KEY
The following abbreviations have been used throughout the text to highlight sources of additional information. More info.		 MP    Management Planning Guidance and Framework
BAP  Biodiversity Action Plan
FRM  Forest Reproductive Material Regulations		 References. See Appendix for references which give further guidance.
Operations Print version
4.1 General
BAP
MP		 4.1.1 Guidance

Requirement

The planning of woodland operations shall include:

a.

Obtaining any relevant permission and giving any formal notification required.

b.

Assessing and taking into account on and off-site impacts.

c.

Taking measures to protect special features, including adapting standard prescriptions where required.

d.

Measures to maintain and, where appropriate, enhance the value of identified services and resources such as watersheds and fisheries.

Means of verification

All woodlands:
  • Documented permissions
  • Contracts
  • Discussions with owner/manager, staff and contractors.
SLIM woodlands:
  • Demonstration of awareness of impacts and measures taken.
Non-SLIM woodlands:
  • Site-specific, documented assessment of impacts.

Particular attention should be given to ensuring that field staffs, especially sub-contractors, have been well briefed.

Contracts can be in writing or staff and contractors may be given oral instructions where this is appropriate to the scale and sensitivity of the operation.

Checks should be made against relevant UK Biodiversity Action Plan Habitat Action Plans (HAPs) and Species Action Plans (SAPs).
4.1.2 Guidance

Requirement

Implementation of operational plans shall be monitored by the manager or owner.

Means of verification

All woodlands:
  • Discussions with owner/manager
  • Records of site visits.
SLIM woodlands:
  • As a minimum, records of when operations were visited and observations, e.g. a field diary.
Non-SLIM woodlands:
  • Monitoring and internal audit records including completed checklists.

Appropriate monitoring may range from regular supervision of active operations to internal audits of active and completed operational sites.