Assessment of Class S4 Streams in the Central Interior to Evaluate Riparian Practices Implemented under the Forest Practices Code Peter J. Tschaplinski Research 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

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

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

S ediment sources and severity rank Field Assessments

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

Study Phases and Timelines 1. 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 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 assessed directly e.g., riparian canopy removal vs. stream temperature –conclusions limited to the geographic region covered