November BMP Q&A

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

Q: I take pride in all of my harvesting operations and that I’m doing my part to protect water quality by implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs).  However, it is not always easy dealing with landowners and conveying to them the importance of using BMPs and protecting water quality.  Do you have any advice on dealing with these landowners and conveying to them the importance of using BMPs?


A: This is a tough problem that many loggers and contractors are faced with every day.  Implementing BMPs is not only time consuming, but can also be costly.  However, after looking at the advantages they provide, using BMPs becomes more appealing.

The ultimate goal of BMPs is to provide us with clean water.  There is a limited amount of fresh water available for human consumption.  This supply is constantly declining due to our explosive population growth.  We cannot afford to do anything that will further reduce our water source.  Polluted water is very expensive to treat, causing our water bills to rise.

In Texas, we are operating under a non-regulatory BMP system.  This means that there are no laws mandating that we follow the recommended guidelines.  If we choose not to adhere to these principles, then we might enter into a regulatory system.  This type of situation would further infringe upon private property rights, be more costly, and less efficient.

Erosion control is also another important function of BMPs.  Erosion can be very damaging to the productivity of the site as well as the environment.  This process removes valuable soil that is necessary to grow quality timber.  At the same time site productivity is decreasing, there is also an increased risk of sedimentation into our streams.               

Wildlife can also benefit from implementing BMPs.  Streamside Management Zones (SMZs) can provide habitat for many species, including deer, birds, and squirrels.  They also function as travel corridors.  Water temperatures in streams are kept inside a constant range due to the shade provided by the SMZ, maintaining aquatic populations of fish, amphibians, and insects.

The Texas Reforestation and Conservation Act of 1999 (SB 977) allows for a financial incentive to using BMPs.  This legislation gives forest landowners property tax relief in special qualified zones, such as SMZs and reforested acres.   Under this bill, a landowner would receive a 50% reduction in their appraised value for these restricted use timberland zones.         

The reasons listed above can be used to convey the importance and benefits of using BMPs to landowners.  The Texas Forest Service (TFS) has several brochures on that are very educational and available for you to use.  They can be found on the TFS website by going to http://txforestservice.tamu.edu/water or stop by your local TFS office and pick some up.  Also we are available to visit with any landowner to help convey the importance of using BMPs on their property.  If you need help talking to a landowner or have questions regarding BMPs give us a call at (936) 639-8180.

* This article was published in the November 2006 issue of the Texas Logger

BMP Trivia Question

Log landings (also called "Decks," or "Sets") are the areas where logs are collected, sorted, and loaded onto trucks after being harvested. Because these areas are highly disturbed by these activities it is important to locate them away from water resources that could be impacted by sediment and other materials washing off during a rainstorm. According to the BMP handbook how far away from an SMZ should a landing/deck be placed?


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BMP Informer - September 2006

September Issue of the BMP Informer Now Available

• Jones State Forest BMP Demonstration Area
• Are You a Tree Farmer?
• Improving My Land Forest Roads and BMPs
• Where Can I Find? 
• Repairing Storm Damaged Streamside Management Zones
• Forestry Acronyms

September BMP Q&A

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

Q:   I live in Southeast Texas and much of my timberland was damaged by Hurricane Rita last fall.  My streamside management zones were damaged as well and I am trying to restore these areas in order to continue protecting water quality.  Would it be better to allow these areas to naturally heal themselves or should I take action in restoring these areas myself? 

A:   That is a really good question.  I am sure that a lot of people in your area have the same question.  Streamside management zones (SMZs) are important in protecting water quality and providing excellent wildlife habitat.  The purpose of an SMZ is to reduce the potential quantity of sediment and logging debris reaching the stream and to prevent increased water temperatures.  Caution should be taken when conducting any forest management activity within the area immediately adjacent to stream channels to ensure the protection of both instream and downstream water quality.  Under proper management, timber production, wildlife enhancement and water quality may all be achieved.

An initial assessment should be made of any damaged SMZ to determine the severity, current stocking level, and ability to regenerate.  The best option for restoring the SMZ may be to allow it to naturally regenerate if there are adequate sources for regeneration of desirable species.  Damage to the SMZ may be severe enough that natural regeneration is not an option and the area must be artificially regenerated.  Preferred species for planting are Water Oak, Willow Oak, Cherrybark Oak, Swamp Chestnut Oak, Nutall Oak, Green Ash, Sweetgum, Cottonwood, and Loblolly Pine.  These seedlings should be hand planted.  Intensive site preparation and machine planting should be avoided in these areas in order to minimize the potential for sediment and debris from entering the stream.

