Assessment of Class S4 Streams in the Central Interior to Evaluate Riparian Practices Implemented under the Forest Practices Code

Peter J. TschaplinskiResearch Branch

Ministry of Forests

Why did we do the survey?

• Concerns of DFO and MELP that logging around S4 streams was damaging habitat

• Assess the effectiveness of the FP Code in maintaining S4 stream channels and fish habitats

Objectives

1) Frequency of different streamside practices

2) Do practices meet objectives of the RMA Guidebook

3) Do practices result in impacts to fish habitat

Who did the study?

1. Interagency Technical Team: 11 persons– MOF, MELP, DFO, COFI, ILMA– project Terms of Reference, design, methods

2. Consulting Firm: Pre-survey SP Review

3. Field Crew: 16 – Tech Team (8) + MOF (3), MELP (2), DFO (3)

regional staff + field HQ co-ordinator

4. MOF Region (2) and District (6) contacts

Study Area

• Central Interior Plateau• Districts:

– Kamloops– Clearwater– Salmon Arm– Merritt– Williams Lake– 100 Mile House

C hilliw ack

C lea rw a te r

K am loops S a lm on A rm

Vernon

P en tic ton

M erritt

L illooe t

B oundary

W illiam s Lake

100 M ile H ouse

H orse fly

Study Scope and Sequence

• Examine ALL (2989) full-Code SPs to identify target cutblocks– harvested in 1997 or 1998– 47,800 ha

• Identify cutblocks with a classified S4 fish-bearing stream

• Visit and evaluate all 72 logged S4 streams

• RMA treatment & tree retention levels• Types & cause of disturbances within 100-m sections

Field Assessments

Field Assessments

• m altered / 100 m = Channel Impact Value (CIV)

• Logging slash in channel

Field Assessments

• Windthrow frequency and impact

Field Assessments

• Streambank sediments exposed by windthrow

• Sediment sources and severity rank

Field Assessments

•Harvest of streambank trees (count/100 m)•Shade loss (ranked L/M/H)

Study Phases and Timelines1. Technical Team

• Develop Terms of Reference

• Visit field sites (coast) to define problem

• March to August 2000– 5 months– 8 versions

2. Develop and Test Field Sampling Methods

• July - August 2000

• Field tested on Vancouver Island

• Finalized after 4 versions– consensus on observations & interpretations

3. Review SPs and Identify Sites

• Mid-August to early October

• Consulting firm plus district staff

• Identify:– cutblocks– S4 streams– riparian treatments

4. Field Surveys

• 2 - 13 October 2000

• Set up field HQ– logistics, communications

• 2 survey teams, 4 persons each

• 2 helicopters

5. Analysis and Reporting

• Data analysis and first draft: Oct - Dec

• Initial extension: Dec - Jan

• Iterative revisions & reviews: Dec - June

• Report release: July 2001

• TOTAL TIME: 15 MONTHS

6. Costs• Total: $200,000 +• Development/field tests: $15,000• Field Equipment: $3,000• SP Analysis: $18,000• Helicopters: $70,000• Other field logistics: $35,000• Post-survey & report: $10,000• Staff & in-kind support: $48,000

Project Strengths

1. Full participation and ‘buy-in’ by all parties

2. Specific Terms of Reference:

- defined study scope and methods

- ensure consistent observations, measurements, interpretations

Project Strengths

3. Comprehensive coverage of cutblocks & streams

4. Full participation of Technical Team in

report content

Project Weaknesses

1. Prolonged process of TOR development:

– high degree of sensitivity among parties

– industry and district staff felt their performance

was under audit

– turnover in Tech Team membership affected

continuity

Project Weaknesses

2. Insufficient liaison with districts:

– needed dedicated staff for communications

– district staff and operators felt alienated from

the process

Project Weaknesses

3. Observations were limited in scope:– short-term “snapshot” of impacts/effectiveness

– long-term impacts not directly assessed (e.g.,

LWD longevity, supply)

– obvious measures of physical alterations– no direct measures of change to biological

communities and processes

Project Weaknesses

– several physical processes not assesseddirectly

e.g., riparian canopy removal vs. stream temperature

– conclusions limited to the geographic region covered