Implications of exotic forestry for other resource uses in the Marlborough Sounds

Abstract

Planting Radiata pine for production forestry has followed the abandonment of farms in parts of the Marlborough Sounds. The 1975 Marlborough County Council District Planning Scheme made forestry a conditional use of land. The planners anticipated problems relating to forestry.

The study examined the impact of forestry on other resource uses. It also demonstrated a procedure for assessing and planning resource use.

The principal uses of resources in the Marlborough Sounds are forestry, farming, reserves, tourism and recreation, fishing, shipping and residential development. Forestry may compete with other uses for space but the major potential impacts are from forest management practices, especially in the coastal zone where most uses are concentrated.

An area near Queen Charlotte Sound and Tory Channel was used to demonstrate a multi-stage process of resource use planning. Recommendations for us followed assessment of resource characteristics, present use and site capability.

Proposals to improve resource use planning also required early participation by the public to ensure that their aspirations were met.