Forestry Corporation of NSW could not confirm whether it conducted a review of the regolith mapping and methodology for identifying soil erosion risk in the Wonboyn catchment.
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The suggestion was outlined in a report by the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) in June 2015 that analysed sources of suspended sediment in the Wonboyn River catchment following a heavy downpour on December 7, 2014.
The report revealed that current mapping and methodology used by Forestry Corporation was not sufficient to identify the true risk of soil erosion potential on certain soil types within the catchment.
A Forestry Corporation spokesperson said it had seen the report and provided feedback at that time highlighting the other considerable sediment sources within the catchment that were likely to have substantially contributed to sediment delivery during the storms.
“Forestry Corporation’s planning and operational management practices are robust and suitable to ensure that the water quality of the Wonboyn catchment will not be adversely affected as we continue to harvest and regrow these forests to produce the important and sustainable wood products for local industry,” the spokesperson said.
“Forestry Corporation regularly discusses its operations with neighbours and a range of community stakeholders and has met with the Wonboyn Lake Ratepayers' Association (WLRA) to discuss the draft 2015 report as well as its operations and the robust measures in place to protect water quality.”
The response comes after a small group of Wonboyn Lake landholders voiced its concern about deforestation in the Wonboyn catchment area, saying it might be affecting the health of the lake.
Landowner Don Ross, along with four other members of the WLRA, have formed a sub-committee to address the future of Wonboyn Lake.
Their first meeting, held in late September, discussed the lake entrance opening, siltation as result of “indiscriminate clearing”, deforestation and the condition of Wonboyn Rd that connects to the Princes Hwy.