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.
a. 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
b. 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, watersource 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
c. 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.
Key Highlights
Highlights of the new Act include:

Protects existing licences that are in good standing, by bringing them
forward into and making them subject to the new Act.

Protects existing traditional agricultural uses of water through a
streamlined, voluntary registration process that "grandfathers" the relative
priority of the right according to the date when the water was first used.

Recognizes the importance of household uses of water by providing
these uses with a statutory right that has priority over all other uses.

Ensures the sustainability of Alberta's water by requiring a provincial
water management planning framework to be completed within a three-year
period. Allows for water management plans to be developed to address local
and regional issues.

Recognizes the importance of protecting Alberta's rivers, streams,
lakes and wetlands, by requiring that a strategy for protecting the aquatic
environment be developed as part of the provincial water management
planning framework.

Provides a streamlined, one-window licensing and approval process for
water-related activities and diversions.

Allows for flexible water management in areas where the available
water is already allocated, by providing the ability to transfer water licences.

Prohibits the export of Alberta's water to the United States.

Prohibits any inter-basin transfers of water between Alberta's major
river basins.

Encourages cooperation and proactive measures to resolve water
management problems and provides a wide range of enforcement measures
where necessary.

Gives Albertans the opportunity to provide advice on and understand
water management.
Some Frequently Asked Questions
Water Management Planning
How does the new Act recognize differences in water management concerns
throughout the Province?
The new Act allows for regional differences in water management to be reflected
through the development of water management plans. Public consultation will
be a key component during the development of these plans and will include
opportunities for local and regional involvement.
Plans may address specific regional water management issues such as whether a
transfer of an allocation under a licence may take place or matters related to the
issuance of approvals or licences.
Aquatic Environment Protection Strategy
How does the new Act ensure that Alberta's lakes, rivers and streams are protected
for future generations?
The new Act requires the Government to establish a strategy for protecting the
aquatic environment as part of the framework for water management planning in
Alberta. The public will be consulted during the development of the strategy.
No Export of Water
Does the new Act ensure that Alberta's water will not be sold to the United States?
The new Act ensures that licences will not be issued for the purpose of exporting
bulk water to the United States. The new Act also provides that if in the future there
is a proposal to change this "no export" policy, a public review must take place.
Registration for Traditional Agricultural Water Use
Who will be able to obtain a registration?
The registration system under the new Act allows current users of water, where the
water is being used for watering animals or applying pesticides to crops, to protect
their use. The priority of the registration will be "grandfathered" to the date of first
use based on information supplied by the registrant. Generally the volume of water
protected will be up to a maximum of 6250 m3 (5 acre-feet) per year.
The registration process is streamlined and efficient.
See: Protecting Agriculture Water Supplies
DECEMBER 31, 2001
THIS PROGRAM EXPIRED
Licences
Will new licences be issued for a term?
Licences issued under the Water Resources Act were generally issued without an
expiry date. Under the new Act, all new licences will be issued with an expiry date.
The length of the term of a licence depends on criteria that are specified in the
regulations.
When a licence expires, the licence holder will be required to apply for a renewal.
The Government is committed to ensuring reasonable security for licence holders
and to accomplish this, the onus will be on the Government to establish reasons as
to why a licence should not be renewed.
Transfers of an Allocation under a Licence
Why is a transfer system needed?
In areas of Alberta where the available water is fully allocated or is nearing full
allocation, the transfer system will allow the accommodation of new or alternative
users in an area. A transfer may only occur where an approved water management
plan or an Order of Cabinet provides for transfers to take place. As well, a transfer
will be subject to a review process similar to that for new licence applications.
See: Transfer of Water Allocation
Regulations
The Water Act has two Regulations which are Water (Ministerial) Regulation and
Water (Offences and Penalties) Regulation. Copies of these regulations can be
obtained by contacting the Queens Printer at (403) 427-4952 or Fax 452-0668 or go
to the internet address: http://www.qp.gov.ab.ca.
**** know pages 38-40 in the binder (numbers in top right hand corner) in regards to
how water/snow etc are affected by harvesting methods.