Proposed TRP Amendments - Impact on Myers Creek Road

Dear Myers Creek Rd residents and associates,

We have recently learned of VicForests plans to log two coupes on the very visible south-west flank of Mt St.Leonard, with potential to impact all of us. I hope you will find time to read this carefully and use the information contained to write an urgently needed response (due Thursday 8th April).

It has come to our notice that VicForests (the commercial arm of DSE that logs the State Forests) is applying for an increase in Central Highlands logging coupe allocations under the heading of 'planned changes to future harvesting plans' under the Timber Release Plan (see attached) TRP 2010-1.pdf. They are seeking an increase of 148 new coupes in an already highly stressed environment following widespread burning in the February 2009 bushfires, and subsequent heavy salvage logging that is still happening against the advice of forest scientists. VicForests is calling for public comment, but we only have until 8 April to make a submission. When Steve Meacher (Toolangi resident and convenor of Healesville Environment Watch) undertook the task of finding the locations of many of the new coupes, I was alarmed to see that two are planned for the north-east side of Myers Creek Rd between Monda Track and approximately opposite Strathvea Guesthouse (see attached pdf file -Toolangi approved new coupes).

For your information, we would like to list the following concerns:

1 - The Central Highlands was hard hit by the Black Saturday and subsequent fires last year, leaving relatively small areas of unburnt forest to continue growing toward mature ecosystems. These precious remnants of the original forest are vital refuges for native animals fortunate enough to have survived the fires. Some of these are highly threatened species such as Leadbearter's Possum, Sooty Owls and Greater Gliders, to say nothing of the less exotic native creatures, and the important vegetation communities that are represented. Obviously the responsible decision would be to protect these refuge areas, and give nature a chance to recover, rather than log them to support VicForests economic objectives - by selling the woodchips to Japan.

2 - Myers Creek valley is a classical sheltered 'wet forest environment', and as such survived the February fires that crept through much of the area as a slow moving, low intensity burn - without the loss of a single house. The height of the established trees is such that 'crowning' (flames burning at canopy level) was rarely a problem, and the landform sheltered the burning bush from the worst of the winds that in other, more exposed areas, whipped the fire into a frenzy. It is interesting to note that in the younger areas of the forest (closer to Healesville), the fire was more aggressive than in the older growth near the head of the creek. In fact the fires petered out on the transition to the oldest forest at the top end of Myers Creek Reserve. Logging large areas of the forested headwaters of Myers Creek will change for the next 50+ years the 'wet forest status' of the valley and result in a more fire-prone environment, increasing the likelihood of future catastrophic fire events (see references below). This at a time when global warming is exacerbating our regional environmental problems.

3 - Myers Creek valley is a discrete catchment, that has achieved the enviable record of maintaining a continuously flowing creek through the 11 year drought period, while many others (such as Chum Creek) have periodically dried up. This relates to the extent and continuity of the maturing forest on both sides of the valley, and the fact that at the head of the creek, there is an 'old growth' region that sustains a rich diversity of animals and plants, including huge old Mountain Ash trees.

This reliable stream flow provides the main water source to local residents, accommodation businesses and agriculture. We all receive regular updates about stream flow and restrictions. If clear-felling is carried out as per the VicForest plans, on the adjoining forest located on the slopes of Mt St.Leonard, it will alter the hydrology of the headwaters region of the valley and risk jeopardising the natural balance that is providing a continuous and reliable flow in Myers Creek (see attached - http://www.earthgarden.com.au/portal/readarticle.php?article_id=35 ).

Logging adjacent to streams is a well-known cause of siltation, that adversely effects stream life and water quality.

4 - Myers Creek valley is a well-known landslip area, and as residents, we have all received notification of the dangers in relation to earthworks and buildings, particularly on the steeper slopes. We personally recall the description by the late John McVea of the massive landslip that occurred decades ago following heavy rain in an area that had been logged following the 1939 fires. The ground became saturated, and without the anchoring effect of mature tree root systems, it slipped, dramatically blocking Myers Creek Rd and damming the creek, opposite Strathvea's driveway (see attached image from DPI ref below). If logging is carried out by our guardians of the forest, there is reason to expect another massive landslip as a possible future outcome. The danger to people (e.g. traffic) and the environment is obvious and must be avoided.

5 - Excessive logging at the expense of the natural ecosystem values of the central highlands, has altered the vegetated character of the region (progressively removing the oldest and largest trees), contributing to climatic change and the susceptibility to increasing risk of catastrophic bushfires of the nature of the Black Saturday events.

Scientists have reached the conclusion that the value of these forests lies more in their ability to store huge amounts of carbon, than in the timber yield that is inefficiently derived from current logging practices (see attached - http://news.theage.com.au/national/trees-will-fight-climate-change-report-20080805-3q1n.html ).

It is also clear from the increasing wealth of scientific data, that forests modulate the local and regional climate, and that older, more mature forest ecosystems are superior to the young (regrowth after logging) as airconditioners. Local climate is a component of regional climate, just as surely as regional climate is a component of global climate. Consequently protecting the forested environment in our region, is a positive contribution to global climate problems.