The SMZ should encompass 50 feet on both sides of all perennial and intermittent streams and carry a minimum basal area of 50 square feet per acre.  When replanting, every effort should be made to ensure that the number of seedlings planted will meet the minimum basal area of 50 square feet in ten years. 

Herbaceous weed control may be needed to control competing vegetation and to increase seedling survival.  The application of herbicides within the SMZ should be done through spot treatment or individual stem injection.  Aerial or ground broadcast of herbicides should be avoided within the SMZ to prevent any chemicals form entering the stream.  If the area where the herbicides are to be applied is prone to flooding extra caution should be taken when applying the treatment or the treatment should be avoided.  Always follow all manufacturing labels on containers when applying herbicides and always dispose of empty bottles and trash appropriately.

Whether the SMZ is naturally or artificially regenerated, Texas Best Management Practices (BMPs) Guidelines should be followed.  These guidelines are designed to protect water quality during any forest management activity.  For a copy of the BMP handbook visit your local Texas Forest Service office or view online at http://txforestservice.tamu.edu/water.  For questions regarding repairing damaged SMZs or BMPs in general please contact me by calling (936) 639-8180.   

* This article was published in the September 2006 issue of the Texas Logger

BMP Trivia Question

Basal area is a measure of forest density that accounts for the size of the trees. The higher the basal area in a forest, the higher the density of tree cover. Basal area is important to Best Management Practices because Streamside Management Zones (SMZs) need to have at least a minimum basal area of 50 square feet evenly distributed across their area to properly protect perennial and intermittent streams. In order to determine the basal area of a stand you first need to know the basal area formula. Do you know what it is? (Hint look in the “How to Calculate Basal Area” section of the BMP handbook)

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July BMP Q&A

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

Q: In recent months the outbreak of wildfires and the threat of wildfires occurring has been high.  I want to protect my timber from a possible wildfire by installing firelanes around my tract.  Are there any BMPs that I should follow during this project to prevent any impacts on water quality from occurring?

A: Installing firelanes around your timber is a great way to protect your investment by reducing the threat of a possible wildfire.  Firelanes work by creating a barrier and removing the available fuel source between adjoining stands or tracts.  By removing the fuel source along these barriers aids in preventing a wildfire one stand or tract to another.  However, it is important to remember that there are potential impacts to water quality that can occur if caution is not taken. 

Guidelines for properly constructing and maintaining firelanes can be found in the Texas Forest Service’s BMP Bluebook.  These recommendations are designed to prevent any unnecessary erosion form occurring thus minimizing the potential for impacts on water quality. 

Firelanes should be constructed along the perimeter of the tract and follow the boundaries of Streamside Management Zones.  Locating these barriers outside of SMZs will limit the amount of sedimentation that may result.  This will also protect the litter and organic matter of the SMZ so it can continue to serve as a filter.    

To allow for proper drainage and erosion control, waterbars and wing ditches should be installed in a timely manner.  Recommendations for installing these devices can be found on pages 34 and 38 of the BMP Bluebook.  These recommendations include how to properly build waterbars, proper spacing for waterbars, and specifications on properly installing wing ditches.  When installing wing ditches, make sure that the runoff water is not being discharged directly into streams.   

Regular maintenance on firelanes is necessary to avoid potential erosion problems.  This includes periodic inspections, especially after heavy rains, to make sure that they are still functioning properly and are not washed out.  Mowing, rather than blading, is the preferred type of maintenance because it minimizes the amount of exposed mineral soil.  Care should be taken when blading is the only option. 

Implementing these control structures can be very costly when using heavy machinery.  For economical as well as environmental reasons, it is important to only build firelanes as wide and deep as necessary.  Woody debris and other flammable material should be kept away from firelanes.  These objects can ignite, creating a pathway for the fire to spread into SMZs or adjoining lands.  If you have a question regarding BMPs, please call me at (936) 639-8180.

* This article was published in the July 2006 issue of the Texas Logger

BMP Informer - June 2006

June Issue of the BMP Informer Now Available

• Estimated Economic Impact from Timber Damaged by Hurricane Rita, Texas Forest Service
• Improving My Land - Site Preparation and BMPs 
• BMPs and Burning
• Best Management Practices Need to be Applied When Salvaging Timber Damaged by Hurricane Rita
• Looking for a Good Logging Contractor?