FPP No…..……...........
Coupe Name……….........…
Date……………….
BIODIVERSITY EVALUATION SHEET - CLEARANCE AND CONVERSION OPERATIONS
Name ……………………………………….
Date………………………………………..
Location (Grid reference)………………………………………………
Type of operation (eg., CF (native forest communities or threatened non-forest communities)-CLR,
CF(native forest communities or threatened non-forest communities)-HP, CF(native forest communities
or threatened non-forest communities)-SP)………………………………………………………………………….
Forest Practices Plan area (ha)………………………………………………..
Area of clearing and conversion, within the FPP boundary (ha)………………………………………..
General Information

This evaluation sheet is designed to help ensure Forest Practices Code provisions for biodiversity
values are taken into account in the preparation of a forest practices plan (FPP) for clearance and
conversion of native forest and/or threatened native non-forest. Note that this evaluation
may not cover all biodiversity relevant provisions of the Forest Practices Code. The planner will
need to consider any that are not covered here.

Advice must be sought for all proposed FPPs involving clearance and conversion of native
forest and/or threatened native non-forest. Complete sections 1-6 of this biodiversity
evaluation sheet and upload it, along with any supporting information (e.g., maps, database
outputs), to the FPA notification system. Once advice is received from the FPA biodiversity
program finalise the biodiversity evaluation sheets (including any advice) and upload the final
version to the FPA coverpage database.

Note that the applicant may need to seek advice from the Australian Government (Minister for
the Environment) if their actions are likely to affect environmental values covered by the
EPBCAct.

Note that prior to completing this evaluation sheet a desktop and field assessment of the
occurrence of biodiversity values within the planning unit must be undertaken. A map should be
created indicating the location of biodiversity values (eg., vegetation communities, known
localities for threatened species, habitat for threatened species, remnants etc). The purpose of
the map is to (1) inform the design of the proposed operation area taking into account the
distribution, extent and quality of habitat, (2) assist FPA staff in providing advice on management
of habitat (where required), and (3) provide a record of how the habitat assessment was
undertaken for future compliance monitoring (i.e. map should be kept on file as part of the
biodiversity evaluation).

Forest Practices Officers must check that the recommended actions delivered by the Threatened
Fauna Adviser and other planning tools are current prior to certifying a forest practices plan or
variation to a plan. It is also recommended that biodiversity evaluations are reviewed if
operations do not commence within, at most, six months of certification. This review will include,
as a minimum, a check of the locality database information (e.g. known localities on the
Biodiversity Values Database). Contact the FPA for advice if there is new information that might
influence actions required.

