Mount Harata forest

Press, 12 November 1985, Page 16

Mount Harata forest

Sir,—Serious flooding affected Greymouth last year. If Mount Harata is milled the Grey River could cause greater problems. The beech forest of Mount Harata is allocated by the Forest Service as a source of chip for the planned beech scheme. Ostnch-like, the Forest Service seems to believe that harvesting trees is the panacea for all West Coast ills, regardless of place or occasion. The Forest Service, with planning responsibilities for zoning, must recognise that it will be adding to Greymouth’s flooding problems. Removal of this protective sponge of forest on Mount Harata will enable the Grey River

to rise even more rapidly. Partial remedies by catchment authorities will cost taxpayers dearly. Greymouth residents, when they realise the increased flooding threat if Mount Harata is logged, will no doubt feel considerable concern.— Yours, etc., L. ORME. November 9, 1985. Sir,—The Forest Service is seeking to justify its recent road construction into the Mount Harata area by saying that it must fulfil its contractual commitments to extract podocarp timber. In fact this area contains a very low volume of podocarps. The road would only be economic If the proposed beech scheme was to come about. I suggest the Forest Service is preempting the beech scheme decision. Mount Harata is a marvellous scenic area and must be protected.—Yours, etc., HELEN GUNN. November 10, 1985.