March 2013 BMP Q&A

By: Todd Thomas, Water Resources Forester, Texas A&M Forest Service

Q:  I was looking at a Texas BMP compliance monitoring checklist and in the comments section, it mentioned “below grade roads”.  I have heard this term mentioned before, but I have never been quite sure what a below grade road is and what exactly can I do about them?

A: I am glad you asked this.  A road that is below grade is one that is lower than the surrounding land.  Many of the roads in East Texas are very old and can be classified as below grade. 

Below grade roads usually occur after years of being worked and graded without any new material brought in to build them up, or from just being worked from one direction, to the point that the road essentially becomes a channel for runoff water.  As you may remember, with BMPs we are trying to keep from channelizing any runoff.  When runoff is channeled it begins to accelerate, especially in areas with a great deal of topography.  This accelerated runoff will increase erosion and the amount of sediment that reaches our streams. 

The issue of below grade roads is not limited to areas with rolling terrain or steep topography, below grade roads can create significant problems in flatwoods as well.  The issue isn’t so much a concern with water quality, but with access.  Water will always flow to the lowest spot on a site, and if this happens to be the roadway, then the water will not properly drain.  The road will then become saturated, and stay wet for most of the year.  Wet roads can lead to poor access, and cause severe rutting if traveled. 

These situations can develop gradually over time if roads are not properly constructed or may occur when subjected to heavy rains.  The formation of these areas can also result from trying to access a wet road by cutting it down until a dry surface is reached.  While this might be a temporary solution to an access problem, it can lead to erosion problems. 

To fix or reduce the severity of these problems, the first thing you need to decide is if the road in question will function as a temporary or permanent road.  This can be dictated by the amount of traffic your road will handle in the near future.  High traffic zones will generally be more expensive to control than low traffic zones.   If the road is not necessary then it should be closed.  In order for the road to stay in use the surface will need to be built up and water control structures will need to be put into place.  The type of structure will be dictated by the traffic type.  

There are several effective ways to reduce the impact to water quality on below grade roads.  It is best to make sure that the roadway is well drained when dealing with permanent systems located on steep topography.  Installing waterbars with good outlets for the water is recommended.  Instead of using the dirt in the roadway to build these structures, try incorporating some of the bank dirt.  This will allow you to construct a waterbar and at the same time make it easier to divert the water. 

When dealing with temporary roads, revegetating is a great option to hold the soil in place and minimize the amount of erosion and sedimentation that may occur.  A more cost efficient way to hold temporary roads in place is to distribute fine slash on the roadbed.  If you have any questions about BMPs, please do not hesitate to contact me at (936) 639-8180 or email me at tthomas@tfs.tamu.edu.  

*This article was published in the March 2013 edition of the Texas Logger

February 2013, BMP Q&A

By: Todd Thomas, Water Resources Forester, Texas A&M Forest Service

Q: In the quiz last month you asked a question where we would need to know the slope in order to have appropriately spaced windrows.  My question is how are we supposed to know the slope in the field off hand without a tool such as a clinometer? 

A: I am glad you asked this question and I am always glad to highlight areas of the blue book.  However this time I will not be referencing the text of the book, but a feature that many of you may have noticed, but never paid much attention to.  This feature is the slope calculator. 

The slope calculator can be found on the inside of the back cover of the blue book.  There are instructions on how to use it, but since you asked, I will go ahead and explain.  In addition to your blue book, you will need a piece of string, approximately 12-inches long and something to use as a weight, such as a small nut or washer.  First, tie one end of the string to the middle ring of the spiral binding or punch a hole through the cover of the book at the apex of the slope calculator.  Go ahead, it is okay.  There is a small circle there for your reference.  Next, tie your small weight to the loose end of the string. 

Now that your slope calculator has been constructed, here is how you will use it.  The spiral binding should be on top, use this as your sight.  With the binding parallel to the ground, sight the book up or down the slope (depending on which way you are facing), the string will hang vertically and the slope can be read directly along the line where the string lies.  The number on the line with the string is your percent slope.

Now that you are aware of the slope calculator, there are no excuses for not having your blue book with you.  Not only is the book full of BMP information, it is also a tool that you can use in your day to day functions.  In addition to windrow spacing, this tool can be used for determining road gradients so you know where to locate your water control structures such as waterbars, wing ditches, culverts, and dips; in conjunction with the culvert size chart to determine culvert sizing; as well as how wide to make SMZs when near steep slopes, or any other time you need to know the percent slope in a pinch. 

In conclusion, keep those blue books handy, you never know when one might come into use.  If you need a blue book you can get one from your nearest TFS office.  Please keep your questions coming.  You can email them to me at tthomas@tfs.tamu.edu or phone them in by calling (936)639-8180.  

