In reply to Mark Watchman, 12 April. The best scenario is that DOC, is adequately funded and their work protecting our protected species that occur in N.Z. and no where else is valued. Clearly the public value DOC with the very successful Love DOC Day on 11 April.
We are told that the staff cuts relate to middle management. The reality is that most middle managers spend half their time in the field frontline, this was very evident during the Rena crisis when these personnell came from around NZ to help us out locally.
So if there is to be cut backs, more alternative self funding sources have to be considered. There is definitely real return on fallen giant rimu that are 500 - 700 yrs old which are 15 - 20 metres to the first branch x 2 metre diameter.
I am advised that If 50% of these giants are salvagable at $4,000 cubic metre there would be $50,000 wholesale value after costs.
It is good if the total log isn't salvageable (usually stump end fungi rot) because more is left to biodegrade. If a policy was developed with strict controls, then tendering a pilot area to evaluate what the market thinks, without committment, is needed knowlege as a first step.

Tim Short, Upper Ohauiti.