Regional Forest Agreements: limitations and current opportunities

摘要

RFAs are intended to provide an alternative management framework for EPBC Act-listed species that conserves biodiversity for future generations. The failure to complete 5-yearly reviews and, where completed, the failure to consider and integrate scientific findings concerning threatened species decline and logging impacts, has undermined the RFA regime even on the bases on which it is advocated. Current review processes, and the upcoming expiry of the RFAs, provide an opportunity to complete comprehensive assessment processes that consider environmental and economic change over the life of the RFAs to inform a contemporary approach to forest management. A starting point is ensuring that: 1. the conservation requirements of newly listed or up-listed species threatened by logging are provided for; 2. carbon and water are properly valued; and 3. climate and fire risks are integrated. Current research indicates that this requires delivery of additional protected areas to conserve: 4. critical habitats;61 5. strengthened threatened species prescriptions; and 6. embedded environmental accounting.62 New and up-listed flora and fauna found to be threatened by logging over the life of the RFAs demonstrate that the RFAs have failed to adequately protect nationally threatened species.~(63) The failure of the RFAs to achieve their conservation objectives raises serious questions as to why the RFAs, and the EPBC Act exemption in particular, should continue at all.