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By Veronica Beltran

fish safety

Investigation finds that road sediment is causing impacts to fish habitat

May 28, 2020 | 12:58 PM

VICTORIA— A special investigation into how forest and range practices are protecting fish habitat under the Forest and Range Practices Act has been released, by the Forest Practices Board.

Board investigators examined forest and range practices in five watersheds throughout the province and found that practices such as maintaining fish passage and riparian management were good.

“However, sediment from roads was a high risk to fish habitat in three of the five watersheds assessed.”—Kevin Kriese, chair, Forest Practices Board

Kriese goes on to say that the “science is very clear that increased sediment in fish streams damages fish habitat,” and that greater attention has to paid to sediment management in all phases of road construction (design, construction, maintenance and deactivation).

The board recommends that government amend the legislation to ensure a clear and enforceable requirement to minimize the sediment entering streams during road construction, maintenance and deactivation, and that updated guidance and standards for road construction and maintenance be provided to industry.

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The investigation also discovered that licensees are protecting fish passage at stream crossings, mainly by using bridges and other open-bottom structures on fish streams. They are also retaining buffers of trees along fish streams to provide protection.

The Forest Practices Board is B.C.’s independent watchdog for sound forest and range practices, reporting its findings and recommendations directly to the public and government. The board can investigate and report on current forestry and range issues and make recommendations for improvement to practices and legislation.