❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses the supervision, value adding, public access, methods, and environmental impact of forest thinning operations in the Collie Recovery Catchment, clarifying that thinning is not primarily for increasing run-off.
AnsweredQoN 1909Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
In relation to the Collie Recovery Catchment -
(1) Who supervises thinning operations?
(2) Does value adding apply to forest thinning?
(3) If yes, what are they?
(4) How does the public access material from forest thinning operations?
(5) What methods are used to thin and rehabilitate forest areas, eg. herbicide, mechanical, or other?
(6) Are thinning operations in the recovery catchment being undertaken for the purpose of increasing run-off?
(7) If so, what measures are undertaken to prevent soil erosion, turbidity, loss of biodiversity or other forms of environmental damage?
(8) Before thinning operations are implemented, does the Department of Conservation or the Forest Products Commission undertake a Visual Resource Management Plan (Policy Statement No. 34) for the area to be thinned and rehabilitated?
(9) If not, why not?
(1) Who supervises thinning operations?
(2) Does value adding apply to forest thinning?
(3) If yes, what are they?
(4) How does the public access material from forest thinning operations?
(5) What methods are used to thin and rehabilitate forest areas, eg. herbicide, mechanical, or other?
(6) Are thinning operations in the recovery catchment being undertaken for the purpose of increasing run-off?
(7) If so, what measures are undertaken to prevent soil erosion, turbidity, loss of biodiversity or other forms of environmental damage?
(8) Before thinning operations are implemented, does the Department of Conservation or the Forest Products Commission undertake a Visual Resource Management Plan (Policy Statement No. 34) for the area to be thinned and rehabilitated?
(9) If not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
7 May 2004
Responded by
Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Response time
31 days
I have assumed, principally due to the reference to value adding, that this question is intended to relate to thinning of native State forests. The remaining responses are provided on that basis. It is also relevant that the responses describe general circumstances and are not specific to the Collie Recovery Catchment. Thinning of native forests to enhance forest health and promote growth of remaining trees may be conducted through either commercial or non-commercial operations. (1) It is possible, under certain circumstances such as thinning for production of public firewood, for thinning to be supervised by the Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM). To the extent of my available advice, recent and current commercial and non-commercial thinning operations in the catchment have been and are being supervised by the Forest Products Commission (FPC). (2-3) Thinning conducted during commercial operations produces a range of products that contribute to the volumes available to FPC customers under contracts of sale. A significant proportion of sawlog volumes from such operations are value-added in accordance with the terms of the relevant contracts. By definition, non-commercial operations are unlikely to produce significant volumes of saleable products. Any small amounts that are produced would be available for sale under Minor Production Contracts (MPCs) provided by the FPC. In either case, value adding generally involves conversion into furniture, flooring or joinery. (4) The public may access material from thinnings for value-adding purposes through MPCs. It is also possible that CALM may allow subsequent public access to thinned areas for collection of public firewood. (5) Thinning in commercial operations is generally carried out using mechanical harvesters or chainsaws. Non-commercial thinning is generally achieved through the ‘cut-stump’ method using chainsaws and herbicide application. (6) Thinning operations may have the effect of increasing run-off but are not currently being conducted for that purpose. (7) Not applicable (8) Visual resource management is taken into account through application of the Jarrah Silviculture Guideline developed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management. The jarrah silviculture ‘spectrum’ contained in the Guideline is specifically designed for visual resource management. (9) Not applicable
(1) It is possible, under certain circumstances such as thinning for production of public firewood, for thinning to be supervised by the Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM). To the extent of my available advice, recent and current commercial and non-commercial thinning operations in the catchment have been and are being supervised by the Forest Products Commission (FPC). (2-3) Thinning conducted during commercial operations produces a range of products that contribute to the volumes available to FPC customers under contracts of sale. A significant proportion of sawlog volumes from such operations are value-added in accordance with the terms of the relevant contracts. By definition, non-commercial operations are unlikely to produce significant volumes of saleable products. Any small amounts that are produced would be available for sale under Minor Production Contracts (MPCs) provided by the FPC. In either case, value adding generally involves conversion into furniture, flooring or joinery. (4) The public may access material from thinnings for value-adding purposes through MPCs. It is also possible that CALM may allow subsequent public access to thinned areas for collection of public firewood. (5) Thinning in commercial operations is generally carried out using mechanical harvesters or chainsaws. Non-commercial thinning is generally achieved through the ‘cut-stump’ method using chainsaws and herbicide application. (6) Thinning operations may have the effect of increasing run-off but are not currently being conducted for that purpose. (7) Not applicable (8) Visual resource management is taken into account through application of the Jarrah Silviculture Guideline developed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management. The jarrah silviculture ‘spectrum’ contained in the Guideline is specifically designed for visual resource management. (9) Not applicable
