Ecologists cautious

Press, 27 July 1988, Page 3

Ecologists cautious

PA Wellington The High Court decision regarding native forests on private land got a cautious welcome from the environmentalist Maruia Society yesterday. The director of the Maruia Society (formerly the Native Forests Action Council), Mr Guy Salmon, said the decision established a precedent that could be applied elsewhere in New Zealand. But he said Nelson Pine Forest, Ltd, a Newmans Group subsidiary, might still appeal against the decision.

There would be no immediate effect on private landowners’ rights to clear forests outside the Nelson district.

“Whether controls will actually be adopted elsewhere is now a matter for

each individual local authority to decide,” he said. “The judgment also does not change the farmers’ existing rights to seek compensation.” Mr Salmon said the judgment would make it more difficult for the Nelson chipmill to get hold of native forest for clearance.

“Within Waimea County, the community has won the right to object, to ask for replanting and other safeguards. “But in neighbouring areas such as Marlborough and the West Coast, the chipmill can and does clearfell forest without any such restriction.” Before the High Court decision was known, the chipmill decided last Friday to reduce beech chip production 85 per cent.