Fit Study Session #4

FIT STUDY SESSION #4

1.  What are the four forms of energy entering and leaving a watershed?

Thermal, Kinetic, Potential and Radian

2.  Name 4 of the key watershed protection provisions in the ground rules.

Watercourse Classification

Treed buffer requirements

Guidelines to construction maintaining and maintenance of roads, camps, landings, crossings

Rate of harvest (two or more pass)

Block size limitations

Forest Protection requirements

Harvesting restricted to 45% slopes, detailed cutblock layouts

Predisturbance watershed assessments

3.  Name atleast three of the plans/legislation or policies that have sections pertaining to watershed and/or water course protection.

A Policy for Resource Management of the Eastern Slopes

Integrated Resource Management Plan

Forest Care Program

Forest Reserves Act

The Soil Conservation Act

The Forest Prairie and Protection Regulation Part 2

Navigable Waters Protection Act

Canadian Environmental Assessment Act Process

Fisheries Act

Water Resource Act

Water Act

4.  Briefly describe 3 of the above and how they

A Policy for Resource Management of the Eastern Slopes

·  (highest priority in the overall management of the eastern slopes is placed on watershed management)

Integrated Resource Management Plan

·  (no legal authority, simply policy documents that usually have watercourse protection as a high priority)

Forest Care Program

Forest Reserves Act

·  Section 4- all forest reserves within Alberta are set apart and established for the conservation of the forests and other vegetation on the forest and for the maintenance of conditions favorable to an optimum water supply.

The Soil Conservation Act

·  Section 3- every land owner shall in respect of his land take appropriate measures to prevent soil loss from taking place and/or continuing.

Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA)

·  release of substance section 97-105.3

·  part 5 reclamation and conservation

The Forest Prairie and Protection Regulation Part 2

·  pollution and erosion control

·  remove of remedy any interference with normal drainage of water if caused

·  remove without causing damage to the channel any obstruction to natural flow

·  prevent soil erosion, sedimentation, or reduced watershed capacity,

·  no person shall cause contamination or pollution of any land, water system, river or stream

Navigable Waters Protection Act

·  includes any body of water capable, in its natural state of being navigated by floating vessels of any description for the purpose of transportation, recreation or commerce

·  section 5 states no work shall be built around navigable waters unless it is approved by the Minister,

·  construction has to start within 6 months and be completed within 3 years,

·  work is built and maintained in accordance with the plans,

·  application for approval is submitted upon decision of a watercourse being navigable.

Canadian Environmental Assessment Act Process (CEAA)

·  the purpose is to integrate environmental factors into federal planning and decision making into account pubic values and goals of sustainable development for areas of federal jurisdiction,

·  section 5 of the Navigable Waters Act is the trigger for the CEAA)

Fisheries Act

·  covers the protection of fish and natural fish habitat that support them,

·  section 22 protection from passage minister decides what is needed for ascending and descending fish passage,

·  section 32 talks about destruction of fish,

·  section 34 deleterious material defines as any degradation or alteration of that water, any water that has been changed (chem., temp etc.) that will effect fish or man who fish,

·  section 35 Harmful Alteration no 1 will carry on an work of undertaking that results in the harmful alteration or disruption or destruction of fish habitat unless authorized under the act,

·  section 36 (3) deposit of deleterious substance prohibited, no person shall,

·  section 38 (4) Duty to report –such occurrence to an inspector under the act

·  section 38 (5) duty to take reasonable measures – take all reasonable measures consistent with safety and fish habitat to prevent occurrence,

·  fish habitat is defined as spawning grounds and nursery, rearing, food supply and migration areas, in order to ‘alter, destroy or disrupt’ a fish habitat an approval must be obtained,

·  there are penalties up to $300,000 or imprisonment for addition of deleterious material into water frequented by fish,

·  Alberta has been delegated with the responsibility to manage fish however the authority for fisheries habitat remains with federal fisheries and oceans

Water Resource Act

·  regulates activities that affect or potentially affect the conservation and management of water resources

·  water is managed to protect individual rights and water resources is protected for future uses

·  Provisions in the water act are designed to meet these objectives

·  No person shall, divert or use water, construct of cause diverting water, remove or disturb and earth, sand or gravel except under the provision of this act

