Recreation poses a very minor risk in water catchment areas relative to other risks
Recreation poses a very minor risk in water catchment areas relative to other risks
The findings of a report commissioned by DEC and DSR to address divergent views on Policy 13 and give an independent, balanced analysis of the information available about recreation in drinking water catchments include:-
• There is no published evidence linking recreational land use in Public Drinking Water Supply Areas to negative impacts on downstream drinking water supply quality;
• Blanket ban of all recreation does not recognise the potential for low risk activity, runs counter to international good practice and an integrated approach to catchment management.
Lots more interesting stuff in that report.
Recfishwest members will get the link in Casting Around the Internet with Recfishwest Issue 41 out today 29 October
For earlier versions of "Casting Around..." see http://www.recfishwest.org.au/CastingAround.htm
Also an article today in the West http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=77&ContentID=105042
The Department of Water is set to review the recreation ban and fishing groups and bushwalkers are pushing for the policy to be relaxed. Recfishwest executive director Frank Prokop yesterday accused the Department of Water and the Water Corporation of hypocrisy.
“We want to overturn the draconian and opaque management regime that the Department of Water and Water Corporation have used in managing our surface water sources,” he said. “The health impacts have been grossly overstated… because they don’t want to manage the risk.
“We’ve always said how can you have mining on the edge of Samson Brook dam, a water supply dam, and say that’s acceptable but someone who wants to bush walk in the catchment is too high risk?”
Mr Prokop said his members would like to fish at drinking water dams such as Stirling Dam in Harvey, Samson Brook dam, south of Waroona, and Harris dam, near Collie.
TerryF
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Beavering away in the background.......
roberta
Posts: 2773
Date Joined: 08/07/08
Unfortunately TerryF
the all mighty dollar always rears its ugly head.
SPEWIE LEWIE
Ginger Tablets Rock
Dreamweaver
Posts: 4688
Date Joined: 01/12/07
Frustrating
• There is no published evidence linking recreational land use in Public Drinking Water Supply Areas to negative impacts on downstream drinking water supply quality;
Well, surprise, surprise. I've always asked the question why so many other countries can allow recreational activities (including fishing) when WA could not. Obviously, the recreational benefits (once the WA Water Authority's paranoia and dogmatic perspective is removed) are immesserable.
Looking forward to receiving 41 Terry.
Colin Molloy
RECFISHWEST Member
(Colin 2 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)
Soon to be de "dreamweaver" ed!