In a long-term activity such as forestry, which can create substantial and lasting change, good planning is essential to ensure that forest operations are undertaken with minimum impact. Planning is also essential for sustainable forest management in order to protect the environmental, economic and social values. Planning issues arise when land is first identified for afforestation (e.g. forest design, soil and water management) and continue throughout the forest cycle in relation to aspects such as harvesting, recreation, biodiversity and landscape. While the CODE OF BEST FOREST
PRACTICE focuses on operational planning, strategic and tactical planning are also paramount (3):
Strategic: This applies to regions and issues of national importance, implying consultation at high levels.
Tactical: This relates to forest management plans and the extent to which forest operations take place over time with reference to resources and constraints.
Operational: This involves the selection of specific operational systems and the monitoring and review of operational decisions.
Figure 1 indicates the position of the CODE OFBESTFORESTPRACTICEand other tools within the planning framework for forestry.
Figure 1 Planning framework for forestry.
Consultation
Consultation is inherent in good planning. There are many interests and well-defined representative bodies associated with Irish forestry. In addition to the forest owners themselves, they include local community groups, farming organisations, employer/employee organisations, Local Authorities, Dúchas The Heritage Service and Regional Fisheries Boards, county council planning and environmental interests,
CONSULTATION STAKEHOLDERS
environmental non-government organisations (NGOs), and sporting and recreational groups. The CODE OFBESTFORESTPRACTICEis designed to highlight those occasions and operational practices which require consultation at a stage early enough in the planning process to avoid or minimise difficulties. The early exchange of information is important in creating a climate of trust and transparency, and to allow sensible and practical solutions to be found where difficulties exist.
Consultation will be required at different stages in the process, well in advance where forest establishment and major operations are planned, and often on an ongoing basis where operations can vary, due to natural causes or management decisions.
Identifying forest values
The second stage in the planning framework is the identification of forest values. This occurs at the strategic or tactical planning level. For any major regional or local forestry development, the major impacts need to be identified, broad guidelines determined and consultation undertaken with the relevant national and local interest groups. Major decisions will be needed as to whether or not the development should proceed, and in what manner.
Identifying operational impacts
Numerous operations will occur at the forest level throughout the forest cycle. It is necessary to identify those operations with potential environmental, economic or social impacts, with reference to forest owners and managers. The CODE OF BEST
FOREST PRACTICE highlights key factors and potential adverse impacts associated with each forest operation. Decisions will be needed at this stage to set out priorities.
Dialogue and exchange of information are important in creating a climate of trust and transparency.
Specifying procedures to avoid or minimise adverse impacts
The CODE OFBESTFORESTPRACTICEindicates a range of procedures which will avoid or mitigate adverse impacts. These procedures are outlined with basic necessary information. These techniques should be cost-effective and capable of minimising any adverse impacts which cannot be avoided. On the ground discussions between forest owners/managers and representatives of concerned interests will be necessary at this stage.
Checking compliance with approved procedures
Forest managers will also need to be aware of the approved procedures for conducting operations. In grant-aided forestry, these will form part of the conditions imposed to qualify for support. The law must also be observed. The various environmental guidelines should be followed, and provisions of the CODE OF BEST
FORESTPRACTICEfully complied with.
Clear instructions must be given to supervisors and operators for each operation. As those who will be most closely involved with forest work, machine operators and manual workers must be aware of the relevant constraints, requirements and procedures.
Monitoring performance
To complete the planning process, it is important that activity is monitored. This should be undertaken during and after the operation and repeated periodically, ensuring compliance has been achieved, planning followed and feedback facilitated.
As well as self-monitoring, adherence to the CODE OFBEST FORESTPRACTICEimplies an external assessment to ensure that standards are maintained. This is carried out through inspections by Ireland’s forest authority, the Forest Service of the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources, undertaken as part of an impact appraisal process.
FOREST OPERATIONS DATABASE
SECTIONS1-18 describe operations spanning the entire forest cycle, from nursery to reforestation and including planning and training. Each operation is described in detail under five broad headings:
• Key factors related to a particular operation are identified and objectives listed.
• Technical information describing the operation in adequate detail (with some quantified data and tables) is given, to guide the operator towards the best procedure and to be understood by other interests.
• Potential adverse inputs are identified.
• Procedures to avoid or remedy impacts are identified.
• Other useful reference material is listed.
REFERENCES
(1) Anon. 1996. Growing for the Future: A Strategic Plan for the Development of the Forestry Sector in Ireland.
Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. Government Publications Sale Office, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2.
(2) Anon. 2000. Forestry Schemes - Procedures and Standards Manual. Draft. Forest Service, Department of the Marine and Natural Resources, Leeson Lane, Dublin 2.
(3) Vaughan, L., Visser, R. and Smith, M. 1993. New Zealand Forest Code of Practice. 2nd Edition. New Zealand Logging Industry Research Organisation (LIRO), PO Box 147, Rotorua, New Zealand.