthora cinnamomi can alter the status of old-growth in forest that has not been previously harvested or disturbed. Mapping of disease presence in advance of soil disturbance operations is undertaken by accredited interpreters according to guidelines specified in an 88-page manual titled Phytophthora cinnamomi and disease caused by it. Volume 2 Interpreter guidelines for detection, diagnosis and mapping . A component of this mapping process involves the laboratory testing of tissue samples from plants expressing symptoms of the disease. A dieback front over at least 2 ha must be determined before an area is no longer classified as old-growth forest. Previous disturbance by timber harvesting can also alter the old-growth status of forest. During the pre-planning for timber harvesting operations, initial reconnaissance checks are undertaken to check the map records and ascertain if detailed survey is necessary. This field inspection involves checking for indicators of past disturbance such as the presence of stumps, old snig tracks or rail formations, the presence of regenerating cohorts from earlier harvest disturbance. A figure of one stump per hectare has been used to indicate if further detailed survey is required. These detailed surveys involve walking systematic, stripline transects spaced approximately 100 metres apart through the area to map the presence of multiple features. A minimum mapping unit of two hectares is used to retain consistency with the mapped resolution of other contributing datasets. (9) (a) The total area of old-growth within the three forest regions (Swan, South West and Warren) as at December 2001 under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 331,500 hectares. (b) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed formal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 307,380 hectares. (c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(b) The area of old-growth forest within existing and proposed formal conservation reserves under the RFA was 214,579 hectares. Approximately 213,870 hectares of this total occurred on public land within the proposed Forest Management Plan boundary. (c) The area of old-growth forest within existing and proposed informal conservation reserves under the RFA was 31,172 hectares. Approximately 30,890 hectares of this total occurred on public land within the proposed Forest Management Plan boundary. (d) The area of old-growth forest available for timber harvesting under the RFA was 97,020 hectares. This included areas in State forest and timber reserves. Approximately 96,720 hectares of this total occurred within the proposed Forest Management Plan boundary. (e) Figures for this category were not separately generated when deriving the old-growth status for the RFA. As the tenure and other contributing datasets have changed considerably since the RFA, it is a complex and time-consuming task to attempt to reconstruct this information. (f) During the RFA approximately 25,000 hectares were inspected for possible inclusion in this category and approximately 2,800 hectares were subsequently classified as old-growth forest. (2) The various datasets that contributed to the determination of old-growth status in the RFA were current to December 1996, with areas on the 1997 indicative harvest plans assumed to be harvested to December 1997. Since 1997, there have been refinements of some data and routine updates arising from disturbance activities. These processes have given rise to patches of forest of varying extent being reclassified from old-growth status to non old-growth. While some changes had been made to the contributing datasets at the time of the State election, a resulting updated old-growth coverage had not been generated. The total area that has been reclassified from old-growth to non old-growth shown below is therefore for the period 1997 to December 2001, rather than from February to December 2001. These area statistics are for public land within the proposed Forest Management Plan boundary, and have been rounded to the nearest 10 hectares. Refinement of ecosystem records – 11,820 hectares Areas harvested 1997 to 2001 – 4,460 hectares Update of dieback mapping – 5,000 hectares Refinement of harvesting records – 15,120 hectares (3) No. (4) Approximately 6,660 hectares of the area in State forest and potentially available for timber harvesting, including 2,010 hectares that were harvested before the last State election and 140 hectares of reclassified non forest diverse ecotones. Consequently there would be about 4,510 ha available for harvesting during the term of the new FMP. A further 2,620 hectares are located on the other public land, for which a classification has not been determined and which includes about 470 ha on Unallocated Crown Land (UCL) which is potentially available for harvesting. However, the UCL is generally along streams and roads and fragmented in small patches which require investigation as to whether they are viable for harvesting. (5) The total area that has been reclassified from non old-growth to old-growth between 1997 and December 2001 under the same processes described in question (2) is as follows: Refinement of ecosystem records – 12,220 hectares Areas proposed but not harvested 1997 to 2001 – 2,110 hectares Update of dieback mapping – 880 hectares Refinement of harvesting records – 6,810 hectares (6) Yes. These areas occurred across both conservation reserve land categories and in State forest and timber reserves. Under the proposed Forest Management Plan, areas of old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission are set aside from timber harvesting either in formal or informal reserves. (7) Not applicable. See (6). (8) Following the National Forest Policy Statement (1992) definition of old-growth forest, the determination of old-growth status involved consideration of the disturbance history of areas together with the structure and condition of the forest. The definition of old-growth for each forest type and the criteria developed for mapping their extent have been previously published in Chapter 13 of the Comprehensive Regional Assessment (CRA) Volume 1 report (Commonwealth and Western Australian RFA Steering Committee, 1998). These were used in the subsequent refinement or update of datasets. Consequently, the reclassification of areas has arisen from the refinement of earlier records or the update of records that contribute to the determination of old-growth status, such as dieback occurrence, previous timber harvesting or mining extent. The rulesets applied when mapping these values followed standard operating procedures used in the RFA work (for consistency) and routine operations such as Phytophthora cinnamomi disease mapping. The occurrence of Phytophthora cinnamomi can alter the status of old-growth in forest that has not been previously harvested or disturbed. Mapping of disease presence in advance of soil disturbance operations is undertaken by accredited interpreters according to guidelines specified in an 88-page manual titled Phytophthora cinnamomi and disease caused by it. Volume 2 Interpreter guidelines for detection, diagnosis and mapping . A component of this mapping process involves the laboratory testing of tissue samples from plants expressing symptoms of the disease. A dieback front over at least 2 ha must be determined before an area is no longer classified as old-growth forest. Previous disturbance by timber harvesting can also alter the old-growth status of forest. During the pre-planning for timber harvesting operations, initial reconnaissance checks are undertaken to check the map records and ascertain if detailed survey is necessary. This field inspection involves checking for indicators of past disturbance such as the presence of stumps, old snig tracks or rail formations, the presence of regenerating cohorts from earlier harvest disturbance. A figure of one stump per hectare has been used to indicate if further detailed survey is required. These detailed surveys involve walking systematic, stripline transects spaced approximately 100 metres apart through the area to map the presence of multiple features. A minimum mapping unit of two hectares is used to retain consistency with the mapped resolution of other contributing datasets. (9) (a) The total area of old-growth within the three forest regions (Swan, South West and Warren) as at December 2001 under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 331,500 hectares. (b) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed formal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 307,380 hectares. (c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(c) The area of old-growth forest within existing and proposed informal conservation reserves under the RFA was 31,172 hectares. Approximately 30,890 hectares of this total occurred on public land within the proposed Forest Management Plan boundary. (d) The area of old-growth forest available for timber harvesting under the RFA was 97,020 hectares. This included areas in State forest and timber reserves. Approximately 96,720 hectares of this total occurred within the proposed Forest Management Plan boundary. (e) Figures for this category were not separately generated when deriving the old-growth status for the RFA. As the tenure and other contributing datasets have changed considerably since the RFA, it is a complex and time-consuming task to attempt to reconstruct this information. (f) During the RFA approximately 25,000 hectares were inspected for possible inclusion in this category and approximately 2,800 hectares were subsequently classified as old-growth forest. (2) The various datasets that contributed to the determination of old-growth status in the RFA were current to December 1996, with areas on the 1997 indicative harvest plans assumed to be harvested to December 1997. Since 1997, there have been refinements of some data and routine updates arising from disturbance activities. These processes have given rise to patches of forest of varying extent being reclassified from old-growth status to non old-growth. While some changes had been made to the contributing datasets at the time of the State election, a resulting updated old-growth coverage had not been generated. The total area that has been reclassified from old-growth to non old-growth shown below is therefore for the period 1997 to December 2001, rather than from February to December 2001. These area statistics are for public land within the proposed Forest Management Plan boundary, and have been rounded to the nearest 10 hectares. Refinement of ecosystem records – 11,820 hectares Areas harvested 1997 to 2001 – 4,460 hectares Update of dieback mapping – 5,000 hectares Refinement of harvesting records – 15,120 hectares (3) No. (4) Approximately 6,660 hectares of the area in State forest and potentially available for timber harvesting, including 2,010 hectares that were harvested before the last State election and 140 hectares of reclassified non forest diverse ecotones. Consequently there would be about 4,510 ha available for harvesting during the term of the new FMP. A further 2,620 hectares are located on the other public land, for which a classification has not been determined and which includes about 470 ha on Unallocated Crown Land (UCL) which is potentially available for harvesting. However, the UCL is generally along streams and roads and fragmented in small patches which require investigation as to whether they are viable for harvesting. (5) The total area that has been reclassified from non old-growth to old-growth between 1997 and December 2001 under the same processes described in question (2) is as follows: Refinement of ecosystem records – 12,220 hectares Areas proposed but not harvested 1997 to 2001 – 2,110 hectares Update of dieback mapping – 880 hectares Refinement of harvesting records – 6,810 hectares (6) Yes. These areas occurred across both conservation reserve land categories and in State forest and timber reserves. Under the proposed Forest Management Plan, areas of old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission are set aside from timber harvesting either in formal or informal reserves. (7) Not applicable. See (6). (8) Following the National Forest Policy Statement (1992) definition of old-growth forest, the determination of old-growth status involved consideration of the disturbance history of areas together with the structure and condition of the forest. The definition of old-growth for each forest type and the criteria developed for mapping their extent have been previously published in Chapter 13 of the Comprehensive Regional Assessment (CRA) Volume 1 report (Commonwealth and Western Australian RFA Steering Committee, 1998). These were used in the subsequent refinement or update of datasets. Consequently, the reclassification of areas has arisen from the refinement of earlier records or the update of records that contribute to the determination of old-growth status, such as dieback occurrence, previous timber harvesting or mining extent. The rulesets applied when mapping these values followed standard operating procedures used in the RFA work (for consistency) and routine operations such as Phytophthora cinnamomi disease mapping. The occurrence of Phytophthora cinnamomi can alter the status of old-growth in forest that has not been previously harvested or disturbed. Mapping of disease presence in advance of soil disturbance operations is undertaken by accredited interpreters according to guidelines specified in an 88-page manual titled Phytophthora cinnamomi and disease caused by it. Volume 2 Interpreter guidelines for detection, diagnosis and mapping . A component of this mapping process involves the laboratory testing of tissue samples from plants expressing symptoms of the disease. A dieback front over at least 2 ha must be determined before an area is no longer classified as old-growth forest. Previous disturbance by timber harvesting can also alter the old-growth status of forest. During the pre-planning for timber harvesting operations, initial reconnaissance checks are undertaken to check the map records and ascertain if detailed survey is necessary. This field inspection involves checking for indicators of past disturbance such as the presence of stumps, old snig tracks or rail formations, the presence of regenerating cohorts from earlier harvest disturbance. A figure of one stump per hectare has been used to indicate if further detailed survey is required. These detailed surveys involve walking systematic, stripline transects spaced approximately 100 metres apart through the area to map the presence of multiple features. A minimum mapping unit of two hectares is used to retain consistency with the mapped resolution of other contributing datasets. (9) (a) The total area of old-growth within the three forest regions (Swan, South West and Warren) as at December 2001 under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 331,500 hectares. (b) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed formal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 307,380 hectares. (c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(d) The area of old-growth forest available for timber harvesting under the RFA was 97,020 hectares. This included areas in State forest and timber reserves. Approximately 96,720 hectares of this total occurred within the proposed Forest Management Plan boundary. (e) Figures for this category were not separately generated when deriving the old-growth status for the RFA. As the tenure and other contributing datasets have changed considerably since the RFA, it is a complex and time-consuming task to attempt to reconstruct this information. (f) During the RFA approximately 25,000 hectares were inspected for possible inclusion in this category and approximately 2,800 hectares were subsequently classified as old-growth forest. (2) The various datasets that contributed to the determination of old-growth status in the RFA were current to December 1996, with areas on the 1997 indicative harvest plans assumed to be harvested to December 1997. Since 1997, there have been refinements of some data and routine updates arising from disturbance activities. These processes have given rise to patches of forest of varying extent being reclassified from old-growth status to non old-growth. While some changes had been made to the contributing datasets at the time of the State election, a resulting updated old-growth coverage had not been generated. The total area that has been reclassified from old-growth to non old-growth shown below is therefore for the period 1997 to December 2001, rather than from February to December 2001. These area statistics are for public land within the proposed Forest Management Plan boundary, and have been rounded to the nearest 10 hectares. Refinement of ecosystem records – 11,820 hectares Areas harvested 1997 to 2001 – 4,460 hectares Update of dieback mapping – 5,000 hectares Refinement of harvesting records – 15,120 hectares (3) No. (4) Approximately 6,660 hectares of the area in State forest and potentially available for timber harvesting, including 2,010 hectares that were harvested before the last State election and 140 hectares of reclassified non forest diverse ecotones. Consequently there would be about 4,510 ha available for harvesting during the term of the new FMP. A further 2,620 hectares are located on the other public land, for which a classification has not been determined and which includes about 470 ha on Unallocated Crown Land (UCL) which is potentially available for harvesting. However, the UCL is generally along streams and roads and fragmented in small patches which require investigation as to whether they are viable for harvesting. (5) The total area that has been reclassified from non old-growth to old-growth between 1997 and December 2001 under the same processes described in question (2) is as follows: Refinement of ecosystem records – 12,220 hectares Areas proposed but not harvested 1997 to 2001 – 2,110 hectares Update of dieback mapping – 880 hectares Refinement of harvesting records – 6,810 hectares (6) Yes. These areas occurred across both conservation reserve land categories and in State forest and timber reserves. Under the proposed Forest Management Plan, areas of old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission are set aside from timber harvesting either in formal or informal reserves. (7) Not applicable. See (6). (8) Following the National Forest Policy Statement (1992) definition of old-growth forest, the determination of old-growth status involved consideration of the disturbance history of areas together with the structure and condition of the forest. The definition of old-growth for each forest type and the criteria developed for mapping their extent have been previously published in Chapter 13 of the Comprehensive Regional Assessment (CRA) Volume 1 report (Commonwealth and Western Australian RFA Steering Committee, 1998). These were used in the subsequent refinement or update of datasets. Consequently, the reclassification of areas has arisen from the refinement of earlier records or the update of records that contribute to the determination of old-growth status, such as dieback occurrence, previous timber harvesting or mining extent. The rulesets applied when mapping these values followed standard operating procedures used in the RFA work (for consistency) and routine operations such as Phytophthora cinnamomi disease mapping. The occurrence of Phytophthora cinnamomi