the salmon river watershed - Learning Centre
the salmon river watershed - Learning Centre
the salmon river watershed - Learning Centre
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
guideline, Gordon Creek (62.3%), Moutell Creek (34.8%) and Palmer Creek (49.6%) were subject<br />
to <strong>the</strong> Gleneden fire in <strong>the</strong> late 1970s. It is very likely that <strong>the</strong>se burned areas are not considered to<br />
be denuded. In <strong>the</strong> areas directly along <strong>the</strong> <strong>river</strong> and in <strong>the</strong> immediate uplands, 30 percent has<br />
been cleared in <strong>the</strong> Yankee Flats area and almost 50 percent in <strong>the</strong> area below Mount Ida. Much of<br />
<strong>the</strong>se areas are private land that has been cleared. However, this study was not able to discern <strong>the</strong><br />
extent to which potential negative impacts on forests, soils, wildlife and fish in <strong>the</strong> Salmon River<br />
<strong>watershed</strong> are <strong>the</strong> result of logging practices on private or crown lands or agricultural practices.<br />
These practices could use fur<strong>the</strong>r scrutiny as part of a <strong>watershed</strong> management plan.<br />
Salvage/protection programs (fire, insects, disease, blowdown) account for 6% of <strong>the</strong> longterm<br />
harvest level in <strong>the</strong> Okanagan TSA. If salvage could fur<strong>the</strong>r minimize this loss, or if<br />
additional protection measures could be taken, <strong>the</strong> short-term timber supply could be<br />
increased.<br />
Ano<strong>the</strong>r important issue affecting sustainability of forestry in <strong>the</strong> <strong>watershed</strong> is mountain pine<br />
beetle infestation. At present, <strong>the</strong> licensees in <strong>the</strong> <strong>watershed</strong> are required to harvest infested<br />
areas first. Methods for actively fighting beetle attacks include fall and burn, tree baiting and<br />
harvest, harvesting attacked trees only and returning <strong>the</strong> next year to do <strong>the</strong> same and finally,<br />
possibly clearcutting if <strong>the</strong> attack is extensive.<br />
The Forest Practices Code is a package of legislation, regulations, standards and field guides<br />
designed to improve <strong>the</strong> stewardship of B.C.'s forest resources. The Code guides forest<br />
management on public and some private lands. It protects a full range of forest values,<br />
including fisheries, wildlife, biodiversity, cultural heritage, soils, timber and community<br />
<strong>watershed</strong>s. The Code reduces <strong>the</strong> size of cutblocks and requires silvicultural systems to be<br />
ecologically appropriate to each site. It restricts clearcutting on steep, unstable slopes, in<br />
visually-sensitive areas, and in old growth areas vital to wildlife habitat protection. New<br />
regulations establish a management zone - where logging is done in a way that protects fish<br />
and wildlife habitat - beside all streams, and a no-harvest zone beside streams in community<br />
<strong>watershed</strong>s and all but <strong>the</strong> smallest fish-bearing streams.<br />
Established by law in April 1994, <strong>the</strong> Forest Renewal Plan represents a long-term commitment<br />
to restore and protect <strong>the</strong> health of forests, safeguard thousands of forest-dependent jobs, and<br />
increase economic benefits from each tree harvested. The plan will is to ensure that intensive<br />
silvicultural projects rehabilitate forests, enhance <strong>the</strong> timber supply, and create employment.<br />
Employment opportunities will also be created by training programs, value-added processing,<br />
and economic diversification in forestry-dependent communities.<br />
Forest Renewal BC, <strong>the</strong> agency charged with implementing <strong>the</strong> Forest Renewal Plan, has<br />
allocated $6 million for enhanced forestry projects, <strong>watershed</strong> restoration, and o<strong>the</strong>r forestrelated<br />
programs in <strong>the</strong> Kamloops Forest Region. There is currently one enhanced forestry<br />
project and no <strong>watershed</strong> restoration projects proposed or funded in <strong>the</strong> <strong>watershed</strong>. There is a<br />
great deal of potential for putting some of <strong>the</strong> Forest Renewal Plan funds to work in <strong>the</strong><br />
Salmon River <strong>watershed</strong>. Proposals to Forest Renewal BC from community organizations in<br />
partnership with industry and government are welcomed to provide <strong>the</strong> basis for environmental<br />
improvement, employment, community development, and productive forests.<br />
BC Ministry of Forests participates in three national and international processes working<br />
towards <strong>the</strong> development of criteria and indicators for <strong>the</strong> sustainability of forests. The<br />
Montreal Process developed criteria and indicators which were agreed to by ten non-European<br />
countries in March, 1995. The Helsinki Process has aggregated information at a Europeanwide<br />
level, and are at a very initial stage of implementation. The Canadian Criteria and<br />
41