A conservation group has gone to court in a bid to halt logging in more NSW forests where vulnerable and endangered species live. Source: Timberbiz
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has repeatedly extended stop-work orders in the Tallaganda and Flat Rock state forests, alleging the corporation failed to competently look for habitat trees used by endangered species before harvesting began.
Now the South East Forest Rescue (SEFR) group has launched court action in a bid to expand the list of forests where harvesting is banned until “adequate” surveys are done for imperilled species including the greater glider.
“SEFR is seeking an injunction that the Forestry Corporation be permanently restrained from logging anywhere in the north east or south east forests unless they conduct effective surveys for gliders,” the group says.
“SEFR’s position is that the Forestry Corporation is breaking the law by not performing adequate surveys for den trees, and necessary exclusion zones around den trees are not being implemented.”
The matter will be heard in the NSW Land and Environment Court on Tuesday.
The Forestry Corporation has voluntarily agreed to suspend harvesting operations in parts of seven state forests, pending Tuesday’s hearing.
It says it’s working to improve the way it looks for important habitat trees before harvesting commences,” the Forestry Corporation said in a statement.
“Forestry Corporation continues to work with the EPA on new approaches to surveys and searches for Greater Glider dens and fully cooperates with the EPA, as the body responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance of forestry operations in NSW.”
