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

March BMP Q&A

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

Q:   Almost six months ago Hurricane Rita passed through East Texas destroying homes, businesses, and forestlands. Most people have rebuilt their homes and businesses but people such as me are still trying to salvage what is left of their forestlands. I fear that time is growing short for me to salvage my timber. Since time is of the essence do I still need to follow BMP guidelines when I am trying to get the timber out as quickly as possible?

A:   Great question.  Timber can sustain a lot of damage from events such as hurricanes, wildfires, and Southern Pine Beetle outbreaks.  Hopefully we will not have to deal with another hurricane here in East Texas but there is always that possibility.  However, if you find yourself conducting a salvage operation after such an event BMPs should be implemented just as if it were a normal harvest operation. 

Generally there is a sense of urgency when it comes to harvesting timber in a salvage operation because damaged trees are more susceptible to insects and disease, lowering their economic value.  It is still important to implement BMPs during these situations.  BMPs are effective in preventing or reducing erosion, allowing your land to be managed in a sustainable manner.    Following are a few recommendations to consider while conducting a salvage operation.

Prior to the salvage operation, the ground should be inspected to ensure that it is stable enough to support heavy machinery.  Often times after an event such as a hurricane, tropical storm, or even an East Texas thunderstorm, the soil is saturated and operating heavy machinery on these soils can cause rutting.  Rutting creates channels for water flow, which can lead to widespread soil movement.  This reduces site productivity, decreases tree growth and financial returns, and impacts water quality.  Firelanes installed to control wildfires should be cleaned up and stabilized with the proper water control structures to prevent additional erosion. 

Streamside Management Zones (SMZs) should be visibly marked and all operations within the SMZ should be kept to a minimum.  It may be necessary to flag the SMZ for greater visibility, because it is sometimes difficult for machine operators to see the original painted line with the additional debris on the ground.  All roads, skid trails, decks, and firelanes should be located outside the SMZ.  Removal of any felled timber within the SMZ should be done by dispersed skidding or by cable retrieval.  This is done to prevent damaging the filtering capabilities of the SMZ and to keep the forest floor virtually undisturbed.  Remember, even in salvage operations, 50 square feet of basal area should be left in the SMZ.  Try to leave trees that have not been too severely damaged.   

Personal safety should also be stressed when conducting a salvage operation.  Treetops and limbs may be left dangling above the ground and could cause serious injury to ground personnel.  It is also important to be aware of machine operators, especially when visibility is impaired from excessive debris.

For other recommendations regarding BMPs and salvage operations please refer to the Texas Forest Service BMP Bluebook.  If you do not have a copy of the Bluebook you can obtain a copy from your local Texas Forest Service office or online at http://txforestservice.tamu.edu/water.  If you have any questions or comments regarding BMPs please call me at (936) 639-8180.

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

October BMP Q&A

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

Q:  I am a logger in Southeast Texas and for the past few weeks I have been watching the hurricanes slam the East Coast.  The possibility of a hurricane causing damage to timber here in East Texas is not too far-fetched.  Even more damage can be caused here by wildfires, wind, and Southern Pine Beetle outbreaks that could happen at anytime.  Do I still need to follow BMP guidelines during salvage operations when I am trying to get the timber out as quickly as possible?

A:  Great question.  Timber can sustain a lot of damage from events such as hurricanes, wildfires, and Southern Pine Beetle outbreaks.  Hopefully we will not have any widespread timber damage here in East Texas.  However, if you find yourself conducting a salvage operation after such an event BMPs should be implemented just as if it were a normal harvest operation. 

Generally there is a since of urgency when it comes to harvesting timber in a salvage operation because damaged trees are more susceptible to insects and disease, lowering their economic value.  It is still important to implement BMPs during these situations.  BMPs are effective in  preventing or reducing erosion, allowing your land to be managed in a sustainable manner.    Following are a few recommendations to consider while conducting a salvage operation.

Prior to the salvage operation, the ground should be inspected to ensure that it is stable enough to support heavy machinery.  Often times after an event such as a hurricane, tropical storm, or even an East Texas thunderstorm, the soil is saturated and operating heavy machinery on these soils can cause rutting.  Rutting creates channels for water flow, which can lead to widespread soil movement.  This reduces site productivity, decreases tree growth and financial returns, and impacts water quality.  Firelanes installed to control wildfires should be cleaned up and stabilized with the proper water control structures to prevent additional erosion. 

Streamside Management Zones (SMZs) should be visibly marked and all operations within the SMZ should be kept to a minimum.  It may be necessary to flag the SMZ for greater visibility, because it is sometimes difficult for machine operators to see the original painted line with the additional debris on the ground.  All roads, skid trails, decks, and firelanes should be located outside the SMZ.  Removal of any felled timber within the SMZ should be done by dispersed skidding or by cable retrieval.  This is done to prevent damaging the filtering capabilities of the SMZ and to keep the forest floor virtually undisturbed.  Remember, even in salvage operations, 50 square feet of basal area should be left in the SMZ.  Try to leave trees that have not been too severely damaged.    

Personal safety should also be stressed when conducting a salvage operation.  Treetops and limbs may be left dangling above the ground and could cause serious injury to ground personnel.  It is also important to be aware of machine operators, especially when visibility is impaired from excessive debris.

For other recommendations regarding BMPs and salvage operations please refer to the Texas Forest Service BMP Bluebook.  If you do not have a copy of the Bluebook you can obtain a copy from your local Texas Forest Service office or online at http://txforestservice.tamu.edu/water.  If you have any questions or comments regarding BMPs please call me at (936) 639-8180.

* This article was published in the October 2004 issue of the Texas Logger