·  Forestry activities that require approval are the ones that result in alteration of the bed shore, banks, or floodplain of a waterbody, specific examples are crossing, drainage activities, sand and gravel borrow pit activities

·  Regulates all crossing of watercourses and water bodies

·  SRD regulates all crossings under the eater act with the exception of culverts >1.5m crossings that have more than one span

·  All crossings in the Green Area involving pipeline installations or Alberta Transportation and utilities require permits under the Water Resources Act

·  THE WATER RESOURCES ACT IS NOW CALLED THE WATER ACT)

Water Act

·  Proclaimed Jan 1 1999 to place the Water Resources Act to support and promote the conservation and management of water, including wise allocation and use of water including environmental and economic concerns, need for integrated approach, jurisdictional boundaries

·  Water (Ministerial) Regulation defines a watercourse as a river, brook, stream, or other natural water channel and the bed along which it flows,

·  Watercourse Crossing is defined by the Code of Practice for Watercourse Crossings- crossing or temporary crossing that provides access over water body including the 5 types of crossings, has erosion protection and sediment management, owner must report any contraventions within 24 hours

5.  Name the 5 Types of Crossings under the Code of Practice for Watercourse Crossing (under the Water Act and Regs)

Type 1 – constructed using a single span bridge does not have abutments

Type 2- constructed using an open bottom culvert, or single multi-span bridge with abutments

Type 3- round, arch, box culverts

Type 4- ford or low level crossing

Type 5- temporary use removed within 6 months

6.  How does forest harvesting in snow-dominated regions affect the annual hydrograph and the return period of small to medium sized flood events on small watersheds, when compared to non-harvested conditions?

Snowmelt run off is likely to start earlier and the return period is shorted therefore there will be more small to medium sized flood events in a shorter period of time.

7.  What, if any, is the hydrological-silvicultural importance of slash retention in large cutblocks?

Provides microsites where snow accumulates, providing moisture for seedlings and protection from desiccating winds.

8.  According to the Alberta Ground Rules describe the differences between an intermittent creek and a small permanent creek.

1. Describe the differences

Intermittent Creek: Small stream channels, small springs are main source outside periods of spring runoff and heavy rainfall, distinct channel development, usually channel is unvegetated, channel width to 0.5m, some bank development

Small Permanent: Permanent streams, often small valleys, bench development, all year but freeze completely in the winter, banks and channel well-defined channel width 0.5m to 5m, some bank development

1. What are the buffer requirements

Intermittent Creek: buffer of lesser vegetation to be left undisturbed along the channel, width of buffer will vary according to soils, topography, water-source areas and fisheries values

Small Permanent Creek: No disturbance or removal of merchantable timber within 30 m of the high-water mark approved in the AOP

1. How far are roads to be from the creek channel

Intermittent Creek: Not permitted within 30m of the high-water mark or water-source areas within that buffer

Small Permanent Creek: Not permitted within 30m of the high-water mark or from water-source areas within that buffer, maybe permitted within 30-100m of the high water mark with written approval of a Forest Officer.

9.  Draw a flow chart showing the EFR process, AOA process and the GFR process (see email regarding new EFR)

See the link below

<http://www3.gov.ab.ca/srd/land/fp_using.html>

EFR Process - Pg. 4 'Environmental Field Report Instructions'

AOA Process - Pg. 23 'Area Operating Agreement (AOA) Guidelines'

GFR Process - Pg. 5 'Geophysical Field Report Policy and Procedures Document (2002)'

10.  What is the process involved in getting a Reclamation Certification (company process and government process)

See the link below

<http://www3.gov.ab.ca/srd/land/fp_using.html>

EFR Process - Pg. 4 'Environmental Field Report Instructions'

AOA Process - Pg. 23 'Area Operating Agreement (AOA) Guidelines'

GFR Process - Pg. 5 'Geophysical Field Report Policy and Procedures Document (2002)'

11.  Prior to the May 01 2003 Reforestation Manual what were companies required to complete in regards to regeneration in blocks harvested prior to March 1, 1991?