can alter the status of old-growth in forest that has not been previously harvested or disturbed. Mapping of disease presence in advance of soil disturbance operations is undertaken by accredited interpreters according to guidelines specified in an 88-page manual titled Phytophthora cinnamomi and disease caused by it. Volume 2 Interpreter guidelines for detection, diagnosis and mapping . A component of this mapping process involves the laboratory testing of tissue samples from plants expressing symptoms of the disease. A dieback front over at least 2 ha must be determined before an area is no longer classified as old-growth forest. Previous disturbance by timber harvesting can also alter the old-growth status of forest. During the pre-planning for timber harvesting operations, initial reconnaissance checks are undertaken to check the map records and ascertain if detailed survey is necessary. This field inspection involves checking for indicators of past disturbance such as the presence of stumps, old snig tracks or rail formations, the presence of regenerating cohorts from earlier harvest disturbance. A figure of one stump per hectare has been used to indicate if further detailed survey is required. These detailed surveys involve walking systematic, stripline transects spaced approximately 100 metres apart through the area to map the presence of multiple features. A minimum mapping unit of two hectares is used to retain consistency with the mapped resolution of other contributing datasets. (9) (a) The total area of old-growth within the three forest regions (Swan, South West and Warren) as at December 2001 under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 331,500 hectares. (b) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed formal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 307,380 hectares. (c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(e) Figures for this category were not separately generated when deriving the old-growth status for the RFA. As the tenure and other contributing datasets have changed considerably since the RFA, it is a complex and time-consuming task to attempt to reconstruct this information. (f) During the RFA approximately 25,000 hectares were inspected for possible inclusion in this category and approximately 2,800 hectares were subsequently classified as old-growth forest. (2) The various datasets that contributed to the determination of old-growth status in the RFA were current to December 1996, with areas on the 1997 indicative harvest plans assumed to be harvested to December 1997. Since 1997, there have been refinements of some data and routine updates arising from disturbance activities. These processes have given rise to patches of forest of varying extent being reclassified from old-growth status to non old-growth. While some changes had been made to the contributing datasets at the time of the State election, a resulting updated old-growth coverage had not been generated. The total area that has been reclassified from old-growth to non old-growth shown below is therefore for the period 1997 to December 2001, rather than from February to December 2001. These area statistics are for public land within the proposed Forest Management Plan boundary, and have been rounded to the nearest 10 hectares. Refinement of ecosystem records – 11,820 hectares Areas harvested 1997 to 2001 – 4,460 hectares Update of dieback mapping – 5,000 hectares Refinement of harvesting records – 15,120 hectares (3) No. (4) Approximately 6,660 hectares of the area in State forest and potentially available for timber harvesting, including 2,010 hectares that were harvested before the last State election and 140 hectares of reclassified non forest diverse ecotones. Consequently there would be about 4,510 ha available for harvesting during the term of the new FMP. A further 2,620 hectares are located on the other public land, for which a classification has not been determined and which includes about 470 ha on Unallocated Crown Land (UCL) which is potentially available for harvesting. However, the UCL is generally along streams and roads and fragmented in small patches which require investigation as to whether they are viable for harvesting. (5) The total area that has been reclassified from non old-growth to old-growth between 1997 and December 2001 under the same processes described in question (2) is as follows: Refinement of ecosystem records – 12,220 hectares Areas proposed but not harvested 1997 to 2001 – 2,110 hectares Update of dieback mapping – 880 hectares Refinement of harvesting records – 6,810 hectares (6) Yes. These areas occurred across both conservation reserve land categories and in State forest and timber reserves. Under the proposed Forest Management Plan, areas of old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission are set aside from timber harvesting either in formal or informal reserves. (7) Not applicable. See (6). (8) Following the National Forest Policy Statement (1992) definition of old-growth forest, the determination of old-growth status involved consideration of the disturbance history of areas together with the structure and condition of the forest. The definition of old-growth for each forest type and the criteria developed for mapping their extent have been previously published in Chapter 13 of the Comprehensive Regional Assessment (CRA) Volume 1 report (Commonwealth and Western Australian RFA Steering Committee, 1998). These were used in the subsequent refinement or update of datasets. Consequently, the reclassification of areas has arisen from the refinement of earlier records or the update of records that contribute to the determination of old-growth status, such as dieback occurrence, previous timber harvesting or mining extent. The rulesets applied when mapping these values followed standard operating procedures used in the RFA work (for consistency) and routine operations such as Phytophthora cinnamomi disease mapping. The occurrence of Phytophthora cinnamomi can alter the status of old-growth in forest that has not been previously harvested or disturbed. Mapping of disease presence in advance of soil disturbance operations is undertaken by accredited interpreters according to guidelines specified in an 88-page manual titled Phytophthora cinnamomi and disease caused by it. Volume 2 Interpreter guidelines for detection, diagnosis and mapping . A component of this mapping process involves the laboratory testing of tissue samples from plants expressing symptoms of the disease. A dieback front over at least 2 ha must be determined before an area is no longer classified as old-growth forest. Previous disturbance by timber harvesting can also alter the old-growth status of forest. During the pre-planning for timber harvesting operations, initial reconnaissance checks are undertaken to check the map records and ascertain if detailed survey is necessary. This field inspection involves checking for indicators of past disturbance such as the presence of stumps, old snig tracks or rail formations, the presence of regenerating cohorts from earlier harvest disturbance. A figure of one stump per hectare has been used to indicate if further detailed survey is required. These detailed surveys involve walking systematic, stripline transects spaced approximately 100 metres apart through the area to map the presence of multiple features. A minimum mapping unit of two hectares is used to retain consistency with the mapped resolution of other contributing datasets. (9) (a) The total area of old-growth within the three forest regions (Swan, South West and Warren) as at December 2001 under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 331,500 hectares. (b) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed formal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 307,380 hectares. (c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(f) During the RFA approximately 25,000 hectares were inspected for possible inclusion in this category and approximately 2,800 hectares were subsequently classified as old-growth forest. (2) The various datasets that contributed to the determination of old-growth status in the RFA were current to December 1996, with areas on the 1997 indicative harvest plans assumed to be harvested to December 1997. Since 1997, there have been refinements of some data and routine updates arising from disturbance activities. These processes have given rise to patches of forest of varying extent being reclassified from old-growth status to non old-growth. While some changes had been made to the contributing datasets at the time of the State election, a resulting updated old-growth coverage had not been generated. The total area that has been reclassified from old-growth to non old-growth shown below is therefore for the period 1997 to December 2001, rather than from February to December 2001. These area statistics are for public land within the proposed Forest Management Plan boundary, and have been rounded to the nearest 10 hectares. Refinement of ecosystem records – 11,820 hectares Areas harvested 1997 to 2001 – 4,460 hectares Update of dieback mapping – 5,000 hectares Refinement of harvesting records – 15,120 hectares (3) No. (4) Approximately 6,660 hectares of the area in State forest and potentially available for timber harvesting, including 2,010 hectares that were harvested before the last State election and 140 hectares of reclassified non forest diverse ecotones. Consequently there would be about 4,510 ha available for harvesting during the term of the new FMP. A further 2,620 hectares are located on the other public land, for which a classification has not been determined and which includes about 470 ha on Unallocated Crown Land (UCL) which is potentially available for harvesting. However, the UCL is generally along streams and roads and fragmented in small patches which require investigation as to whether they are viable for harvesting. (5) The total area that has been reclassified from non old-growth to old-growth between 1997 and December 2001 under the same processes described in question (2) is as follows: Refinement of ecosystem records – 12,220 hectares Areas proposed but not harvested 1997 to 2001 – 2,110 hectares Update of dieback mapping – 880 hectares Refinement of harvesting records – 6,810 hectares (6) Yes. These areas occurred across both conservation reserve land categories and in State forest and timber reserves. Under the proposed Forest Management Plan, areas of old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission are set aside from timber harvesting either in formal or informal reserves. (7) Not applicable. See (6). (8) Following the National Forest Policy Statement (1992) definition of old-growth forest, the determination of old-growth status involved consideration of the disturbance history of areas together with the structure and condition of the forest. The definition of old-growth for each forest type and the criteria developed for mapping their extent have been previously published in Chapter 13 of the Comprehensive Regional Assessment (CRA) Volume 1 report (Commonwealth and Western Australian RFA Steering Committee, 1998). These were used in the subsequent refinement or update of datasets. Consequently, the reclassification of areas has arisen from the refinement of earlier records or the update of records that contribute to the determination of old-growth status, such as dieback occurrence, previous timber harvesting or mining extent. The rulesets applied when mapping these values followed standard operating procedures used in the RFA work (for consistency) and routine operations such as Phytophthora cinnamomi disease mapping. The occurrence of Phytophthora cinnamomi can alter the status of old-growth in forest that has not been previously harvested or disturbed. Mapping of disease presence in advance of soil disturbance operations is undertaken by accredited interpreters according to guidelines specified in an 88-page manual titled Phytophthora cinnamomi and disease caused by it. Volume 2 Interpreter guidelines for detection, diagnosis and mapping . A component of this mapping process involves the laboratory testing of tissue samples from plants expressing symptoms of the disease. A dieback front over at least 2 ha must be determined before an area is no longer classified as old-growth forest. Previous disturbance by timber harvesting can also alter the old-growth status of forest. During the pre-planning for timber harvesting operations, initial reconnaissance checks are undertaken to check the map records and ascertain if detailed survey is necessary. This field inspection involves checking for indicators of past disturbance such as the presence of stumps, old snig tracks or rail formations, the presence of regenerating cohorts from earlier harvest disturbance. A figure of one stump per hectare has been used to indicate if further detailed survey is required. These detailed surveys involve walking systematic, stripline transects spaced approximately 100 metres apart through the area to map the presence of multiple features. A minimum mapping unit of two hectares is used to retain consistency with the mapped resolution of other contributing datasets. (9) (a) The total area of old-growth within the three forest regions (Swan, South West and Warren) as at December 2001 under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 331,500 hectares. (b) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed formal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 307,380 hectares. (c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(2) The various datasets that contributed to the determination of old-growth status in the RFA were current to December 1996, with areas on the 1997 indicative harvest plans assumed to be harvested to December 1997. Since 1997, there have been refinements of some data and routine updates arising from disturbance activities. These processes have given rise to patches of forest of varying extent being reclassified from old-growth status to non old-growth. While some changes had been made to the contributing datasets at the time of the State election, a resulting updated old-growth coverage had not been generated. The total area that has been reclassified from old-growth to non old-growth shown below is therefore for the period 1997 to December 2001, rather than from February to December 2001. These area statistics are for public land within the proposed Forest Management Plan boundary, and have been rounded to the nearest 10 hectares. Refinement of ecosystem records – 11,820 hectares Areas harvested 1997 to 2001 – 4,460 hectares Update of dieback mapping – 5,000 hectares Refinement of harvesting records – 15,120 hectares (3) No. (4) Approximately 6,660 hectares of the area in State forest and potentially available for timber harvesting, including 2,010 hectares that were harvested before the last State election and 140 hectares of reclassified non forest diverse ecotones. Consequently there would be about 4,510 ha available for harvesting during the term of the new FMP. A further 2,620 hectares are located on the other public land, for which a classification has not been determined and which includes about 470 ha on Unallocated Crown Land (UCL) which is potentially available for harvesting. However, the UCL is generally along streams and roads and fragmented in small patches which require investigation as to whether they are viable for harvesting. (5) The total area that has been reclassified from non old-growth to old-growth between 1997 and December 2001 under the same processes described in question (2) is as follows: Refinement of ecosystem records – 12,220 hectares Areas proposed but not harvested 1997 to 2001 – 2,110 hectares Update of dieback mapping – 880 hectares Refinement of harvesting records – 6,810 hectares (6) Yes. These areas occurred across both conservation reserve land categories and in State forest and timber reserves. Under the proposed Forest Management Plan, areas of old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission are set aside from timber harvesting either in formal or informal reserves. (7) Not applicable. See (6). (8) Following the National Forest Policy Statement (1992) definition of old-growth forest, the determination of old-growth status involved consideration of the disturbance history of areas together with the structure and condition of the forest. The definition of old-growth for each forest type and the criteria developed for mapping their extent have been previously published in Chapter 13 of the Comprehensive Regional Assessment (CRA) Volume 1 report (Commonwealth and Western Australian RFA Steering Committee, 1998). These were used in the subsequent refinement or update of datasets. Consequently, the reclassification of areas has arisen from the refinement of earlier records or the update of records that contribute to the determination of old-growth status, such as dieback occurrence, previous timber harvesting or mining extent. The rulesets applied when mapping these values followed standard operating procedures used in the RFA work (for consistency) and routine operations such as Phytophthora cinnamomi disease mapping. The occurrence of Phytophthora cinnamomi can alter the status of old-growth in forest that has not been previously harvested or disturbed. Mapping of disease presence in advance of soil disturbance operations is undertaken by accredited interpreters according to guidelines specified in an 88-page manual titled Phytophthora cinnamomi and disease caused by it. Volume 2 Interpreter guidelines for detection, diagnosis and mapping . A component of this mapping process involves the laboratory testing of tissue samples from plants expressing symptoms of the disease. A dieback front over at least 2 ha must be determined before an area is no longer classified as old-growth forest. Previous disturbance by timber harvesting can also alter the old-growth status of forest. During the pre-planning for timber harvesting operations, initial reconnaissance checks are undertaken to check the map records and ascertain if detailed survey is necessary. This field inspection involves checking for indicators of past disturbance such as the presence of stumps, old snig tracks or rail formations, the presence of regenerating cohorts from earlier harvest disturbance. A figure of one stump per hectare has been used to indicate if further detailed survey is required. These detailed surveys involve walking systematic, stripline transects spaced approximately 100 metres apart through the area to map the presence of multiple features. A minimum mapping unit of two hectares is used to retain consistency with the mapped resolution of other contributing datasets. (9) (a) The total area of old-growth within the three forest regions (Swan, South West and Warren) as at December 2001 under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 331,500 hectares. (b) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed formal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 307,380 hectares. (c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
