Several range operations around two Okanagan community watersheds are not in compliance with requirements to protect water quality.

That finding is a result of a two year audit of forest and range practices in the Oyama and Vernon Creek community watersheds.

The audit took place between September, 2008 and October, 2010.

It concluded that 'while forestry operations are complying with requirements to protect water quality, range operations are not.'

Auditors found some range practices either did not comply, or were not effective.

"Specifically, the auditors found a number of situations where range practices did not adequately protect riparian areas, fish habitat or water quality. The frequency of these findings was sufficient for the auditors to consider it a significant non-compliance with the requirements," the report stated.

Despite the findings, the audit did not conclude these practices 'materially' affected water quality at the intake.

"Non-compliance does not mean that people's drinking water is unhealthy since the water is treated before it is distributed to consumers."

Water quality was not tested.

While the audit did not identify the reasons for non-compliance, it did state that cattle had easier access to streams and wetlands through pre-1995 logging and road crossings.

"The forestry and ranching industries and the provincial and municipal governments have told us that they are working to identify and implement best practices for management in watersheds," the report goes on to say.

"For example, in the Vernon Creek community watershed, the province, in partnership with a rancher, a timber company and the District of Lake Country has initiated a silvopasture pilot project. This project will examine, among other things, the potential for seeded forage and off stream watering to draw livestock away from streams and wetlands."

Industry and government officials are also working to improve riparian functions in both the Oyama and Vernon creek community watersheds through installation of fencing and off-site watering.

The report concludes both government and range tenure holders in the two watersheds are 'aware of the risks to water quality and have devoted considerable effort to reducing the impacts of cattle on water.'