Fall 1994 Newsletter

THE WATER QUALITY MONITORING PROGRAM

This last year the Watershed Alliance has been active in a number of community projects. The Slocan Valley Pilot Project under CORE brought people together to discuss land use issues. Throughout the discussions, the need to obtain information on water quality and flow levels of creeks in the valley (commonly called "baseline monitoring") was cited as a necessary first step for responsible forest management.

In June of this year SVWA volunteers began a program to test water quality on creeks that supply water to our homes. The program has currently grown to include 14 monitoring stations on creeks and springs from Passmore to Hills. Testing is done at each station on a monthly basis using a water chemistry field kit. Water samples are also sent to Passmore Laboratory Ltd., an analytical testing laboratory recently established in the valley. There, additional tests are performed.

What is "baseline monitoring" and why is it important? The current monitoring program involves the collection of information on the chemical and physical quality of the water. Most of the tests selected are sensitive to forest management and include temperature, pH, conductivity, hardness and turbidity. Program volunteers also check for alkalinity, acidity, and oxygen content.

The cumulative test results are important because they characterise the condition of the water in that particular creek over time. Data collected for a five year period is considered sufficient to establish trends and show the normal fluctuation throughout the year. Then, if the watershed is altered through road building, logging or mining, any deterioration in the water quality can be detected.

At present, one doesn't detect the subtle changes in water quality until it is too late, for example when there are chronic high sediment levels or complete loss of water. Baseline monitoring enables early detection of potential problems. A connection is made between forest management activities and changes in the quality and quantity of water.

Each test relates to a different component in the water. Temperature, for example is measured frequently. It is important because temperature is directly related to biological activity (fish, insects and plant growth in the water). The cyclical daily and seasonal temperature variation can be altered by drastic forest removal, especially if trees are removed from the headwaters or riparian areas next to the creek.

Conductivity measures the capacity of the water to carry an electrical current. It is directly related to the concentration of minerals present. In spring, large quantities of snowmelt water may dilute the mineral content and decrease conductivity. In summer, conductivity readings may increase because of evaporation and low flow.

The water from watersheds that have been poorly managed is often characterised by high levels of suspended sediment. This test is one of the most important indicators of water purity because high levels of suspended sediment may be associated with high bacteria counts and Giardia (the organism responsible for "beaver fever"). For test results to be meaningful, suspended sediment samples need to be collected daily during spring runoff and the tests must be performed at the laboratory. Although suspended sediment was not measured this year, the SVWA plans to include this test in the program beginning next year.

Flow level information is probably the most important data to collect. Flow levels can be dramatically affected by overcutting or by cutting in the headwaters of the creeks. A flow volume measurement is normally determined by measuring depth and current velocity at intervals across the creek. Flow data can also be determined by reading a gauge on a specially designed weir or dam. Some creeks in the valley already have weirs or measuring devices in place. The SVWA volunteers in the program recently worked with the Water Management Branch to install a weir on one creek in the valley. However, more stations need to be set up.

Another aspect of monitoring involves evaluating the creek itself. Field observations such as the size and distribution of the creek rocks, the amount of woody debris in the creek, the number of landslides and amount of vegetation on the banks of the creeks are made during the late summer, early fall. These observations are then used to determine the capacity of the creek to resist and recover from changes such as increased flow and/or increased sediment levels.

Last July, residents who participated in the monitoring program also went to field training sessions sponsored by the Watershed Alliance and conducted by Al Isaacson, a well known forest hydrologist from Idaho. Al taught us how to perform stability evaluations on a creek and told us which test would be most meaningful in detecting changes that result from logging, mining and other activities in the watershed.

Some of the participants in the program had the opportunity to accompany Al on field trips to the headwaters of local creeks. Viewing the headwaters and origins of our water sources made one appreciate how sensitive they really are and the need to protect them.

The water monitoring program is providing critical information about streams in the Slocan Valley. As you can see, there is a lot that needs to be done regarding baseline monitoring. The SVWA will need people to help build weirs, collect samples and take measurements.

HYDROLOGY STUDIES CONTINUE

In April, hydrologist Allen Isaacson submitted his initial reports for Hasty Creek (Red Mountain Road), Perry Ridge (Slocan to Vallican, west side), Airy/Tindale (Tree Farm Licence #3), and the Elliott/Christian area (Perry Siding/Appledale, east side). During July and August, Isaacson conducted field work in these four areas, as well as in New Denver Flats (between Silverton and New Denver) and Pedro Creek (Winlaw). The field work was performed at the request of the SVWA.