Refinement of ecosystem records – 11,820 hectares Areas harvested 1997 to 2001 – 4,460 hectares Update of dieback mapping – 5,000 hectares Refinement of harvesting records – 15,120 hectares (3) No. (4) Approximately 6,660 hectares of the area in State forest and potentially available for timber harvesting, including 2,010 hectares that were harvested before the last State election and 140 hectares of reclassified non forest diverse ecotones. Consequently there would be about 4,510 ha available for harvesting during the term of the new FMP. A further 2,620 hectares are located on the other public land, for which a classification has not been determined and which includes about 470 ha on Unallocated Crown Land (UCL) which is potentially available for harvesting. However, the UCL is generally along streams and roads and fragmented in small patches which require investigation as to whether they are viable for harvesting. (5) The total area that has been reclassified from non old-growth to old-growth between 1997 and December 2001 under the same processes described in question (2) is as follows: Refinement of ecosystem records – 12,220 hectares Areas proposed but not harvested 1997 to 2001 – 2,110 hectares Update of dieback mapping – 880 hectares Refinement of harvesting records – 6,810 hectares (6) Yes. These areas occurred across both conservation reserve land categories and in State forest and timber reserves. Under the proposed Forest Management Plan, areas of old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission are set aside from timber harvesting either in formal or informal reserves. (7) Not applicable. See (6). (8) Following the National Forest Policy Statement (1992) definition of old-growth forest, the determination of old-growth status involved consideration of the disturbance history of areas together with the structure and condition of the forest. The definition of old-growth for each forest type and the criteria developed for mapping their extent have been previously published in Chapter 13 of the Comprehensive Regional Assessment (CRA) Volume 1 report (Commonwealth and Western Australian RFA Steering Committee, 1998). These were used in the subsequent refinement or update of datasets. Consequently, the reclassification of areas has arisen from the refinement of earlier records or the update of records that contribute to the determination of old-growth status, such as dieback occurrence, previous timber harvesting or mining extent. The rulesets applied when mapping these values followed standard operating procedures used in the RFA work (for consistency) and routine operations such as Phytophthora cinnamomi disease mapping. The occurrence of Phytophthora cinnamomi can alter the status of old-growth in forest that has not been previously harvested or disturbed. Mapping of disease presence in advance of soil disturbance operations is undertaken by accredited interpreters according to guidelines specified in an 88-page manual titled Phytophthora cinnamomi and disease caused by it. Volume 2 Interpreter guidelines for detection, diagnosis and mapping . A component of this mapping process involves the laboratory testing of tissue samples from plants expressing symptoms of the disease. A dieback front over at least 2 ha must be determined before an area is no longer classified as old-growth forest. Previous disturbance by timber harvesting can also alter the old-growth status of forest. During the pre-planning for timber harvesting operations, initial reconnaissance checks are undertaken to check the map records and ascertain if detailed survey is necessary. This field inspection involves checking for indicators of past disturbance such as the presence of stumps, old snig tracks or rail formations, the presence of regenerating cohorts from earlier harvest disturbance. A figure of one stump per hectare has been used to indicate if further detailed survey is required. These detailed surveys involve walking systematic, stripline transects spaced approximately 100 metres apart through the area to map the presence of multiple features. A minimum mapping unit of two hectares is used to retain consistency with the mapped resolution of other contributing datasets. (9) (a) The total area of old-growth within the three forest regions (Swan, South West and Warren) as at December 2001 under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 331,500 hectares. (b) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed formal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 307,380 hectares. (c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(3) No. (4) Approximately 6,660 hectares of the area in State forest and potentially available for timber harvesting, including 2,010 hectares that were harvested before the last State election and 140 hectares of reclassified non forest diverse ecotones. Consequently there would be about 4,510 ha available for harvesting during the term of the new FMP. A further 2,620 hectares are located on the other public land, for which a classification has not been determined and which includes about 470 ha on Unallocated Crown Land (UCL) which is potentially available for harvesting. However, the UCL is generally along streams and roads and fragmented in small patches which require investigation as to whether they are viable for harvesting. (5) The total area that has been reclassified from non old-growth to old-growth between 1997 and December 2001 under the same processes described in question (2) is as follows: Refinement of ecosystem records – 12,220 hectares Areas proposed but not harvested 1997 to 2001 – 2,110 hectares Update of dieback mapping – 880 hectares Refinement of harvesting records – 6,810 hectares (6) Yes. These areas occurred across both conservation reserve land categories and in State forest and timber reserves. Under the proposed Forest Management Plan, areas of old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission are set aside from timber harvesting either in formal or informal reserves. (7) Not applicable. See (6). (8) Following the National Forest Policy Statement (1992) definition of old-growth forest, the determination of old-growth status involved consideration of the disturbance history of areas together with the structure and condition of the forest. The definition of old-growth for each forest type and the criteria developed for mapping their extent have been previously published in Chapter 13 of the Comprehensive Regional Assessment (CRA) Volume 1 report (Commonwealth and Western Australian RFA Steering Committee, 1998). These were used in the subsequent refinement or update of datasets. Consequently, the reclassification of areas has arisen from the refinement of earlier records or the update of records that contribute to the determination of old-growth status, such as dieback occurrence, previous timber harvesting or mining extent. The rulesets applied when mapping these values followed standard operating procedures used in the RFA work (for consistency) and routine operations such as Phytophthora cinnamomi disease mapping. The occurrence of Phytophthora cinnamomi can alter the status of old-growth in forest that has not been previously harvested or disturbed. Mapping of disease presence in advance of soil disturbance operations is undertaken by accredited interpreters according to guidelines specified in an 88-page manual titled Phytophthora cinnamomi and disease caused by it. Volume 2 Interpreter guidelines for detection, diagnosis and mapping . A component of this mapping process involves the laboratory testing of tissue samples from plants expressing symptoms of the disease. A dieback front over at least 2 ha must be determined before an area is no longer classified as old-growth forest. Previous disturbance by timber harvesting can also alter the old-growth status of forest. During the pre-planning for timber harvesting operations, initial reconnaissance checks are undertaken to check the map records and ascertain if detailed survey is necessary. This field inspection involves checking for indicators of past disturbance such as the presence of stumps, old snig tracks or rail formations, the presence of regenerating cohorts from earlier harvest disturbance. A figure of one stump per hectare has been used to indicate if further detailed survey is required. These detailed surveys involve walking systematic, stripline transects spaced approximately 100 metres apart through the area to map the presence of multiple features. A minimum mapping unit of two hectares is used to retain consistency with the mapped resolution of other contributing datasets. (9) (a) The total area of old-growth within the three forest regions (Swan, South West and Warren) as at December 2001 under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 331,500 hectares. (b) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed formal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 307,380 hectares. (c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(4) Approximately 6,660 hectares of the area in State forest and potentially available for timber harvesting, including 2,010 hectares that were harvested before the last State election and 140 hectares of reclassified non forest diverse ecotones. Consequently there would be about 4,510 ha available for harvesting during the term of the new FMP. A further 2,620 hectares are located on the other public land, for which a classification has not been determined and which includes about 470 ha on Unallocated Crown Land (UCL) which is potentially available for harvesting. However, the UCL is generally along streams and roads and fragmented in small patches which require investigation as to whether they are viable for harvesting. (5) The total area that has been reclassified from non old-growth to old-growth between 1997 and December 2001 under the same processes described in question (2) is as follows: Refinement of ecosystem records – 12,220 hectares Areas proposed but not harvested 1997 to 2001 – 2,110 hectares Update of dieback mapping – 880 hectares Refinement of harvesting records – 6,810 hectares (6) Yes. These areas occurred across both conservation reserve land categories and in State forest and timber reserves. Under the proposed Forest Management Plan, areas of old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission are set aside from timber harvesting either in formal or informal reserves. (7) Not applicable. See (6). (8) Following the National Forest Policy Statement (1992) definition of old-growth forest, the determination of old-growth status involved consideration of the disturbance history of areas together with the structure and condition of the forest. The definition of old-growth for each forest type and the criteria developed for mapping their extent have been previously published in Chapter 13 of the Comprehensive Regional Assessment (CRA) Volume 1 report (Commonwealth and Western Australian RFA Steering Committee, 1998). These were used in the subsequent refinement or update of datasets. Consequently, the reclassification of areas has arisen from the refinement of earlier records or the update of records that contribute to the determination of old-growth status, such as dieback occurrence, previous timber harvesting or mining extent. The rulesets applied when mapping these values followed standard operating procedures used in the RFA work (for consistency) and routine operations such as Phytophthora cinnamomi disease mapping. The occurrence of Phytophthora cinnamomi can alter the status of old-growth in forest that has not been previously harvested or disturbed. Mapping of disease presence in advance of soil disturbance operations is undertaken by accredited interpreters according to guidelines specified in an 88-page manual titled Phytophthora cinnamomi and disease caused by it. Volume 2 Interpreter guidelines for detection, diagnosis and mapping . A component of this mapping process involves the laboratory testing of tissue samples from plants expressing symptoms of the disease. A dieback front over at least 2 ha must be determined before an area is no longer classified as old-growth forest. Previous disturbance by timber harvesting can also alter the old-growth status of forest. During the pre-planning for timber harvesting operations, initial reconnaissance checks are undertaken to check the map records and ascertain if detailed survey is necessary. This field inspection involves checking for indicators of past disturbance such as the presence of stumps, old snig tracks or rail formations, the presence of regenerating cohorts from earlier harvest disturbance. A figure of one stump per hectare has been used to indicate if further detailed survey is required. These detailed surveys involve walking systematic, stripline transects spaced approximately 100 metres apart through the area to map the presence of multiple features. A minimum mapping unit of two hectares is used to retain consistency with the mapped resolution of other contributing datasets. (9) (a) The total area of old-growth within the three forest regions (Swan, South West and Warren) as at December 2001 under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 331,500 hectares. (b) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed formal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 307,380 hectares. (c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
A further 2,620 hectares are located on the other public land, for which a classification has not been determined and which includes about 470 ha on Unallocated Crown Land (UCL) which is potentially available for harvesting. However, the UCL is generally along streams and roads and fragmented in small patches which require investigation as to whether they are viable for harvesting. (5) The total area that has been reclassified from non old-growth to old-growth between 1997 and December 2001 under the same processes described in question (2) is as follows: Refinement of ecosystem records – 12,220 hectares Areas proposed but not harvested 1997 to 2001 – 2,110 hectares Update of dieback mapping – 880 hectares Refinement of harvesting records – 6,810 hectares (6) Yes. These areas occurred across both conservation reserve land categories and in State forest and timber reserves. Under the proposed Forest Management Plan, areas of old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission are set aside from timber harvesting either in formal or informal reserves. (7) Not applicable. See (6). (8) Following the National Forest Policy Statement (1992) definition of old-growth forest, the determination of old-growth status involved consideration of the disturbance history of areas together with the structure and condition of the forest. The definition of old-growth for each forest type and the criteria developed for mapping their extent have been previously published in Chapter 13 of the Comprehensive Regional Assessment (CRA) Volume 1 report (Commonwealth and Western Australian RFA Steering Committee, 1998). These were used in the subsequent refinement or update of datasets. Consequently, the reclassification of areas has arisen from the refinement of earlier records or the update of records that contribute to the determination of old-growth status, such as dieback occurrence, previous timber harvesting or mining extent. The rulesets applied when mapping these values followed standard operating procedures used in the RFA work (for consistency) and routine operations such as Phytophthora cinnamomi disease mapping. The occurrence of Phytophthora cinnamomi can alter the status of old-growth in forest that has not been previously harvested or disturbed. Mapping of disease presence in advance of soil disturbance operations is undertaken by accredited interpreters according to guidelines specified in an 88-page manual titled Phytophthora cinnamomi and disease caused by it. Volume 2 Interpreter guidelines for detection, diagnosis and mapping . A component of this mapping process involves the laboratory testing of tissue samples from plants expressing symptoms of the disease. A dieback front over at least 2 ha must be determined before an area is no longer classified as old-growth forest. Previous disturbance by timber harvesting can also alter the old-growth status of forest. During the pre-planning for timber harvesting operations, initial reconnaissance checks are undertaken to check the map records and ascertain if detailed survey is necessary. This field inspection involves checking for indicators of past disturbance such as the presence of stumps, old snig tracks or rail formations, the presence of regenerating cohorts from earlier harvest disturbance. A figure of one stump per hectare has been used to indicate if further detailed survey is required. These detailed surveys involve walking systematic, stripline transects spaced approximately 100 metres apart through the area to map the presence of multiple features. A minimum mapping unit of two hectares is used to retain consistency with the mapped resolution of other contributing datasets. (9) (a) The total area of old-growth within the three forest regions (Swan, South West and Warren) as at December 2001 under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 331,500 hectares. (b) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed formal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 307,380 hectares. (c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(5) The total area that has been reclassified from non old-growth to old-growth between 1997 and December 2001 under the same processes described in question (2) is as follows: Refinement of ecosystem records – 12,220 hectares Areas proposed but not harvested 1997 to 2001 – 2,110 hectares Update of dieback mapping – 880 hectares Refinement of harvesting records – 6,810 hectares (6) Yes. These areas occurred across both conservation reserve land categories and in State forest and timber reserves. Under the proposed Forest Management Plan, areas of old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission are set aside from timber harvesting either in formal or informal reserves. (7) Not applicable. See (6). (8) Following the National Forest Policy Statement (1992) definition of old-growth forest, the determination of old-growth status involved consideration of the disturbance history of areas together with the structure and condition of the forest. The definition of old-growth for each forest type and the criteria developed for mapping their extent have been previously published in Chapter 13 of the Comprehensive Regional Assessment (CRA) Volume 1 report (Commonwealth and Western Australian RFA Steering Committee, 1998). These were used in the subsequent refinement or update of datasets. Consequently, the reclassification of areas has arisen from the refinement of earlier records or the update of records that contribute to the determination of old-growth status, such as dieback occurrence, previous timber harvesting or mining extent. The rulesets applied when mapping these values followed standard operating procedures used in the RFA work (for consistency) and routine operations such as Phytophthora cinnamomi disease mapping. The occurrence of Phytophthora cinnamomi can alter the status of old-growth in forest that has not been previously harvested or disturbed. Mapping of disease presence in advance of soil disturbance operations is undertaken by accredited interpreters according to guidelines specified in an 88-page manual titled Phytophthora cinnamomi and disease caused by it. Volume 2 Interpreter guidelines for detection, diagnosis and mapping . A component of this mapping process involves the laboratory testing of tissue samples from plants expressing symptoms of the disease. A dieback front over at least 2 ha must be determined before an area is no longer classified as old-growth forest. Previous disturbance by timber harvesting can also alter the old-growth status of forest. During the pre-planning for timber harvesting operations, initial reconnaissance checks are undertaken to check the map records and ascertain if detailed survey is necessary. This field inspection involves checking for indicators of past disturbance such as the presence of stumps, old snig tracks or rail formations, the presence of regenerating cohorts from earlier harvest disturbance. A figure of one stump per hectare has been used to indicate if further detailed survey is required. These detailed surveys involve walking systematic, stripline transects spaced approximately 100 metres apart through the area to map the presence of multiple features. A minimum mapping unit of two hectares is used to retain consistency with the mapped resolution of other contributing datasets. (9) (a) The total area of old-growth within the three forest regions (Swan, South West and Warren) as at December 2001 under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 331,500 hectares. (b) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed formal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 307,380 hectares. (c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