6 - The south west face of Mt St.Leonard can be seen from many parts of the Yarra Valley, and from the main street of Healesville, as a central focus to the backdrop of this beautiful area. Why should this be jeopardised by the ugly scarring of a logging coup for decades to come?

There is a clear-felled coupe on the north side of Monda Track, half way up Mt St Leonard, that is visible to tourists from Kangaroo Ground, Yarra Glen and many other approaches to Healesville. This not only affects the tourist potential of the area, it also reduces run-off to the Yea River. Similarly, every readily-visible logging coupe in the region adversely affects tourism potential and water yield. Perhaps we should be having a value placed on our scenic assets, and send VicForests the account for losses.

Please feel free to contact me on any issues you may have with the above, or if further explanations are needed. Also, please send in your submission if time permits - short and to the point is often the best (unlike my long-winded explanations).

Best wishes to all, and hope you can help.

Regards

Bernie Mace & Liz Ninniz

0425732121

Email address and additional contacts for submission...

* Senior Forester Tactical Planning, VicForests Healesville vfs.admin@vicforests.com.au  *

You might like to cc it to Yarra Ranges and Murrindindi Shires, also...

Mr Greg Wilson, Secretary, DSE

Greg.Wilson@dse.vic.gov.au  <mailto:Greg.Wilson@dse.vic.gov.au >

Mr Kevin Love, DSE Deputy Secretary, Public Land Stewardship and Biodiversity

Kevin.Love@dse.vic.gov.au  <mailto:Greg.Wilson@dse.vic.gov.au >

Mr Lee Miezis, Director, Forests, DSE Forests & Parks Division

Lee.Miezis@dse.vic.gov.au  <mailto:Lee.Miezis@dse.vic.gov.au >

The Hon. Gavin Jennings MP, Minister for Environment and Climate Change

*Email:* gavin.jennings@parliament.vic.gov.au

<mailto:gavin.jennings@parliament.vic.gov.au >

Mr Michael Crutchfield MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Water & Environment

*Email:* michael.crutchfield@parliament.vic.gov.au

<mailto:michael.crutchfield@parliament.vic.gov.au >

Mr Ben Hardman MP, Member for Seymour

*Email:* benedict.hardman@parliament.vic.gov.au

<mailto:benedict.hardman@parliament.vic.gov.au >

Greg Barber, MLC, Victorian Greens’ Spokesperson on Environment

Greg.Barber@parliament.vic.gov.au  <mailto:Greg.Barber@parliament.vic.gov.au >

Mary Wooldridge, MLA, Shadow Minister for Environment & Climate Change

mary.wooldridge@parliament.vic.gov.au

<mailto:mary.wooldridge@parliament.vic.gov.au >

The Hon. Greg Hunt MP, Federal Shadow Minister for Climate Action, Environment and Heritage

*Email:* Greg.Hunt.MP@aph.gov.au  <mailto:Greg.Hunt.MP@aph.gov.au >

The proposed TRP amendments (new coupes) are now available for comment.

Maps for Toolangi, Marysville and others are available at - http://www.vicforests.com.au/proposed-trp-amendments.htm

Comments due by 8 April.

 Forest logging creates fire traps: academic

4/03/2010 - Decades of industrial logging in Australia's wet forests have made them more fire prone, raising urgent fire management issues, according to an ANU academic. - Martyn Pearce, ANU Media

Professor David Lindenmayer of the Fenner School of Environment and Society challenges current fire protection practices in the March issue of /Australasian Science/ magazine.

"Much discussion focuses on how to best protect human lives and built assets," Professor Lindenmayer writes. "But management also needs to counter the effects of past forestry activities on fire regimes.

"A prominent question is how much fuel or hazard reduction burning is needed to reduce risk. However, widespread fuel reduction burning is not an option in Australia's moist forests and rainforests as they are generally too wet to burn in a controlled manner. Conversely, past forest management, particularly logging operations, may have significantly increased the fire risk.

"Research in tropical rainforests suggests that logging reduces the number of dry days needed to make a forest combustible from 30 to less than eight days. Logging also alters the density and spatial pattern of trees, the spacing between crowns, and other forest attributes in ways that increase their susceptibility to fire. In moist forests in south-eastern Australia, logging has shifted the vegetation toward a composition that is more characteristic of drier forests that tend to be more fire-prone.

"Clear felling of moist forests in southern Australia has produced dense stands of regrowth saplings, thereby creating more available fuel than if the forest was not clearfelled. Furthermore, debris from logging can also sustain fires longer than fuels in uncut forest, while roads required for logging increase the number of ignition points for wildfires and lightning strikes are more likely in logged areas due to logging slash."

Prof Lindenmayer concludes that fire management "will become increasingly important with rapid climate change," and advocates "creating extensive buffer areas that exclude logging near human settlements within landscapes dominated by moist forest… [and] from areas where human disturbances (like timber harvesting) have been limited, such as the old growth wet forests in Tasmania and eastern Victoria."

Source: The Australian National University

http://www.industrysearch.com.au/Features/Forest-logging-creates-fire-traps-academic-4857

David Lindenmayer's explanation of his work can be heard at this site...http://www.abc.net.au/rn/breakfast/stories/2010/2837143.htm