Forestry D4 Form for SETENA
The Forestry D4 is the specific environmental assessment instrument for certain timber harvesting activities in forests within Protected Wild Areas, where harvesting is legally permitted.
The Forestry D4 does not apply to every tree-cutting or harvesting activity
Its applicability depends on the presence of forest, location within a Protected Wild Area, the type and scale of harvesting, and the absence of any legal prohibition on the proposed activity.
Forest is present
This procedure specifically addresses timber harvesting within forest ecosystems.
Within a Protected Wild Area
The property's location within the Protected Wild Areas system is critical in determining whether this environmental procedure may apply.
Harvesting is legally permissible
The existence of the D4 procedure does not authorize harvesting where another law, management category or regulation expressly prohibits it.
Some forestry harvesting activities do not require D4
The Regulation identifies certain very-low-impact activities that are exempt from the Forestry D4, although they may still be subject to the corresponding forestry authorizations.
Less than 30 m³ of commercial volume
Applications to harvest standing trees with a commercial volume below 30 cubic meters, under the conditions established by the Regulation, are considered very low impact for D4 purposes.
Fewer than 10 fallen trees per property
Applications to harvest fewer than ten fallen trees in forest per property are also exempt from the Forestry D4 under this Regulation.
Not requiring D4 does not mean timber may be harvested without authorization
SETENA's environmental assessment and forestry authorization are separate procedures. Depending on the land, forest, trees and proposed harvesting, SINAC-administered procedures and regulations may still apply.
The Forestry D4 and the forestry harvesting authorization are not the same procedure
SETENA assesses environmental impacts through the D4, while forestry management and harvesting approval fall under the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC), according to the applicable procedure.
Environmental Approval · Forestry D4
The D4 evaluates environmental aspects of harvesting, including Project Area conditions, resources used, impacts and relevant environmental risks.
Forest management and timber harvesting
The corresponding forestry authorization is processed in accordance with the Forestry Law and the standards, management plans and procedures administered by SINAC.
First, we must accurately locate where harvesting will take place
The application must be consistent regarding the property, Project Area, harvesting area and the forestry and environmental information submitted.
The D4 assesses how forestry activities interact with environmental components
The Digital Platform includes specific questionnaires to identify regulations, resource consumption, impacts and other risks associated with timber harvesting.
Specific conditions
We review the regulations applicable to the forestry activity and its proposed location.
Environmental components
Factors relating to water, soil, energy and vegetation cover are considered.
Environmental effects
We assess the possible effects of harvesting activities on relevant environmental components.
Other relevant conditions
We review other risks that may arise from the particular conditions of the proposed harvesting.
What information do we need to prepare a Forestry D4?
We integrate location, forest conditions and environmental assessment
Before preparing the form, we check whether the activity genuinely falls under D4 and coordinate the environmental, mapping and forestry information needed to represent the proposed harvesting accurately.
From forestry review to environmental decision
We review the project
We confirm the location, forest condition and type of harvesting.
We confirm the procedure
We determine whether D4 applies or whether another procedure governs the proposed harvesting.
We characterize the Project Area
We integrate property details, mapping, and environmental and forestry conditions.
We prepare the D4
We complete the assessment and documentation required through the Digital Platform.
SETENA reviews
The authority reviews the application and may request additional information.
Forestry procedures continue
Environmental approval is coordinated with the forestry authorizations that SINAC must decide upon.
The D4 provides for closure through the Digital Environmental Logbook
The Regulation establishes a closing environmental compliance monitoring report submitted through the Digital Environmental Logbook as part of the D4 follow-up procedure.
Environmental assessment and forestry management must be coordinated
Timber harvesting involves environmental and forestry responsibilities handled by different authorities under specialized regulations.
National Environmental Technical Secretariat
SETENA
SETENA assesses environmental impacts through the Forestry D4
SETENA is responsible for the environmental approval decision, based on the information submitted about harvesting, the Project Area and potential impacts.
Subsequently, forest management or harvesting authorizations must comply with SINAC's powers, standards and procedures.
Environmental Assessment, Control and Monitoring Regulation
The Forestry D4 is governed primarily by Executive Decree No. 43898-MINAE-S-MOPT-MAG-MEIC, Articles 36–42 and Annex 9, together with the applicable forestry regulations.
Forestry D4 and timber harvesting
Does every permit to cut trees require D4?
No. D4 applies to a narrowly defined category of timber harvesting in forests within Protected Wild Areas. The Regulation also exempts certain very-low-impact activities from D4.
Does D4 approval authorize me to cut down the trees?
Not by itself. SETENA environmental approval does not replace forestry authorizations that must be obtained from SINAC.
Is harvesting allowed in every Protected Wild Area?
No. D4 applies only where harvesting is legally permissible and there is no express prohibition applicable to the site.
What if only a few trees are involved?
The Regulation identifies certain very-low-impact harvesting activities that do not require D4, but the applicable forestry authorization must still be verified for each case.
Are D4 and a Forest Management Plan the same thing?
No. D4 is SETENA's environmental assessment instrument. The Forest Management Plan belongs to the technical and administrative sustainable forest management system regulated by SINAC.
What information do you need to review my case?
Initially, we need the property's location, cadastral plan, information about the forest, the approximate number of trees or timber volume to be harvested, and any existing forestry documents or applications.
Do you need to harvest timber but are unsure whether D4 applies?
We can review the location, forest condition, harvesting scale and available background information to identify the applicable environmental and forestry procedures.
Let's review your case first
Send us the cadastral plan, property location, a description of the forest and any available information on the trees or timber volume you intend to harvest.