December BMP Q&A

By: Shane Harrington, BMP Forester (Ret.), Texas Forest Service

Q:    I heard the Texas Forest Service recently completed another round of best management practices (BMP) implementation monitoring.  How well are we implementing BMPs on silvicultural operations and are there any areas that still need improvement?

A:    Last time I addressed the BMP implementation rates for each landowner category as well as the overall BMP implementation rate for the Round 6 BMP Implementation Report.  This month I would like to address the areas in which we had improvements and some areas that still need improvement.

There were three areas in which we saw major improvements from previous rounds.  The three areas where we saw major improvements were the increase in the rate of BMP implementation on family forest lands, a higher overall rate of BMP implementation on permanent and temporary roads, and a decrease in the incidences of significant risks to water quality.  As stated in last month’s article, Family Forest Owners achieved an all time high with an 88.7% BMP implementation rate.  This means that landowners are becoming more familiar and educated about BMPs. 

The increase in implementation on permanent and temporary roads can be attributed to roads being properly placed and water control structures (i.e. waterbars, wing ditches) being used.  This is a major improvement because 90% of all sedimentation that occurs on a tract comes directly from runoff from the roads.  By properly placing roads and using water control structures, sedimentation is less likely to occur. 

The last area, which can be directly related to the previous two improvements, is the decrease in the number of significant risks to water quality.  A significant risk to water quality exists if, during a normal rainfall, sediment is likely to be delivered to a permanent water body.  A permanent water body is defined as any blue line stream (i.e. perennial and intermittent streams) or lake. Significant risks to water quality can be avoided by making sure that roads are properly stabilized, stream crossings are restored and stabilized, and that there is an adequate SMZ.

There were two major deficiencies noted during the evaluations: failure to restore and stabilize stream crossings on temporary roads and failure to remove logging debris from streams.  Once a stream crossing is no longer needed, the crossing should always be removed immediately and the approaches and stream banks should be stabilized and restored to prevent any soil from moving into the stream.  Care should always be taken while operating near a stream or within an SMZ to ensure that logging debris does not end up in the stream.  Any logging debris should be removed immediately from the stream to prevent blocking the natural water flow of the stream and to prevent any sediment from entering the stream.

Overall a good job is being done implementing and adhering to Texas BMP guidelines as shown by the 91.7% BMP implementation rate for Round 6.  This is the highest BMP implementation rate that the Texas Forest Service has ever seen. Hopefully in the future there will be a continued improvement of the BMP implementation rate.  Remember that one way to continue to improve is to recognize the importance of using BMPs to protect water quality by treating each site as if it will be evaluated.   

A copy of the Round 6 Voluntary Implementation of Forestry Best Management Practices in East Texas report can be obtained by visiting the Texas Forest Service website at http://txforestservice.tamu.edu/water.  For further information regarding the Round 6 BMP implementation report or BMPs in general please call me at (936) 639-8180.

* This article was published in the December 2005 issue of the Texas Logger

BMP Trivia Question

Road surfaces can be one of the most predominant sources of sediment from a forest operation. These areas of bare ground are exposed to the pounding of vehicular traffic and the erosive forces of weather. To prevent road surface erosion that could lead to sediment being transported to local water resources it is critical that road surfaces be well drained using various BMPs designed to divert water off the road. Can you list three water control structures that can be used to divert water off roadways and skid trails to prevent or at least minimize erosion?

1.)
2.)
3.)

Click on "comments" below and post your answers.

October BMP Q&A

By: Shane Harrington, BMP Forester (Ret.), Texas Forest Service

Q:  I heard the Texas Forest Service recently completed another round of best management practices (BMP) implementation monitoring.  How well are we doing at implementing BMPs on silvicultural operations and are there any areas that still need improvement?

A: This month I will address the BMP implementation rates for Round 6.  Next month I will address areas where we had major improvements and areas needing improvements.

The Texas Forest Service BMP Project office recently finished its sixth round of BMP implementation monitoring.  Every two years since 1991 the Texas Forest Service randomly selects and evaluates silvicultural operations in East Texas for the implementation of BMPs.  This system of monitoring is a voluntary system between the Texas Forest Service and the landowner.  Only tracts where permission has been granted by the landowner are evaluated.

Between May 2003 and July 2005 a total of 156 sites were chosen and evaluated for the implementation of BMPs.  All tracts selected had some type of silvicultural operation conducted on them during this time period.  Tracts were selected among family forest owners (listed as NIPF owners in previous rounds), corporate landowners (commercial landowners that do not have wood processing facilities), forest industry, and public lands (national and state forestlands). 

