Forests NSW fined for polluting waters

Following the investigation of Forests NSW logging practices last year after the discovery of a spate of breaches including logging rainforests and destroying the habitat of threatened and endangered native animals, the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water has confirmed that Forests NSW received two fines for polluting waters in Wandera State Forest, adjacent to the Deua River, west of Moruya on the south coast of NSW.

The Department also found there were 23 breaches of regulations and conditions in many state forests in both the Eden and Southern regions such as deliberately pushing debris against habitat trees, poorly selected trees to be retained for habitat, no marking of trees, hollow bearing trees logged, logging in creeks, logging of mapped old-growth and logging of rocky outcrops.

Conservationists welcome the outcomes but say more work and stronger penalties are needed to get Forests NSW and their authorised contractors to comply with the law.

“We have proven systemic re-occurring breaches on the south coast that show a pattern of non-compliance,” said Ms Stone, spokesperson for South East Forest Rescue. “DECCW’s findings prove that Forests NSW are logging these important forests and ignoring environment protection rules. All this, merely for the sake of only another two to three years worth of sawlog trees.”

Conservationists say that because the forests have been so heavily overcut, the promised level of supply can’t be met.

The NSW Government must review how much forest there is left to log. This is called sustainable yield. They should have completed the sustainable yield document in time for the first 5 yearly review. Their failure to comply with this is a trigger for termination of the RFAs. The first review has only just finished, five years late and still Forests NSW and the State Government has failed to produce the sustainable yield data.

“Forest NSW logging practices are not only unlawful, they have been proved to be unsustainable,” said Ms Stone. “If the woodchipping industry is sustainable, as Forests NSW and Timber Communities Australia allege, where is the scientific data?”

Premier Kenneally stated publically on Sunday that the charging of Mr Cheser, over allegations of possession, shows that no-one is above the law.

“Those comments are those of a Premier still getting on top of the native forest logging brief,” said Ms Stone. “We have offered to give the Premier a briefing and a tour of the south east forests but so far have had no response.”

“These requirements and regulations are in fact quite basic to follow,” said Ms Stone. “Many are written with so many loopholes that compliance is not needed. Why then is it that the State run agency Forests NSW still cannot comply with these simple rules. Quite frankly it shows their contempt for the environment, the law and the local community.”

Conservationists say it’s time for native forest operations under the RFAs to cease until both the State and Federal governments can prove that Forests NSW will adhere to the law.

South East Forest Rescue Press Release January 31st 2011

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