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Forest Practice Guides

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Purpose

The Forest Practice Guides were first published in 2018.

The current versions (Version 2.0 updated January 2020) are to assist forest owners/managers and contractors to meet legislative requirements of the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) and in particular the National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry (NES-PF). They do not replace or override any statutory requirement. For various forestry operations, the guides provide options and information on a range of practices and methods to manage effects of the operations on the environment.

Layout

The guides cover the following forestry operations:

  1. Earthworks Construction (4)
  2. Erosion and Sediment Control Measures (8)
  3. Crossings (4)
  4. Tracks (2)
  5. Vegetation to Manage Erosion (4)
  6. Harvest Slash (4)

Under each operation there are separate guides for the different measures that may be used to manage environmental effects. Most of the guides follow a format that outlines the following:

  1. A description
  2. Where and when to use
  3. Design
  4. Construction
  5. Maintenance
  6. Other Methods
  7. Technical Specifications

The terminology used provides consistency with the NES-PF. For example, the word “river” includes perennial and intermittent streams, whereas the word “water body” includes rivers, lakes and wetlands.

How to use

The NES-PF has provided a consistent regulatory approach for various forestry activities including earthworks, crossings and harvesting. A major platform of the regulation is that a forestry earthworks management plan and harvest plan (a Management Plan) is to be prepared. The specifications in schedule 3 of the NES-PF set out the details of the matters to be included in such a plan. There is a requirement to describe the management practices that will be carried out.

The guides provide various options, a tool box, of management practices. It is anticipated that in describing management practices that a Management Plan may refer to a guide or part of a guide.

The guides are not statutory documents however, care must be taken to references to a guide. If a Management Plan states that a certain guide or part of a guide is going to be followed then those provisions of that guide will form part of compliance with the NES-PF regulations. In other words, the provisions will form part of your regulatory obligation under the RMA.

It is recommended that when considering management practices that the choice of specific provisions of a guide be clearly identified in a Management Plan. This is the preferred approach rather than a general comment that a particular guide will be followed.

The guides do not have to be used but they do describe forestry best practices.

Provisions of other documents such as individual company best practice documents and or operational specifications, council technical publications, the New Zealand Forest Owners Road Engineering Manual may be used to describe the management practices that will form part of any Management Plan.

To give feedback on any of the Forest Practice Guides, email FOA.

If you would like to be notified when any of the guides are updated, please email FOA.

Glossary

Glossary

PDF (0.14 MB), 4 pages, more info...

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Amalgamated Guides (2.0)

Amalgamated Guides (2.0)

PDF (12.74 MB), 155 pages, more info...

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Earthworks Construction

1.1 Earthworks Construction – Planning and Design (2.0)

1.1 Earthworks Construction – Planning and Design (2.0)

PDF (1.51 MB), 11 pages, more info...

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1.2 Earthworks Construction – Clearing and Stripping (2.0)

1.2 Earthworks Construction – Clearing and Stripping (2.0)

PDF (2.30 MB), 9 pages, more info...

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1.3 Earthworks Construction – Bulk Earthworks (2.0)

1.3 Earthworks Construction – Bulk Earthworks (2.0)

PDF (3.46 MB), 12 pages, more info...

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1.4 Earthworks Construction – Fill Construction and Compaction (2.0)

1.4 Earthworks Construction – Fill Construction and Compaction (2.0)

PDF (2.42 MB), 11 pages, more info...

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Erosion and Sediment Control Measures

2.1 Erosion and Sediment Control Measures – Water Tables (2.0)

2.1 Erosion and Sediment Control Measures – Water Tables (2.0)

PDF (4.20 MB), 10 pages, more info...

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2.2 Erosion and Sediment Control Measures – Cut-outs (2.0)

2.2 Erosion and Sediment Control Measures – Cut-outs (2.0)

PDF (1.55 MB), 7 pages, more info...

