(1)  Where an application for the certification of a forest practices plan is made in accordance with section 18 , the Authority may –

(a) certify the plan; or

(b) refuse to certify the plan; or

(c) amend the plan in such manner as it considers necessary and certify the plan as so amended.

(1AA)  However, the Authority is not to certify a forest practices plan involving the clearance and conversion of a threatened native vegetation community unless the Authority is satisfied of one or more of the following:

(a) the clearance and conversion is justified by exceptional circumstances;

(b) the activities authorised by the forest practices plan are likely to have an overall environmental benefit;

(c) the clearance and conversion is unlikely to detract substantially from the conservation of the threatened native vegetation community;

(d) the clearance and conversion is unlikely to detract substantially from the conservation values in the vicinity of the threatened native vegetation community.

(1A)  Without limiting the Authority's power under subsection (1)(c) , it may amend the plan by doing one or more of the following:

(a) inserting conditions and restrictions to be complied with in the harvesting of timber, the clearing of trees or the carrying out of other forest practices covered by the plan;

(b) inserting new specifications in the plan or amending or omitting specifications contained in the plan as submitted;

(ba) amending the period for which the plan is to remain in force;

(c) identifying, for the purposes of section 25A(1) , the discrete operational phases of the plan.

(2)  Except where the Authority has requested further particulars in relation to an application for the certification of a forest practices plan, the Authority shall take such action as is referred to in subsection (1) (a) , (b) , or (c) within 28 days of receipt of the application.

(3)  Where the Authority certifies a forest practices plan, refuses to certify a forest practices plan or certifies a plan as amended in accordance with subsection (1) (c) , it shall, by notice in writing served on the person who applied under section 18 or, if a person has been assigned in accordance with section 25D the applicant's responsibilities under this Division, that person, for certification of the plan and the owner of the land referred to in the plan or, as the case may be, the holder of the forestry right conferred in respect of the land, inform them of its decision.

(4)  If the Authority itself certifies a forest practices plan it must immediately affix its seal to the plan and endorse it with the date of certification.

(5)  If a person to whom the Authority has delegated the power to certify forest practices plans certifies such a plan, the person must immediately sign the plan and endorse it with the date of certification.