The overall BMP implementation rate increased from 91.5% in Round 5 to 91.7% in Round 6.  Family forest owners had the lowest implementation rate at 88.9%.  Although this was the lowest implementation rate among the landowner categories, it was an all-time high for family forest owners.  Corporate landowners had an overall implementation rate of 96.0% while forest industry had a rate of 95.7%.  Implementation was generally highest on sites under public ownership.  These national and state forestlands sites had an implementation rate of 98.3%. 

Landowners and loggers continue to do a good job of implementing BMPs on their operations and, hopefully, in the future we can see a continued improvement of the BMP implementation rate.  Remember that one way we can continue to improve is to recognize the importance of using BMPs to protect water quality by treating each silvicultural operation as if it will be evaluated. 

You can obtain a copy of the Round 6 Voluntary Implementation of Forestry Best Management Practices in East Texas report by visiting our website at http://txforestservice.tamu.edu/water.  If you have any questions regarding the Round 6 BMP implementation report or BMPs in general please call me at (936) 639-8180.

* This article was published in the October 2005 issue of the Texas Logger

September BMP Q&A

By: Shane Harrington, BMP Forester (Ret.), Texas Forest Service

Q:   I am a landowner here in East Texas and I like to use aerial photographs to help me manage my property.  Aerial photographs help me determine and maintain access roads, boundary lines, and aid in planning harvest operations.  I have problems finding good quality and up-to-date photographs of East Texas.  I heard that the Texas Forest Service takes aerial photographs of East Texas and can provide landowners with copies.  Is this correct and if so how can I obtain a copy of my property?

A:   This is a great question and, yes, the Texas Forest Service has continued to take aerial photographs of East Texas since 1979.  These photographs are taken during the winter months after hardwood trees have dropped their leaves usually, December through the first part of March.  By taking photographs during the winter months ground features are  more recognizable and delineating pine and hardwood stands is easier. 

All Texas Forest Service District offices in East Texas maintain a set of 9x9 photographs covering the district.  Texas Forest Service personnel use these photographs for forest management work, forest fire control, southern pine beetle aerial surveys and ground detection, and other uses.  Each photograph has a scale of 1:15,840 (one inch on the photo equals 1,320 feet on the ground) and covers approximately 3,200 acres or five square miles.

Aerial photographs are a useful tool for any forest management activity.  These photographs can be used in conjunction with soil survey maps, USGS topographical maps, and on the ground reconnaissance to plan and execute any forest management activity.  Photos can aid in determining property and harvest boundaries, locating appropriate places to install access roads, marking streamside management zones, and protecting other sensitive areas that may be located on the property.

If you are a landowner and are interested in getting a bird’s eye view of your property visit your local Texas Forest Service District Office.  Personnel in these offices can assist you in finding the best photograph that covers your property or place of interest.  An order form for aerial photographs can be found online as well at http://txforestservice.tamu.edu/water and by clicking on the Forest Management tab located on the left side of the screen.  Here you will find a link to the order form.  Complete this form and mail it to the address listed on the order form.

Inquiries regarding aerial photographs should be directed to your local Texas Forest Service District Office but if you have questions regarding BMPs, please contact me by calling (936) 639-8180.   

* This article was published in the September 2005 issue of the Texas Logger

BMP Trivia Question

Waterbars intercept and/or divert side ditch and surface runoff from roads, firebreaks, and trails, (which may or may not have vehicular traffic) to minimize erosion and provide conditions suitable for natural or artificial re-vegetation. According to the BMP handbook what is the proper spacing for waterbars on a road that had a slope of 15%?


Click on "comments" below and post your answers.

BMP Informer - August 2005

August Issue of the BMP Informer Now Available

• Timber Sale Contract Basics
• BMP Guidelines and Vendor Information
• Improving My Land Streamside Management Zones
• Want to See Examples of BMPs at Work?
• Who Can Answer My BMP Questions?
• BMP Training Workshop Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary
• Looking for a Good Logging Contractor?

July BMP Q&A

By: Shane Harrington, BMP Forester (Ret.), Texas Forest Service

Q:  I heard that the Texas Forest Service has recently released a revised version of the BMP Handbook, is this true?  If so, how can I get a copy of the revised handbook? 

A:  The Texas Forest Service along with the Texas Forestry Association’s BMP Task Force recently evaluated and made revisions to the current BMP guidelines.  These revisions were made in an effort to continue to improve and enhance the ability of forest landowners, loggers, and other forestry professionals to effectively protect water quality before, during, and after silvicultural operations.