Refinement of ecosystem records – 12,220 hectares Areas proposed but not harvested 1997 to 2001 – 2,110 hectares Update of dieback mapping – 880 hectares Refinement of harvesting records – 6,810 hectares (6) Yes. These areas occurred across both conservation reserve land categories and in State forest and timber reserves. Under the proposed Forest Management Plan, areas of old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission are set aside from timber harvesting either in formal or informal reserves. (7) Not applicable. See (6). (8) Following the National Forest Policy Statement (1992) definition of old-growth forest, the determination of old-growth status involved consideration of the disturbance history of areas together with the structure and condition of the forest. The definition of old-growth for each forest type and the criteria developed for mapping their extent have been previously published in Chapter 13 of the Comprehensive Regional Assessment (CRA) Volume 1 report (Commonwealth and Western Australian RFA Steering Committee, 1998). These were used in the subsequent refinement or update of datasets. Consequently, the reclassification of areas has arisen from the refinement of earlier records or the update of records that contribute to the determination of old-growth status, such as dieback occurrence, previous timber harvesting or mining extent. The rulesets applied when mapping these values followed standard operating procedures used in the RFA work (for consistency) and routine operations such as Phytophthora cinnamomi disease mapping. The occurrence of Phytophthora cinnamomi can alter the status of old-growth in forest that has not been previously harvested or disturbed. Mapping of disease presence in advance of soil disturbance operations is undertaken by accredited interpreters according to guidelines specified in an 88-page manual titled Phytophthora cinnamomi and disease caused by it. Volume 2 Interpreter guidelines for detection, diagnosis and mapping . A component of this mapping process involves the laboratory testing of tissue samples from plants expressing symptoms of the disease. A dieback front over at least 2 ha must be determined before an area is no longer classified as old-growth forest. Previous disturbance by timber harvesting can also alter the old-growth status of forest. During the pre-planning for timber harvesting operations, initial reconnaissance checks are undertaken to check the map records and ascertain if detailed survey is necessary. This field inspection involves checking for indicators of past disturbance such as the presence of stumps, old snig tracks or rail formations, the presence of regenerating cohorts from earlier harvest disturbance. A figure of one stump per hectare has been used to indicate if further detailed survey is required. These detailed surveys involve walking systematic, stripline transects spaced approximately 100 metres apart through the area to map the presence of multiple features. A minimum mapping unit of two hectares is used to retain consistency with the mapped resolution of other contributing datasets. (9) (a) The total area of old-growth within the three forest regions (Swan, South West and Warren) as at December 2001 under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 331,500 hectares. (b) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed formal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 307,380 hectares. (c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(6) Yes. These areas occurred across both conservation reserve land categories and in State forest and timber reserves. Under the proposed Forest Management Plan, areas of old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission are set aside from timber harvesting either in formal or informal reserves. (7) Not applicable. See (6). (8) Following the National Forest Policy Statement (1992) definition of old-growth forest, the determination of old-growth status involved consideration of the disturbance history of areas together with the structure and condition of the forest. The definition of old-growth for each forest type and the criteria developed for mapping their extent have been previously published in Chapter 13 of the Comprehensive Regional Assessment (CRA) Volume 1 report (Commonwealth and Western Australian RFA Steering Committee, 1998). These were used in the subsequent refinement or update of datasets. Consequently, the reclassification of areas has arisen from the refinement of earlier records or the update of records that contribute to the determination of old-growth status, such as dieback occurrence, previous timber harvesting or mining extent. The rulesets applied when mapping these values followed standard operating procedures used in the RFA work (for consistency) and routine operations such as Phytophthora cinnamomi disease mapping. The occurrence of Phytophthora cinnamomi can alter the status of old-growth in forest that has not been previously harvested or disturbed. Mapping of disease presence in advance of soil disturbance operations is undertaken by accredited interpreters according to guidelines specified in an 88-page manual titled Phytophthora cinnamomi and disease caused by it. Volume 2 Interpreter guidelines for detection, diagnosis and mapping . A component of this mapping process involves the laboratory testing of tissue samples from plants expressing symptoms of the disease. A dieback front over at least 2 ha must be determined before an area is no longer classified as old-growth forest. Previous disturbance by timber harvesting can also alter the old-growth status of forest. During the pre-planning for timber harvesting operations, initial reconnaissance checks are undertaken to check the map records and ascertain if detailed survey is necessary. This field inspection involves checking for indicators of past disturbance such as the presence of stumps, old snig tracks or rail formations, the presence of regenerating cohorts from earlier harvest disturbance. A figure of one stump per hectare has been used to indicate if further detailed survey is required. These detailed surveys involve walking systematic, stripline transects spaced approximately 100 metres apart through the area to map the presence of multiple features. A minimum mapping unit of two hectares is used to retain consistency with the mapped resolution of other contributing datasets. (9) (a) The total area of old-growth within the three forest regions (Swan, South West and Warren) as at December 2001 under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 331,500 hectares. (b) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed formal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 307,380 hectares. (c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(7) Not applicable. See (6). (8) Following the National Forest Policy Statement (1992) definition of old-growth forest, the determination of old-growth status involved consideration of the disturbance history of areas together with the structure and condition of the forest. The definition of old-growth for each forest type and the criteria developed for mapping their extent have been previously published in Chapter 13 of the Comprehensive Regional Assessment (CRA) Volume 1 report (Commonwealth and Western Australian RFA Steering Committee, 1998). These were used in the subsequent refinement or update of datasets. Consequently, the reclassification of areas has arisen from the refinement of earlier records or the update of records that contribute to the determination of old-growth status, such as dieback occurrence, previous timber harvesting or mining extent. The rulesets applied when mapping these values followed standard operating procedures used in the RFA work (for consistency) and routine operations such as Phytophthora cinnamomi disease mapping. The occurrence of Phytophthora cinnamomi can alter the status of old-growth in forest that has not been previously harvested or disturbed. Mapping of disease presence in advance of soil disturbance operations is undertaken by accredited interpreters according to guidelines specified in an 88-page manual titled Phytophthora cinnamomi and disease caused by it. Volume 2 Interpreter guidelines for detection, diagnosis and mapping . A component of this mapping process involves the laboratory testing of tissue samples from plants expressing symptoms of the disease. A dieback front over at least 2 ha must be determined before an area is no longer classified as old-growth forest. Previous disturbance by timber harvesting can also alter the old-growth status of forest. During the pre-planning for timber harvesting operations, initial reconnaissance checks are undertaken to check the map records and ascertain if detailed survey is necessary. This field inspection involves checking for indicators of past disturbance such as the presence of stumps, old snig tracks or rail formations, the presence of regenerating cohorts from earlier harvest disturbance. A figure of one stump per hectare has been used to indicate if further detailed survey is required. These detailed surveys involve walking systematic, stripline transects spaced approximately 100 metres apart through the area to map the presence of multiple features. A minimum mapping unit of two hectares is used to retain consistency with the mapped resolution of other contributing datasets. (9) (a) The total area of old-growth within the three forest regions (Swan, South West and Warren) as at December 2001 under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 331,500 hectares. (b) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed formal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 307,380 hectares. (c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(8) Following the National Forest Policy Statement (1992) definition of old-growth forest, the determination of old-growth status involved consideration of the disturbance history of areas together with the structure and condition of the forest. The definition of old-growth for each forest type and the criteria developed for mapping their extent have been previously published in Chapter 13 of the Comprehensive Regional Assessment (CRA) Volume 1 report (Commonwealth and Western Australian RFA Steering Committee, 1998). These were used in the subsequent refinement or update of datasets. Consequently, the reclassification of areas has arisen from the refinement of earlier records or the update of records that contribute to the determination of old-growth status, such as dieback occurrence, previous timber harvesting or mining extent. The rulesets applied when mapping these values followed standard operating procedures used in the RFA work (for consistency) and routine operations such as Phytophthora cinnamomi disease mapping. The occurrence of Phytophthora cinnamomi can alter the status of old-growth in forest that has not been previously harvested or disturbed. Mapping of disease presence in advance of soil disturbance operations is undertaken by accredited interpreters according to guidelines specified in an 88-page manual titled Phytophthora cinnamomi and disease caused by it. Volume 2 Interpreter guidelines for detection, diagnosis and mapping . A component of this mapping process involves the laboratory testing of tissue samples from plants expressing symptoms of the disease. A dieback front over at least 2 ha must be determined before an area is no longer classified as old-growth forest. Previous disturbance by timber harvesting can also alter the old-growth status of forest. During the pre-planning for timber harvesting operations, initial reconnaissance checks are undertaken to check the map records and ascertain if detailed survey is necessary. This field inspection involves checking for indicators of past disturbance such as the presence of stumps, old snig tracks or rail formations, the presence of regenerating cohorts from earlier harvest disturbance. A figure of one stump per hectare has been used to indicate if further detailed survey is required. These detailed surveys involve walking systematic, stripline transects spaced approximately 100 metres apart through the area to map the presence of multiple features. A minimum mapping unit of two hectares is used to retain consistency with the mapped resolution of other contributing datasets. (9) (a) The total area of old-growth within the three forest regions (Swan, South West and Warren) as at December 2001 under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 331,500 hectares. (b) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed formal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 307,380 hectares. (c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
The occurrence of Phytophthora cinnamomi can alter the status of old-growth in forest that has not been previously harvested or disturbed. Mapping of disease presence in advance of soil disturbance operations is undertaken by accredited interpreters according to guidelines specified in an 88-page manual titled Phytophthora cinnamomi and disease caused by it. Volume 2 Interpreter guidelines for detection, diagnosis and mapping . A component of this mapping process involves the laboratory testing of tissue samples from plants expressing symptoms of the disease. A dieback front over at least 2 ha must be determined before an area is no longer classified as old-growth forest. Previous disturbance by timber harvesting can also alter the old-growth status of forest. During the pre-planning for timber harvesting operations, initial reconnaissance checks are undertaken to check the map records and ascertain if detailed survey is necessary. This field inspection involves checking for indicators of past disturbance such as the presence of stumps, old snig tracks or rail formations, the presence of regenerating cohorts from earlier harvest disturbance. A figure of one stump per hectare has been used to indicate if further detailed survey is required. These detailed surveys involve walking systematic, stripline transects spaced approximately 100 metres apart through the area to map the presence of multiple features. A minimum mapping unit of two hectares is used to retain consistency with the mapped resolution of other contributing datasets. (9) (a) The total area of old-growth within the three forest regions (Swan, South West and Warren) as at December 2001 under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 331,500 hectares. (b) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed formal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 307,380 hectares. (c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
Previous disturbance by timber harvesting can also alter the old-growth status of forest. During the pre-planning for timber harvesting operations, initial reconnaissance checks are undertaken to check the map records and ascertain if detailed survey is necessary. This field inspection involves checking for indicators of past disturbance such as the presence of stumps, old snig tracks or rail formations, the presence of regenerating cohorts from earlier harvest disturbance. A figure of one stump per hectare has been used to indicate if further detailed survey is required. These detailed surveys involve walking systematic, stripline transects spaced approximately 100 metres apart through the area to map the presence of multiple features. A minimum mapping unit of two hectares is used to retain consistency with the mapped resolution of other contributing datasets. (9) (a) The total area of old-growth within the three forest regions (Swan, South West and Warren) as at December 2001 under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 331,500 hectares. (b) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed formal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 307,380 hectares. (c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
A minimum mapping unit of two hectares is used to retain consistency with the mapped resolution of other contributing datasets. (9) (a) The total area of old-growth within the three forest regions (Swan, South West and Warren) as at December 2001 under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 331,500 hectares. (b) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed formal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 307,380 hectares. (c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(9) (a) The total area of old-growth within the three forest regions (Swan, South West and Warren) as at December 2001 under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 331,500 hectares. (b) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed formal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 307,380 hectares. (c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(b) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed formal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 307,380 hectares. (c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(c) old growth forest in existing and approved informal conservation reserves, including informal reserves approved under the RFA and proposed under the Government’s ‘Protecting our old growth forests’ election policy; (d) declassified old growth forest available for logging in State forest; (e) unlogged forest disqualified as old growth forest and available for logging in State forest; and (f) negligibly disturbed forest disqualified as old growth forest and available for logging in State forest?
(d) declassified old growth forest available for logging in State forest; (e) unlogged forest disqualified as old growth forest and available for logging in State forest; and (f) negligibly disturbed forest disqualified as old growth forest and available for logging in State forest?
(e) unlogged forest disqualified as old growth forest and available for logging in State forest; and (f) negligibly disturbed forest disqualified as old growth forest and available for logging in State forest?
(f) negligibly disturbed forest disqualified as old growth forest and available for logging in State forest?
(b) who was in attendance; and (c) where are the details and outcomes of their inspection published?
(c) where are the details and outcomes of their inspection published?
(b) all areas previously classified as non-old growth now classified as old growth?
