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Managing our Environment

National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry (NES-PF)

The National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry (NES-PF) came into effect on 1 May 2018.

These are a single set of nationally consistent regulations under the Resource Management Act that apply to foresters throughout New Zealand, creating more certainty and improving efficiency. 

If you have a forestry block larger than one hectare that was planted specifically for commercial activities and harvest, then the NES-PF will apply to you.
 
The NES-PF sets out rules for eight plantation forestry activities:

  • afforestation
  • pruning and thinning to waste
  • earthworks
  • river crossings
  • forest quarrying
  • harvesting
  • mechanical land preparation
  • replanting

Most forestry activities are permitted by the NES-PF so long as foresters meet specific conditions to prevent significant adverse environmental effects. If foresters can't meet these conditions, they need to apply for a resource consent.

MPI have developed some resources to assist in understanding the NES-PF including this Overview of the regulations guide. 

Find out more information on the MPI website >> or for NES-PF support call: 0800 88 83 33

Amendment 2 (NES Plantation Forestry)

Prior to 1 May 2018 forestry activities in Otago were managed under the Water Plan. This changed when the NES-PF came into effect.

Regulation 6 of the NES-PF provides for more stringent plan rules to apply in particular circumstances. We have identified more stringent rules in our Water Plan in relation to discharges of sediment and bed disturbance. The primary reason for retaining these rules is to protect threatened indigenous fish (i.e. galaxiid species), many of which are found only in Otago.

An amendment to the Water Plan was made to include explanatory notes under sections 12.C and 13.5, which clarifies where stricter rules in the Water Plan will prevail over rules in the NES-PF. There is also a new Schedule 17 at the back of the plan that summarises which rules (NES-PF or plan) apply to forestry in Otago which can be found below.

National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry (Part 2)

Regional Plan: Water for Otago

Subpart 1 – Afforestation

All regulations apply

 

Not applicable.

Subpart 8 – Replanting

All regulations apply

Subpart 2 – Pruning and thinning to waste

All regulations apply

Chapter 12: Rules Water Take, Use &       Management

12.C     Other discharges

12.C.1      Permitted activities: No resource consent required

12.C.1.1 (d) (e) (f), excluding (iii)

12.C.2      Restricted discretionary activities: Resource consent required

12.C.2.1

12.C.2.2

12.C.2.4

12.C.3      Discretionary activities:        
Resource consent required

12.C.3.2

Subpart 3 – Earthworks

All regulations apply, except 26 replaced
(see opposite and 13.5 rules below in relation to ephemeral rivers)

Subpart 5 – Forest quarrying

All regulations apply, except 56 (1) replaced
(see opposite)

Subpart 6 – Harvesting

All regulations apply, except 65 replaced
(see opposite).

Subpart 7 – Mechanical land preparation

All regulations apply, except 74 (6) replaced
(see opposite)

Subpart 9 – Ancillary activities

All regulations apply, except 90 replaced
(see opposite)

 

National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry (Part 2)

Regional Plan: Water for Otago

Subpart 3 – Earthworks

All regulations apply (except 26 replaced, see above). In addition to 28(2), 13.5.3.1 rule opposite also applies for ephemeral flow paths

Chapter 13: Rules: Land Use on Lake or  River Beds or Regionally        Significant Wetlands

13.5     Alteration of the bed of a lake or river, or of a Regionally Significant Wetland

13.5.1       Permitted activities:  
No resource consent required.

13.5.1.1 (g)

13.5.3       Discretionary activities:       
Resource consent required

13.5.3.1

Subpart 4 – River Crossings

All regulations apply. In addition to 44, 13.5.1.1(g) rule opposite applies, if this rule cannot be met then 13.5.3.1 applies.

Subpart 6 – Harvesting

All regulations apply. In addition to 68(3), rule 13.5.3.1 opposite applies if logs are to be dragged through streams less than 3 metres wide. 

Subpart 9 – Ancillary activities

All regulations apply. In addition to 89, 13.5.1.1(g) rule opposite applies, if this rule cannot be met then 13.5.3.1 applies.

Subpart 10 – General provisions

All regulations apply. In addition to 97, rule 13.5.3.1 opposite also applies to any bed disturbance outside fish spawning seasons as defined by the Fish Spawning Indicator.

 

Notification

As defined in Regulation 3 of the Resource Management (National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry) Regulations 2017 (NES-PF) you are required to give notice to the council before undertaking permitted plantation forestry activities including, afforestation, earthworks, river crossings, forestry quarrying and/or harvesting.

You can fill in our online form below or you can download a print application here that can be emailed to forestry@orc.govt.nz or posted to,

Forestry
Otago Regional Council
Private Bag 1954
Dunedin, 9054

Written Notice (Plantation Forestry Activities)

Read more

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