BMP Fact Sheets

Need Some Quick Info on Forestry Best Management Practices?


Texas Forest Service has several fact sheets available to help you understand various aspects of using Best Managment Practices during your forest operations. These are a great resources for landowners or land managers unfamiliar with forestry BMPs.

Topics include:

• BMP Guidelines Overview
• Forest Roads
• Reasonable BMP Expectations
• BMPs for Reforestation and Site Preparation
• Stream Crossings
• Streamside Management Zones 

December BMP Q&A

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

Q:  I am interested in replanting my cutover timberland, but want to make sure that I follow all state recommended Best Management Practices.  Mechanical site preparation was done on the contour several months ago and the site is ready to plant.  What do I need to be aware of to ensure that water quality is protected during the planting operation?                 

A:  I am very glad to hear that you are interested in replanting your property.  This act of good stewardship will allow you to receive a better return on your investment and help satisfy the ever-increasing demand for forest products.  It will also aid in water quality protection.  Senate Bill 977 and other key legislation have developed tax incentives to encourage reforestation, so make sure you take advantage of these laws.  

The potential threat from erosion and sedimentation is not as great in planting operations as it is in mechanical site preparation.  A larger area is generally disturbed more intensively in the latter, therefore a higher risk to water quality is present.  Several factors can influence the magnitude of this risk, mainly the amount of exposed soil, degree of slope, and type of soil.   

Machine planting along the contour reduces erosion risks

Laying out your mechanical site preparation on the contour was an EXCELLENT thing to do!  This practice reduces the amount of erosion that can occur on a site, because it functions as a terrace.  When rainfall hits the top of a hill, the contours help slow down the runoff water.  This allows any sediment that has been eroded away from the hillside to be deposited before it can reach a waterbody. 

When planting, especially using a machine, it is important to continue to follow the contour of the land.  By not doing this, you are increasing the possibility of erosion that may occur.  Water will quickly flow down a furrow, washing out the soil in these rows.  Skid trails, temporary roads, and other woods roads that are no longer needed should be planted through. 

Streamside Management Zones should always be clearly designated so that they are protected from site preparation and planting operations.  These areas function as filters for streams and creeks, so minimal disturbance from equipment is recommended.

During these silvicultural processes, water control devices (culverts, waterbars, wing ditches, etc.) may become damaged.  It is important to avoid this if possible, but in the event that it occurs, repairs should be made immediately.  Reasonable attempts should be made to stabilize any erosion that results.   

Any trash (fluids, equipment parts, paper and plastic products, etc.) that is associated with these activities should be hauled to a legal waste disposal site.  Equipment fluids need to be caught in containers and disposed of in accordance with state and manufacturer regulations.  If you have a question regarding BMPs, please call me at (936) 639-8180

* This article was published in the December 2008 issue of the Texas Logger

January BMP Q&A

By: Shane Harrington, BMP Forester, Texas Forest Service

Q:    I am gearing up to replant my tract after harvesting the timber last summer.  Currently I am in the planning process and trying to get my tract prepared to be planted.  I want to know if there are any precautions that I should take during the planting job related to the use of best management practices (BMPs).

A:    The onset of winter reminds us that it is once again time to start planting seedlings.  Reforesting tracts that have been harvested is important because it ensures that we are managing our forests on a sustainable basis and that future generations will have the same resources available to them that we do.  Just as important is remembering to implement BMPs during all aspects of the planting operation including site preparation. 

Remember these points when doing site preparation and planting:

In general:

• Mark boundaries of all streamside management zones (SMZs) clearly before site preparation activities.
• Plan ahead to minimize disturbance by equipment in SMZs.
• Site preparation activities should skirt SMZs and stream channels.  Any debris should be placed above the ordinary high water mark of any stream or body of open water.
• Any site preparation practices and planting should be done following the contour of the land.
• Avoid intensive site preparation on steep slopes and on slopes with thin or highly erodible soils. 
• Hand-plant excessively steep slopes and wet sites.

