Fisheries Sensitive Watersheds
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Nestled in the diverse landscapes scattered throughout
British Columbia is a vast network of rivers and streams
hosting world-renowned fisheries values. In some instances,
maintaining these
values requires
modified management activities so the multitude
of benefits provided by these rich ecosystems can be
maintained. By doing so, not only are
the ecological attributes that provide significant
fisheries values conserved, but so are an important
variety of social and economic values.
In 2005, the Provincial Government recognized the considerable
benefits derived from British Columbia’s natural environment, including
fisheries resources, by setting as one of its five
goals for the next decade:
“To lead the world in sustainable
environmental management, with the
best air and water quality, and the
best fisheries management, bar none.”
In the past there have been various forms of fisheries management initiatives
aimed at protecting fish values. Typically, these were
targeted at specific stocks or locations. Today, however,
science has recognized the integral
linkage between upland conditions and their influence
on maintaining aquatic conditions necessary to sustain
healthy fish populations.
Accordingly, the tools required to manage for connectivity
at the entire watershed level have been set out in
the Fisheries Sensitive Watersheds
(FSW) portions of the Forest Practices and Range Act (FRPA) regulations, and
specifically the Government Actions Regulation (Sec 14) and the Forest
Practices and Planning Regulation (Sec 8).
To qualify as an FSW candidate, watersheds must meet
two criteria: they must have significant fisheries values
and watershed sensitivity. Watersheds which meet the
FSW test, and that have been designated by way of an
order as an FSW by the Minister, require Forest Act
agreement holders to establish results and strategies
in their Forest Stewardship Plans consistent with the
objective(s) set by the Minister. An FSW order established
by the Minister sets out management direction to conserve
important watershed level attributes protecting fisheries
values. These attributes include the:
- natural stream bed dynamics;
- stream channel integrity;
- quality, quantity and timing of water flow; and
- natural, watershed level, hydrological conditions
and integrity.
Recognizing that ecosystems, whether aquatic or terrestrial, are dynamic
in nature, the Ministry of Environment is committed
to a process of Adaptive Management. In concert with
key partners and stakeholders, the Ministry will continually strive to
improve regulatory
direction
based on the best available science and in a manner
that ensures environmental protection and operational
efficiency.
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