An overview of each of the four assessment streams is contained in the report. The assessments managed by these committees produced a total of 54 project reports for Eden (including a number of Statewide projects), summaries of which are available in a separate booklet accompanying the Towards an Eden RFA report.

During October and November 1997, following the completion of the Eden comprehensive regional assessments, government and non-government stakeholders got together for the integration and scenarios development phase of the CRA process. In this period, stakeholders analysed the data collected in the assessments to develop scenarios for the future management and conservation of Eden forests. The scenarios were developed using two agreed reference points: one reference point was the current reserve system. The other reference point was what is referred to as "maximised JANIS" ie. a hypothetical reserve system in which all the nationally agreed conservation targets are met within dedicated reserves as far as practicable. (A detailed explanation of this reference point is contained in chapter 8 of the report.)

The scenarios concentrated upon land allocation and forest management, recognising that a wider range of issues would be dealt with through the final regional forest agreement between the two governments.

This phase of the Eden process is dealt with in Chapters 7 and 8 of the report. These chapters provide the background and context to the development of four scenarios for Eden, giving an introduction to the general issues which were considered and detailing the two reference points which were used to focus and guide the development of scenarios.

Scenarios for Eden

This section highlights the main features of the four scenarios detailed in chapter 9 of the report.

Because each scenario uses different off-reserve management arrangements it is difficult to compare the results of each scenario with complete accuracy. To overcome this problem, the forest management arrangements developed by NSW agencies (for example, measures to protect threatened species, to control erosion and protect water quality) were applied to each scenario to allow a consistent comparison to be made between them. These comparisons are described in the shaded box at the end of each of the four scenario summaries.

A further scenario was developed by the Aboriginal community. It has a different framework to scenarios A to D and is therefore described separately in chapter 10 of the report. Its main features are also outlined below.

Scenario for Aboriginal Issues

This proposed outcome for Eden was developed by a management committee of regional Aboriginal land councils and elders. Their position was designed to be compatible with all other scenarios put forward for Eden, and considers issues such as Aboriginal heritage and Aboriginal tenure and management arrangements, including areas proposed for Aboriginal ownership. Its main features relate to:

A map identifying places of Aboriginal significance in the Eden Region accompanies the Eden Report. Further details are provided in Chapter 10 of the report and its related appendices.

SCENARIO A

This scenario was developed by conservation stakeholders during the joint options development process. This scenario focussed on maximising the conservation of forests, while seeking to maintain the NSW Government parameter of a minimum quota sawlog supply of 20,000m3 per annum for industry. Key aspects of the scenario include:

• The addition of 57,506 ha to conservation reserve including significant areas of Coolangubra and Nalbaugh and large areas in Tantawangalo and Yurramie. Other additions include Biamanga, Bournda, Ben Boyd, Mt Imlay, Mimosa Rocks National Park and Nadgee Nature Reserve. Several small reserves are proposed east of Nimmitabel and on the coast and coastal hinterlands.

• Consolidates the establishment of a north-south escarpment reserve corridor and contributes to links through hinterland forests to coastal national parks.

• Inclusion of the majority of the long-footed potoroo management area within dedicated reserves.

• A Special Management Zone proposed for selective logging of sawlogs and reduced use of heavy machinery. Harvesting intensities of 10% canopy reduction in areas of Koala habitat and 30% canopy reduction in remaining areas would apply to the zone. It is proposed that this zone would provide resource for small scale sawmills and portable sawmills, and access for mineral exploration and apiary, while maintaining many conservation values.

• A General Management Zone to be harvested at no more than 50% canopy reduction. (current practice is to reduce the canopy by 70%). It is assumed that similar sawlog recovery will be achieved from the 50% canopy reduction as from the current 70% canopy reduction.

• Revisions to the draft conservation protocols which propose increased habitat protection for flora and fauna consistent with the average 50% canopy reduction, and protection of all old growth forests in the region.

• Earlier final harvest of regrowth forests than is considered for the other three scenarios. If viable, this is expected to increase quota sawlog availability over the next 20 years, but at the expense of wood availability in the longer term.

• A view that the major wood resource in the region is the softwood plantations near Bombala and that appropriate utilisation of the softwood resource will mitigate the social and economic impacts of the proposed reserves and harvesting regimes.

• Supply of 20,000m3 per annum of quota sawlog, including 2,000m3 allocated to small sawmillers. The remaining 18,000m3 would be allocated to a sawmill that would also use 5000m3 of salvage quality logs. Supply of 265,000t per annum of pulpwood.

• A net present value of resource rent of $102 million.

• An initial reduction in current employment within the timber industry of 48 jobs. If, as proposed, 2000m3 of sawlogs are allocated to small millers it is estimated 4 jobs will be created.

SCENARIO B

This scenario was originally developed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and State Forests during the joint options development process. This scenario focussed on achieving NSW Government objectives of at least 30,000ha of new reserves and at least 20,000m3 of quota sawlog volume per annum in the Eden Region. A specific objective of 23,000m3 quota sawlog was set to achieve this. The scenario does not however represent a NSW Government position. Key aspects of the scenario include:

Consistent comparison of reserve design

Consistent comparison of reserve design

SCENARIO C

This scenario was developed by timber industry and union stakeholders during the scenarios development process. This scenario aimed to provide a minimum quota sawlog supply of 26,000m3 per annum while meeting the NSW Government parameter of to providing a minimum 30,000ha of additions to reserves. Key aspects of the scenario include:

SCENARIO D

This scenario was developed by the Commonwealth to demonstrate the reserve design implications of delivering the current level of sawlog supply, ie. 26,000m3 per annum of quota sawlogs under the current management arrangements for State Forests, the conservation protocols proposed by NSW officials and taking into account draft national and State long footed potoroo recovery plans. The scenario does not represent a Commonwealth Government position. Key aspects of the scenario include:

Consistent comparison of reserve design

Consistent comparison of reserve design

Other relevant issues

Other issues relating to all the scenarios include those put to the Steering Committee by the Eden Regional Forest Forum and industry development issues. These are dealt with in chapter 11 of the report.

