Harvesting in State forests supplying water to Melbourne http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/DSE/wcmn202.nsf/LinkView/5D0F6D3F9BDB9442CA257...
From the DSE website:
The Victorian Government's White Paper, Securing Our Water Future Together identified Action 2.21 that will:
Undertake hydrological studies on the impact of logging on water yield of catchments in State forests supplying water to Melbourne;
Develop options aimed at improving the water yield, including potential changes to management practices and phasing out logging in these areas;
Assess the feasibility of establishing plantations outside State forests to offset any reductions in timber availability. This will be informed by the results of modelling and mapping work on high, medium and low hydrologic impact zones for plantations; and
Investigate the economic, social and environmental benefits and costs of these options.
Once they have been completed the Government will report on the findings of these studies and begin consultation with the timber industry, the community and other stakeholders to develop a long term plan that will improve water yield outcomes for Melbourne's catchments, while continuing to meet timber supply commitments.
This "Wood and Water project - Harvesting in State forests supplying water to Melbourne" will provide information for the Government to make important decisions about the sustainable management of the State Forests that supply water to Melbourne. The website includes research conducted to date as well as the final report on a 'Method for conducting a Sustainability Assessment of future management options for State forests supplying water to Melbourne' http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/CA256F310024B628/0/88BF8CF07B47862DCA2573E7000BBE15/$File/Final+Methods+Paper.pdf
The Wilderness Society has prepared a draft letter to the Premier on this issue: http://www.wilderness.org.au/campaigns/forests/victoria/central_highland...
The Central Highlands Alliance http://web.mac.com/elevenbutterflies/TCHA/Logging_water_catchments.html