Environmental Management

Impact Assessment

All significant forest activities were considered for their impact on the environment, by the operational staff and managers responsible for those activities. Impacts were rated from 1 to 4 according to the severity of the impact. Best Management Practices (BMP) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) are created for operations based on the level of potential environmental impact. Environmental aspects are reviewed annually for their adequacy.

Best Management Practice (BMP)

BMP’s have been developed to prevent or reduce environmental impacts from operations. Included in the BMP for an operation will be all the environmental rules that apply to that operation.

BMP’s are required for all activities with an impact of 3 or 4 on any environmental aspect. BMP’s outline the minimum acceptable standards for any operation. BMP’s are issued for all activities with a significant impact. These BMP’s are issued at the commencement of the activity and a completed BMP is returned at the conclusion of the activity. Other activities where the BMP is not issued for all jobs will have a BMP issued occasionally or where there is a particularly sensitive environmental issue involved. Irrespective of whether a BMP is issued the instructions on the BMP apply to that activity every time it is carried out.
Every BMP issued with a prescription must be self-audited and upon completion is to be verified by the Superintendent responsible. Samples of the BMP’s are audited to ensure compliance.
BMP’s have been created for the following activities:

  • Chemical Application
  • General Earthworks
  • Grazing
  • Harvesting
  • Mechanical Land Preparation
  • Pest Control
  • Planting
  • Quarries
  • Recreational Activities
  • Roading and Access
  • Tending

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)

Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) are required for all activities with an impact of 4 on any environmental aspect. SOP’s outline the steps required to take an operation from planning through to completion, included in these steps will be further site specific impact assessments. The SOP ensures that all steps are carried out and samples are audited to ensure compliance.
Standard Operating Procedures have been created for the following activities:

  • Chemical Application
  • General Earthworks
  • Harvesting
  • Mechanical Land Preparation
  • Pest Control
  • Quarries
  • Roading and Access
  • Silviculture

Identification and Protection of Rare, Threatened and Endangered Species

The following steps outline the process followed by Wenita for the Identification and Protection of Rare, Threatened and Endangered Species:

Step 1 – Carry out a preliminary Biodiversity Survey to identify areas worthy of protection.
Step 2 – Commence a detailed Species Survey of the highest priority areas.
Step 3 – Compile and understand local ecological information to identify rare, threatened and endangered species that are likely to be present in the Wenita estate.
Step 4 – Develop plans and strategies for the identification, protection and monitoring of rare, threatened and endangered species. Create Management Plans to provide for long term protection.
Step 5 – Define representative natural areas and assess their ecological and conservation values.
Step 6 – Review the Species Survey and reassess priorities for completion.
Step 7 – Review the Biodiversity Survey for areas not covered in the initial survey.
Step 8 – Complete the Species Survey.
Step 9 – Compile a summary report of the surveys and make this publicly available.