*This article was published in the February 2013 issue of the Texas Logger

December 2012 BMP Q&A

By: Todd Thomas, Water Resources Forester, Texas A&M Forest Service

Q: Awhile back I noticed on some closed out skid trails that had been revegetated, not only was rye grass used, but they had also used some clover in the mix.  Is there any benefit to planting clover when in areas that you are revegetating?

Revegetated Logging Road, East Texas

A: I am always glad to hear about revegetation, as it is an excellent method of preventing erosion on roads and other disturbed areas.  It is even better to hear of the clover being used in the mix.  This is because clover is a type of plant that is also known as a “legume”.  Legumes can be important in areas where there has been a considerable amount of soil disturbance such as a skid trail or approach to a stream crossing. 

Legumes perform what is called nitrogen fixation.  In other words, they take nitrogen from the air and put it back into the soil.  Nitrogen is an extremely important nutrient for plant growth.  This is why sometimes in agricultural operations you will see peanuts or soybeans used in crop rotation, since they can contribute nitrogen back to the soil that was depleted by the previous crop.  In an area with a great deal of disturbance it is important to incorporate something in your revegetation that can contribute back to the soil not only by helping to hold it in place, but by delivering a much needed nutrient that will help other grasses to grow, further preventing erosion. 

Subterranean clover

On page 66 of the blue book, it says that “legumes should be used in mixes with grasses.”  On the next page it gives some options for different legumes to use.  The legumes that we recommend incorporating are Singletary peas, Hairy vetch, Arrowleaf clover, and Subterranean clover.  However, if you choose to incorporate another legume, that is great also.  In general, all clovers, as well as plants that have some sort of seed pod (such as peas or beans) are legumes. 

A side benefit of planting legumes is that they are a great food source for wildlife.  Most legumes are high in protein, and all our deer hunters out there know that additional protein can increase antler growth in whitetail deer.  I’m sure the landowner will be extra happy knowing that you have helped their quest for “Muy Grande”.  This is just a side benefit while you are doing an excellent job at rebuilding soil productivity and reducing erosion. 

So remember to always include legumes in your revegetation and to keep the questions coming.  You can email me your questions at tthomas@tfs.tamu.edu or by phone at (936)639-8180.  Also, be sure to pay a visit to our blog at http://tfswater.blogspot.com.  On the blog you can find old Q&A articles, as well as additional information on how to best keep our waters clean while providing the world with forest products.  

*This article was published in the December 2012 issue of the Texas Logger

November 2012 BMP Q&A

By: Todd Thomas, Water Resources Forester, Texas A&M Forest Service

Q: Just the other day, the topic of temporary stream crossings came up.  More specifically, how does TFS recommend that we cross streams and how should they be left after operations are complete on the site? 

A:  Excellent question, if you don’t give proper care and thought to your temporary stream crossings, many of the BMPs you have put into place on the tract can be negated.  A key component of any forest management activity is access.  In some cases you may not have to cross streams to access parts of a tract that you need to.  For instance, there may be another entrance or road that has been overlooked, a neighboring landowner may grant access through their property, or it may not be necessary at all once you have stepped back and looked at the bigger picture. 

More often than not, you are going to have to put in a stream crossing or two to get the job done, but remember to keep them to a minimum.  When selecting a location be sure and look for a straight, narrow section of stream with relatively low banks.  This will minimize the amount of disturbance to the stream and stream banks.  Higher banks result in a greater amount of disturbance than lower banks, and straight, narrow sections limit the amount of exposure the streambed receives from equipment.  Once you have selected the appropriate location, be sure that your approaches to the stream as well as the crossing itself is at a 90 degree angle to the stream, this ensures that as equipment crosses, the amount of the stream exposed to equipment is greatly reduced. 

Log skidder dragging logs across a temporary bridgemat

If the banks of the stream are too high for equipment to cross directly, a common approach is to lay slash bundles into the stream bed that can be driven across.  The only downside to this is that they must be removed following operations; this can take some effort and can result in a serious amount of disturbance.  However, this is a much better option than dirt crossings.  Dirt crossings should never be used and are never recommended.  Remember, the point of BMPs is to keep extra dirt from entering the streams, not to add any more.  One of the easiest alternatives for these types of crossings is to use bridgemats, otherwise known as skidder mats or dragline mats.  These mats are constructed of hardwood cants that have been bolted together and are extremely durable and can be used over and over again.  They can be laid in place with the grapples of the skidder and removed in the same fashion once you are done.  The best part is that you have stayed out of the stream bed completely and maximized water quality protection at your temporary stream crossing. 

Once it is time to move off site, temporary stream crossings should be removed and the approaches should be stabilized to reduce erosion.  One way to stabilize approaches is by revegetating them.  On page 65 of the most recent BMP handbook there are guidelines for revegetating disturbed areas, there is even a chart that gives you different seeding options so that you can use the best seed for your site.  Another alternative is to distribute fine slash down the approach (being sure not to put any in the stream bed) and drive over it to ensure firm placement, followed by larger, more coarse slash. 