Need to plant or other prior to the end of the second year

Need to reforest before the end of the 7th year and

Need to declare NSR or SR before the 10th year

12.  What do companies need to complete in regards to regeneration for blocks harvested after March 1, 1991?

Establishment and Performance Surveys

The 2000 Regeneration Standards utilize two independent surveys with timelines for delivery as follows:

1. An Establishment Survey completed 4 to 8 years after harvesting in C, CD and DC cutblocks or strata; and 3 to 5 years after harvesting in D cutblocks or strata.

2. A Performance Survey completed 8 to 14 years after harvesting in C, CD, and DC cutblocks or strata; and 10 to 14 years after harvesting in conditionally stocked D cutblocks or strata.

The Establishment Survey will show stocking amount (percent), density (stems/ha) and early growth of regenerated trees, as well as the approximate locations of satisfactorily restocked (SR) and/or not satisfactorily restocked (NSR) areas larger than 4 ha.

The Performance Survey will measure the same variables as the Establishment Survey, however, to different standards, and in addition will identify coniferous crop trees deemed Free-to Grow or else in need of stand cleaning.

13.  The purpose of the Regeneration Standards is to ensure:

· Prompt reforestation following harvest

· Adequate stocking, survival and growth rates

· A level of performance that emulates natural yields found in Alberta’s forests

14.  A certified regeneration surveyor is a person who:

1. has successfully completed the current government sanctioned training

course(s), including passing the field exam, and

2. has received a certification number, and

3. the certification is valid at the time of survey.

15.  In order to be considered a principal participant in the field survey, the certified

surveyor must:

certify the accuracy and completeness of the survey by entering their

certification number on the survey form. This especially applies where more than one individual participates in the survey of the same cutblock.

16.  What are the characteristics of low impact seismic.

Takes the path of least resistance

Does not exceed 200m line of site

Practices avoidance

Soil and ground cover is in tact after operations

1 m to 1.5 m width

17.  List the 5 things that can be construed as Unprofessional Conduct

·  Lack of knowledge

·  Contravention of the Act

·  Contravention of other Acts that pertain to the profession

·  Holding out on other regulated members

·  Not in good standing with the college

·  Not complying with a condition to practice

·  Failure to comply with competency requirements

·  Failure to co-operate with investigation

·  Failure to attend a hearing

18.  What are the terms for the executive of the college?

2 year term for vice president and president then the vice president rolls into the president and the president becomes the past president

2 year term for others but rotate on different years

odd years: competency director

complaints director

exam director

NAIT Rep

even years: registration director

finance director

hearing director

CIF representative

RPF director names are a little different than the RPFT (ie. RPF Association doesn’t have a NAIT Rep) but the terms are the same for the same jobs.

19.  When according to the Code of Practice for Watercourse Crossings are you exempt from requiring approval for a water course crossing?

·  Snowfills

·  Logfills

·  Culverts

·  Less than 1.5m in diameter culverts

·  Less than 1500mm culverts

·  Bridges not exceeding one span

·  Dry or frozen temporary crossings

·  Temporary Ice bridges

20.  Who can issue a fire permit and when?

An FO or a Fire Guardian during the fire season

Not needed for cooking and warming fires

21.  What are some of the components of an AOP

Silviculture plan

Fire plan

Roading and access

Integration with other users

Proposed harvest activities

Block summaries

Watercourse Crossings

Estimated Volumes

Harvest maps

Wildlife concerns

Trapper consultation notification information

Operating Concerns (slopes exceeding %45, understory protection, etc)

Detailed Harvest Plans if required (blocks exceeding 100 hectares, excessive slopes etc)

Read This………….

Water Act Fact Sheets

Background

The Province's review of its water management policy and legislation began in 1991 with the view of updating old legislation so as to ensure that Alberta's water is managed and conserved for today and for the future. The Water Resources Act was over 60 years old and was primarily a tool for allocating water. Existing water management realities and future challenges have resulted in a change in emphasis of how we manage and conserve water, and both policy and legislation must reflect this changed emphasis.

Albertans have significantly influenced the development of the new Water Act through their input during extensive consultation processes. The new Act focuses on managing and protecting Alberta's water and on streamlining administrative processes.