Approaches Regarding the Environmental Impact Assessment of Forest Roads with a Special Emphasis on the Romanian Forestry Sector

Abstract

Forest roads represent one of the forestry operations with the most visible impact on the environment. At the EU level, project proposals that are likely to have an impact on the environment are regulated by EIA Directive (85/337/EC). EIA of forest roads focuses on solutions that are compatible with environmental values and sustainable forest management principles over the entire life cycle of the forest road. This paper presents a subject review of the EIA of forest roads, stressing its applicability in the Romanian forestry sector. EIA is a transparent tool based on a participatory approach that fosters the selection of the most suitable forest road alternatives which are technically feasible, economically viable, environmentally sound, and socially acceptable.