See Additional Information document for:
o
the explanatory notes and definitions for each section covered in this evaluation sheet;
o
a list of maps and other information that must be sent to FPA’s Biodiversity Program
with the draft of these sheets;
Further background information can be provided in this box, to assist FPA staff with providing advice.
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Page 1 of 10
FPP No…..……...........
Date……………….
Coupe Name……….........…
SECTION 1: VEGETATION COMMUNITIES
1.1
Native forest vegetation
List all the native forest communities in the FPP area (use code or long name) in Table 1.
Table 1 Vegetation Communities in the FPP area
Floristic community
1.2
Floristic
RFA community
RFA
Priority
Priority
(A,B,np)
(Y, Yog, N)
Total in Total in
FPP area operation
(ha)
area (ha)
Other native non-forest vegetation
List all the native non-forest vegetation communities in the FPP area (use code or long name) in Table 2.
Note that all native non-forest vegetation communities are floristic priority A.
Table 2 Native non-forest vegetation
Community
1.3
Total in FPP
area (ha)
Total in operation
area (ha)
Exotic vegetation
List all the exotic vegetation in the FPP (use code or long name). Note that all exotic vegetation is non
priority (N).
Table 3 Exotic vegetation
Exotic vegetation
1.4
Total in FPP
area (ha)
Total in operation
area (ha)
Map of vegetation communities
Develop a map of the distribution of vegetation communities within the FPP area and attach to this
evaluation. Clearly indicate the area where clearance and conversion operations are proposed and areas
set aside from harvesting on the map.
1.5
Permanent Native Forest Estate
Check the latest report on the Permanent Native Forest Estate (PNFE) figures on the FPA website
(www.fpa.tas.gov.au). Does the FPP involve any one or more of the following?
□
□
Clearing and conversion of more than 40 ha of native forest per property (PID)?
Clearing and conversion of a threatened native forest community or threatened native non-forest
community?
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Page 2 of 10
FPP No…..……...........
□
□
Date……………….
Coupe Name……….........…
Clearing and conversion of a native forest community which is less than 2,000ha in the bioregion
(communities highlighted in the PNFE report)? or
Clearing and conversion of a native forest community that has reached/exceed the clearing
threshold (communities highlighted in the PNFE report) or this threshold would be
reached/exceeded after the proposed operation is complete?
YES
NO
If yes, provide details
If yes, note that clearing may not be permitted under the PNFE policy (Policy on the maintenance of the
permanent forest estate) unless there are exceptional circumstances.
SECTION 2: THREATENED FLORA SPECIES
2.1 Sources of information
Obtain information on any known localities for threatened species within 2 km of the FPP area. Indicate
the source of information used.
Field sources:
Field survey
Databases:
BVD
Consultant/Reports
CONSERVE
OTHER (specify): ………………………..
NVA
Date checked: …………………
It is recommended that the FPA Biodiversity Values Database or the Natural Values Atlas Database is
checked as a minimum. FPA cannot guarantee the accuracy of other databases.
Attach a database report and any field information (e.g., consultant report)
Database report/field information attached
2.2 Known localities for threatened species
List all the threatened flora species localities within the FPP area and/or within 2 km of the clearance and
conversion operation within the FPP area and provide information on the potential impact of the
operation and propose management actions to mitigate the impact in Table 4.
Table 4 Localities of threatened flora species, potential impacts and proposed management
actions.
Species
(scientific
name)
2015/75006
Locality - give details
e.g. in/outside FPP area
(give grid reference).
Potential impact from
proposed operation (yes,
no, unsure)? Give details.
Proposed management
actions to mitigate
potential impact (e.g.
buffers, WHC).
FPA Evaluation Sheet Conversion Operations – Biodiversity V.1.2 (July 2015)
Page 3 of 10
FPP No…..……...........
Coupe Name……….........…
Date……………….
SECTION 3: SITES OF POTENTIAL SIGNIFICANCE FOR FLORA
Does the proposed FPP area contain any sites of potential significance for flora identified in Table 4A or
4B of the Forest Botany Manual that could be affected by the proposed operations? YES
NO
UNSURE
If YES or UNSURE, give details of site and proposed management actions in Table 5.
Table 5 Sites of potential significance for flora, potential impact and proposed management
actions.
Site of significance – include
Potential impacts from
Proposed management actions –
details such as size, location in
operations. Give details.
if required.
the FPP area and associated
values (e.g., threatened species
locality or habitat)
SECTION 4: OTHER FLORA ISSUES
4.1 Phytophthora cinnamomi (PC)
Are there any PC sensitive vegetation communities adjacent to or retained within the proposed FPP (refer
to Table 2 of FPA Flora Technical Note 8 or the Forest Botany Manual)?
YES
NO
If yes, give detail below.
If ‘YES’ to above, can the guidelines in Flora Technical Note No .8 Management of Phytophthora
cinnamomi in production forest be applied? YES
NO
UNSURE
If NO or UNSURE, provide details explaining why the guidelines cannot/may not need to be applied.
4.2 Weeds
The Forest Practices Code includes provision for the consideration of weed management in forestry
operations. Please refer to the Code for guidelines on managing weeds. Use the box below to record any
notes and/or management actions to be included for the management of weeds.
4.3 Remnant forest
The Forest Practices Code states:
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Page 4 of 10
FPP No…..……...........
Coupe Name……….........…
Date……………….
…In parts of the State where native forest occur mainly as remnants consideration will be given to retention
of native forest remnants to aid in the maintenance of local flora and fauna diversity and landscape values
(Section D, page 59).
The Forest Botany Manual defines remnant forest as ‘stands greater than 1 hectare in size and separated
by more than 2.0 kilometres from the closest area of native forest or woodland that exceeds 20 hectares in
area.’
Does the proposed FPP area contain remnant native forest within the operational area?
YES
NO
UNSURE
If YES or UNSURE, provide details including proposed actions to manage remnant vegetation in Table 6.
Table 6 Remnants, potential impact and proposed management actions
Description of remnant
Potential impact from
Proposed actions to manage
(including size of remnant and operation (provide details)
potential impact
location within the FPP area)
4.4 Hybridisation
FPA Flora Technical Note 12 provides information on which native eucalypts are susceptible to
hybridisation with Eucalyptus nitens and how to recognise hybrid seedlings.
Does the proposed operation include the establishment of Eucalyptus nitens plantation trees within 500
metres of:


