Report Template - Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource ...

Appendix III. Abbreviated summary of BC Riparian Guidebook Approach to Riparian
Management for streams
S1
S2
Large streams (> 20 m wide) with fish or in a community watershed
Reserve Zone (RRZ): 50 m (100 m RRZ on “Large Rivers”4 ); no harvesting
except for “dangerous trees” as per WCB regulations
Management Zone (RMZ): 20 m; harvesting allowed. Best management
practices recommended for this zone.
Retention in RMZ:
• The FPC specifies a 50% maximum retention (not to be exceeded at a forest
development plan level.
• Dead, “non-dangerous trees” should be left as per guidebook.
• Wildlife trees should be considered for retention.
• Manage windthrow hazard consistent with guidebook options.
When on an active floodplain (further criteria provided for hardwood
management along rivers):
• 70% to 100% retention of timber with harvesting using singletree, group
selection or small patch cuts to maintain riparian structure.
• Retain most non-merch. conifers, and understory vegetation.
• Feather or top and limb the outer edge of the RMZ to reduce windthrow
risk.
When a Large River (100 m wide or more with wide (100m+) floodplain):
• RMZs set on back channels, side channels and sloughs as well.
• 50% retention – dominant trees with large branches and open crowns (with
reforestation plan to replace most for next harvest).
Medium sized streams (> 5 m and ≤ 20 m wide) with fish or in a community
watershed
RRZ: 30 m RMZ: 20 m
Retention in RMZ:
• The FPC specifies a 50% maximum retention for S2’s (not to be exceeded
at a forest development plan level).
• Manage windthrow hazard consistent with guidebook options.
• Dead, “non-dangerous trees” should be left as per guidebook.
• Wildlife trees should be considered for retention.
S3 Small streams (1.5 to 5 m wide) with fish or in a community watershed