Community Watershed Planning

 

Community watershed planning occurs under the Forest Practices Code on two levels: strategic and operational. For the most part, planning for water protection can be done through the long-term forest development plan and the watershed assessment procedure (WAP). However, more detailed planning may be needed because of special management concerns, site sensitivity or resource use conflicts. It may be appropriate for the watershed to be covered by a higher level plan. Once a higher level plan is in place, the land use zones within the plan area direct all forest practices. Community watersheds may be covered by a land use zone within such a plan. "Maintaining water quality, quantity and timing of flow" are the primary management objectives of the land use zone covering a community watershed. Most public consultation involving community watersheds takes place at this strategic planning level.

 

 

Background Materials and Web Resources

 

·        Ministry of Forests. 1996. Community Watershed Guidebook: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/TASB/LEGSREGS/FPC/FPCGUIDE/WATRSHED/water2.htm#part3

 

·        Ministry of Forests, Forest and Range Practices Act: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/code/#gen