The Use of Water Quality Objectives Under Forest Practices Legislation: Lessons for the Future

This report discusses the history of water quality objectives (WQOs) under the Forest Practices Code (the Code) and other legislation in BC and elsewhere, the usefulness of WQOs as an enforceable regulatory standard, and possible lessons for the future.

Understanding the role of WQOs in the regulatory regime is important, because it appears that BC forest practices legislation in the future may rely more heavily on WQOs and less on prescriptive rules to protect water from forestry and range impacts.