Principle 6: Environmental Values* and Impacts
The Organization* shall* maintain, conserve and/or restore ecosystem services* and environmental values* of the Management Unit*, and shall* avoid, repair or mitigate negative environmental impacts. (P6 V4)
Criterion 6.1 (New)
The Organization* shall* assess environmental values* in the Management Unit* and those values outside the Management Unit* potentially affected by management activities. This assessment shall* be undertaken with a level of detail, scale and frequency that is proportionate to the scale, intensity and risk* of management activities, and is sufficient for the purpose of deciding the necessary conservation* measures, and for detecting and monitoring possible negative impacts of those activities.
Indicator 6.1.1
Best Available Information is used to identify environmental values* within, and, where potentially affected by management activities, outside of the Management Unit*.
Verifiers 6.1.1
a. Forest management plans
b. Public consultations with relevant stakeholders
c. Management plan of the organization (according to P 7)
d. Relevant documentation (1)
Indicator 6.1.2
Assessments of environmental values* are conducted with a level of detail and frequency so that:
1. Impacts of management activities on the identified environmental values* can be assessed as per Criterion* 6.2
2. Risks* to environmental values* can be identified as per Criterion* 6.2
3. Necessary conservation* measures to protect values can be identified as per Criterion* 6.3
4. Monitoring of impacts or environmental changes can be conducted as per Principle* 8.
Verifiers 6.1.2
a. Forest management plan accepted by authorities
b. Internal procedures and annexes
Criterion 6.2 (6.1 revised)
Prior to the start of site-disturbing activities, The Organization* shall* identify and assess the scale, intensity and risk* of potential impacts of management activities on the identified environmental values*. (C6.1 V4)
Indicator 6.2.1
An environmental impact assessment* identifies potential present and future impacts of management activities on environmental values*, from the stand level to the landscape level.
1. When legislation requires an environmental impact assessment, this assessment will be done according to legal requirements
2. When the law does not require an environmental impact assessment, the Organization will assess the impact of operations on environmental values identified, according to the requirements of this standard
Verifiers 6.2.1
a. Forest management plan approved by Ministry or accepted / in process of acceptance at environmental and forestry authorities (depending on its tage of development)
b. Internal procedure and annexes
Indicator 6.2.2
The environmental impact assessment* identifies and assesses the impacts of the management activities prior to the start of site-disturbing activities.
Verifiers 6.2.2
a. Forest management plan
b. Impact assessment (where needed))
c. Written procedures
Criterion 6.3 (6.1 revised)
The Organization* shall* identify and implement effective actions to prevent negative impacts of management activities on the environmental values*, and to mitigate and repair those that occur, proportionate to the scale, intensity and risk* of these impacts. (C6.1 V4)
Indicator 6.3.1
Management activities are identified, planned and implemented to prevent negative impacts and to protect environmental values*.
Verifiers 6.3.1
a. Field visits
b. Internal procedures and annexes
Indicator 6.3.2
Management activities prevent negative impacts to environmental values*.
1. A procedure including measures and responsibilities to prevent the negative impacts on environment
2. The procedure is known by workers and contractors and is implemented in practice
Verifiers 6.3.2
a. Field visits
b. Internal procedures and annexes
Indicator 6.3.3
Where negative impacts to environmental values* occur, measures are adopted to prevent further damage, and negative impacts are mitigated* and/or repair.
1. Procedures to mitigate and repair the negative impacts of management activities on environment exist
2. Procedures for assessment and monitoring of negative impacts exist and allow for comparisons over time
Verifiers 6.3.3
a. Records, written procedures and annexes (monitoring and additional measures)
b. Field visits
c. Interviews with managers and stakeholders
Criterion 6.4 (revised 6.2)
The Organization* shall* protect rare species* and threatened species* and their habitats* in the Management Unit* through conservation zones*, protection areas*, connectivity* and/or (where necessary) other direct measures for their survival and viability. These measures shall* be proportionate to the scale, intensity and risk* of management activities and to the conservation* status and ecological requirements of the rare and threatened species*. The Organization* shall* take into account the geographic range and ecological requirements of rare and threatened species* beyond the boundary of the Management Unit*, when determining the measures to be taken inside the Management Unit*. (C6.2 V4)
Indicator 6.4.1
Best Available Information is used to identify rare and threatened species*, and their habitats*, including CITES species (where applicable) and those listed on national, regional and local lists of rare and threatened species* that are present or likely to be present within and adjacent to the Management Unit*.
