VicForests Procedures Regulatory Handbook Version 3.0 April 2016 Copyright © VicForests All rights reserved 1 2 Document Information General Information File Name: VICFORESTS PROCEDURES – REGULATORY HANDBOOK Description: This document is the definitive document outlining all regulatory requirements that VicForests must adhere to for all forest management planning and conduct of timber harvesting activties Author: Stakeholder and Planning Division Creation Date: 14 November 2011 Procedure Owner(s): Manager Forest Practices Last Updated: April 2016 Version: 3.0 Copy Number: 1 Revision History Version Revision Date Author(s) Revision Notes Clarification of mixed forest for EG and addition of Montane 1.1 April 2012 D. Sedunary Riparian Thicket for Tambo. Other small amendments following one month in circulation. Addition of Prescriptions for Commercial Harvesting in Fire 1.2 September 2012 D. Sedunary Management Zone. Further review and amendment of all sections. Following DELWP Review of the document a number of areas 1.3 November 2012 D. Sedunary were updated to provide further clarification. Annual Review including updates in line with changes to TRP 1.4 September 2013 D. Sedunary approval Annual Review including revised author, owner and J. Allen / prescriptions in line with changes to 2014 Code and 2.0 June 2014 C. Powell Management Standards and Procedures, LBPAG actions, Rainforest, Large Brown Tree Frog and Glossy Black Cockatoo 2.1 August 2014 C. Powell Update to RF and LBP sections J. Allen / G. Major Review in line with Code and Management Standards 3.0 April 2016 Mitchell and Procedures 2014 Reviewers Position Manager Forest Performance Manager Forest Practices Conservation Biologist Approval Approver Position Date Nathan Trushell General Manager Planning April 2016 Signature: 3 1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................................. 6 1.1 SCOPE .................................................................................................................................................................. 6 1.2 PURPOSE OF DOCUMENT ......................................................................................................................................... 6 1.3 REFERENCING SYSTEM USED IN OPERATING PROCEDURES .............................................................................................. 6 1.4 APPLICATION OF PROCEDURES .................................................................................................................................. 6 1.5 REGULATORY COMPLIANCE ...................................................................................................................................... 7 1.6 SEEKING VARIATION OR TEMPORARY EXEMPTION TO VICFORESTS PROCEDURES ................................................................. 7 2. PLANNING AND APPROVALS .............................................................................................................................. 8 2.1 RESPONSIBILITIES ................................................................................................................................................... 8 2.2 AMENDING THE FOREST MANAGEMENT ZONING SCHEME .............................................................................................. 8 2.3 TEMPORARY EXEMPTIONS TO MANAGEMENT STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES .................................................................... 9 2.4 PERMISSIONS OR AUTHORISED ACTIVITIES UNDER THE FOREST ACT 1958 ....................................................................... 10 2.5 AMENDMENTS TO AN APPROVED TRP ..................................................................................................................... 10 2.6 PUBLICATION OF AN APPROVED TRP ....................................................................................................................... 11 2.7 TRP APPROVED GROSS COUPE AREA ....................................................................................................................... 11 2.8 ROADS AND COUPE DRIVEWAYS .............................................................................................................................. 11 2.9 CULTURAL HERITAGE AND NATIVE TITLE ................................................................................................................... 13 2.10 LANDSCAPE SCENIC QUALITY .................................................................................................................................. 13 3. EXCLUSION AREAS .............................................................................................................................................14 3.1 FOREST MANAGEMENT ZONING.............................................................................................................................. 14 3.2 VICFORESTS RESERVE AND SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREAS ........................................................................................... 14 3.3 PROTECTION OF EXCLUSION AREAS .......................................................................................................................... 14 3.4 RESEARCH ........................................................................................................................................................... 15 3.5 HARVESTING IN WATER SUPPLY CATCHMENTS ........................................................................................................... 15 3.6 HERITAGE RIVERS, RIVER ZONES AND LINEAR RESERVES............................................................................................... 16 3.7 FIRE MANAGEMENT ZONES .................................................................................................................................... 16 3.8 HABITAT RETENTION ............................................................................................................................................. 17 3.9 OLD GROWTH FOREST .......................................................................................................................................... 20 3.10 PROTECTION OF LARGE, TALL AND GIANT TREES ........................................................................................................ 21 3.11 APIARY ............................................................................................................................................................... 21 3.12 HISTORIC / CULTURAL HERITAGE SITES ..................................................................................................................... 22 4. TIMBER HARVESTING OPERATIONS ...................................................................................................................24 4.1 COUPE SIZE RESTRICTIONS ..................................................................................................................................... 24 4.2 COUPE SLOPE RESTRICTIONS .................................................................................................................................. 24 4.3 SALVAGE HARVESTING PRESCRIPTIONS ..................................................................................................................... 25 4.4 DELINEATING GROSS COUPE BOUNDARIES ............................................................................................................... 25 4.5 DELINEATING HARVEST AREA BOUNDARIES ............................................................................................................... 26 4.6 SNIG (EXTRACTION) TRACKS AND LANDINGS .............................................................................................................. 26 4.7 TEMPORARY SUSPENSIONS TO TIMBER HARVESTING OPERATIONS ................................................................................. 27 4.8 TIMBER HARVESTING SAFETY ZONES ........................................................................................................................ 28 4.9 PESTS, WEEDS AND DISEASES ................................................................................................................................. 28 4.10 CAMP SITES ........................................................................................................................................................ 30 4.11 LOG STORAGE FACILITIES ....................................................................................................................................... 30 4.12 HARVESTING OF MINOR FOREST PRODUCE................................................................................................................ 30 5. FOREST ROADS ..................................................................................................................................................31 5.1 RESPONSIBILITY AND MANAGEMENT ........................................................................................................................ 31 5.2 PLANNING .......................................................................................................................................................... 31 5.3 ROAD CONSTRUCTION ........................................................................................................................................... 32 5.4 ROAD CLOSURE AND REHABILITATION ...................................................................................................................... 36