Eden Regional Forest Forum

The Eden Regional Forest Forum, one of four in NSW, was established to provide a communication link between the CRA/RFA Steering Committee and stakeholders at a regional and local level. In addition to stakeholder involvement on the Steering Committee and Technical Committees, the forums provide a regional stakeholder focus.

The Forum achieved consensus on a number of regional issues which it proposed should be considered when developing scenarios for an Eden RFA. These issues were supplied to the Steering Committee, and all parties involved in the development of scenarios, for their consideration. They are listed in chapter 11 of the Eden Report.

Industry development issues

The objectives of the CRA/RFA process include the identification of industry development options. An RFA for Eden may include a number of industry development initiatives to help create an internationally competitive timber industry. These initiatives may offset any economic and social impacts associated with the establishment of a comprehensive, adequate and representative reserve system and ecologically sustainable forest management. These include:

JANIS Targets

JANIS is a document developed by the Commonwealth, New South Wales and other states. Its full title is Nationally Agreed Criteria for the Establishment of a Comprehensive, Adequate and Representative Reserve System for Forests in Australia. It is called JANIS because it was developed by the Joint ANZECC/MCFFA National Forest Policy Statement Implementation Sub-committee.

JANIS defines the comprehensive, adequate and representative (CAR) reserve system as being composed of dedicated reserves, informal reserves, values protected by prescription, and private land. JANIS deals with the conservation of biodiversity in forests through reservation (including what is often called 'off-reserve' prescriptions).

To guide the development of a CAR reserve system JANIS sets targets for forest ecosystems, old growth forests, and wilderness. The JANIS criteria do not set numeric targets for fauna but they have been set for some fauna species to give practical effect to the requirements of JANIS to address all elements of biodiversity. A similar position exists for flora.

JANIS addresses other related matters, and includes provisions relating to off-setting economic and social impacts.

Draft conservation protocols have been developed jointly by NPWS and SFNSW to meet the JANIS requirement for protection through reservation by prescription. The focus of these prescriptions is the protection of rainforest, old growth, rare/vulnerable non-commercial forest ecosystems, priority fauna species, and threatened flora likely to occur within areas able to be harvested.

Two summary tables are attached which compare the achievements for the reference points and scenarios. Table 1 considers areas reserved, timber resource available and employment impacts, while Table 2 considers targets for forest ecosystems, old growth, fauna, and flora. Table 2 allows a review of the additional targets which are substantially met (80-99% met).

Towards an RFA for Eden

Following exhibition of the Eden Report, the NSW and Commonwealth Governments will negotiate a regional forest agreement for Eden, the first for New South Wales. This agreement will determine the management and conservation of the Eden forests over the life of the Agreement, which is expected to be about 20 years.

Your views on the scenarios are important to the achievement of a lasting resolution to the Eden forest debate. Comments will be considered before the Regional Forest Agreement (RFA) between the State and Commonwealth Governments is finalised. Please send written submissions to:

CRA/RFA Steering Committee
c/- Resource and Conservation Division
Dept of Urban Affairs and Planning
GPO Box 3927
SYDNEY NSW 2000

Closing date for submissions is June 26 1998.

RACAC members

Mr Gerry Gleeson, Chair

Mrs Sue Holliday, Director-General, Department of Urban Affairs and Planning

Mr Roger Wilkins, Director-General, The Cabinet Office

Dr Bob Smith, Acting Director-General, Department of Land and Water Conservation

Mr Brian Gilligan, A/Director-General, National Parks and Wildlife Service

Mr David Ridley, General Manager, Forest Policy and Programs, State Forests of NSW

Dr Neil Shepherd, Director-General, Environment Protection Authority

Mr Alan Coutts, Department of Mineral Resources

Mr Geoff Scott, Director-General, Department of Aboriginal Affairs

Mr Ossie Cruse, NSW Aboriginal Land Council

Professor Andrew Beattie, Scientific Representative

Mr Col Dorber, Industry Representative

Ms Kelly Livingston, Union Representative

Mr Dailan Pugh, Conservation Representative

Mr Mark Blecher, Conservation Representative

Dr Ian Wallace, State Minerals Advisory Council

For more information

RACAC News is an occasional publication. It will keep you up to date with information, including CRA progress and community participation. If you wish to be placed on the RACAC News mailing list, please call the Resource and Conservation Division of the Department of Urban Affairs and Planning on (02) 9228 4153, or write to:

The Director
Resource and Conservation Division
Department of Urban Affairs and Planning
GPO Box 3927, Sydney NSW 2001

Phone (02) 9228 3166
Fax (02) 9228 4967

DISCLAIMER

Any representation, statement, opinion or advice, expressed or implied in this publication is made in good faith but on the basis that the State of New South Wales, its agents and employees are not liable (whether by reason of negligence, lack of care or otherwise) to any person for any damage or loss whatsoever which has occurred or may occur in relation to that person taking or not taking (as the case may be) action in respect of any representation, statement, or advice referred to above.

© Crown copyright May 1998

Resource and Conservation Assessment Council

ISSN 1325-5045