YES
threatened native Eucalypts with a high risk of hybridisation, or
a threatened native forest community with a high risk of hybridisation
NO
UNSURE
If YES or UNSURE provide details below.
4.5 Effects on reserves
Is the FPP within or directly adjacent (e.g. sharing a boundary) to a formal reserve, informal reserve,
special management zone or private land reserve? YES
NO
If YES, give details in Table 7.
Reserves include:



Formal reserves (e.g. World Heritage Area, State Reserve, Forest Reserve);
Informal reserves (that have been dedicated as such for their flora values e.g. CAR informal reserves);
Special Management Zones for Flora or Fauna;
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Page 5 of 10
FPP No…..……...........

Date……………….
Coupe Name……….........…
Private land reserves (e.g. Private Forest Reserves Program, Protected Areas on Private Land, etc.)
Note that wildlife habitat strips are assessed in section 5.
Table 7 Reserve name, potential impact and proposed management action.
Reserve (name)
Potential impacts (e.g. disease,
weeds, wildlings, fire, mechanical
damage, disturbance to threatened
species)
Proposed actions to manage
potential impact (e.g.
applying buffers, machinery
wash down)
Can potential impacts on the adjacent reserve be adequately managed? YES
SECTION 5
5.1
NO
UNSURE
MATURE FOREST HABITAT
Assessment of mature habitat availability
Information on mature habitat availability within and surrounding the FPP area is required when using
the ThFA to obtain a management recommendation for mature forest species (e.g. masked owl).
What is the predicated availability of high and/or medium mature habitat pre-harvest (ha) within a 1km
radius of the FPP centroid and a 5km radius of the FPP centroid? One of the following spatial tools is
required to answer this question. Indicate which tool has been used FPA Habitat Context Assessment Tool
FT LCPlus report
PI-type
Other ________
What area (ha) of mature habitat is expected to be harvested during operation? FPA Fauna Technical
Note 3 provides some guidance for the on-ground assessment of mature habitat availability.
Provide the response to these questions in Table 8 and attach the report from the spatial tool used and
map of the distribution of mature forest (the mature habitat availability map available via the Habitat
Context Assessment Tool may be used).
Table 8 Mature forest availability pre-harvest and area of mature forest proposed for harvest.
% of area within 1km of FPP centroid
(ha) with high and/or medium
mature habitat
% of area within 5km of FPP
centroid (ha) with high
and/or medium mature
habitat
Area (ha) of mature forest
proposed for harvest
Comments on the availability of mature habitat noted in the field compared with the information
provided by the ‘desk-top’ tools (spatial information) can be provided in the box below.
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FPA Evaluation Sheet Conversion Operations – Biodiversity V.1.2 (July 2015)
Page 6 of 10
FPP No…..……...........
Coupe Name……….........…
Date……………….
5.2 Wildlife habitat strips (FPA Fauna Technical Note 8: Wildlife habitat strips)
a) Are any wildlife habitat strips (WHSs) present within or adjacent to the FPP area?
YES
NO
b) Are new WHSs required for the FPP area? If yes, please provide map of proposed WHS design.
YES
NO If no to A and B, move on to question 6.3.
c) Will roading be undertaken through a WHS?
YES
NO
d) Are cable harvesting operations likely to impact on a WHS (e.g. by pulling cables through the WHS)?
YES
NO
e) Is a change to the location or management of a WHS required?
YES
NO
If YES to any of A-E above provide details and management actions to mitigate impacts on WHSs (see
Technical Note 8 and additional information).
5.3
Wildlife habitat clumps (WHCs)
Is there a need for retention of WHCs (see flow diagram in FPA Fauna Technical note 7: Wildlife habitat
clumps)?
YES
NO
If NO, state the reasons for not including WHCs. If YES, indicate how many WHCs are required and
management actions, as determined using FPA Fauna Technical Note 7.
SECTION 6: THREATENED FAUNA SPECIES
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Page 7 of 10
FPP No…..……...........
6.1
Date……………….
Coupe Name……….........…
Sources of information
Obtain information on threatened fauna species that are likely to occur within 2 km of the FPP area.
Indicate the source of information used.
Field sources:
Field survey
Databases:
BVD
Consultant/Reports
CONSERVE
NVA
OTHER (specify): ………………………..
OTHER (specify): ………………………..
Date Checked……………
It is recommended that the FPA Biodiversity Values Database or the Natural Values Atlas Database is
checked. FPA cannot guarantee the accuracy of other databases.
Please attach a database report and any field information (e.g., FPO survey map, consultant report).
6.2 Threatened fauna known localities, range and habitat information.
Use the information from the database report and any on-ground surveys to determine if there are any
known localities of threatened fauna which may be impacted by the proposed operation within the FPP