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2.3 Erosion and Sediment Control Measures – Berms (2.0)

2.3 Erosion and Sediment Control Measures – Berms (2.0)

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2.4 Erosion and Sediment Control Measures – Road Drainage (Stormwater) Culverts (2.0)

2.4 Erosion and Sediment Control Measures – Road Drainage (Stormwater) Culverts (2.0)

PDF (3.63 MB), 11 pages, more info...

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2.5 Erosion and Sediment Control Measures – Flumes (2.0)

2.5 Erosion and Sediment Control Measures – Flumes (2.0)

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2.6 Erosion and Sediment Control Measures – Sediment Traps and Soak Holes (2.0)

2.6 Erosion and Sediment Control Measures – Sediment Traps and Soak Holes (2.0)

PDF (4.58 MB), 10 pages, more info...

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2.7 Erosion and Sediment Control Measures – Silt Fences (2.0)

2.7 Erosion and Sediment Control Measures – Silt Fences (2.0)

PDF (3.76 MB), 9 pages, more info...

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2.8 Erosion and Sediment Control Measures – Sediment Retention Ponds (2.0)

2.8 Erosion and Sediment Control Measures – Sediment Retention Ponds (2.0)

PDF (1.98 MB), 8 pages, more info...

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Crossings

3.1 Crossings – Battery Culvert River Crossings (2.0)

3.1 Crossings – Battery Culvert River Crossings (2.0)

PDF (1.91 MB), 9 pages, more info...

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3.2 Crossings – Drift Deck River Crossings (2.0)

3.2 Crossings – Drift Deck River Crossings (2.0)

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3.3 Crossings – Ford Crossings (2.0)

3.3 Crossings – Ford Crossings (2.0)

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3.4 Crossings – Single Culvert River Crossings (2.0)

3.4 Crossings – Single Culvert River Crossings (2.0)

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3.5 Crossings – Single Span River Bridge Crossings (2.0)

3.5 Crossings – Single Span River Bridge Crossings (2.0)

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3.6 Crossings – Temporary Crossings (2.0)

3.6 Crossings – Temporary Crossings (2.0)

PDF (2.43 MB), 7 pages, more info...

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Tracks

4.1 Tracks – Track Construction and Use (2.0)

4.1 Tracks – Track Construction and Use (2.0)

PDF (4.43 MB), 12 pages, more info...

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4.2 Tracks – Track Rehabilitation (2.0)

4.2 Tracks – Track Rehabilitation (2.0)

PDF (2.54 MB), 10 pages, more info...

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Vegetation to Manage Erosion

5.1 Vegetation to Manage Erosion – Grassing (2.0)

5.1 Vegetation to Manage Erosion – Grassing (2.0)

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5.2 Vegetation to Manage Erosion – Hydro-seeding (2.0)

5.2 Vegetation to Manage Erosion – Hydro-seeding (2.0)

PDF (2.86 MB), 7 pages, more info...

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5.3 Vegetation to Manage Erosion – Applying Mulch (2.0)

5.3 Vegetation to Manage Erosion – Applying Mulch (2.0)

PDF (3.15 MB), 7 pages, more info...

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5.4 Vegetation to Manage Erosion – Slash (2.0)

5.4 Vegetation to Manage Erosion – Slash (2.0)

PDF (5.09 MB), 12 pages, more info...

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Harvest Slash

6.1 Harvest Slash – Managing Processing Slash on Landings (2.0)

6.1 Harvest Slash – Managing Processing Slash on Landings (2.0)

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6.2 Harvest Slash – Managing Cut-Over Slash on High Risk Slopes (2.0)

6.2 Harvest Slash – Managing Cut-Over Slash on High Risk Slopes (2.0)

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6.3 Harvest Slash – Managing Slash in and around Rivers (2.0)

6.3 Harvest Slash – Managing Slash in and around Rivers (2.0)

PDF (4.12 MB), 9 pages, more info...

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6.4 Harvest Slash – Slash Traps (2.0)

6.4 Harvest Slash – Slash Traps (2.0)

PDF (1.46 MB), 8 pages, more info...