(1) (a) The total area of old-growth forest mapped to December 1997 and reported in the Regional Forest Agreement (RFA) was 347,082 hectares. Using the boundary of the proposed Forest Management Plan, the extent of old-growth on public land within the three forest regions was 345,900 hectares. (b) The area of old-growth forest within existing and proposed formal conservation reserves under the RFA was 214,579 hectares. Approximately 213,870 hectares of this total occurred on public land within the proposed Forest Management Plan boundary. (c) The area of old-growth forest within existing and proposed informal conservation reserves under the RFA was 31,172 hectares. Approximately 30,890 hectares of this total occurred on public land within the proposed Forest Management Plan boundary. (d) The area of old-growth forest available for timber harvesting under the RFA was 97,020 hectares. This included areas in State forest and timber reserves. Approximately 96,720 hectares of this total occurred within the proposed Forest Management Plan boundary. (e) Figures for this category were not separately generated when deriving the old-growth status for the RFA. As the tenure and other contributing datasets have changed considerably since the RFA, it is a complex and time-consuming task to attempt to reconstruct this information. (f) During the RFA approximately 25,000 hectares were inspected for possible inclusion in this category and approximately 2,800 hectares were subsequently classified as old-growth forest. (2) The various datasets that contributed to the determination of old-growth status in the RFA were current to December 1996, with areas on the 1997 indicative harvest plans assumed to be harvested to December 1997. Since 1997, there have been refinements of some data and routine updates arising from disturbance activities. These processes have given rise to patches of forest of varying extent being reclassified from old-growth status to non old-growth. While some changes had been made to the contributing datasets at the time of the State election, a resulting updated old-growth coverage had not been generated. The total area that has been reclassified from old-growth to non old-growth shown below is therefore for the period 1997 to December 2001, rather than from February to December 2001. These area statistics are for public land within the proposed Forest Management Plan boundary, and have been rounded to the nearest 10 hectares. Refinement of ecosystem records – 11,820 hectares Areas harvested 1997 to 2001 – 4,460 hectares Update of dieback mapping – 5,000 hectares Refinement of harvesting records – 15,120 hectares (3) No. (4) Approximately 6,660 hectares of the area in State forest and potentially available for timber harvesting, including 2,010 hectares that were harvested before the last State election and 140 hectares of reclassified non forest diverse ecotones. Consequently there would be about 4,510 ha available for harvesting during the term of the new FMP. A further 2,620 hectares are located on the other public land, for which a classification has not been determined and which includes about 470 ha on Unallocated Crown Land (UCL) which is potentially available for harvesting. However, the UCL is generally along streams and roads and fragmented in small patches which require investigation as to whether they are viable for harvesting. (5) The total area that has been reclassified from non old-growth to old-growth between 1997 and December 2001 under the same processes described in question (2) is as follows: Refinement of ecosystem records – 12,220 hectares Areas proposed but not harvested 1997 to 2001 – 2,110 hectares Update of dieback mapping – 880 hectares Refinement of harvesting records – 6,810 hectares (6) Yes. These areas occurred across both conservation reserve land categories and in State forest and timber reserves. Under the proposed Forest Management Plan, areas of old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission are set aside from timber harvesting either in formal or informal reserves. (7) Not applicable. See (6). (8) Following the National Forest Policy Statement (1992) definition of old-growth forest, the determination of old-growth status involved consideration of the disturbance history of areas together with the structure and condition of the forest. The definition of old-growth for each forest type and the criteria developed for mapping their extent have been previously published in Chapter 13 of the Comprehensive Regional Assessment (CRA) Volume 1 report (Commonwealth and Western Australian RFA Steering Committee, 1998). These were used in the subsequent refinement or update of datasets. Consequently, the reclassification of areas has arisen from the refinement of earlier records or the update of records that contribute to the determination of old-growth status, such as dieback occurrence, previous timber harvesting or mining extent. The rulesets applied when mapping these values followed standard operating procedures used in the RFA work (for consistency) and routine operations such as Phytophthora cinnamomi disease mapping. The occurrence of Phytophthora cinnamomi can alter the status of old-growth in forest that has not been previously harvested or disturbed. Mapping of disease presence in advance of soil disturbance operations is undertaken by accredited interpreters according to guidelines specified in an 88-page manual titled Phytophthora cinnamomi and disease caused by it. Volume 2 Interpreter guidelines for detection, diagnosis and mapping . A component of this mapping process involves the laboratory testing of tissue samples from plants expressing symptoms of the disease. A dieback front over at least 2 ha must be determined before an area is no longer classified as old-growth forest. Previous disturbance by timber harvesting can also alter the old-growth status of forest. During the pre-planning for timber harvesting operations, initial reconnaissance checks are undertaken to check the map records and ascertain if detailed survey is necessary. This field inspection involves checking for indicators of past disturbance such as the presence of stumps, old snig tracks or rail formations, the presence of regenerating cohorts from earlier harvest disturbance. A figure of one stump per hectare has been used to indicate if further detailed survey is required. These detailed surveys involve walking systematic, stripline transects spaced approximately 100 metres apart through the area to map the presence of multiple features. A minimum mapping unit of two hectares is used to retain consistency with the mapped resolution of other contributing datasets. (9) (a) The total area of old-growth within the three forest regions (Swan, South West and Warren) as at December 2001 under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 331,500 hectares. (b) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed formal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 307,380 hectares. (c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(b) The area of old-growth forest within existing and proposed formal conservation reserves under the RFA was 214,579 hectares. Approximately 213,870 hectares of this total occurred on public land within the proposed Forest Management Plan boundary. (c) The area of old-growth forest within existing and proposed informal conservation reserves under the RFA was 31,172 hectares. Approximately 30,890 hectares of this total occurred on public land within the proposed Forest Management Plan boundary. (d) The area of old-growth forest available for timber harvesting under the RFA was 97,020 hectares. This included areas in State forest and timber reserves. Approximately 96,720 hectares of this total occurred within the proposed Forest Management Plan boundary. (e) Figures for this category were not separately generated when deriving the old-growth status for the RFA. As the tenure and other contributing datasets have changed considerably since the RFA, it is a complex and time-consuming task to attempt to reconstruct this information. (f) During the RFA approximately 25,000 hectares were inspected for possible inclusion in this category and approximately 2,800 hectares were subsequently classified as old-growth forest. (2) The various datasets that contributed to the determination of old-growth status in the RFA were current to December 1996, with areas on the 1997 indicative harvest plans assumed to be harvested to December 1997. Since 1997, there have been refinements of some data and routine updates arising from disturbance activities. These processes have given rise to patches of forest of varying extent being reclassified from old-growth status to non old-growth. While some changes had been made to the contributing datasets at the time of the State election, a resulting updated old-growth coverage had not been generated. The total area that has been reclassified from old-growth to non old-growth shown below is therefore for the period 1997 to December 2001, rather than from February to December 2001. These area statistics are for public land within the proposed Forest Management Plan boundary, and have been rounded to the nearest 10 hectares. Refinement of ecosystem records – 11,820 hectares Areas harvested 1997 to 2001 – 4,460 hectares Update of dieback mapping – 5,000 hectares Refinement of harvesting records – 15,120 hectares (3) No. (4) Approximately 6,660 hectares of the area in State forest and potentially available for timber harvesting, including 2,010 hectares that were harvested before the last State election and 140 hectares of reclassified non forest diverse ecotones. Consequently there would be about 4,510 ha available for harvesting during the term of the new FMP. A further 2,620 hectares are located on the other public land, for which a classification has not been determined and which includes about 470 ha on Unallocated Crown Land (UCL) which is potentially available for harvesting. However, the UCL is generally along streams and roads and fragmented in small patches which require investigation as to whether they are viable for harvesting. (5) The total area that has been reclassified from non old-growth to old-growth between 1997 and December 2001 under the same processes described in question (2) is as follows: Refinement of ecosystem records – 12,220 hectares Areas proposed but not harvested 1997 to 2001 – 2,110 hectares Update of dieback mapping – 880 hectares Refinement of harvesting records – 6,810 hectares (6) Yes. These areas occurred across both conservation reserve land categories and in State forest and timber reserves. Under the proposed Forest Management Plan, areas of old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission are set aside from timber harvesting either in formal or informal reserves. (7) Not applicable. See (6). (8) Following the National Forest Policy Statement (1992) definition of old-growth forest, the determination of old-growth status involved consideration of the disturbance history of areas together with the structure and condition of the forest. The definition of old-growth for each forest type and the criteria developed for mapping their extent have been previously published in Chapter 13 of the Comprehensive Regional Assessment (CRA) Volume 1 report (Commonwealth and Western Australian RFA Steering Committee, 1998). These were used in the subsequent refinement or update of datasets. Consequently, the reclassification of areas has arisen from the refinement of earlier records or the update of records that contribute to the determination of old-growth status, such as dieback occurrence, previous timber harvesting or mining extent. The rulesets applied when mapping these values followed standard operating procedures used in the RFA work (for consistency) and routine operations such as Phytophthora cinnamomi disease mapping. The occurrence of Phytophthora cinnamomi can alter the status of old-growth in forest that has not been previously harvested or disturbed. Mapping of disease presence in advance of soil disturbance operations is undertaken by accredited interpreters according to guidelines specified in an 88-page manual titled Phytophthora cinnamomi and disease caused by it. Volume 2 Interpreter guidelines for detection, diagnosis and mapping . A component of this mapping process involves the laboratory testing of tissue samples from plants expressing symptoms of the disease. A dieback front over at least 2 ha must be determined before an area is no longer classified as old-growth forest. Previous disturbance by timber harvesting can also alter the old-growth status of forest. During the pre-planning for timber harvesting operations, initial reconnaissance checks are undertaken to check the map records and ascertain if detailed survey is necessary. This field inspection involves checking for indicators of past disturbance such as the presence of stumps, old snig tracks or rail formations, the presence of regenerating cohorts from earlier harvest disturbance. A figure of one stump per hectare has been used to indicate if further detailed survey is required. These detailed surveys involve walking systematic, stripline transects spaced approximately 100 metres apart through the area to map the presence of multiple features. A minimum mapping unit of two hectares is used to retain consistency with the mapped resolution of other contributing datasets. (9) (a) The total area of old-growth within the three forest regions (Swan, South West and Warren) as at December 2001 under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 331,500 hectares. (b) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed formal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 307,380 hectares. (c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(c) The area of old-growth forest within existing and proposed informal conservation reserves under the RFA was 31,172 hectares. Approximately 30,890 hectares of this total occurred on public land within the proposed Forest Management Plan boundary. (d) The area of old-growth forest available for timber harvesting under the RFA was 97,020 hectares. This included areas in State forest and timber reserves. Approximately 96,720 hectares of this total occurred within the proposed Forest Management Plan boundary. (e) Figures for this category were not separately generated when deriving the old-growth status for the RFA. As the tenure and other contributing datasets have changed considerably since the RFA, it is a complex and time-consuming task to attempt to reconstruct this information. (f) During the RFA approximately 25,000 hectares were inspected for possible inclusion in this category and approximately 2,800 hectares were subsequently classified as old-growth forest. (2) The various datasets that contributed to the determination of old-growth status in the RFA were current to December 1996, with areas on the 1997 indicative harvest plans assumed to be harvested to December 1997. Since 1997, there have been refinements of some data and routine updates arising from disturbance activities. These processes have given rise to patches of forest of varying extent being reclassified from old-growth status to non old-growth. While some changes had been made to the contributing datasets at the time of the State election, a resulting updated old-growth coverage had not been generated. The total area that has been reclassified from old-growth to non old-growth shown below is therefore for the period 1997 to December 2001, rather than from February to December 2001. These area statistics are for public land within the proposed Forest Management Plan boundary, and have been rounded to the nearest 10 hectares. Refinement of ecosystem records – 11,820 hectares Areas harvested 1997 to 2001 – 4,460 hectares Update of dieback mapping – 5,000 hectares Refinement of harvesting records – 15,120 hectares (3) No. (4) Approximately 6,660 hectares of the area in State forest and potentially available for timber harvesting, including 2,010 hectares that were harvested before the last State election and 140 hectares of reclassified non forest diverse ecotones. Consequently there would be about 4,510 ha available for harvesting during the term of the new FMP. A further 2,620 hectares are located on the other public land, for which a classification has not been determined and which includes about 470 ha on Unallocated Crown Land (UCL) which is potentially available for harvesting. However, the UCL is generally along streams and roads and fragmented in small patches which require investigation as to whether they are viable for harvesting. (5) The total area that has been reclassified from non old-growth to old-growth between 1997 and December 2001 under the same processes described in question (2) is as follows: Refinement of ecosystem records – 12,220 hectares Areas proposed but not harvested 1997 to 2001 – 2,110 hectares Update of dieback mapping – 880 hectares Refinement of harvesting records – 6,810 hectares (6) Yes. These areas occurred across both conservation reserve land categories and in State forest and timber reserves. Under the proposed Forest Management Plan, areas of old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission are set aside from timber harvesting either in formal or informal reserves. (7) Not applicable. See (6). (8) Following the National Forest Policy Statement (1992) definition of old-growth forest, the determination of old-growth status involved consideration of the disturbance history of areas together with the structure and condition of the forest. The definition of old-growth for each forest type and the criteria developed for mapping their extent have been previously published in Chapter 13 of the Comprehensive Regional Assessment (CRA) Volume 1 report (Commonwealth and Western Australian RFA Steering Committee, 1998). These were used in the subsequent refinement or update of datasets. Consequently, the reclassification of areas has arisen from the refinement of earlier records or the update of records that contribute to the determination of old-growth status, such as dieback occurrence, previous timber harvesting or mining extent. The rulesets applied when mapping these values followed standard operating procedures used in the RFA work (for consistency) and routine operations such as Phytophthora cinnamomi disease mapping. The occurrence of Phytophthora cinnamomi can alter the status of old-growth in forest that has not been previously harvested or disturbed. Mapping of disease presence in advance of soil disturbance operations is undertaken by accredited interpreters according to guidelines specified in an 88-page manual titled Phytophthora cinnamomi and disease caused by it. Volume 2 Interpreter guidelines for detection, diagnosis and mapping . A component of this mapping process involves the laboratory testing of tissue samples from plants expressing symptoms of the disease. A dieback front over at least 2 ha must be determined before an area is no longer classified as old-growth forest. Previous disturbance by timber harvesting can also alter the old-growth status of forest. During the pre-planning for timber harvesting operations, initial reconnaissance checks are undertaken to check the map records and ascertain if detailed survey is necessary. This field inspection involves checking for indicators of past disturbance such as the presence of stumps, old snig tracks or rail formations, the presence of regenerating cohorts from earlier harvest disturbance. A figure of one stump per hectare has been used to indicate if further detailed survey is required. These detailed surveys involve walking systematic, stripline transects spaced approximately 100 metres apart through the area to map the presence of multiple features. A minimum mapping unit of two hectares is used to retain consistency with the mapped resolution of other contributing datasets. (9) (a) The total area of old-growth within the three forest regions (Swan, South West and Warren) as at December 2001 under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 331,500 hectares. (b) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed formal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 307,380 hectares. (c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(d) The area of old-growth forest available for timber harvesting under the RFA was 97,020 hectares. This included areas in State forest and timber reserves. Approximately 96,720 hectares of this total occurred within the proposed Forest Management Plan boundary. (e) Figures for this category were not separately generated when deriving the old-growth status for the RFA. As the tenure and other contributing datasets have changed considerably since the RFA, it is a complex and time-consuming task to attempt to reconstruct this information. (f) During the RFA approximately 25,000 hectares were inspected for possible inclusion in this category and approximately 2,800 hectares were subsequently classified as old-growth forest. (2) The various datasets that contributed to the determination of old-growth status in the RFA were current to December 1996, with areas on the 1997 indicative harvest plans assumed to be harvested to December 1997. Since 1997, there have been refinements of some data and routine updates arising from disturbance activities. These processes have given rise to patches of forest of varying extent being reclassified from