Mr. Isaacson used a helicopter to reach the headwaters of streams on Perry Ridge and to assess their sensitivity to development activities. In New Denver Flats he analysed the 29 cutblocks proposed by Slocan Forest Products. In Airy/Tindale he examined recent landslide activity and assessed rehabilitation and restoration needs resulting from damaging logging activities. In all areas Mr. Isaacson assessed the sensitivity of streams to potential development activities.

Allen Isaacson has 23 years of experience with the U.S. Forest Service where he helped develop hydrology computer models. He currently teaches in the water management program at Spokane Community College.

The results of Mr. Isaacson's field work will be combined with his initial reports to produce a final report for each area. group if you would Contact your local watershed like a copy of the report for your area.

THANKS TO ALL OF OUR VOLUNTEERS

The SVWA is a volunteer organisation that depends on the selfless contributions of many in order to operate. Special thanks to Jennifer Yeow and her fleet of 14 stream monitors for all their work on the water monitoring program Richard Allin and Jim Rutkowsky gave count less hours representing the watershed interests at the local CORE table, while Colin Mackintosh and Wayne Peppard represented watersheds at the West Kootenay CORE table. Sally Hammond efficiently organises the hydrology studies and legal advice. Muffin Benedict keeps track of the finances, while Julie Andersen faithfully distributes the minutes Herb Hammond donates technical forestry expertise. Hard working fundraising co-ordinators are Lois and Don Warthe and JC Bradford. Susan Hammond attempts to keep the many activities co-ordinated and running smoothly and produces the newsletter. Kenyon McGee provides legal advice. A special thank you to SVWA directors and others who faithfully attend the long, complicated monthly meetings.

LOGGING ON PRIVATE LAND

With log prices at record highs and with mills experiencing a shortage of timber due to past and ongoing overcutting, an increasing number of private land owners are choosing to log their forested land. If you want to log your land, remember that your decisions affect the forest, your neighbours, and your community. In order to build co-operative rather than confrontational relationships with your neighbours, we recommend that you follow some basic principles:

Consider that no logging may be the best option for your land. If your land is steep, has thin soils, is the source of domestic water supplies, or has poor road access, logging may be more costly than the trees are worth. If you have to pay for a new water supply for you and your neighbours due to poor logging practices on your land, your profits from the sale of timber can quickly disappear. Frequently new water supplies are not available within costs that are affordable.

• Obtain professional advice from people familiar with forest functioning and with how logging may impact short and long-term water supplies and other aspects of healthy forests.
• Partial cutting (not clearcutting) is necessary to protect water and long-term soil productivity. Partial cutting should leave at least 20% of the largest trees well distributed on the site.
• Inform neighbouring landowners and their tenants of intentions to cut trees, and consult them about their concerns. Incorporate your neighbours' concerns and knowledge in your cutting plans.
• Since road building is often the cause of water degradation, access for logging must be extremely carefully planned, engineered, and built. Stay out of low wet areas, streams and springs, steep slopes and other kinds of unstable terrain. Skid trails should be similarly planned and should be minimised. Horse or cable logging methods cause far less soil compaction and erosion than cat or skidder logging. Roads and trails that you do not intend to maintain should be properly retired and regenerated.
• Leave unlogged buffer zones adjacent to neighbouring properties. A minimum buffer distance of one tree length is required to ensure that should blowdown occur, it will be on your own property and not your neighbours'. Trees should be felled away from these buffer zones when logging in their proximity. Within the logged areas, leaving a more dense forest next to the buffer strip will reduce the chance of blowdown.

Forests adjacent to streams, rivers, lakes, springs, seepages, and wetlands are not suitable for logging. A substantial unlogged corridor should be maintained around these important watershed characteristics. In the case of a stream, the crest of the floodbanks plus at least 10 meters might serve as an appropriate streamside corridor boundary. Prevent blowdown into these corridors by avoiding abrupt transitions in stand density. Fall trees away from the corridors.

Observe wildlife activity within the area. Logging plans should maintain important wildlife features such as animal paths, snags and other nesting sites, and vegetation that serves as a wildlife food source.