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Amalgamated Guides: Archived version June 2019

Amalgamated Guides: Archived version June 2019

PDF (9.42 MB), 152 pages, more info...

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  • Home
  • Live documents
    • NZ Forest Road Engineering Manual
      • Front matter
      • Preface
      • Scope, purpose and use
      • 1. Terminology, economic analysis, risk management
        • 1.1 Terminology
        • 1.2 Economic analysis
        • 1.3 Understanding risk
      • 2. Regulations, consents and approvals
        • 2.1 National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry (NES-PF)
        • 2.2 Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga
        • 2.3 The Health and Safety at Work Act
        • 2.4 NZ Transport Agency approval for access onto state highways
        • 2.5 District council approval for access onto council roads
      • 3. Planning for roads
        • 3.1 Road classes
        • 3.2 Arterial roads
        • 3.3 Secondary roads
        • 3.4 Spur roads
        • 3.5 Establishment tracks
        • 3.6 Spatial information
        • 3.7 Initial field work
        • 3.8 Manual design method: Stepping out a roadline on a topo
        • 3.9 Running a grade line in the field
        • 3.10 Full road design
        • 3.11 Working with road survey data
        • 3.12 Geometric road design
        • 3.13 Curve widening
        • 3.14 Horizontal alignment
        • 3.15 Vertical alignment
        • 3.16 Calculating the safe stopping distance
        • 3.17 Setting out the roadline
      • 4. Planning for landings
        • 4.1 Common landing layouts
        • 4.2 Landing planning considerations
      • 5. Road and landing construction
        • 5.1 Soil and rock properties
        • 5.2 Managing adverse environmental effects
        • 5.3 Marking clearing widths
        • 5.4 Roadline salvage
        • 5.5 Daylighting
        • 5.6 Road formation
        • 5.7 Drainage control during earthwork construction
        • 5.8 Earthwork machinery
        • 5.9 Estimating machinery production
        • 5.10 Stabilising cut and fill slopes during construction
      • 6. Pavement design, subgrade preparation, pavement construction
        • 6.1 Traffic loading
        • 6.2 Evaluating subgrade properties
        • 6.3 Determining pavement depth
        • 6.4 Pavement material properties
        • 6.5 Compaction of subgrade and pavement
        • 6.6 Compaction equipment
        • 6.7 Pavement construction
        • 6.8 Weak subgrades
        • 6.9 Chemical stabilisation of pavement or subgrade
      • 7. Erosion, sediment and slash control structures
        • 7.1 Ditches
        • 7.2 Cut-outs
        • 7.3 Berms
        • 7.4 Drainage culverts
        • 7.5 Flumes
        • 7.6 Sediment traps and soak holes
        • 7.7 Silt fences
        • 7.8 Sediment retention ponds
        • 7.9 Debris traps
      • 8. River crossings
        • 8.1 Fish passage
        • 8.2 Selecting the location and crossing type
        • 8.3 Fords
        • 8.4 Temporary river crossings
        • 8.5 Single culvert river crossings
        • 8.6 Battery culvert river crossings
        • 8.7 Drift deck river crossings
        • 8.8 Single span bridge river crossings
        • 8.9 Prediction of flood flows, and sizing culverts
      • 9. Road maintenance, repairs and upgrades
        • 9.1 Maintenance programme
        • 9.2 Economic evaluation of road maintenance projects
        • 9.3 Managing maintenance requirements
        • 9.4 Commonly used maintenance machinery
        • 9.5 Road surface maintenance
        • 9.6 Road foundation maintenance
        • 9.7 Landing rehabilitation and decommissioning
        • 9.8 Roadside vegetation maintenance
        • 9.9 Erosion and sediment control structure maintenance
        • 9.10 River crossing maintenance