old-growth status to non old-growth. While some changes had been made to the contributing datasets at the time of the State election, a resulting updated old-growth coverage had not been generated. The total area that has been reclassified from old-growth to non old-growth shown below is therefore for the period 1997 to December 2001, rather than from February to December 2001. These area statistics are for public land within the proposed Forest Management Plan boundary, and have been rounded to the nearest 10 hectares. Refinement of ecosystem records – 11,820 hectares Areas harvested 1997 to 2001 – 4,460 hectares Update of dieback mapping – 5,000 hectares Refinement of harvesting records – 15,120 hectares (3) No. (4) Approximately 6,660 hectares of the area in State forest and potentially available for timber harvesting, including 2,010 hectares that were harvested before the last State election and 140 hectares of reclassified non forest diverse ecotones. Consequently there would be about 4,510 ha available for harvesting during the term of the new FMP. A further 2,620 hectares are located on the other public land, for which a classification has not been determined and which includes about 470 ha on Unallocated Crown Land (UCL) which is potentially available for harvesting. However, the UCL is generally along streams and roads and fragmented in small patches which require investigation as to whether they are viable for harvesting. (5) The total area that has been reclassified from non old-growth to old-growth between 1997 and December 2001 under the same processes described in question (2) is as follows: Refinement of ecosystem records – 12,220 hectares Areas proposed but not harvested 1997 to 2001 – 2,110 hectares Update of dieback mapping – 880 hectares Refinement of harvesting records – 6,810 hectares (6) Yes. These areas occurred across both conservation reserve land categories and in State forest and timber reserves. Under the proposed Forest Management Plan, areas of old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission are set aside from timber harvesting either in formal or informal reserves. (7) Not applicable. See (6). (8) Following the National Forest Policy Statement (1992) definition of old-growth forest, the determination of old-growth status involved consideration of the disturbance history of areas together with the structure and condition of the forest. The definition of old-growth for each forest type and the criteria developed for mapping their extent have been previously published in Chapter 13 of the Comprehensive Regional Assessment (CRA) Volume 1 report (Commonwealth and Western Australian RFA Steering Committee, 1998). These were used in the subsequent refinement or update of datasets. Consequently, the reclassification of areas has arisen from the refinement of earlier records or the update of records that contribute to the determination of old-growth status, such as dieback occurrence, previous timber harvesting or mining extent. The rulesets applied when mapping these values followed standard operating procedures used in the RFA work (for consistency) and routine operations such as Phytophthora cinnamomi disease mapping. The occurrence of Phytophthora cinnamomi can alter the status of old-growth in forest that has not been previously harvested or disturbed. Mapping of disease presence in advance of soil disturbance operations is undertaken by accredited interpreters according to guidelines specified in an 88-page manual titled Phytophthora cinnamomi and disease caused by it. Volume 2 Interpreter guidelines for detection, diagnosis and mapping . A component of this mapping process involves the laboratory testing of tissue samples from plants expressing symptoms of the disease. A dieback front over at least 2 ha must be determined before an area is no longer classified as old-growth forest. Previous disturbance by timber harvesting can also alter the old-growth status of forest. During the pre-planning for timber harvesting operations, initial reconnaissance checks are undertaken to check the map records and ascertain if detailed survey is necessary. This field inspection involves checking for indicators of past disturbance such as the presence of stumps, old snig tracks or rail formations, the presence of regenerating cohorts from earlier harvest disturbance. A figure of one stump per hectare has been used to indicate if further detailed survey is required. These detailed surveys involve walking systematic, stripline transects spaced approximately 100 metres apart through the area to map the presence of multiple features. A minimum mapping unit of two hectares is used to retain consistency with the mapped resolution of other contributing datasets. (9) (a) The total area of old-growth within the three forest regions (Swan, South West and Warren) as at December 2001 under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 331,500 hectares. (b) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed formal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 307,380 hectares. (c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(e) Figures for this category were not separately generated when deriving the old-growth status for the RFA. As the tenure and other contributing datasets have changed considerably since the RFA, it is a complex and time-consuming task to attempt to reconstruct this information. (f) During the RFA approximately 25,000 hectares were inspected for possible inclusion in this category and approximately 2,800 hectares were subsequently classified as old-growth forest. (2) The various datasets that contributed to the determination of old-growth status in the RFA were current to December 1996, with areas on the 1997 indicative harvest plans assumed to be harvested to December 1997. Since 1997, there have been refinements of some data and routine updates arising from disturbance activities. These processes have given rise to patches of forest of varying extent being reclassified from old-growth status to non old-growth. While some changes had been made to the contributing datasets at the time of the State election, a resulting updated old-growth coverage had not been generated. The total area that has been reclassified from old-growth to non old-growth shown below is therefore for the period 1997 to December 2001, rather than from February to December 2001. These area statistics are for public land within the proposed Forest Management Plan boundary, and have been rounded to the nearest 10 hectares. Refinement of ecosystem records – 11,820 hectares Areas harvested 1997 to 2001 – 4,460 hectares Update of dieback mapping – 5,000 hectares Refinement of harvesting records – 15,120 hectares (3) No. (4) Approximately 6,660 hectares of the area in State forest and potentially available for timber harvesting, including 2,010 hectares that were harvested before the last State election and 140 hectares of reclassified non forest diverse ecotones. Consequently there would be about 4,510 ha available for harvesting during the term of the new FMP. A further 2,620 hectares are located on the other public land, for which a classification has not been determined and which includes about 470 ha on Unallocated Crown Land (UCL) which is potentially available for harvesting. However, the UCL is generally along streams and roads and fragmented in small patches which require investigation as to whether they are viable for harvesting. (5) The total area that has been reclassified from non old-growth to old-growth between 1997 and December 2001 under the same processes described in question (2) is as follows: Refinement of ecosystem records – 12,220 hectares Areas proposed but not harvested 1997 to 2001 – 2,110 hectares Update of dieback mapping – 880 hectares Refinement of harvesting records – 6,810 hectares (6) Yes. These areas occurred across both conservation reserve land categories and in State forest and timber reserves. Under the proposed Forest Management Plan, areas of old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission are set aside from timber harvesting either in formal or informal reserves. (7) Not applicable. See (6). (8) Following the National Forest Policy Statement (1992) definition of old-growth forest, the determination of old-growth status involved consideration of the disturbance history of areas together with the structure and condition of the forest. The definition of old-growth for each forest type and the criteria developed for mapping their extent have been previously published in Chapter 13 of the Comprehensive Regional Assessment (CRA) Volume 1 report (Commonwealth and Western Australian RFA Steering Committee, 1998). These were used in the subsequent refinement or update of datasets. Consequently, the reclassification of areas has arisen from the refinement of earlier records or the update of records that contribute to the determination of old-growth status, such as dieback occurrence, previous timber harvesting or mining extent. The rulesets applied when mapping these values followed standard operating procedures used in the RFA work (for consistency) and routine operations such as Phytophthora cinnamomi disease mapping. The occurrence of Phytophthora cinnamomi can alter the status of old-growth in forest that has not been previously harvested or disturbed. Mapping of disease presence in advance of soil disturbance operations is undertaken by accredited interpreters according to guidelines specified in an 88-page manual titled Phytophthora cinnamomi and disease caused by it. Volume 2 Interpreter guidelines for detection, diagnosis and mapping . A component of this mapping process involves the laboratory testing of tissue samples from plants expressing symptoms of the disease. A dieback front over at least 2 ha must be determined before an area is no longer classified as old-growth forest. Previous disturbance by timber harvesting can also alter the old-growth status of forest. During the pre-planning for timber harvesting operations, initial reconnaissance checks are undertaken to check the map records and ascertain if detailed survey is necessary. This field inspection involves checking for indicators of past disturbance such as the presence of stumps, old snig tracks or rail formations, the presence of regenerating cohorts from earlier harvest disturbance. A figure of one stump per hectare has been used to indicate if further detailed survey is required. These detailed surveys involve walking systematic, stripline transects spaced approximately 100 metres apart through the area to map the presence of multiple features. A minimum mapping unit of two hectares is used to retain consistency with the mapped resolution of other contributing datasets. (9) (a) The total area of old-growth within the three forest regions (Swan, South West and Warren) as at December 2001 under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 331,500 hectares. (b) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed formal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 307,380 hectares. (c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(f) During the RFA approximately 25,000 hectares were inspected for possible inclusion in this category and approximately 2,800 hectares were subsequently classified as old-growth forest. (2) The various datasets that contributed to the determination of old-growth status in the RFA were current to December 1996, with areas on the 1997 indicative harvest plans assumed to be harvested to December 1997. Since 1997, there have been refinements of some data and routine updates arising from disturbance activities. These processes have given rise to patches of forest of varying extent being reclassified from old-growth status to non old-growth. While some changes had been made to the contributing datasets at the time of the State election, a resulting updated old-growth coverage had not been generated. The total area that has been reclassified from old-growth to non old-growth shown below is therefore for the period 1997 to December 2001, rather than from February to December 2001. These area statistics are for public land within the proposed Forest Management Plan boundary, and have been rounded to the nearest 10 hectares. Refinement of ecosystem records – 11,820 hectares Areas harvested 1997 to 2001 – 4,460 hectares Update of dieback mapping – 5,000 hectares Refinement of harvesting records – 15,120 hectares (3) No. (4) Approximately 6,660 hectares of the area in State forest and potentially available for timber harvesting, including 2,010 hectares that were harvested before the last State election and 140 hectares of reclassified non forest diverse ecotones. Consequently there would be about 4,510 ha available for harvesting during the term of the new FMP. A further 2,620 hectares are located on the other public land, for which a classification has not been determined and which includes about 470 ha on Unallocated Crown Land (UCL) which is potentially available for harvesting. However, the UCL is generally along streams and roads and fragmented in small patches which require investigation as to whether they are viable for harvesting. (5) The total area that has been reclassified from non old-growth to old-growth between 1997 and December 2001 under the same processes described in question (2) is as follows: Refinement of ecosystem records – 12,220 hectares Areas proposed but not harvested 1997 to 2001 – 2,110 hectares Update of dieback mapping – 880 hectares Refinement of harvesting records – 6,810 hectares (6) Yes. These areas occurred across both conservation reserve land categories and in State forest and timber reserves. Under the proposed Forest Management Plan, areas of old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission are set aside from timber harvesting either in formal or informal reserves. (7) Not applicable. See (6). (8) Following the National Forest Policy Statement (1992) definition of old-growth forest, the determination of old-growth status involved consideration of the disturbance history of areas together with the structure and condition of the forest. The definition of old-growth for each forest type and the criteria developed for mapping their extent have been previously published in Chapter 13 of the Comprehensive Regional Assessment (CRA) Volume 1 report (Commonwealth and Western Australian RFA Steering Committee, 1998). These were used in the subsequent refinement or update of datasets. Consequently, the reclassification of areas has arisen from the refinement of earlier records or the update of records that contribute to the determination of old-growth status, such as dieback occurrence, previous timber harvesting or mining extent. The rulesets applied when mapping these values followed standard operating procedures used in the RFA work (for consistency) and routine operations such as Phytophthora cinnamomi disease mapping. The occurrence of Phytophthora cinnamomi can alter the status of old-growth in forest that has not been previously harvested or disturbed. Mapping of disease presence in advance of soil disturbance operations is undertaken by accredited interpreters according to guidelines specified in an 88-page manual titled Phytophthora cinnamomi and disease caused by it. Volume 2 Interpreter guidelines for detection, diagnosis and mapping . A component of this mapping process involves the laboratory testing of tissue samples from plants expressing symptoms of the disease. A dieback front over at least 2 ha must be determined before an area is no longer classified as old-growth forest. Previous disturbance by timber harvesting can also alter the old-growth status of forest. During the pre-planning for timber harvesting operations, initial reconnaissance checks are undertaken to check the map records and ascertain if detailed survey is necessary. This field inspection involves checking for indicators of past disturbance such as the presence of stumps, old snig tracks or rail formations, the presence of regenerating cohorts from earlier harvest disturbance. A figure of one stump per hectare has been used to indicate if further detailed survey is required. These detailed surveys involve walking systematic, stripline transects spaced approximately 100 metres apart through the area to map the presence of multiple features. A minimum mapping unit of two hectares is used to retain consistency with the mapped resolution of other contributing datasets. (9) (a) The total area of old-growth within the three forest regions (Swan, South West and Warren) as at December 2001 under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 331,500 hectares. (b) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed formal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 307,380 hectares. (c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(2) The various datasets that contributed to the determination of old-growth status in the RFA were current to December 1996, with areas on the 1997 indicative harvest plans assumed to be harvested to December 1997. Since 1997, there have been refinements of some data and routine updates arising from disturbance activities. These processes have given rise to patches of forest of varying extent being reclassified from old-growth status to non old-growth. While some changes had been made to the contributing datasets at the time of the State election, a resulting updated old-growth coverage had not been generated. The total area that has been reclassified from old-growth to non old-growth shown below is therefore for the period 1997 to December 2001, rather than from February to December 2001. These area statistics are for public land within the proposed Forest Management Plan boundary, and have been rounded to the nearest 10 hectares. Refinement of ecosystem records – 11,820 hectares Areas harvested 1997 to 2001 – 4,460 hectares Update of dieback mapping – 5,000 hectares Refinement of harvesting records – 15,120 hectares (3) No. (4) Approximately 6,660 hectares of the area in State forest and potentially available for timber harvesting, including 2,010 hectares that were harvested before the last State election and 140 hectares of reclassified non forest diverse ecotones. Consequently there would be about 4,510 ha available for harvesting during the term of the new FMP. A further 2,620 hectares are located on the other public land, for which a classification has not been determined and which includes about 470 ha on Unallocated Crown Land (UCL) which is potentially available for harvesting. However, the UCL is generally along streams and roads and fragmented in small patches which require investigation as to whether they are viable for harvesting. (5) The total area that has been reclassified from non old-growth to old-growth between 1997 and December 2001 under the same processes described in question (2) is as follows: Refinement of ecosystem records – 12,220 hectares Areas proposed but not harvested 1997 to 2001 – 2,110 hectares Update of dieback mapping – 880 hectares Refinement of harvesting records – 6,810 hectares (6) Yes. These areas occurred across both conservation reserve land categories and in State forest and timber reserves. Under the proposed Forest Management Plan, areas of old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission are set aside from timber harvesting either in formal or informal reserves. (7) Not applicable. See (6). (8) Following the National Forest Policy Statement (1992) definition of old-growth forest, the determination of old-growth status involved consideration of the disturbance history of areas together with the structure and condition of the forest. The definition of old-growth for each forest type and the criteria developed for mapping their extent have been previously published in Chapter 13 of the Comprehensive Regional Assessment (CRA) Volume 1 report (Commonwealth and Western Australian RFA Steering Committee, 1998). These were used in the subsequent refinement or update of datasets. Consequently, the reclassification of areas has arisen from the refinement of earlier records or the update of records that contribute to the determination of old-growth status, such as dieback occurrence, previous timber harvesting or mining extent. The rulesets applied when mapping these values followed standard operating procedures used in the RFA work (for consistency) and routine operations such as Phytophthora cinnamomi disease mapping. The occurrence of Phytophthora cinnamomi can alter the status of old-growth in forest that has not been previously harvested or disturbed. Mapping of disease presence in advance of soil disturbance operations is undertaken by accredited interpreters according to guidelines specified in an 88-page manual titled Phytophthora cinnamomi and disease caused by it. Volume 2 Interpreter guidelines for detection, diagnosis and mapping . A component of this mapping process involves the laboratory testing of tissue samples from plants expressing symptoms of the disease. A dieback front over at least 2 ha must be determined before an area is no longer classified as old-growth forest. Previous disturbance by timber harvesting can also alter the old-growth status of forest. During the pre-planning for timber harvesting operations, initial reconnaissance checks are undertaken to check the map records and ascertain if detailed survey is necessary. This field inspection involves checking for indicators of past disturbance such as the presence of stumps, old snig tracks or rail formations, the presence of regenerating cohorts from earlier harvest disturbance. A figure of one stump per hectare has been used to indicate if further detailed survey is required. These detailed surveys involve walking systematic, stripline transects spaced approximately 100 metres apart through the area to map the presence of multiple features. A minimum mapping unit of two hectares is used to retain consistency with the mapped resolution of other contributing datasets. (9) (a) The total area of old-growth within the three forest regions (Swan, South West and Warren) as at December 2001 under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 331,500 hectares. (b) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed formal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 307,380 hectares. (c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