           

BMPs were developed in 1989, and have undergone three major revisions over the past 15 years.  It is important to review and update these guidelines periodically to ensure that they are still effective in protecting water quality.  BMPs prevent almost 12,000 tons of dirt from entering East Texas streams annually and over 96,000 tons of dirt from eroding off East Texas forestlands.  This is enough dirt to cover a football field, endzone to endzone, 30 feet high.

To make the new books distinguishable from past versions the color was changed from light blue to dark blue.  Also new terms were added to the glossary, statistical data was updated, and some guidelines were clarified.  

Two sections were added to the handbook that address stream classification and basal area.  The “Stream Classification” section, found under the Recommended Specifications for Streamside Management Zones (SMZs), lists characteristics that can be used in the field to distinguish between perennial, intermittent, and ephemeral streams.  This is important because ephemeral streams do not require leaving an SMZ along both sides.  The other section, entitled “How to Calculate Basal Area” and located in the Appendix, was added to aid loggers, foresters, and landowners in properly calculating basal area to ensure that 50 square feet of basal area is left inside SMZs.  This section gives step-by-step instructions on how to calculate basal area. 

A summary of all revisions made to the BMP guidelines has been placed at the beginning of the new BMP Handbook.  By reviewing all of the revisions and familiarizing yourself with the changes you can ensure that BMPs are being implemented properly.  To obtain a copy of the new BMP Handbook, please visit the Texas Forest Service website at http://txforestservice.tamu.edu/water or contact the Texas Forest Service BMP Project Office at (936) 639-8180.  If you have any questions about BMPs or any of the revisions made to the BMP Handbook please contact Shane Harrington at the TFS BMP Project Office. 

* This article was published in the July 2005 issue of the Texas Logger

 

June BMP Q&A

By: Shane Harrington, BMP Forester (Ret.), Texas Forest Service

Q:   I am considering selling some of my timber but I have never done anything like this before.  I want to have a timber sale contract drawn up and wanted to make sure that best management practices (BMP’s) are included.  Are there any specific BMP’s that I should include in the contract or just say that all BMP’s should be followed?

A:  I am glad to hear that you are taking the time to have a timber sale contract drawn up before conducting your timber sale.  Timber sale contracts are important because they provide a set of guidelines for the sale to operate under but most importantly they protect the interest of both the buyer and seller.  There are many things to consider and to include when writing a timber sale contract and that is why is it is important to have a professional forester help you with this versus doing it yourself.  Although some things are specific to a specific sale and may not apply to yours, BMP’s should always be included in any timber sale contract.

Including BMP’s in your timber sale contract helps ensure that all guidelines and recommendations for Texas Forestry BMP’s will be followed and water quality will be protected. Some landowners simply put a clause in their contract stating that all Texas Forestry BMP’s will be followed during the harvest operation while others find it necessary to spell out specific BMP’s that should be implemented.

Specific guidelines that may need to be spelled out may include defining “wet weather”.  The definition of wet weather differs from person to person so it is good to include a statement defining wet weather and when work should be halted due to wet weather.  Conducting a harvest operation when it is too wet can lead to excessive rutting which changes the natural drainage, channels water increasing erosion and sedimentation, and lowers site productivity.  The Texas Forest Service recommends that rutting not exceed six inches in depth for a length of more than fifty feet.

Other guidelines that you may want to include in your contract are where and how streams should be crossed and all roads should be revegetated upon the completion of the harvesting operation.  There may be certain areas along your stream that you do not want a logger disturbing by putting in a stream crossing so that would need to be included in your contract.  Also you would want to state that all temporary crossings should be removed and the stream banks and approaches restored and stabilized. 

The road systems implemented during harvest operations account for approximately 90% of all sedimentation that occurs during and after silvicultural operations.  Stating that all roads and skid trails should be stabilized by either revegetating or slashing, depending on your access needs, should be included in the contract.  The Texas Forest Service recommends that all skid trails and haul roads be properly stabilized by using water control structures such as waterbars, by revegetating or slashing, and/or reshaping the road.

Many important things go into writing a timber sale contract and conducting a successful timber sale and that is why it is recommended that you seek assistance from a professional forester.  Also another good way to ensure that BMP’s are used during your operation is to choose a Pro-Logger who has been trained in implementing BMP’s.  If you have any questions regarding timber sale contracts or BMP’s please call me at (936) 639-8180.  

* This article was published in the June 2005 issue of the Texas Logger

BMP Trivia Question

"Point Sources" of water pollution are those that can be traced back to a specific entry point or location (i.e., a pipe), and are generally man-made. In forestry we more commonly deal with "Nonpoint Sources" of pollution. What is the definition for nonpoint source pollution according to the glossary in the BMP handbook?


Click on "comments" below and post your answers.