      • Forest road engineering terminology
      • References
      • Websites, resources, databases
    • NZ Forest Road Engineering Manual: Operators Guide
      • Front matter
      • Introduction
      • Identifying and managing risk
        • Risk overview
        • Working smart and efficiently
        • Starting the job – be prepared
        • The job is not finished until it is signed-off
      • Basics
        • Roading terms
        • Basics about soil
      • Good construction
        • A well-constructed road
        • A well-constructed landing
      • Earthworks
        • The right machine for the task
        • Clearing and stripping
        • Cut and side cast construction
        • Cut and bench fill construction
        • Full bench construction with end-haul
        • Earthworks compaction
        • Landing construction
        • Forming road corners and in-bends
        • Final grading before metalling
        • Stabilising cut/fill slopes
      • Water control
        • Water control overview
        • Ditches
        • Road drainage culverts
        • Berms and cut-outs
        • Flumes
        • Silt traps and soak holes
        • Silt fences
        • Single culvert river crossings
        • Ford crossings
        • Bridges
      • Applying aggregate (metalling)
      • Repairs and maintenance
        • R&M overview
        • R&M common to new construction
        • R&M of road formation
        • R&M during harvesting operations
        • R&M of river crossings
      • Assisting loggers and harvesting rehab
        • Installing deadmen
        • Installing debris traps
        • Harvesting track rehabilitation (rehab)
        • Harvesting track rehabilitation – cut-outs
        • Landing rehab
      • Want to learn more?
      • Glossary
  • Forest Practice Guides
    • Glossary
    • Amalgamated Guides (2.0)
    • Earthworks Construction
      • 1.1 Earthworks Construction – Planning and Design (2.0)
      • 1.2 Earthworks Construction – Clearing and Stripping (2.0)
      • 1.3 Earthworks Construction – Bulk Earthworks (2.0)
      • 1.4 Earthworks Construction – Fill Construction and Compaction (2.0)
    • Erosion and Sediment Control Measures
      • 2.1 Erosion and Sediment Control Measures – Water Tables (2.0)
      • 2.2 Erosion and Sediment Control Measures – Cut-outs (2.0)
      • 2.3 Erosion and Sediment Control Measures – Berms (2.0)
      • 2.4 Erosion and Sediment Control Measures – Road Drainage (Stormwater) Culverts (2.0)
      • 2.5 Erosion and Sediment Control Measures – Flumes (2.0)
      • 2.6 Erosion and Sediment Control Measures – Sediment Traps and Soak Holes (2.0)
      • 2.7 Erosion and Sediment Control Measures – Silt Fences (2.0)
      • 2.8 Erosion and Sediment Control Measures – Sediment Retention Ponds (2.0)
    • Crossings
      • 3.1 Crossings – Battery Culvert River Crossings (2.0)
      • 3.2 Crossings – Drift Deck River Crossings (2.0)
      • 3.3 Crossings – Ford Crossings (2.0)
      • 3.4 Crossings – Single Culvert River Crossings (2.0)
      • 3.5 Crossings – Single Span River Bridge Crossings (2.0)
      • 3.6 Crossings – Temporary Crossings (2.0)
    • Tracks
      • 4.1 Tracks – Track Construction and Use (2.0)
      • 4.2 Tracks – Track Rehabilitation (2.0)
    • Vegetation to Manage Erosion
      • 5.1 Vegetation to Manage Erosion – Grassing (2.0)
      • 5.2 Vegetation to Manage Erosion – Hydro-seeding (2.0)
      • 5.3 Vegetation to Manage Erosion – Applying Mulch (2.0)
      • 5.4 Vegetation to Manage Erosion – Slash (2.0)
    • Harvest Slash
      • 6.1 Harvest Slash – Managing Processing Slash on Landings (2.0)
      • 6.2 Harvest Slash – Managing Cut-Over Slash on High Risk Slopes (2.0)
      • 6.3 Harvest Slash – Managing Slash in and around Rivers (2.0)
      • 6.4 Harvest Slash – Slash Traps (2.0)
    • Amalgamated Guides: Archived version June 2019