1. List of rare and threatened species which could live in the Management Unit exists
2. Personnel is trained for identifying rare and threatened species
3. Depending on scale and intensity of forest management activities, the process of identifying rare and threatened species is implemented through consultation of relevant stakeholders and involvement of experts in the field
4. List of rare and threatened species present in the Management Unit exists
Verifiers 6.4.1
a. Public consultation
b. Integrated management plan (IMP)
c. Protected areas management plan
d. Forest management plan (Chpt. on Non-timber resources)
e. Relevant lists (Gov. Dec. 57/2007, CITES, Annex A of the Std - List of rare and threatened species)
f. Management plan of hunting ground
g. Rare species guide of the organization
Indicator 6.4.2
Potential impacts of management activities on rare and threatened species* and their and their conservation* status and habitats* are identified and management activities are modified to avoid negative impacts.
1. Procedure to identify potential impact on rare and threatened species exists
2. Depending on scale and intensity of forest management activities, the process of identifying of potential impact on rare and threatened species has included consultation of relevant stakeholders and involvement of experts in the field
3. Where potential impact has been identified, measures to prevent impact are established
4. The is evidence that measures to prevent impact are implemented and management activities are modified when needed
Verifiers 6.4.2
a. Studies (environmental impact assessment if necessary)
b. Protected area management plan
c. Management plan of the organization
d. Internal procedures and annexes
e. Consultations with stakeholders
Indicator 6.4.3
The rare and threatened species* and their habitats* are protected, including through the provision of conservation zones*, protection areas*, connectivity*, and other direct means for their survival and viability, such as the species’ recovery programs.
1. There are procedures to designate conservation/protection and connectivity areas
2. These areas are mapped
3. Where information is available, these areas are designated taking into account similar areas adjacent to the Management Unit
Verifiers 6.4.3
a. Procedures and annexes
b. Map
c. Field check
Indicator 6.4.4
Hunting, fishing, trapping and collection of rare or threatened species*is prevented
Verifiers 6.4.4
a. Procedures and annexes
b. Management plan of hunting ground
c. Public information process
d. Interviews with authorities (responsible for regulations and control)
Criterion 6.5 (revised 6.4 and 10.5)
The Organization* shall* identify and protect representative sample areas of native ecosystems* and/or restore them to more natural conditions*. Where representative sample areas do not exist, The Organization shall* restore a proportion of the Management Unit* to more natural conditions*. The size of the areas and the measures taken for their protection or restoration shall* be proportionate to the conservation* status and value of the ecosystems* at the landscape* level, and the scale, intensity and risk* of management activities. (C6.4 and 10.5 V4)
Indicator 6.5.1
Best Available Information is used to identify native ecosystems* that exist, or would exist under natural conditions*, within the Management Unit *.
Verifiers 6.5.1
a. Forest management plan and Annex B1 - Groups of forest types and B2 - Exceptional forest types
b. Protected areas management plans (if any)
Indicator 6.5.2
Representative Sample Areas* of native ecosystems* are protected, where they exist.
Verifiers 6.5.2
a. Forest management plan and Annex B1 - Groups of forest types and B2 - Exceptional forest types (for Annex B details on - artificial stands, natural stands, area thresholds, minimal requirements for favorable conservation status - will be added later)
Indicator 6.5.3
Where representative sample areas do not exist , or where existing sample areas inadequately represent native ecosystems or are otherwise insufficient, a proportion of the Management Unit* is restored to more natural conditions*.