(2-3) Thinning conducted during commercial operations produces a range of products that contribute to the volumes available to FPC customers under contracts of sale. A significant proportion of sawlog volumes from such operations are value-added in accordance with the terms of the relevant contracts. By definition, non-commercial operations are unlikely to produce significant volumes of saleable products. Any small amounts that are produced would be available for sale under Minor Production Contracts (MPCs) provided by the FPC. In either case, value adding generally involves conversion into furniture, flooring or joinery. (4) The public may access material from thinnings for value-adding purposes through MPCs. It is also possible that CALM may allow subsequent public access to thinned areas for collection of public firewood. (5) Thinning in commercial operations is generally carried out using mechanical harvesters or chainsaws. Non-commercial thinning is generally achieved through the ‘cut-stump’ method using chainsaws and herbicide application. (6) Thinning operations may have the effect of increasing run-off but are not currently being conducted for that purpose. (7) Not applicable (8) Visual resource management is taken into account through application of the Jarrah Silviculture Guideline developed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management. The jarrah silviculture ‘spectrum’ contained in the Guideline is specifically designed for visual resource management. (9) Not applicable
(4) The public may access material from thinnings for value-adding purposes through MPCs. It is also possible that CALM may allow subsequent public access to thinned areas for collection of public firewood. (5) Thinning in commercial operations is generally carried out using mechanical harvesters or chainsaws. Non-commercial thinning is generally achieved through the ‘cut-stump’ method using chainsaws and herbicide application. (6) Thinning operations may have the effect of increasing run-off but are not currently being conducted for that purpose. (7) Not applicable (8) Visual resource management is taken into account through application of the Jarrah Silviculture Guideline developed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management. The jarrah silviculture ‘spectrum’ contained in the Guideline is specifically designed for visual resource management. (9) Not applicable
(5) Thinning in commercial operations is generally carried out using mechanical harvesters or chainsaws. Non-commercial thinning is generally achieved through the ‘cut-stump’ method using chainsaws and herbicide application. (6) Thinning operations may have the effect of increasing run-off but are not currently being conducted for that purpose. (7) Not applicable (8) Visual resource management is taken into account through application of the Jarrah Silviculture Guideline developed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management. The jarrah silviculture ‘spectrum’ contained in the Guideline is specifically designed for visual resource management. (9) Not applicable
(6) Thinning operations may have the effect of increasing run-off but are not currently being conducted for that purpose. (7) Not applicable (8) Visual resource management is taken into account through application of the Jarrah Silviculture Guideline developed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management. The jarrah silviculture ‘spectrum’ contained in the Guideline is specifically designed for visual resource management. (9) Not applicable
(7) Not applicable (8) Visual resource management is taken into account through application of the Jarrah Silviculture Guideline developed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management. The jarrah silviculture ‘spectrum’ contained in the Guideline is specifically designed for visual resource management. (9) Not applicable
(8) Visual resource management is taken into account through application of the Jarrah Silviculture Guideline developed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management. The jarrah silviculture ‘spectrum’ contained in the Guideline is specifically designed for visual resource management. (9) Not applicable
(9) Not applicable
