Rwo aspects of vegetation clearance are covered by the regional plans.
One relates to removing vegetation from streams and rivers, and the other to clearing vegetation from land.
Generally, under the Fresh Water Plan you do not need a resource consent to remove vegetation from a riverbed as long as it is for flood control purposes, there are only minor environmental effects, and the bed of the river is disturbed as little as possible.
You also do not need a resource consent if you are trimming vegetation growing in a riverbed from around a bridge, powerline, pipeline or other cable, as long as all trimmed vegetation is removed from the riverbed, sediment disturbance and other environmental effects are minimised and no refuelling of equipment is done in the riverbed.
If you are clearing vegetation from a riverbed for any other purpose or cannot meet the requirements noted above, or if you are planting vegetation in a streambed, then you need to apply for a resource consent.
Clearing vegetation from land is covered by the Regional Soil Plan. This Plan is aimed at reducing soil erosion and maintaining water quality.
If you are disturbing small areas of vegetation (less than 5 hectares) through clearance, harvesting of trees etc or you are on land that is less then 28° slope (see diagram), then you do not need a resource consent.
You also do not need a consent from the Taranaki Regional Council for disturbing vegetation (clearing, harvesting etc) in an area greater than five hectares (carried out within one year), and where the slope is greater than 28° as long as:
- You let the Taranaki Regional Council know of your plans at least 15 working days before starting work.
- No more than 10% of the sub-soil is exposed at any one time in the area being disturbed.
- You revegetate the area as soon as possible.
- There are no significant effects on water quality or stock water supply.
- The vegetation is felled in a direction away from any stream.
- No vegetation is dragged through any streambed.
- Any debris etc is controlled to prevent blockages of streams, flooding, erosion, and any significant effects on fish or other aquatic life.
If you cannot meet any of these requirements then you may be required to take some action to meet the conditions of the Regional Soil Plan, or you may need to apply for a resource consent. Your consent will be granted as long as a site plan covering management of erosion and sediment control is prepared and forwarded to the Taranaki Regional Council.
REFER TO FRESH WATER PLAN FOR VEGETATION CLEARANCE FROM RIVERS AND STREAMS. REFER TO SOIL PLAN FOR VEGETATION DISTURBANCE ON LAND OVER 28° SLOPE
You should check whether clearing or disturbing indigenous vegetation is also controlled by your local District Council to protect the ecological or amenity values of the bush. For example, Stratford District Council's District Plan requires that a consent be obtained for harvesting indigenous forest on the ring plain or for clear-felling of indigenous forest anywhere in the district.
If you are logging indigenous forest for milling, you may need to obtain a Sustainable Forest Management Permit from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry or submit a Sustainable Forest Management Plan to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
REFER TO MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY ( INDIGENOUS FORESTRY UNIT), NEW PLYMOUTH, STRATFORD, OR SOUTH TARANAKI DISTRICT PLANS
Also see other activities in or near a stream