Enviromental impact assessment in forestry according to the interim national standard of Turkey

In this study, the scope of environmental impact assessment was examined in the FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council) forest management certification process, which started in 2010 in Turkish Forestry and certified approximately 30% forest area. For this purpose, FSC-STD-60-004 V2-0 EN standard and Turkish forestry legislation were evaluated as material. According to this standard and implementation projects, the environmental impact assessment process has been examined. The 6th principle of the FSC standard is titled "Environmental Values and Environmental Impact Assessment". There are 9 criteria under this principle, and these criteria form the framework of environmental impact assessment in certified regions. While it is aimed to determine environmental values in Criterion 6.1, it is aimed to regulate environmental impact assessment and related activities in Criteria 6.2 and 6.3. According to Criterion 6.4, conservation strategies for Rare Threatened and Endangered species should be established. According to criterion 6.5, it is obligatory to protect natural forest ecosystems and to select the areas that represent them. According to criterion 6.6, conservation strategies must be implemented according to the principle of "Habitat Management". The hydrological values (Criterion 6.7) and landscape values (Criterion 6.8) in the plan unit should be protected. The allocation of natural forests to plantations and non-forest uses should not exceed 5% of the plan unit (Criterion 6.9).