Impacts of Forestry Activities on Water Quality
Summary
Stream gauging station in Canobolas State forest, Central West NSW
Forests NSW water quality monitoring program is conducted in a number of native forests and pine plantations throughout NSW. It is designed such that various intensities of harvesting and road activities are monitored across a range of soil types, climates and forests. A major proportion of the catchments are instrumented as part of Forests NSW's obligations under its Environment Protection Licences issued pursuant to the Protection of the Environment Operations Act.
Project Objectives
Forests NSW water quality program aims to determine if there is an identifiable impact of forestry activities on water quality, and if so, to quantify the level of that impact. The project investigates potential impacts on in-stream turbidity, suspended sediment concentration levels and total sediment loads and has important implications for the quality of water available to downstream users given that State forests are located in the headwaters of many water supply catchments.
Partners
Funded by Forests NSW in collaboration with Department of Environment and Climate Change
Leader
Dr Ashley Webb
Forests NSW
Coffs Harbour