When using prescribed fire:

• Firebreaks should have water control structures (water bars, wing ditches, etc.) in order to minimize erosion.
• Burning in an SMZ reduces the filtering capacity of the ground covering.  Plan burns to minimize impacts on the SMZ.
• Avoid, when possible, site prep burns on steep slopes or highly erodible soils.
• Read and follow manufacturing labels on containers.

When using chemicals:

• Carefully plan application to avoid direct and indirect entry of chemicals into streams and impoundments.
• Avoid applying chemicals to vegetation protecting eroded slopes, gullies, drainages, and other fragile areas subject to erosion.

Remember that the sustainable management of your timber includes the proper use of BMPs to protect the quality of our valuable water resources.  Additional information concerning BMPs and site prep/planting jobs can be found in the BMP bluebook or by visiting our website at http://txforestservice.tamu.edu/water.  If you have any questions regarding BMPs please call me at (936) 639-8180. 

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

BMP Informer - December 2004

December Issue of the BMP Informer Now Available

• Remember BMPs When Planting
• Seedlings On-line!
• Improving My Land - Permanent Stream Crossings
• How Do I Know What Size Culvert I Should Use?
• BMP Implementation Monitoring Program
• Forestry Acronyms

BMP Informer - October 2003

October Issue of the BMP Informer Now Available

• Remember BMPs When Planting
• Seedlings On-line!
• Improving My Land - Permanent Stream Crossings
• How Do I Know What Size Culvert I Should Use?
• Forestry and Water Quality Protection in East Texas
• Culvert Installation

BMP Informer - October 2002

October Issue of the BMP Informer Now Available

• Remember BMPs When Planting
• Seedlings On-line!
• Improving My Land Permanent Stream Crossings
• How Do I Know What Size Culvert I Should Use?
• Forestry and Water Quality Protection in East Texas
• Culvert Installation

January BMP Q&A

By: Hughes Simpson, BMP Forester, Texas Forest Service

Q:   I am interested in replanting my cutover timberland, but want to make sure that I follow all state recommended Best Management Practices. Mechanical site preparation was done on the contour several months ago and the site is ready to plant. What do I need to be aware of to ensure that water quality is protected during the planting operation?

A:   I am very glad to hear that you are interested in replanting your property. This act of good stewardship will allow you to receive a better return on your investment and help satisfy the ever-increasing demand for forest products. It will also aid in water quality protection. Senate Bill 977 and other key legislation have developed tax incentives to encourage reforestation, so make sure you take advantage of these new laws.

The potential threat from erosion and sedimentation is not as great in planting operations as it is in mechanical site preparation. A larger area is generally disturbed more intensively in the latter, therefore a higher risk to water quality is present. Several factors can influence the magnitude of this risk, mainly the amount of exposed soil, degree of slope, and type of soil.

Machine planting along the contour

Laying out your mechanical site preparation on the contour was an EXCELLENT thing to do! This practice reduces the amount of erosion that can occur on a site, because it functions as a terrace. When rainfall hits the top of a hill, the contours help slow down the runoff water. This allows any sediment that has been eroded away from the hillside to be deposited before it can reach a waterbody.

When planting, especially using a machine, it is important to continue to follow the contour of the land. By not doing this, you are increasing the possibility of erosion that may occur. Water will quickly flow down a furrow, washing out the soil in these rows. Skid trails, temporary roads, and other woods roads that are no longer needed should be planted through.

Streamside Management Zones should always be clearly designated so that they are protected from site preparation and planting operations. These areas function as filters for streams and creeks, so minimal disturbance from equipment is recommended.

During these silvicultural processes, water control devices (culverts, waterbars, wing ditches, etc.) may become damaged. It is important to avoid this if possible, but in the event that it occurs, repairs should be made immediately. Reasonable attempts should be made to stabilize any erosion that results.

Any trash (fluids, equipment parts, paper and plastic products, etc.) that is associated with these activities should be hauled to a legal waste disposal site. Equipment fluids need to be caught in containers and disposed of in accordance with state and manufacturer regulations. If you have a question regarding BMPs, please call me at (936) 639-8180.

* This article was published in the January 2002 issue of the Texas Logger