Refinement of ecosystem records – 11,820 hectares Areas harvested 1997 to 2001 – 4,460 hectares Update of dieback mapping – 5,000 hectares Refinement of harvesting records – 15,120 hectares (3) No. (4) Approximately 6,660 hectares of the area in State forest and potentially available for timber harvesting, including 2,010 hectares that were harvested before the last State election and 140 hectares of reclassified non forest diverse ecotones. Consequently there would be about 4,510 ha available for harvesting during the term of the new FMP. A further 2,620 hectares are located on the other public land, for which a classification has not been determined and which includes about 470 ha on Unallocated Crown Land (UCL) which is potentially available for harvesting. However, the UCL is generally along streams and roads and fragmented in small patches which require investigation as to whether they are viable for harvesting. (5) The total area that has been reclassified from non old-growth to old-growth between 1997 and December 2001 under the same processes described in question (2) is as follows: Refinement of ecosystem records – 12,220 hectares Areas proposed but not harvested 1997 to 2001 – 2,110 hectares Update of dieback mapping – 880 hectares Refinement of harvesting records – 6,810 hectares (6) Yes. These areas occurred across both conservation reserve land categories and in State forest and timber reserves. Under the proposed Forest Management Plan, areas of old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission are set aside from timber harvesting either in formal or informal reserves. (7) Not applicable. See (6). (8) Following the National Forest Policy Statement (1992) definition of old-growth forest, the determination of old-growth status involved consideration of the disturbance history of areas together with the structure and condition of the forest. The definition of old-growth for each forest type and the criteria developed for mapping their extent have been previously published in Chapter 13 of the Comprehensive Regional Assessment (CRA) Volume 1 report (Commonwealth and Western Australian RFA Steering Committee, 1998). These were used in the subsequent refinement or update of datasets. Consequently, the reclassification of areas has arisen from the refinement of earlier records or the update of records that contribute to the determination of old-growth status, such as dieback occurrence, previous timber harvesting or mining extent. The rulesets applied when mapping these values followed standard operating procedures used in the RFA work (for consistency) and routine operations such as Phytophthora cinnamomi disease mapping. The occurrence of Phytophthora cinnamomi can alter the status of old-growth in forest that has not been previously harvested or disturbed. Mapping of disease presence in advance of soil disturbance operations is undertaken by accredited interpreters according to guidelines specified in an 88-page manual titled Phytophthora cinnamomi and disease caused by it. Volume 2 Interpreter guidelines for detection, diagnosis and mapping . A component of this mapping process involves the laboratory testing of tissue samples from plants expressing symptoms of the disease. A dieback front over at least 2 ha must be determined before an area is no longer classified as old-growth forest. Previous disturbance by timber harvesting can also alter the old-growth status of forest. During the pre-planning for timber harvesting operations, initial reconnaissance checks are undertaken to check the map records and ascertain if detailed survey is necessary. This field inspection involves checking for indicators of past disturbance such as the presence of stumps, old snig tracks or rail formations, the presence of regenerating cohorts from earlier harvest disturbance. A figure of one stump per hectare has been used to indicate if further detailed survey is required. These detailed surveys involve walking systematic, stripline transects spaced approximately 100 metres apart through the area to map the presence of multiple features. A minimum mapping unit of two hectares is used to retain consistency with the mapped resolution of other contributing datasets. (9) (a) The total area of old-growth within the three forest regions (Swan, South West and Warren) as at December 2001 under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 331,500 hectares. (b) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed formal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 307,380 hectares. (c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(3) No. (4) Approximately 6,660 hectares of the area in State forest and potentially available for timber harvesting, including 2,010 hectares that were harvested before the last State election and 140 hectares of reclassified non forest diverse ecotones. Consequently there would be about 4,510 ha available for harvesting during the term of the new FMP. A further 2,620 hectares are located on the other public land, for which a classification has not been determined and which includes about 470 ha on Unallocated Crown Land (UCL) which is potentially available for harvesting. However, the UCL is generally along streams and roads and fragmented in small patches which require investigation as to whether they are viable for harvesting. (5) The total area that has been reclassified from non old-growth to old-growth between 1997 and December 2001 under the same processes described in question (2) is as follows: Refinement of ecosystem records – 12,220 hectares Areas proposed but not harvested 1997 to 2001 – 2,110 hectares Update of dieback mapping – 880 hectares Refinement of harvesting records – 6,810 hectares (6) Yes. These areas occurred across both conservation reserve land categories and in State forest and timber reserves. Under the proposed Forest Management Plan, areas of old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission are set aside from timber harvesting either in formal or informal reserves. (7) Not applicable. See (6). (8) Following the National Forest Policy Statement (1992) definition of old-growth forest, the determination of old-growth status involved consideration of the disturbance history of areas together with the structure and condition of the forest. The definition of old-growth for each forest type and the criteria developed for mapping their extent have been previously published in Chapter 13 of the Comprehensive Regional Assessment (CRA) Volume 1 report (Commonwealth and Western Australian RFA Steering Committee, 1998). These were used in the subsequent refinement or update of datasets. Consequently, the reclassification of areas has arisen from the refinement of earlier records or the update of records that contribute to the determination of old-growth status, such as dieback occurrence, previous timber harvesting or mining extent. The rulesets applied when mapping these values followed standard operating procedures used in the RFA work (for consistency) and routine operations such as Phytophthora cinnamomi disease mapping. The occurrence of Phytophthora cinnamomi can alter the status of old-growth in forest that has not been previously harvested or disturbed. Mapping of disease presence in advance of soil disturbance operations is undertaken by accredited interpreters according to guidelines specified in an 88-page manual titled Phytophthora cinnamomi and disease caused by it. Volume 2 Interpreter guidelines for detection, diagnosis and mapping . A component of this mapping process involves the laboratory testing of tissue samples from plants expressing symptoms of the disease. A dieback front over at least 2 ha must be determined before an area is no longer classified as old-growth forest. Previous disturbance by timber harvesting can also alter the old-growth status of forest. During the pre-planning for timber harvesting operations, initial reconnaissance checks are undertaken to check the map records and ascertain if detailed survey is necessary. This field inspection involves checking for indicators of past disturbance such as the presence of stumps, old snig tracks or rail formations, the presence of regenerating cohorts from earlier harvest disturbance. A figure of one stump per hectare has been used to indicate if further detailed survey is required. These detailed surveys involve walking systematic, stripline transects spaced approximately 100 metres apart through the area to map the presence of multiple features. A minimum mapping unit of two hectares is used to retain consistency with the mapped resolution of other contributing datasets. (9) (a) The total area of old-growth within the three forest regions (Swan, South West and Warren) as at December 2001 under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 331,500 hectares. (b) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed formal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 307,380 hectares. (c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(4) Approximately 6,660 hectares of the area in State forest and potentially available for timber harvesting, including 2,010 hectares that were harvested before the last State election and 140 hectares of reclassified non forest diverse ecotones. Consequently there would be about 4,510 ha available for harvesting during the term of the new FMP. A further 2,620 hectares are located on the other public land, for which a classification has not been determined and which includes about 470 ha on Unallocated Crown Land (UCL) which is potentially available for harvesting. However, the UCL is generally along streams and roads and fragmented in small patches which require investigation as to whether they are viable for harvesting. (5) The total area that has been reclassified from non old-growth to old-growth between 1997 and December 2001 under the same processes described in question (2) is as follows: Refinement of ecosystem records – 12,220 hectares Areas proposed but not harvested 1997 to 2001 – 2,110 hectares Update of dieback mapping – 880 hectares Refinement of harvesting records – 6,810 hectares (6) Yes. These areas occurred across both conservation reserve land categories and in State forest and timber reserves. Under the proposed Forest Management Plan, areas of old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission are set aside from timber harvesting either in formal or informal reserves. (7) Not applicable. See (6). (8) Following the National Forest Policy Statement (1992) definition of old-growth forest, the determination of old-growth status involved consideration of the disturbance history of areas together with the structure and condition of the forest. The definition of old-growth for each forest type and the criteria developed for mapping their extent have been previously published in Chapter 13 of the Comprehensive Regional Assessment (CRA) Volume 1 report (Commonwealth and Western Australian RFA Steering Committee, 1998). These were used in the subsequent refinement or update of datasets. Consequently, the reclassification of areas has arisen from the refinement of earlier records or the update of records that contribute to the determination of old-growth status, such as dieback occurrence, previous timber harvesting or mining extent. The rulesets applied when mapping these values followed standard operating procedures used in the RFA work (for consistency) and routine operations such as Phytophthora cinnamomi disease mapping. The occurrence of Phytophthora cinnamomi can alter the status of old-growth in forest that has not been previously harvested or disturbed. Mapping of disease presence in advance of soil disturbance operations is undertaken by accredited interpreters according to guidelines specified in an 88-page manual titled Phytophthora cinnamomi and disease caused by it. Volume 2 Interpreter guidelines for detection, diagnosis and mapping . A component of this mapping process involves the laboratory testing of tissue samples from plants expressing symptoms of the disease. A dieback front over at least 2 ha must be determined before an area is no longer classified as old-growth forest. Previous disturbance by timber harvesting can also alter the old-growth status of forest. During the pre-planning for timber harvesting operations, initial reconnaissance checks are undertaken to check the map records and ascertain if detailed survey is necessary. This field inspection involves checking for indicators of past disturbance such as the presence of stumps, old snig tracks or rail formations, the presence of regenerating cohorts from earlier harvest disturbance. A figure of one stump per hectare has been used to indicate if further detailed survey is required. These detailed surveys involve walking systematic, stripline transects spaced approximately 100 metres apart through the area to map the presence of multiple features. A minimum mapping unit of two hectares is used to retain consistency with the mapped resolution of other contributing datasets. (9) (a) The total area of old-growth within the three forest regions (Swan, South West and Warren) as at December 2001 under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 331,500 hectares. (b) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed formal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 307,380 hectares. (c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
A further 2,620 hectares are located on the other public land, for which a classification has not been determined and which includes about 470 ha on Unallocated Crown Land (UCL) which is potentially available for harvesting. However, the UCL is generally along streams and roads and fragmented in small patches which require investigation as to whether they are viable for harvesting. (5) The total area that has been reclassified from non old-growth to old-growth between 1997 and December 2001 under the same processes described in question (2) is as follows: Refinement of ecosystem records – 12,220 hectares Areas proposed but not harvested 1997 to 2001 – 2,110 hectares Update of dieback mapping – 880 hectares Refinement of harvesting records – 6,810 hectares (6) Yes. These areas occurred across both conservation reserve land categories and in State forest and timber reserves. Under the proposed Forest Management Plan, areas of old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission are set aside from timber harvesting either in formal or informal reserves. (7) Not applicable. See (6). (8) Following the National Forest Policy Statement (1992) definition of old-growth forest, the determination of old-growth status involved consideration of the disturbance history of areas together with the structure and condition of the forest. The definition of old-growth for each forest type and the criteria developed for mapping their extent have been previously published in Chapter 13 of the Comprehensive Regional Assessment (CRA) Volume 1 report (Commonwealth and Western Australian RFA Steering Committee, 1998). These were used in the subsequent refinement or update of datasets. Consequently, the reclassification of areas has arisen from the refinement of earlier records or the update of records that contribute to the determination of old-growth status, such as dieback occurrence, previous timber harvesting or mining extent. The rulesets applied when mapping these values followed standard operating procedures used in the RFA work (for consistency) and routine operations such as Phytophthora cinnamomi disease mapping. The occurrence of Phytophthora cinnamomi can alter the status of old-growth in forest that has not been previously harvested or disturbed. Mapping of disease presence in advance of soil disturbance operations is undertaken by accredited interpreters according to guidelines specified in an 88-page manual titled Phytophthora cinnamomi and disease caused by it. Volume 2 Interpreter guidelines for detection, diagnosis and mapping . A component of this mapping process involves the laboratory testing of tissue samples from plants expressing symptoms of the disease. A dieback front over at least 2 ha must be determined before an area is no longer classified as old-growth forest. Previous disturbance by timber harvesting can also alter the old-growth status of forest. During the pre-planning for timber harvesting operations, initial reconnaissance checks are undertaken to check the map records and ascertain if detailed survey is necessary. This field inspection involves checking for indicators of past disturbance such as the presence of stumps, old snig tracks or rail formations, the presence of regenerating cohorts from earlier harvest disturbance. A figure of one stump per hectare has been used to indicate if further detailed survey is required. These detailed surveys involve walking systematic, stripline transects spaced approximately 100 metres apart through the area to map the presence of multiple features. A minimum mapping unit of two hectares is used to retain consistency with the mapped resolution of other contributing datasets. (9) (a) The total area of old-growth within the three forest regions (Swan, South West and Warren) as at December 2001 under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 331,500 hectares. (b) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed formal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 307,380 hectares. (c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(5) The total area that has been reclassified from non old-growth to old-growth between 1997 and December 2001 under the same processes described in question (2) is as follows: Refinement of ecosystem records – 12,220 hectares Areas proposed but not harvested 1997 to 2001 – 2,110 hectares Update of dieback mapping – 880 hectares Refinement of harvesting records – 6,810 hectares (6) Yes. These areas occurred across both conservation reserve land categories and in State forest and timber reserves. Under the proposed Forest Management Plan, areas of old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission are set aside from timber harvesting either in formal or informal reserves. (7) Not applicable. See (6). (8) Following the National Forest Policy Statement (1992) definition of old-growth forest, the determination of old-growth status involved consideration of the disturbance history of areas together with the structure and condition of the forest. The definition of old-growth for each forest type and the criteria developed for mapping their extent have been previously published in Chapter 13 of the Comprehensive Regional Assessment (CRA) Volume 1 report (Commonwealth and Western Australian RFA Steering Committee, 1998). These were used in the subsequent refinement or update of datasets. Consequently, the reclassification of areas has arisen from the refinement of earlier records or the update of records that contribute to the determination of old-growth status, such as dieback occurrence, previous timber harvesting or mining extent. The rulesets applied when mapping these values followed standard operating procedures used in the RFA work (for consistency) and routine operations such as Phytophthora cinnamomi disease mapping. The occurrence of Phytophthora cinnamomi can alter the status of old-growth in forest that has not been previously harvested or disturbed. Mapping of disease presence in advance of soil disturbance operations is undertaken by accredited interpreters according to guidelines specified in an 88-page manual titled Phytophthora cinnamomi and disease caused by it. Volume 2 Interpreter guidelines for detection, diagnosis and mapping . A component of this mapping process involves the laboratory testing of tissue samples from plants expressing symptoms of the disease. A dieback front over at least 2 ha must be determined before an area is no longer classified as old-growth forest. Previous disturbance by timber harvesting can also alter the old-growth status of forest. During the pre-planning for timber harvesting operations, initial reconnaissance checks are undertaken to check the map records and ascertain if detailed survey is necessary. This field inspection involves checking for indicators of past disturbance such as the presence of stumps, old snig tracks or rail formations, the presence of regenerating cohorts from earlier harvest disturbance. A figure of one stump per hectare has been used to indicate if further detailed survey is required. These detailed surveys involve walking systematic, stripline transects spaced approximately 100 metres apart through the area to map the presence of multiple features. A minimum mapping unit of two hectares is used to retain consistency with the mapped resolution of other contributing datasets. (9) (a) The total area of old-growth within the three forest regions (Swan, South West and Warren) as at December 2001 under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 331,500 hectares. (b) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed formal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 307,380 hectares. (c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
