Forest Acquisition and Allocations Directorate has:
- Acquisition branch
- Allocations branch
- Projects branch
ROLES & FUNCTIONS OF THE FOREST ACQUISITION & ALLOCATIONS DIRECTORATE
- Acquire Potential Forestry Development Areas
- Allocate Forestry Development Projects
- Evaluate & Recommend FWP, ALPS, Log Pond & Base Camp Plans
- Conduct Audits and Reviews on Project Agreements in intervals stipulated in their respective Project Agreement
- Have a register of all registered Forest Industry Participants, consultants, processing plants as well as for Licensees and Timber Permit/ TA/ FCA
THE 32 FOREST RESOURCES ACQUISITION & ALLOCATION PROCESS
- Acquisition involves first 5 steps
- Allocation involves other 27 steps
THE TIMBER PERMIT (TP)
- The State issues a Timber Permit to a Developer /Logging operator in accordance with established procedures (Allocation Process - 34 steps) to remove the timber on agreed terms and conditions, including the payment of royalties.
- The Terms & Conditions are stated in the Project Agreement, which had been negotiated and agreed upon by the State, the Developer, the Landowners, and other stakeholders such as the PFMC.
Section 77, 78, 79 of the Forestry Act 1991 (as amended)
There are various provisions for Timber Permits. These are as follows,
- The term of a TP can be extended, 3 months prior to it’s expiry date.
- A Timber Permit can be renewed, only after 12 months of its expiry date, and no more than 12 months.
- A Timber Permit can be Transferred to another Developer
- A Timber Permit can be surrendered to the State.
THE PROJECT AGREEMENT (PA)
- The Agreement entails the Terms & Conditions for Harvesting, Reforestations, Processing and Forest Utilization activities on a sustainable basis in the project area
Through project agreement, basic services are provided.
FOREST CLEARING AUTHORITY - FCA
Forest Clearing Authority is issued for the purpose of large-scale conversion of natural forest on areas that are designated for agricultural or other land-use development projects on areas in excess of 50 hectares. The two large scale conversions in the country involve Agriculture and Road line clearances.
Forestry (Amendment) Act 2000 90A, 90B, 90C,90D & 90E
TWO (2) TYPES OF FOREST CLEARING AUTHORITY - FCA
- Agricultural FCA – Forest Clearing Authority to carry out a Large-Scale conversion of Forest to Agriculture or other Land-use Development where the amount of Proposed Clearance of Natural Forest is greater than 50 Hectares in total.
All Applications are submitted in line with the “Guidelines for Preparation and Submission of Project Proposals for Forest Clearing Authority Applications for Agriculture or other Land-use Development"
- Road Construction FCA – Forest Clearing Authority to carry out a Large-Scale conversion of Forest to Road Development over an existing forested area where the Proposed Road will be greater than 12.5 kilometers in length.
All applications are submitted in line with the,"Guidelines for Preparation and Submission of Project Proposals for Forest Clearing Authority Applications for Agriculture or other Land-use Development"
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLYING FCA
- Public Hearing & Report carried out by the Department of Agriculture & Livestock – DAL.
- Approved Environmental Permit (By CEPA)
- Land owner Consent given through Regulation Form 267
Agreement for Purchase of Timber resources (a standard agreement) shown on Regulation Form 268
TIMBER AUTHORITY
The TA arrangement is designed for small scale operations and can only be issued for areas that are not covered by a current FMA or FCA. These Timber Authorities are available in five (5) different types of arrangement. Section 88 of the Forestry Act 1991 as amended.
FIVE (5) TYPES OF TIMBER AUTHORITIES
- Downstream Processing Timber Authority (5,000m3)
- Road line Construction Timber Authority
- Agriculture Timber Authority
- Timber Authority to harvesting of Minor Forest Products
- Plantation Timber Authority
MOST COMMONLY ISSUED - DOWNSTREAM PROCESSING TIMBER AUTHORITY
THE TIMBER LICENCE
Other Forest Industry Activities can also be undertaken under a License, given that the designated area is covered under a Harvesting Authority. (Section 91,92 of Forestry Act 1991 (as amended)
- Felling and logging of forest produce (Logging Contractor only)
- Transportation of forest produce
- Sale of forest produce
- Purchase of forest produce
- Marketing of forest produce
- Processing of forest produce
- Grading of forest produce
- Forest industry consultancy (specify)
- Other activities (specify)
PLANNING, MONITORING AND CONTROL PROCEDURES
As per the Forestry Act 1991 (as amended), Sections 100,101 and 102, under catogories 1,2,3 & 4 respectively;
- Five Year, Project Statements and Approvals
- Annual Logging Plans inclusive of Annual Clearing Plans and its Approvals
- Setup Plans, Set-up clearances and it's Approvals
- Base camp, Log Pond, Nursery and Sawmill Plans’ Approvals
PROJECT AUDIT AND REVIEW
Project Audit:
To assess and evaluate the degree of compliance by the Timber Permit Holders, Developers or license Holders.
Composition of Audit Team:
All vital stakeholders as; Forest A & A Officers (Team Leader), FOD, PNGFA Provincial Office, CEPA rep, Prov.Govt reps, LO reps, Industry Rep, Provincial Depts reps: - Health, Works, Commerce, LLG Presidents and District Managers.
Project Review:
Project Audit report outcomes will then form the basis to undertake Project Reviews in order to affect any variations or amendments were seen relevant on certain Clauses or sub-clauses of the Timber Permit and or Project Agreement.
STEP-UP TASK RECOMMENDATIONS AHEAD
- Review Acquisition & Allocation Processes for FCA and recommend control mechanisms based on current scenario trends
- Outstanding Project Audits and Reviews to be given Prominence eg: link-up Connect Roads PNG Initiative by Identifying existing Logging Roads and be translated into National/Provincial Roads.
- For new Projects – Early Project Audits and Reviews must be conducted when sufficient volume of Timber stands is still remaining.
To accomplish points 1-3 above, counter fundings are required from all stakeholders, development partners or other State Agencies/Departments