(1) It is possible, under certain circumstances such as thinning for production of public firewood, for thinning to be supervised by the Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM). To the extent of my available advice, recent and current commercial and non-commercial thinning operations in the catchment have been and are being supervised by the Forest Products Commission (FPC). (2-3) Thinning conducted during commercial operations produces a range of products that contribute to the volumes available to FPC customers under contracts of sale. A significant proportion of sawlog volumes from such operations are value-added in accordance with the terms of the relevant contracts. By definition, non-commercial operations are unlikely to produce significant volumes of saleable products. Any small amounts that are produced would be available for sale under Minor Production Contracts (MPCs) provided by the FPC. In either case, value adding generally involves conversion into furniture, flooring or joinery. (4) The public may access material from thinnings for value-adding purposes through MPCs. It is also possible that CALM may allow subsequent public access to thinned areas for collection of public firewood. (5) Thinning in commercial operations is generally carried out using mechanical harvesters or chainsaws. Non-commercial thinning is generally achieved through the ‘cut-stump’ method using chainsaws and herbicide application. (6) Thinning operations may have the effect of increasing run-off but are not currently being conducted for that purpose. (7) Not applicable (8) Visual resource management is taken into account through application of the Jarrah Silviculture Guideline developed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management. The jarrah silviculture ‘spectrum’ contained in the Guideline is specifically designed for visual resource management. (9) Not applicable
(2-3) Thinning conducted during commercial operations produces a range of products that contribute to the volumes available to FPC customers under contracts of sale. A significant proportion of sawlog volumes from such operations are value-added in accordance with the terms of the relevant contracts. By definition, non-commercial operations are unlikely to produce significant volumes of saleable products. Any small amounts that are produced would be available for sale under Minor Production Contracts (MPCs) provided by the FPC. In either case, value adding generally involves conversion into furniture, flooring or joinery. (4) The public may access material from thinnings for value-adding purposes through MPCs. It is also possible that CALM may allow subsequent public access to thinned areas for collection of public firewood. (5) Thinning in commercial operations is generally carried out using mechanical harvesters or chainsaws. Non-commercial thinning is generally achieved through the ‘cut-stump’ method using chainsaws and herbicide application. (6) Thinning operations may have the effect of increasing run-off but are not currently being conducted for that purpose. (7) Not applicable (8) Visual resource management is taken into account through application of the Jarrah Silviculture Guideline developed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management. The jarrah silviculture ‘spectrum’ contained in the Guideline is specifically designed for visual resource management. (9) Not applicable
(4) The public may access material from thinnings for value-adding purposes through MPCs. It is also possible that CALM may allow subsequent public access to thinned areas for collection of public firewood. (5) Thinning in commercial operations is generally carried out using mechanical harvesters or chainsaws. Non-commercial thinning is generally achieved through the ‘cut-stump’ method using chainsaws and herbicide application. (6) Thinning operations may have the effect of increasing run-off but are not currently being conducted for that purpose. (7) Not applicable (8) Visual resource management is taken into account through application of the Jarrah Silviculture Guideline developed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management. The jarrah silviculture ‘spectrum’ contained in the Guideline is specifically designed for visual resource management. (9) Not applicable
(5) Thinning in commercial operations is generally carried out using mechanical harvesters or chainsaws. Non-commercial thinning is generally achieved through the ‘cut-stump’ method using chainsaws and herbicide application. (6) Thinning operations may have the effect of increasing run-off but are not currently being conducted for that purpose. (7) Not applicable (8) Visual resource management is taken into account through application of the Jarrah Silviculture Guideline developed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management. The jarrah silviculture ‘spectrum’ contained in the Guideline is specifically designed for visual resource management. (9) Not applicable
(6) Thinning operations may have the effect of increasing run-off but are not currently being conducted for that purpose. (7) Not applicable (8) Visual resource management is taken into account through application of the Jarrah Silviculture Guideline developed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management. The jarrah silviculture ‘spectrum’ contained in the Guideline is specifically designed for visual resource management. (9) Not applicable
(7) Not applicable (8) Visual resource management is taken into account through application of the Jarrah Silviculture Guideline developed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management. The jarrah silviculture ‘spectrum’ contained in the Guideline is specifically designed for visual resource management. (9) Not applicable
(8) Visual resource management is taken into account through application of the Jarrah Silviculture Guideline developed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management. The jarrah silviculture ‘spectrum’ contained in the Guideline is specifically designed for visual resource management. (9) Not applicable
(9) Not applicable
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