• Maintain the natural undergrowth as much as possible, especially where there are rare species, or flora suitable as food or other wildcrafting activities.
• Steep terrain and sensitive soil types are fragile and best left unlogged.
• Certain logging practices, such as whole tree skidding and limbing felled trees with a cat, degrade the soil severely and make cleanup difficult. Manual methods, such as topping and limbing where trees are felled with a chainsaw, allow greater protection of the soil and protect water. Burning slash can also degrade the soil and waste soil-building organic material. Lopping the slash so that it is close to the ground will accelerate their decomposition to reduce fire hazard.
• Treat your property as a long term woodlot. Remove a relatively small percentage of the forest cover annually. Leave some areas entirely unlogged to allow for old growth to occur, and for existing genetic and biological diversity to contribute to natural regeneration. Careful partial or selection cutting with the long term in mind will result in vigorous natural regeneration, ensuring a healthy and productive forest that can be sustained indefinitely.
• Adding value to the wood logged can add revenue to your efforts and allow you to retain more of the forest canopy for wildlife, and for future timber cutting. Look into local opportunities for milling and secondary manufacturing before selling raw logs.
• Make your timber cutting initiatives a source of local employment. Hire well qualified people, giving preference to local forest consultants to help you plan your activities and local contractors and labour to perform the work. Hire your neighbours if possible.
• Carefully record your timber management operations, and make regular and methodical observations of the effect on forest health, hydrology, wildlife use, and forest regeneration. Alter your methods if improvements seem possible, and contribute to the local knowledge of forestry science.
• If you intend to change the use of your property from forest to some other use, consider your options carefully, and include neighbouring landowners in your decision making. Productive forest may be the highest use of your land and may maintain more options for the future. Execute changes in land use (such as for agricultural purposes or building sites) tastefully and with respect for community and traditional values.
• If unsure of how best to proceed, don't be in a hurry. Research your options and the specific aspects of your property thoroughly. Acting in haste may give you results that you regret. Proceeding cautiously and with concern and awareness of the effects of your actions will give rise to better decisions, will gain you the respect and support of your neighbours, and will protect soil and water.

CORE PROJECT ENDS BUT WORK GOES ON

Although the CORE-sponsored Slocan Valley pilot project ended in June, the SVWA is continuing to work toward an ecologically responsible land and resource management plan for the valley.

The CORE project ended with virtually all of the major land use issues in the valley still unresolved. This was no surprise to the SVWA as we recognised from the beginning of the project that given many difficult issues, the allotted time was much too short to develop a land and resource management plan that was balanced and ecologically sound.

Other reasons for the limited progress included a very uncertain government policy climate with several important new initiatives in an unfinished state including the Forest Practices Code, Community Watershed Guidelines and biodiversity guidelines. A comprehensive review of provincial forest management standards in the Clayoquot Sound area pointed out many disturbing issues that are also relevant to the Slocan Valley.

With representatives from Slocan Forest Products and the Chamber of Mines at the table, another major difficulty was attempting to reconcile the narrow corporate economic interests of these sectors with the broader quality-of-life, environmental and employment concerns of several community-based sectors.

For example, SFP's primary interest was maximising available timber harvest volumes while the Chamber of Mines wanted to maximise access to the land base for mineral exploration and development. These interests were often in conflict with other sectors' concerns which included protecting water supplies, forest ecosystems and wildlife habitat; maintaining the visual quality of the valley; and maximising forest-based jobs by improving logging methods, increasing secondary manufacturing, and managing the forest for values besides timber such as mushrooms, herbs, speciality wood products and recreation.

In the past 15 years, automation in SFP's mill and in the woods has reduced the number of forest-based jobs while logging volumes have increased to a level that is now recognised as unsustainable. We're now looking at a decreased timber supply. The annual allowable cut in SFP's Slocan Valley tree farm was reduced by 40% last year because the wood just isn't there any more. The new Arrow Timber Supply Review and the Forest Practices Code will probably reduce logging elsewhere in the valley as well.

Despite the difficulties, the CORE project did create a forum where various community interests could present their views on crown land management and hear what others had to say - a first opportunity for many at having their interests considered. It also provided a forum for several issues which have plagued the valley to have a good hearing. The table explored and began work on an ecologically sound approach to land use planning. The project ended with assurances from the Ministries of Forests and Environment that they would continue to work with the various interests in the valley.