1. Areas to be restored to a more natural condition are established and marked on maps
2. There is evidence on planning and implementing the processes to restore these areas to a more natural condition
Verifiers 6.5.3
a. Forest management plan (low productivity stands, stands affected by disturbance agents, health status of the forest, stand composition to be achieved by management, present stand composition, proposed management measures)
b. Interviews
c. Field checks
Indicator 6.5.4
The size of representative sample areas and/or restoration* areas is proportionate to the conservation* status and value of the ecosystems* at the landscape level, the size of the Management Unit* and the intensity* of forest* management.”
Verifiers 6.5.4
a. Forest management plan
b. Map with designated areas (min. 10%)
c. Public consultations
d. Natural ecosystems conserved on an area proportional with their cover in the management unit
Indicator 6.5.5
Representative Sample Areas* in combination with other components of the conservation areas network* comprise a minimum 10% area of the Management Unit*.
Criterion 6.6 (revised 6.2 and 6.3)
The Organization* shall* effectively maintain the continued existence of naturally occurring native species and genotypes*, and prevent losses of biological diversity*, especially through habitat* management in the Management Unit*. The Organization* shall* demonstrate that effective measures are in place to manage and control hunting, fishing, trapping and collecting. (C6.2 and C6.3 V4)
Indicator 6.6.1
Management activities maintain the plant communities and habitat features* found within native ecosystems* in which the Management Unit* is located.
Verifiers 6.6.1
a. Annual game species evaluations
b. Protected areas management plans
c. Other relevant studies.
d. Public consultations
Indicator 6.6.2
Where past management has eliminated plant communities or habitat features*, management activities aimed at re-establishing such habitats* are implemented.
Verifiers 6.6.2
a. List of relevant stakeholders
b. Proofs of public consultations
Indicator 6.6.3
Management maintains, enhances, or restores* habitat features* associated with native ecosystems*, to support the diversity of naturally occurring species and their genetic diversity.
Verifiers 6.6.3
a. Expert reports
b. Notice from relevant institutions
c. Procedures and annexes
Indicator 6.6.4
Effective measures are taken to manage and control hunting, fishing, trapping and collecting activities to ensure that naturally occurring native species, their diversity within species and their natural distribution are maintained.
Verifiers 6.6.4
a. Personal job requirements sheet for personnel responsible on forest guarding
b. Interviews
c. Records on harvesting quotes (for management units which also manage hunting and fishing grounds)
Criterion 6.7 (revised 6.5 and 10.2)
The Organization* shall* protect or restore natural water courses, water bodies, riparian zones and their connectivity*. The Organization* shall* avoid negative impacts on water quality and quantity and mitigate and remedy those that occur. (C6.5 V4)
Indicator 6.7.1
Protection* measures are implemented to protect natural water courses and water bodies, riparian zones* and their connectivity*, including water quantity and water quality.
1. Buffer zones are established along water courses
2. Places for crossing of water courses are clearly established on maps and in the field
3. Where possible, for crossing culverts will be used
4. In the case of fishing perimeters from mountainous areas, the forest along water courses are maintained to provide specific habitat conditions (including water temperature, places for laying eggs etc.)
5. Water courses are not stopped with dams except for the situation when such dams are for preventing erosion or flooding
6. Forest roads and timber collection routes will not be placed in water streams
7. Chemicals will not be used at a closer distance than 10 m from water course and 20 m from water bodies
8. There is no siltation of waters
Verifiers 6.7.1
a. Maps from forest management plan
b. Harvesting unit map
Indicator 6.7.2
Where implemented protection* measures do not protect water courses, water bodies, riparian zones* and their connectivity*, water quantity or water quality, from impacts of forest* management, restoration activities are implemented.
Verifiers 6.7.2
a. Harvesting unit map
b. Field checks
c. Internal procedures
d. Official documents for investment works
e. Interviews
Indicator 6.7.3
Where natural watercourses, water bodies*, riparian zones* and their connectivity*, water quantity or water quality have been damaged by past activities on land and water by The Organization*, restoration activities* are implemented.
