Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2017L01040:body:0:p16
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2017L01040
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 45646–48829

prior to the implementation of the Forestry Practices Code (i.e. pre-1987), with no regard for streamside reserves, has affected the condition of Class 2 to Class 4 streams, particularly after heavy rainfall (McIntosh 2016; McIntosh et al. 2007, 2014). The FPA has recommended that eucalypt forest streamside reserves be established adjacent to all streams in steep plantation country to stabilise streams and riparian zones (FPA 2011; McIntosh 2016).
Over the past decade several improvements have been made to the Forest Practices Code in order to reduce the impact clearfell forest operations have on streams and stream biota, including the giant freshwater crayfish, particularly in relation to provisions for headwater (Class 3 and 4) streams (see Section 9). Furthermore, land clearing and plantation conversion activities have decreased significantly in Tasmania in recent years, with these activities now significantly constrained by the State's Permanent Native Forest Policy.

Davies et al. (2016) recommend a number of further management actions that could be implemented to reduce the impacts associated with CBS forestry operations and the associated increases in fine sediment loads, including:
       * Enhancing mitigation measures to reduce run-off of fine sediments associated with the construction of roads.

       * Controlling the extent and intensity of hot regeneration burns implemented after harvesting.

       * Including upper area operational thresholds for CBS operations in catchment plans.

       * Expanding the focus on estate-level forest management in Tasmania.
Assessing whether current forest management practices are effective at mitigating impacts to giant freshwater crayfish, or whether additional measures (such as those proposed by Davies et al. 2016) are required, should be a priority recovery action for the species.
Agriculture
In agricultural areas, giant freshwater crayfish populations may be affected by general stream degradation caused by the clearing of riparian vegetation, removal of snags, extensive modification of stream channels (including dam construction), access by stock, water abstraction and inflows of agricultural chemicals and nutrients. The clearance of riparian vegetation can result in elevated sediment loads entering waterways as vegetation removal often causes the destabilisation of stream-banks, while bank erosion can result in the direct loss of burrowing habitat (Horwitz 1994). The clearance of riparian vegetation can also result in increased water temperatures as canopy shading is reduced allowing more light to reach the water (Horwitz 1994). Pesticide use resulting from agricultural activities, and point-source increases in effluent and nutrient discharge, may also impact water quality (Horwitz 1994).The overall result of these practices has been probable local extinctions of crayfish from some river reaches, especially in floodplain and estuarine areas (Horwitz 1994).
Restoration of agricultural areas in key locations for giant freshwater crayfish, particularly through rehabilitation and protection of riparian areas and reintroduction of course woody debris into streams, should be a