I'm an 'every now and then' kayaker, but when I do go, my favorite part is floating along the 
more open portions of the river, leaning back and enjoying the peaceful feeling of seeing nothing but trees and the habitat amongst them. This particular trip was a little more challenging for me. The experienced kayakers took me through narrow areas and slews where my kayak was like a magnet to the trees. That'll teach me not to go but 'every now and then'!
Anyway, back to the purpose of the trip! Some local residents were concerned about the thin canopy in some areas as a result of the recent logging activity. You may remember from one of my blogs last year about this portion of the Lynches River being designated as a State Scenic River.
Logging operations are protected by State Law; however, logging activities are subject to state and federal laws concerning water qualtiy and maintaining an adequate buffer. A buffer is riparian lands maintained immediately adjacent to streams or lakes to protect water quality, fish habitat, and other resources. The South Carolina Forestry Commission's Better Management Practices manual suggests a 40' buffer remain between logging activity and a river. There is always that potential for the accumulation of sediment in the riparian areas, which in turn leads to possible impacts on water quality and fisheries. A well established buffer from open land serves as a point to retain such to eliminate it from reaching the water.
During the float trip, we did notice areas where the logged area was apparant through the canopy. The trees in these areas were small and spaced out, but the 40' suggested buffer seemed to be there. It did however, take away from the serene feeling of the river.
Logging operations are very important to South Carolina's economy. It brings in billions of dollars to the state annually, and provides employment to thousands of people. Water quality, and protecting our environment are important as well, so it's always good to expand our knowledge on the awesome benefits nature has given us and anything we can do to assist.
On a different note, I'd like to share something I witnessed during the trip that made me smile. Two mother ducks appeared a few yards ahead of us. They'd fly slightly above the water, then drop and fluttering in the water, then fly again. They continued this display every few feet. One of the kayakers explained to me that they were trying to get us to follow them so we wouldn't notice their babies at the edge of the canopy. When they are comfortable that we've passed where their babies are, they'll fly back to them. Sure enough, shortly after he told me this, we saw the babies swimming along the edge of the canopy and soon thereafter, the mother ducks were gone.
Ae you smiling yet? Maybe you had to be there!
more open portions of the river, leaning back and enjoying the peaceful feeling of seeing nothing but trees and the habitat amongst them. This particular trip was a little more challenging for me. The experienced kayakers took me through narrow areas and slews where my kayak was like a magnet to the trees. That'll teach me not to go but 'every now and then'!Anyway, back to the purpose of the trip! Some local residents were concerned about the thin canopy in some areas as a result of the recent logging activity. You may remember from one of my blogs last year about this portion of the Lynches River being designated as a State Scenic River.
Logging operations are protected by State Law; however, logging activities are subject to state and federal laws concerning water qualtiy and maintaining an adequate buffer. A buffer is riparian lands maintained immediately adjacent to streams or lakes to protect water quality, fish habitat, and other resources. The South Carolina Forestry Commission's Better Management Practices manual suggests a 40' buffer remain between logging activity and a river. There is always that potential for the accumulation of sediment in the riparian areas, which in turn leads to possible impacts on water quality and fisheries. A well established buffer from open land serves as a point to retain such to eliminate it from reaching the water.
During the float trip, we did notice areas where the logged area was apparant through the canopy. The trees in these areas were small and spaced out, but the 40' suggested buffer seemed to be there. It did however, take away from the serene feeling of the river.Logging operations are very important to South Carolina's economy. It brings in billions of dollars to the state annually, and provides employment to thousands of people. Water quality, and protecting our environment are important as well, so it's always good to expand our knowledge on the awesome benefits nature has given us and anything we can do to assist.
On a different note, I'd like to share something I witnessed during the trip that made me smile. Two mother ducks appeared a few yards ahead of us. They'd fly slightly above the water, then drop and fluttering in the water, then fly again. They continued this display every few feet. One of the kayakers explained to me that they were trying to get us to follow them so we wouldn't notice their babies at the edge of the canopy. When they are comfortable that we've passed where their babies are, they'll fly back to them. Sure enough, shortly after he told me this, we saw the babies swimming along the edge of the canopy and soon thereafter, the mother ducks were gone.
Ae you smiling yet? Maybe you had to be there!
No comments:
Post a Comment