Post-project monitoring for forestry entities after environmental impact assessment

Post-project monitoring for forestry entities after environmental impact assessment

Business entities whose activities are related to the use of flora (forestry, agricultural enterprises), the procedure for environmental impact assessment is already familiar. In total, about 100 forestries have already received the approvals of EIA, as their activities are included in the list of the Law of Ukraine “On Environmental Impact Assessment” “… in terms of continuous and gradual felling of the main use.” Also, for enterprises that during the implementation of their activities can carry out the removal of greenery in the territories and objects of the nature reserve fund, the environmental impact assessment procedure is mandatory.

According to the Law “On flora” during the implementation of economic activities that affect the state of flora, business entities must comply with restrictions and take appropriate measures to preserve the population of flora and the rational use of natural resources. Such measures, first, include surveys of the state of flora, but it should not be excluded the surveys of fauna. After all, forests are habitats for the tree of living insects, birds, vertebrates, bats, amphibians. Typically, the results of these surveys are carried out to draft the report on environmental impact assessment.

To protect the environment, the approvals of EIA include the responsibilities on forestry entities to monitor and control deforestation activities. Post-project monitoring is a comprehensive survey of flora and fauna in a certain area to determine the level and intensity of environmental impact in this area during the implementation of activities. Post-project monitoring provides for year-round surveys within 2-5 years after the planned activities. Such long-term monitoring is carried out according to the approved program for a specific region. The program of the post-project monitoring determines the methods and schedule of surveys, and the procedure for transferring the reporting of the monitoring. Also, because of monitoring, measures aimed at the conservation of certain species of fauna and flora can be developed.

The main purpose of such responsibilities imposed on the entity in the framework of post-project monitoring is to determine and control the following:

• Compliance with the requirements of the Law “On the Red Book of Ukraine”, in particular to identify and preserve species of trees and shrubs listed in the Red Book;
• Identification of areas of dead trees intended for conservation for the development of xylobite fauna;
• Identification of important habitats for their conservation;
• Identification of nesting trees and hollow trees for their preservation;
• Determining the presence of species and habitats in the objects of the Emerald Network, which may be present within the forestry entity;
• Providing recommendations on measures to preserve the environment during felling;
• Collection and transfer of information to environmental authorities.

Over the past three years, our company has formed its own team of highly qualified surveyors to conduct quality research on birds, bats, insects, amphibians, mammals and plants. We know from our own experience how to apply modern European methods of surveys of the main groups of animals and plants. In cooperation with German and British colleagues on projects implemented in Ukraine, we conducted surveys according to the approved program for a specific area in Odesa region, taking into account the landscape, climatic conditions and the nature of the impact of future activities.

Our specialists have a clear understanding of the correctness and requirements of post-project monitoring for many activities, including forestry.

Qualitative surveys on the European methods guarantees saving of time and investments.

We invite forestry entities to carry out the post-project monitoring to meet the conditions set out in the approval on the environmental impact assessment.