Refinement of ecosystem records – 12,220 hectares Areas proposed but not harvested 1997 to 2001 – 2,110 hectares Update of dieback mapping – 880 hectares Refinement of harvesting records – 6,810 hectares (6) Yes. These areas occurred across both conservation reserve land categories and in State forest and timber reserves. Under the proposed Forest Management Plan, areas of old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission are set aside from timber harvesting either in formal or informal reserves. (7) Not applicable. See (6). (8) Following the National Forest Policy Statement (1992) definition of old-growth forest, the determination of old-growth status involved consideration of the disturbance history of areas together with the structure and condition of the forest. The definition of old-growth for each forest type and the criteria developed for mapping their extent have been previously published in Chapter 13 of the Comprehensive Regional Assessment (CRA) Volume 1 report (Commonwealth and Western Australian RFA Steering Committee, 1998). These were used in the subsequent refinement or update of datasets. Consequently, the reclassification of areas has arisen from the refinement of earlier records or the update of records that contribute to the determination of old-growth status, such as dieback occurrence, previous timber harvesting or mining extent. The rulesets applied when mapping these values followed standard operating procedures used in the RFA work (for consistency) and routine operations such as Phytophthora cinnamomi disease mapping. The occurrence of Phytophthora cinnamomi can alter the status of old-growth in forest that has not been previously harvested or disturbed. Mapping of disease presence in advance of soil disturbance operations is undertaken by accredited interpreters according to guidelines specified in an 88-page manual titled Phytophthora cinnamomi and disease caused by it. Volume 2 Interpreter guidelines for detection, diagnosis and mapping . A component of this mapping process involves the laboratory testing of tissue samples from plants expressing symptoms of the disease. A dieback front over at least 2 ha must be determined before an area is no longer classified as old-growth forest. Previous disturbance by timber harvesting can also alter the old-growth status of forest. During the pre-planning for timber harvesting operations, initial reconnaissance checks are undertaken to check the map records and ascertain if detailed survey is necessary. This field inspection involves checking for indicators of past disturbance such as the presence of stumps, old snig tracks or rail formations, the presence of regenerating cohorts from earlier harvest disturbance. A figure of one stump per hectare has been used to indicate if further detailed survey is required. These detailed surveys involve walking systematic, stripline transects spaced approximately 100 metres apart through the area to map the presence of multiple features. A minimum mapping unit of two hectares is used to retain consistency with the mapped resolution of other contributing datasets. (9) (a) The total area of old-growth within the three forest regions (Swan, South West and Warren) as at December 2001 under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 331,500 hectares. (b) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed formal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 307,380 hectares. (c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(6) Yes. These areas occurred across both conservation reserve land categories and in State forest and timber reserves. Under the proposed Forest Management Plan, areas of old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission are set aside from timber harvesting either in formal or informal reserves. (7) Not applicable. See (6). (8) Following the National Forest Policy Statement (1992) definition of old-growth forest, the determination of old-growth status involved consideration of the disturbance history of areas together with the structure and condition of the forest. The definition of old-growth for each forest type and the criteria developed for mapping their extent have been previously published in Chapter 13 of the Comprehensive Regional Assessment (CRA) Volume 1 report (Commonwealth and Western Australian RFA Steering Committee, 1998). These were used in the subsequent refinement or update of datasets. Consequently, the reclassification of areas has arisen from the refinement of earlier records or the update of records that contribute to the determination of old-growth status, such as dieback occurrence, previous timber harvesting or mining extent. The rulesets applied when mapping these values followed standard operating procedures used in the RFA work (for consistency) and routine operations such as Phytophthora cinnamomi disease mapping. The occurrence of Phytophthora cinnamomi can alter the status of old-growth in forest that has not been previously harvested or disturbed. Mapping of disease presence in advance of soil disturbance operations is undertaken by accredited interpreters according to guidelines specified in an 88-page manual titled Phytophthora cinnamomi and disease caused by it. Volume 2 Interpreter guidelines for detection, diagnosis and mapping . A component of this mapping process involves the laboratory testing of tissue samples from plants expressing symptoms of the disease. A dieback front over at least 2 ha must be determined before an area is no longer classified as old-growth forest. Previous disturbance by timber harvesting can also alter the old-growth status of forest. During the pre-planning for timber harvesting operations, initial reconnaissance checks are undertaken to check the map records and ascertain if detailed survey is necessary. This field inspection involves checking for indicators of past disturbance such as the presence of stumps, old snig tracks or rail formations, the presence of regenerating cohorts from earlier harvest disturbance. A figure of one stump per hectare has been used to indicate if further detailed survey is required. These detailed surveys involve walking systematic, stripline transects spaced approximately 100 metres apart through the area to map the presence of multiple features. A minimum mapping unit of two hectares is used to retain consistency with the mapped resolution of other contributing datasets. (9) (a) The total area of old-growth within the three forest regions (Swan, South West and Warren) as at December 2001 under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 331,500 hectares. (b) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed formal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 307,380 hectares. (c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(7) Not applicable. See (6). (8) Following the National Forest Policy Statement (1992) definition of old-growth forest, the determination of old-growth status involved consideration of the disturbance history of areas together with the structure and condition of the forest. The definition of old-growth for each forest type and the criteria developed for mapping their extent have been previously published in Chapter 13 of the Comprehensive Regional Assessment (CRA) Volume 1 report (Commonwealth and Western Australian RFA Steering Committee, 1998). These were used in the subsequent refinement or update of datasets. Consequently, the reclassification of areas has arisen from the refinement of earlier records or the update of records that contribute to the determination of old-growth status, such as dieback occurrence, previous timber harvesting or mining extent. The rulesets applied when mapping these values followed standard operating procedures used in the RFA work (for consistency) and routine operations such as Phytophthora cinnamomi disease mapping. The occurrence of Phytophthora cinnamomi can alter the status of old-growth in forest that has not been previously harvested or disturbed. Mapping of disease presence in advance of soil disturbance operations is undertaken by accredited interpreters according to guidelines specified in an 88-page manual titled Phytophthora cinnamomi and disease caused by it. Volume 2 Interpreter guidelines for detection, diagnosis and mapping . A component of this mapping process involves the laboratory testing of tissue samples from plants expressing symptoms of the disease. A dieback front over at least 2 ha must be determined before an area is no longer classified as old-growth forest. Previous disturbance by timber harvesting can also alter the old-growth status of forest. During the pre-planning for timber harvesting operations, initial reconnaissance checks are undertaken to check the map records and ascertain if detailed survey is necessary. This field inspection involves checking for indicators of past disturbance such as the presence of stumps, old snig tracks or rail formations, the presence of regenerating cohorts from earlier harvest disturbance. A figure of one stump per hectare has been used to indicate if further detailed survey is required. These detailed surveys involve walking systematic, stripline transects spaced approximately 100 metres apart through the area to map the presence of multiple features. A minimum mapping unit of two hectares is used to retain consistency with the mapped resolution of other contributing datasets. (9) (a) The total area of old-growth within the three forest regions (Swan, South West and Warren) as at December 2001 under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 331,500 hectares. (b) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed formal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 307,380 hectares. (c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(8) Following the National Forest Policy Statement (1992) definition of old-growth forest, the determination of old-growth status involved consideration of the disturbance history of areas together with the structure and condition of the forest. The definition of old-growth for each forest type and the criteria developed for mapping their extent have been previously published in Chapter 13 of the Comprehensive Regional Assessment (CRA) Volume 1 report (Commonwealth and Western Australian RFA Steering Committee, 1998). These were used in the subsequent refinement or update of datasets. Consequently, the reclassification of areas has arisen from the refinement of earlier records or the update of records that contribute to the determination of old-growth status, such as dieback occurrence, previous timber harvesting or mining extent. The rulesets applied when mapping these values followed standard operating procedures used in the RFA work (for consistency) and routine operations such as Phytophthora cinnamomi disease mapping. The occurrence of Phytophthora cinnamomi can alter the status of old-growth in forest that has not been previously harvested or disturbed. Mapping of disease presence in advance of soil disturbance operations is undertaken by accredited interpreters according to guidelines specified in an 88-page manual titled Phytophthora cinnamomi and disease caused by it. Volume 2 Interpreter guidelines for detection, diagnosis and mapping . A component of this mapping process involves the laboratory testing of tissue samples from plants expressing symptoms of the disease. A dieback front over at least 2 ha must be determined before an area is no longer classified as old-growth forest. Previous disturbance by timber harvesting can also alter the old-growth status of forest. During the pre-planning for timber harvesting operations, initial reconnaissance checks are undertaken to check the map records and ascertain if detailed survey is necessary. This field inspection involves checking for indicators of past disturbance such as the presence of stumps, old snig tracks or rail formations, the presence of regenerating cohorts from earlier harvest disturbance. A figure of one stump per hectare has been used to indicate if further detailed survey is required. These detailed surveys involve walking systematic, stripline transects spaced approximately 100 metres apart through the area to map the presence of multiple features. A minimum mapping unit of two hectares is used to retain consistency with the mapped resolution of other contributing datasets. (9) (a) The total area of old-growth within the three forest regions (Swan, South West and Warren) as at December 2001 under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 331,500 hectares. (b) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed formal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 307,380 hectares. (c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
The occurrence of Phytophthora cinnamomi can alter the status of old-growth in forest that has not been previously harvested or disturbed. Mapping of disease presence in advance of soil disturbance operations is undertaken by accredited interpreters according to guidelines specified in an 88-page manual titled Phytophthora cinnamomi and disease caused by it. Volume 2 Interpreter guidelines for detection, diagnosis and mapping . A component of this mapping process involves the laboratory testing of tissue samples from plants expressing symptoms of the disease. A dieback front over at least 2 ha must be determined before an area is no longer classified as old-growth forest. Previous disturbance by timber harvesting can also alter the old-growth status of forest. During the pre-planning for timber harvesting operations, initial reconnaissance checks are undertaken to check the map records and ascertain if detailed survey is necessary. This field inspection involves checking for indicators of past disturbance such as the presence of stumps, old snig tracks or rail formations, the presence of regenerating cohorts from earlier harvest disturbance. A figure of one stump per hectare has been used to indicate if further detailed survey is required. These detailed surveys involve walking systematic, stripline transects spaced approximately 100 metres apart through the area to map the presence of multiple features. A minimum mapping unit of two hectares is used to retain consistency with the mapped resolution of other contributing datasets. (9) (a) The total area of old-growth within the three forest regions (Swan, South West and Warren) as at December 2001 under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 331,500 hectares. (b) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed formal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 307,380 hectares. (c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
Previous disturbance by timber harvesting can also alter the old-growth status of forest. During the pre-planning for timber harvesting operations, initial reconnaissance checks are undertaken to check the map records and ascertain if detailed survey is necessary. This field inspection involves checking for indicators of past disturbance such as the presence of stumps, old snig tracks or rail formations, the presence of regenerating cohorts from earlier harvest disturbance. A figure of one stump per hectare has been used to indicate if further detailed survey is required. These detailed surveys involve walking systematic, stripline transects spaced approximately 100 metres apart through the area to map the presence of multiple features. A minimum mapping unit of two hectares is used to retain consistency with the mapped resolution of other contributing datasets. (9) (a) The total area of old-growth within the three forest regions (Swan, South West and Warren) as at December 2001 under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 331,500 hectares. (b) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed formal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 307,380 hectares. (c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
A minimum mapping unit of two hectares is used to retain consistency with the mapped resolution of other contributing datasets. (9) (a) The total area of old-growth within the three forest regions (Swan, South West and Warren) as at December 2001 under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 331,500 hectares. (b) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed formal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 307,380 hectares. (c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(9) (a) The total area of old-growth within the three forest regions (Swan, South West and Warren) as at December 2001 under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 331,500 hectares. (b) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed formal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 307,380 hectares. (c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(b) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed formal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is 307,380 hectares. (c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(c) The total area of old-growth forest in existing and proposed informal reserves within the three forest regions under the proposed Forest Management Plan is approximately 24,000 hectares. A further 120 hectares is on other public land. (d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(d) See answer to (4). (e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(e) Approximately 1,030 hectares of jarrah forest that was not previously subjected to timber harvesting, but has now been recorded as infested with Phytophthora cinnamomi , occurs in areas available for timber harvesting in State forest. (f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(f) Approximately 85 hectares of old-growth forest previously classified in this category during the RFA process have been reclassified to non old-growth following detailed field survey. (10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(10) The datasets that contribute to the determination of old-growth status have been subject to the routine processes within the Department for maintaining corporate data. The Independent Expert Panel appointed to review the sustained timber yields was briefed on the processes and provided examples of variations to old-growth status arising through the harvesting planning process. The Panel concluded that “well developed protocols exist for checking and correcting apparent errors in species or structural typing”. (Calculating Sustained Yield for the Forest Management Plan (2004-2013), Stage 3 Report, Ferguson et al ., 2003). (11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(11) Not applicable. See (10). (12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(12) (a) The field inspections were undertaken in March 2003. (b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(b) Officers of the Sustainable Forest Management Division within the Department of Conservation and Land Management conducted the inspections. (c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(c) The inspections were part of a routine process for field checking the old-growth status of additional areas for inclusion in the existing or proposed reserves. Details of the inspections have not been published. Recognising the community interest in this issue, the proposed Forest Management Plan provides for the maintenance of a public register of future variations arising to the old-growth records. (13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(13) The Government has delivered on its policy of protecting from timber harvesting the remaining old-growth forest on lands vested in the Conservation Commission. Ongoing refinement of the various datasets is a necessary operational task. However, there will be no further decrease in the area set aside from timber harvesting. (14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(14) See (13). (15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(15) There is no systematic program to re-map the old-growth forest. Ongoing operational updates may arise as timber harvesting or other disturbance activities are planned adjacent to old-growth forest. In these instances, surveys as described in Appendix 3 of the proposed Forest Management Plan will be undertaken. (16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(16) All areas on harvest plans are examined as part of the routine process of coupe-level planning. The sequence and timing of these checks depend on the coupe planning sequence determined by the Forest Products Commission. (17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
(17) (a-b) I take leave to table a map showing the location of areas previously classified as old-growth forest but now classified as non-old growth forest, and areas previously classified as non old-growth now classified as old-growth. See tabled paper.
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