In conclusion, remember to keep stream crossings to a minimum, always stabilize your approaches and to never use dirt crossings.   Keep the questions coming so we can shed some light on any best management practice confusion that might be out there, you can send your questions to me at tthomas@tfs.tamu.edu or just phone it in by calling (936) 639-8180.

*This article was published in the November 2012 issue of the Texas Logger

Polk County Landowner Meeting

On Saturday, October 27, Texas A&M Forest Service personnel helped to put on a meeting in Livingston, Texas for landowners in Polk County.  The meeting was sponsored by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and the Texas Forestry Association.  60 landowners showed up to increase their knowledge of sound forest management and issues surrounding modern forestry.

The topics and speakers included

• The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI)
• Steve Mayo, MeadWestvaco
• East Texas Land Sales and Acquisitions
• Wes Kilpatrick, Walsh Land Brokers
• Legislative Update
• Ron Hufford, Texas Forestry Association
• Woodville Renewable Power Project
• Ryan Thomas, East Texas Electric Cooperative, Inc. 
• Multiple Use Forestry
• Gary Burns, Burns Forestry
• Lonleaf Pine: Past, Present, and Future
• Jared Goodman, Texas A&M Forest Service
• BMPs: What You Should Know as a Forest Landowner
• Todd Thomas, Texas A&M Forest Service

Not only was it a good learning experience for forest landowners, it was an opportunity for many of them to become acquainted with one another as well as for the Polk County Landowner Association to boost their membership.  Landowner associations play in an integral role in landowner education, ensuring that the members are aware of current issues and sound forest management.  

SFASU Students Learn About BMPs

This past week, Regional Forest Health Coordinator Joe Pase and Water Resources Forester Todd Thomas, taught a lab in northwest Nacogdoches County for the forest ecology class from Stephen F. Austin State University.  The class was composed of 33 students who were either forestry or environmental science majors.  The students got to learn about the Texas A&M Forest Service's Best Management Practices (BMP)  program, view BMPs that had been implemented on the ground, benthic macroinvertebrates, and how BMP effectiveness monitoring is conducted.  Some of the BMPs that the students got to see first hand included, streamside management zones (SMZs), remediated and revegetated stream crossings, water bars, wing ditches, and rolling dips.  The Texas A&M Forest Service has been helping with these labs every fall and spring semester since 1994 and has reached more than 1,000 SFASU students over the years.  

Utilization of logging residue or slash

Not this Slash.  

Today I would like to take some time to focus on logging residue, also known as “slash”.    All too often when someone passes by a timber harvest, they see the slash scattered about the area and think to themselves, “Look at all that wasted wood”.  There is no need for concern here, for that wood has not been wasted at all.  When it comes to reducing overland flow and the erosion that occurs as a result, slash does an excellent job.  Due to the nature of the operation, slash is in abundance, so why not utilize a material that is already on site and in bulk?  In addition to reducing erosion, slash contributes nutrients to the soil.  As it decomposes, the nutrients in the slash are returned to the soil.  So not only are the nutrients that are already there retained instead of washing away, more nutrients are deposited!

It is especially important for slash to be distributed in highly sensitive areas, or areas that are the most erosion prone.  Woods roads or skid trails that are going to be closed following the operation should have slash distributed down them in such a manner to keep them from washing out.  This entails putting down the finer slash first and running over it with a skidder to get it down into the soil, followed by larger slash.  The amount of slash put out depends on how much potential there is for erosion, however, it’s pretty hard to overdo it. 

Skid trail stabilized with slash

Skid trail in a clearcut stabilized with slash

Another sensitive area that can benefit from distributing slash on it is the approaches for stream crossings.  The slash should be put down just as you would when closing down a woods road to hold the soil in place and keep it from entering the stream.  It is important to take note that the slash is put down on the approaches to the crossing, but not down in the stream bed itself.  If excessive slash is left in the stream bed, then those excess nutrients will end up in the stream as the slash decomposes, posing water quality risks.  Even worse, slash in the stream bed will eventually dam up the stream creating issues both up and downstream.  A common approach to crossing streams where low water crossings are not practical is to use a bundle of slash in the stream so that equipment can drive over it.  These crossings should be removed immediately as soon as operations are complete to prevent negative impacts to water quality. 

Stream Crossing approaches stabilized with slash

Other sensitive areas such as steep slopes or areas with highly erodible soils can benefit from slash distribution as well.  The slash will keep these areas from eroding until vegetation can re-establish itself and continue to keep the soil intact.  In most cases the slash has more or less decomposed at this point, and vegetation has taken over and erosion is still kept to a minimum.