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On this page
- About the Resource Management Act (RMA) 1991
- What the RMA covers
- What the Resource Management Act means for forestry
About the Resource Management Act (RMA)
The Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) is the main piece of legislation setting out how we should manage our environment. It’s based on the idea of the sustainable management of our resources, and it encourages people to consider the effects of current and future activities on the environment when making resource management decisions.
The RMA requires councils to create plans that help them manage the environment by setting objectives, policies, and rules for activities that might affect the environment.
District and regional plans state whether an activity is permitted (can be carried out without a resource consent as long as any conditions are met) or whether it requires a resource consent. When the council considers your application for resource consent, it follows the processes set out in the RMA.
Council plans and where to find them
What the RMA covers
Most rules relating to commerical forestry activities are set out in the National Environmental Standards for Commercial Forestry (NES-CF), which are regulations made under the RMA. Other activities, like clearing native vegetation before planting, are not covered in the NES-CF but may come under other protections in the RMA.
What the RMA means for forestry
District and regional plans will contain all of the relevant rules for planting and other forestry activities. Before you plant or harvest your forest, it’s a good idea to contact your local council to find out the rules and regulations that apply to planting and other forestry activities in your area.
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