Appendix 6

Buffer and Filter Zones for Forest Operations

To protect water resources the following buffer and filter zones are recommended. Additional measures to protect a water resource, which may include increasing the width of the buffer or filter zone, may be adopted where high local risk is identified.

Drainage line

5m drainage buffer zone diagram

Filter zone

  • An undisturbed and vegetated area adjacent to a drainage line retained to minimise soil disturbance, compaction and erosion.
  • Plantation trees may generally be planted and harvested subject to a risk assessment for the protection of soils and water quality.
  • Cultivation, competition control and planting are limited to ‘spot’ operations.
  • Machinery access should be minimised.
  • The filter zone width is defined as the ground distance from the tree line to the edge of the saturated zone or centre of the drainage line.

Watercourse (1st and 2nd Order) and sinkhole (no-direct connection to aquifer):

10 m drainage buffer zone diagram

Watercourse (3rd and 4th Order), lake, reservoir, wetland and sinkhole (direct connection to aquifer):

20 m drainage buffer zone diagram

Buffer zone

  • A non-plantation area that is generally undisturbed and vegetated, providing a separation distance between a water resource and forest operations, for the purpose of protecting the water resource from potential detrimental impacts.
  • Access is limited to fire protection and fire management equipment.
  • Irregular, minor machinery access is permitted following an appropriate risk assessment for the protection of soil and water quality.
  • The buffer zone width is defined as the ground distance from the tree line to the bank of a watercourse, lake, reservoir, or edge of wetland or sinkhole.
  • There may be cases where forest plantations have historically been planted in a buffer zone. In such cases these trees may be felled following an appropriate risk assessment for the protection of soil and water quality.

For forest plantations being established near Fleurieu Swamps in the Mount Lofty Ranges region (and as identified in the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999), see Appendix 3 – Region specific issues

For forest operations adjacent to constructed or gazetted drains, a drainage easement is generally defined and the appropriate government authority should be contacted regarding permitted activities within these zones.

The Department for Environment and Heritage (SA) have completed a series of wetland inventories at a regional scale in South Australia. Details of these projects and copies of the documents are available from the department and their website. (www.deh.sa.gov.au/biodiversity/wetlands.html).