On February 6, 2013 the fRI Water Program hosted a workshop entitled Advances in Knowledge of Riparian Processes, Hydrological Functions, Forest Management Mapping Tools and Monitoring Procedures. Presentations from this workshop were captured on video by the Alberta Land-use Knowledge Network.
Derek Tripp reviews British Columbia's forestry riparian management planning and provides examples of how riparian assessments are made using BC's checklists and forms. Riparian Management Areas are required for fish-bearing streams 1.5 metres or wider. Guidelines for riparian protection were effective if followed so the guidelines became regulations in 1995 and the percentage of streams impacted dropped significantly in subsequent audits. Derek describes how audits are conducted and compares how the Forest Resource Evaluation Program (FREP) checklist compares to other stream audits. He finishes by describing how the data from audits is fine tuning regulations.
Derek Tripp is an independent consultant with Tripp & Associates Consulting Ltd., Courtney, B.C. Derek Tripp's presentation was made at the Foothills Research Institute's Water Program workshop, Feb. 6, 2013.