The first lot of West Coast native timber felled in a storm earlier this year has been approved for salvaging.
Trees at Whataora Golf Course felled by the wind. Photo: Shona Rathgen
Five months ago, Parliament passed special legislation under urgency to allow the recovery of high-value native timber blown down on West Coast conservation land when Cyclone ITa swept through the region in April.
The Department of Conservation has awarded the contract to New Zealand Sustainable Forest Products, a native timber miller based in Reefton.
The department's West Coast conservation service director, Roy Grose, said he was satisfied that the company's work plans met strict standards for removing the timber.
Mr Grose said the work would be done in a way that would minimise the impact on the forest ecosystem, and was safe for workers and the public.
