Best Management Practices for Forestry

1. Lab 8: Forestry BMPs Best Management Practices for Forestry “… are voluntary guidelines to help maintain and protect the physical, chemical, and biological integrity of waters of the state.”

2. BMPs are Designed to reduce and/or prevent NPS Pollution. Sediment (loose soil particles) Organic materials (tree tops and limbs) Temperature (caused by the removal of shade) Trash Pesticides and Nutrients (herbicides & fertilizers)

3. Responsibility “… all those involved in the authorization, planning and implementation of forestry operations.” Landowners Forest resource managers Timber purchasers Loggers Vendors

4. 1. Streamside Management Zones • SMZs are used to: • Reduce channel and floodplain erosion • Control deposition of pollutants into surface waters • Maintain biological integrity of aquatic ecosystems • Retain the capability of the forest floor to filter out pollutants from upland runoff

5. 1. Streamside Management Zones Other names for Streamside Management Zones (SMZs): • Buffer Zones • Wildlife Corridors • Riparian Zones • Leave Strips

6. 1. Streamside Management Zones Things to Consider: • Width should vary (min. 35 feet) • Protect from destabilization • Maintain shade and organic recruitment • Maintain forest floor • Control: logging debris, mech. operations, pesticides, fertilizers, trash

7. SMZ Illustration

8. Harvesting in a SMZ should be done so as to protect the forest floor & understory vegetation from damage.

9. 2. Stream Crossings • Avoid crossing streams if possible • Use the fewest number as possible • Locate and construct with least damage • Install at right angles to stream • Remove temporary crossings • Stabilize and maintain permanent crossings

10. 2. Stream Crossings Log Crossings

11. 2. Stream Crossings Culverts Make fill over a culvert the high spot in the crossing. Use adequate size

12. 2. Stream Crossings Bridges create the least disruption to stream flow

13. 3. Forest Roads • Proper planning and location is key • Avoid problem areas • Minimize soil exposure • Stabilize exposed soil • Close temporary roads • Maintain permanent roads • DRAINAGE, DRAINAGE Ex: Crowned road

14. 3. Forest Roads Water bars should be installed based upon grade • 5% slope = 135’ • 10% slope = 80’ • 20% slope = 45’ Surface flow

15. 4. Timber Harvesting • Develop a harvesting plan • Location of landings • Felling direction • Proper skid trails • Harvesting system • Trash disposal Things to Consider:

16. 4. Timber Harvesting Selecting the right harvesting system is critical

17. 4. Timber Harvesting Selecting the type of harvesting

18. Lab 8: Forestry BMPs Activities • Foresters begin by estimating amount of timber • Activity 1: • To do this measure tree height and dbh (diameter at breast height) • Next logging plot must be assessed for presence of streams and downslope impacts. • Activity 2 : • Plot logging area using GMPs