Timber production is recognized as a land use that is compatible with wetland protection. Although wetlands are federally regulated, normal forestry operations in wetlands such as soil bedding, site preparation, harvesting, and minor drainage are exempt from permit requirements under the Clean Water Act, as long as the activity1) qualifies as "normal silviculture,"
2) is part of an "established" silvicultural operation,
3) is not part of an activity whose purpose is to convert a water of the United States into a use to which it was not previously subject,
4) follows the fifteen Mandatory Road BMPs, and
5) contains no toxic pollutant listed under Section 307 of the Clean Water Act in discharge of dredge or fill materials into water of the United States.
Do you know what the section number of the Clean Water Act is that exempts “normal silviculture” operations from being required to obtain a permit when operating in wetlands?
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