The setting-up of forest road network plans: a concertation tool for forest stakeholders

Abstract

In 1997, forest road network plannings covered 3.7 million of hectares representing 28% of the French forest. Only 40% of them take into account preservation of the environment. Moreover, less than a third have a global approach of the forest regarding environment, tourism and fire prevention. Methods to define these plans are either precise and induce a pre-project or consist on global suggestions. However, a great lack of dialogue and circulation of information has appeared. Cemagref proposes a new conception of forest road network planning. The aim of planning building forest road is to develop the country in order to optimise the harvest of wood. This kind of plan depends not only on physical, technical, social and economical points of view, but also on biodiversity and landscape. This approach should widely take into account consultations and dialogues.