area, and list these locations in Table 9. Also use the database report and field surveys to determine the
species range category and if the FPP area supports potential or significant habitat for a threatened
species and provide the information in Table 9.
Table 9 Threatened fauna species information
Species
Known locality*
Range category
Potential and/or
significant habitat**
*known locality: You are expected to list all localities within the FPP area and all localities outside the FPP area which
may be impacted by the operation. For example, eagles nest within 1km line of site of the operations within the FPP area
or a stream species locality immediately downstream of the FPP area.
**potential and/or significant habitat: Provide description of the habitat and location within or adjacent to the FPP
area. Attach map of the distribution of habitat. Give details in Table 9 if you determine that no habitat present. Give
reasons.
SECTION 7: FINAL PRESCRIPTIONS FOR BIODIVERSITY VALUES - to be completed after receiving
advice on recommended actions from the FPA biodiversity program.
Using the information gathered in the above sections and advice on recommended actions provided by
the FPA biodiversity program list the management prescriptions to be included in the FPP for each
biodiversity value in Table 10 below. Management prescriptions may not be required for all biodiversity
values covered in this evaluation sheet. Ensure all specialist advice received is saved in the FPA
notification database.
Note that the recommended action(s) should be translated into a management prescription in the FPP.
Note that simply copying all of the wording from specialist advice or planning tools into an FPP may be
inappropriate. The management prescriptions relevant to the operation area must be worded such that
the action is clear to those responsible for conducting the operation (e.g. contractor and supervisor).
Maps, photos and illustrations should be provided to clarify actions required (e.g., location of threatened
community, eagle nest, Masked owl hollow).
2015/75006
FPA Evaluation Sheet Conversion Operations – Biodiversity V.1.2 (July 2015)
Page 8 of 10
FPP No…..……...........
Coupe Name……….........…
Date……………….
Forest Practices Officers must check that the recommended actions delivered by the Threatened
Fauna Adviser and other planning tools are current prior to certifying a forest practices plan or
variation to a plan. It is also recommended that biodiversity evaluations are reviewed if operations do
not commence within, at most, six months of certification. This review will include, as a minimum, a check
of the locality database information (e.g. known localities on the Biodiversity Values Database). For some
species (e.g. swift parrot, wedge-tailed eagle), it may be appropriate to re-check known locality
information and the currency of nest searches just prior to the start of the operation. Contact the FPA for
advice if there is new information that might influence actions required.
Table 10 Management prescriptions for biodiversity values to be included in the FPP
Biodiversity value
Management prescriptions
1. Vegetation communities
2. Threatened flora species
3. Sites of potential
significance for flora
4. Other flora issues
5. Threatened fauna
species
6. Mature habitat
Any other management
prescription to meet the
biodiversity provisions of the
Forest Practices Code.
Include the following wording in all FPPs –
Reporting new sites for threatened fauna and flora
If new sites for threatened fauna (e.g., raptor nests, devil dens etc.) or flora are found during the
implementation of a forest practices plan, the sites must be reported to the Forest Practices Authority as
soon as practical.
SECTION 8: DUTY OF CARE
If the management prescriptions for biodiversity values developed for the plan area (listed in Section 7)
result in an area excluded from harvest that is above the Duty of Care threshold (see Guiding Policy of the
Forest Practices Code) and the landowner/forest manager is not willing/able to meet the prescription
through voluntary mechanisms then seek further advice from the FPA.
Modified actions may need to be formulated to achieve the management objective for the species within
the duty of care thresholds or the matter may need to be addressed through strategic planning, offsets or
other legislative mechanisms.
State forest planners should seek advice from Forestry Tasmania’s Sustainability Branch on the
estimation of Duty of Care thresholds on State forest.
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FPA Evaluation Sheet Conversion Operations – Biodiversity V.1.2 (July 2015)
Page 9 of 10
FPP No…..……...........
Coupe Name……….........…
Date……………….
Upload the final version of this biodiversity evaluation report and any supporting information
(e.g., maps, database outputs, specialist advice) to the FPA coverpage database for monitoring
purposes..
It is recommended that FPOs also keep a final version of this biodiversity evaluation and any
supporting information, with the FPP.
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