Verifiers 6.7.3
a. Procedures and annexes
b. Field visits
c. Interviews
Indicator 6.7.4
Where continued degradation exists to water courses and water bodies, water quantity and water quality caused by previous managers and the activities of third parties, measures are implemented that prevent or mitigate this degradation.
Verifiers 6.7.4
a. Application of procedures
b. Field visits
c. Interviews
d. Monitoring reports of competent entities
Criterion 6.8 (revised 10.2 and 10.3)
The Organization* shall* manage the landscape* in the Management Unit* to maintain and/or restore a varying mosaic of species, sizes, ages, spatial scales and regeneration cycles appropriate for the landscape values* in that region, and for enhancing environmental and economic resilience*. (C10.2 V4) RESILIENCE = The ability of a system to maintain key functions and processes in the face of stresses or pressures by either resisting or adapting to change.
Indicator 6.8.1
A varying mosaic of species, sizes, ages, spatial scales and regeneration cycles is maintained appropriate to the landscape*.
Verifiers 6.8.1
a. Forest management plan (social, economic and ecologic objectives, forest distribution on age classes)
b. Stand composition map and map of proposed management works
Indicator 6.8.2
The mosaic of species, sizes, ages, spatial scales and regeneration cycles is restored* where it has not been maintained appropriate to the landscape*.
Verifiers 6.8.2
a. Forest management plan (social, economic and ecologic objectives, forest distribution on age classes)
b. Stand composition map and map of proposed management works
Criterion 6.9 (revised 6.10)
The Organization* shall* not convert natural forest* to plantations*, nor natural forests* or plantations* to any other land use, except when the conversion: a) affects a very limited portion of the area of the Management Unit*
b) Will produce clear, substantial, additional, secure long-term conservation* benefits in the Management Unit*and
c) Does not damage or threaten High Conservation Values*, nor any sites or resources necessary to maintain or enhance those High Conservation Values*. (C6.10 V4)
Indicator 6.9.1
There is no conversion of natural forest* to plantations* nor conversion of natural forests* to non-forest* lands use, nor conversion of plantations* on sites directly converted from natural forest* to non-forest* land use, except when the conversion.
1. Affects a very limited portion* of the Management Unit*
2. The conversion will produce clear, substantial, additional, secure, long-term conservation* benefits in the Management Unit*
3. Does not damage or threaten High Conservation Values*, nor any sites or resources necessary to maintain or enhance those High Conservation Values*
Verifiers 6.9.1
a. Forestry code and subsequent legislation
b. Forest management plan
c. Official statistics reporting (Form SILV 1)
Criterion 6.10 (revised 10.9)
Management Units* containing plantations* that were established on areas converted from natural forest* after November 1994 shall* not qualify for certification, except where: a) Clear and sufficient evidence is provided that The Organization* was not directly or indirectly responsible for the conversion, or b) the conversion affected a very limited portion of the area of the Management Unit* and is producing clear, substantial, additional, secure long term conservation* benefits in the Management Unit*. (C10.9 V4)
Indicator 6.10.1
Based on Best Available Information*, accurate data is compiled on all conversions since 1994.
Verifiers 6.10.1
a. Maps
b. Analysis of past forest management (up to present)
c. Ownership documents
Indicator 6.10.2
Areas converted from natural forest* to plantation* since November 1994 are not certified, except where:
1. The Organization* provides clear and sufficient evidence that it was not directly or indirectly responsible for the conversion
2. The conversion will produce clear, substantial, additional, secure, long-term conservation* benefits in the Management Unit*
3. The total area of plantation* on sites converted from natural forest* since November 1994 is less than 5% of the total area of the Management Unit*
Verifiers 6.10.2
a. Forest management plan
b. Analysis of past forest management (up to present)
c. Feasibility studies
d. Ownership documents (to identify initail land use type)