It will be interesting to see if Gisborne District Council agrees with its southern counterpart on the subject of the wood debris left after Cyclone Gabrielle.
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council has released a report which concludes the majority of the wood debris did not come from “slash” or forestry activities. Its survey of 15 sites stated there was “little evidence of slash — leftover material from harvesting or pruning — at any site, except one”, even though pine made up 56 percent of the debris overall. However, the report said most of it was pine pieces that did not have cut marks (signs of being harvested).
It said much of the pine debris was from wind damage, and “subsequently entered waterways”.
The report concluded most of the debris also came from hillside erosion and stream and riverbank damage, although willow proved to be effective and one of the best options for erosion control.
One of the questions in this district must be whether the wood debris results from soil erosion and slips, or from poor clean-up after harvesting.