In September, the Ministry of Forests called all sectors to a meeting in New Denver to discuss SFP's logging plans for Dennis Creek. This creek, near Rosebery, has water licenses on it, and SFP's proposed cut blocks would be visible from the highway. At this meeting Ministry staff said that they were not prepared to recommend approval of SFP's logging proposal to the District Manager until planning for the area is completed on a larger scale.

Most sectors expressed a desire to continue working on an ecologically sound and balanced land use plan. In October, the Silva Forest Foundation will be meeting with the various sectors to preview Silva's landscape analysis for the valley. The first part of this analysis was initially presented through the watershed sector to the CORE table last spring. It proposes a network of protected areas across the valley landscape which are seen as essential to maintain long-term ecosystem health, and it then identifies zones where a balance of ecologically-responsible logging and other human activities can occur. For more details see the story elsewhere in this newsletter.

SVWA SUPPORTS LANDSCAPE ANALYSIS AND ZONING PROJECT

The Silva Forest Foundation, a non-profit society based in Slocan Park, has nearly completed its mapping project for the Slocan Valley. The maps represent months of analysing computerised map information obtained from the Ministry of Forests and of defining ecologically sensitive areas by analysing air photos. The next step is to obtain feedback and additional information from the community to improve the mapping. This information is being obtained from those who represented the various sectors at the Slocan Valley CORE table.

One goal of the project is to analyse what the ecology of the landscape tells us about the limits to present and future human activities. The ecosystem-based analysis applies the sciences of landscape ecology and conservation biology. These sciences tell us that all parts of an ecosystem are interconnected and dependent on each other and that we must look at the larger landscape to protect the connections among all parts.

The landscape analysis defines sensitive areas such as steep slopes, sensitive soils, wetlands, and grasslands. These areas are identified as unavailable for timber management or other resource extraction activities. The project also locates old growth, logged or burned areas, and riparian ecosystems (areas next to streams, rivers, and lakes). Based on this information, the maps will define a protected landscape network designed to maintain biological diversity throughout the valley. The landscape network provides animals with movement corridors and habitat.

Once a landscape network has been defined, zones are established for a variety of human activities such as tourism, recreation, wildcrafting, timber management, water protection and trapping. Often more than one human use can take place within a zone. Within areas defined for timber management, a sustainable annual cutting level can be set. The community will need to identify where current activities take place and where proposed activities can occur.

Based on the ecological limits identified through the mapping analysis, the project will propose a sustainable economy for the Slocan Valley. The economic proposal will identify ways to maintain jobs in a diversified economy that includes timber management, tourism, recreation, and other economic initiatives.

The Silva Forest Foundation is presenting a paper on the Slocan Valley mapping and economic analysis project at the conference of the International Society for Ecological Economics in San Jose, Costa Rica in late October.

The mapping project was begun during the Slocan Valley CORE process. Additions and changes to the maps are currently being provided by the sectors represented at the local CORE project. Once these changes have been incorporated, the maps will be provided to the sectors, along with the economic analysis. This information can then be used by the community for more detailed planning.

COMMUNITY FINANCIAL SUPPORT CRITICAL TO SVWA WORK

A big thank you to all those who donated so generously in response to our recent mail request. If you have not yet donated, please let us hear from you!

The Watershed Alliance continues to work on many fronts to protect our water. Your donations help support the following projects:

• Ongoing hydrological studies and water monitoring
• Scientific research
• Support for watershed groups
• Legal advice
• Completing an ecosystem-based planning framework with the goal of establishing a community forest board
• Newsletter and networking with other groups in the province

Our goal is to raise $9000 by the end of 1994. $4000 of this is being raised by the member groups that make up the SVWA:

	Perry Ridge    $1000
	Silverton	 200
	Passmore	 250
	Hills	         350
	Red Mtn.	 300
	Harris Cr.	 200
	South Slocan     200
	Brandon	         200
	Winlaw	         500
	Elliot-Christian 600
	Pedro Cr.	 200
	Slocan Ridge	 200

If you are part of a member group, please help with fundraising in your area donate today!

The additional $5000 will come from individuals and the proceeds from our winter adventure raffle. Have you bought your ticket yet? Tickets are available at Carlotta's Garden in Winlaw and Earthborn Organics in Passmore.