Environmental Update December 2000

In December 1999 Wenita embarked on a programme to implement an Environmental Management System (EMS). Since then we have been developing our skills and systems in environmental management.

Significant milestones in our EMS programme to date have been the development of our Environmental Policy Statement, environmental training for many of our contractors and staff, the introduction of Best Management Practices (BMP's) and the formal appointment of an EMS Co-ordinator (Wayne Lindsay, Forest Development Manager).

This is the first of what will be a regular newsletter updating stakeholders and other interested parties on some of the environmental issues affecting Wenita operations.

EMS Activity Report

Internal Audits

Twenty-one internal audits have been completed to date.

In the first round of audits, many faults were found. The most common faults were inadequate water controls and rubbish left in the forest.

Recent audits have shown a marked improvement in our forest operations with most of the faults now being with the documentation. This improvement in our operations is great to see.

Environmental Incidents

Eight environmental incidents have been recorded to date

Three of these relate to poor water controls and/or slumps. It is expected that as we repair problems arising from pre-EMS operations, the occurrence of this type of incident will decrease.

Three of these related to logging debris in streams. In one of these incidents the debris was cleaned out of the stream immediately. The other three relate to accumulated debris forming log jams in significant streams. As none of these have resulted in damming of the stream or any stream bank damage, we have made the decision to monitor them for any changes.

It is worth noting that all the log jams have been started by long lengths becoming lodged across the streams and small debris damming up behind. Much of this small debris was not left in the stream but was picked up from the stream banks during floods.

It appears that we may be able to avoid log jams occurring if we place a maximum length specification on all material left within the flood zone of major creeks. In the next round of BMP reviews, this issue will be addressed. Any helpful comments or suggestions would be appreciated.