ID | 1507 |
---|---|
Citation | Reese, Hansen, L, Nelitz, M and Parkinson, E. 2012. A discussion paper exploring the science, policy, and climate change considerations associated with a TSS designation procedure. BC Ministry of Environment, Fisheries Management Report No. RD123. 75p. |
Organization | Ministry of Environment |
URL | http://www.fraserbasin.bc.ca/_Library/CCAQ_BCRAC/bcrac_report-tss_3b.pdf |
Abstract/Description or Keywords | In British Columbia, riparian areas are protected from adverse effects of forest harvesting by applying mandatory no-harvest reserves to all fish-bearing streams > 1.5 m wide (B.C. Ministry of Forests and B.C. Ministry of Environment 1998). However, there is no regulatory requirement for riparian reserves on small fish-bearing streams (< 1.5 m channel width) and on all non-fish-bearing streams regardless of channel width. Section 15 of the B.C. Government Action Regulations (GAR) 1 provides for the use a regulatory tool that allows forest managers to designate モTemperature Sensitive Streamsヤ (TSS) to protect critical fishbearing streams that could be altered by stream heating. A TSS designation could be applied to riparian class S4, S5, or S6 streams2 which, by definition, do not have mandatory riparian reserves under the of the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA), for example under the Forest Planning and Practices Regulation. Stream temperature conditions are critical for fish, and temperature shifts associated with climate change are predicted to be an important factor in various physical and biological watershed processes (Pike et al. 2010a). It is envisioned that, by implementing existing and proposed regulations that help mitigate stream temperature sensitivity and by ensuring that appropriate management strategies are used at the operational level, maintaining riparian thermal buffering functions will help mitigate the predicted impacts of climate change. This paper discusses the underlying science, regulatory authority, evaluation procedures, and management requirements supporting designation of Temperature Sensitive Streams. The objectives of this paper are to: (1) summarize the science and consider alternative sources of information / data for designation; (2) propose a candidate designation procedure, and (3) present a proposal that can be used to solicit feedback from scientists on the defensibility of information requirements and managers on the feasibility of the procedure. In pursuing these objectives, the overall goal of this paper is to raise awareness and encourage support for designation of Temperature Sensitive Streams in British Columbia, especially in light of the potential for increased thermal vulnerability due to climate change. stream temperature, riparian, water quality |
Information Type | report |
Regional Watershed | All |
Sub-watershed if known | |
Aquifer # | |
Comments | |
Project status | ongoing |
Contact Name | Lars Reese-Hansen |
Contact Email | [email protected] |