September BMP Q&A

By: Hughes Simpson, BMP Forester, Texas Forest Service

Q:   After seeing the devastation caused by the Moore Branch and Chicken fires in East Texas last year, I would like to protect my timber investment from this possible hazard.  In order to do this, my forester has recommended that I install firelanes around my property. I am concerned about the possible erosion that may occur from the exposed soil. What can I do to prevent this from occurring? What other BMPs do I need to keep in mind when doing this?

A:   Installing firelanes around your timberland is an excellent way to reduce the threat of a wildfire.  These artificial barriers are used to stop the spread of fire by removing their fuel source.  Thousands of miles of these structures are built every year in Texas to prevent these disasters from taking place.  It is important that landowners realize the potential impacts that firelane erosion can have on water quality.  

The Texas Forest Service has published guidelines that address proper firelane construction and maintenance in the Texas Forestry Best Management Practices – Bluebook.  These recommendations are designed to prevent any unnecessary erosion from occurring on this type of forest management.

Firelanes should be constructed along the perimeter of the tract and follow the boundaries of Streamside Management Zones.  Locating these devices 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.  Charts on pages 35 and 37 of the BMP Handbook show the recommended spacing between these structures.  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 September 2001 issue of the Texas Logger

August BMP Q&A

By: Hughes Simpson, BMP Forester, Texas Forest Service

Q:   My company is interested in getting involved in the business of applying silvicultural chemicals to forestlands. We have already implemented Best Management Practices (BMPs) on our logging operations and would like to do the same for this new service we are offering our clients. Does the Texas Forest Service have any recommended guidelines for the application of silvicultural chemicals, and if so, what are they?

A:   We sure do! The use of silvicultural chemicals can be very important in establishing new pine plantations as well as releasing mature ones to jumpstart their growth. In Texas alone, more than 250,000 acres of commercial timberland were sprayed last year. As more landowners learn about the benefits of these chemicals, there is a greater responsibility to ensure that water quality will be protected.

The Texas Forest Service has published guidelines that cover the handling and application of silvicultural chemicals in the Texas Forestry Best Management Practices – Bluebook. These recommendations are designed to prevent the direct or indirect application of forest chemicals to open water sources.

The first step in following BMPs when applying herbicides or fertilizers is the planning and information stage. Read all of the manufacturer’s labels for the chemicals that you will be using. It is important to know the chemical properties of these compounds. Certain chemicals react differently when they come in contact with soil or water. Other factors to consider in this step are topography, location of water sources, weather, and treatment area. Unfavorable weather, such as high winds, can lead to aerial drifts into sensitive areas.

The water used for mixing chemicals should be carried to the field in water-only tanks. Adding chemicals to this should be done only at the application site and away from any water sources. If a spill occurs, quickly shovel a dike around it and use absorbent material. This will soak up the fluid and prevent it from flowing into bodies of water. Always notify the proper authorities during these situations.

Leaving well marked buffers, or SMZs, between open water and the treatment area will prevent the entry of chemicals into waterways. It is also important to have a spray device that is capable of immediate shutoff without any dripping. Erosion sensitive areas (steep slopes, gullies, or drainages) should be avoided when applying herbicides.

Triple rinse all chemical containers before disposal. Pour this diluted solution back into the mixing tank so it can be applied to the treatment area. It is important to follow all of the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding cleanup and disposal of materials. If you have a question regarding BMPs, please call me at (936) 639-8180.

* This article was published in the August 2001 issue of the Texas Logger

July BMP Q&A

By: Hughes Simpson, BMP Forester, Texas Forest Service 

Q:   I really want to comply with Best Management Practices (BMPs) on my harvesting operations, but it is not always easy dealing with landowners. I have a hard time explaining the benefits of following the recommended guidelines. What advice would you give me to tell my clients to convince them of 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 voluntary 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 are good selling points to make a case for installing BMPs on your property. The Texas Forest Service has several brochures on their webpage that are very educational and available for you to use. They are located at the following address: http://txforestservice.tamu.edu/water. If you would prefer for me to talk to the landowner directly or have a question regarding BMPs, please call me at (936) 639-8180.

* This article was published in the July 2001 issue of the Texas Logger

June BMP Q&A

By: Hughes Simpson, BMP Forester, Texas Forest Service 

Q:   I am harvesting a tract of timber in Sabine County near Milam, in which a major stream bisects the property.  The landowner wants to gain permanent access throughout the entire tract.  This perennial stream carries a lot of water, has very steep banks, and is about 30 feet wide.  Do you think it would be possible to accomplish this without impacting water quality?  If so, how would you recommend crossing it?               

A:   Yes, it is certainly possible to cross this stream and minimize the impacts to water quality.  However, given the stream conditions, the task of doing this can become quite expensive.

The best and most economical way to achieve this is to not cross this stream at all.  Spending several hundred dollars buying an easement from an adjacent landowner will usually be cheaper than building a bridge or putting in a culvert.  This method also provides the greatest protection to water quality.

Many times, gaining backside access is not possible and the stream must be crossed directly.  Careful consideration must be given to a stream of this size.  It is imperative that all stream crossings be installed at right angles and in straight sections to the stream channel.  This reduces the potential impact to water quality. 

Tank cars can be installed securely in the streambed and will function as large culverts, which may last between 30 and 50 years.  The walls of these cars usually range anywhere from ½” - 1” thick, depending on the weight they must be able to withstand.  Federal law mandates that tank cars go through steam cleaning before being used as a stream crossing, to prevent any impacts to water quality.

Flat cars and box car beds are also another method that is commonly used to cross streams of this nature.  These tools function more as bridges that are appropriate for spanning larger streams.  The major factor in determining what product to use is the actual width of the steam (distance that must be crossed).  Flat cars are generally 89 feet long and about 8-9 feet wide.  Box car beds are 50-60 feet long and 10 feet wide.  When installing either one of these “bridges” it is important to anchor them into the bank with at least 8 or 10 feet of overhang on both sides of the stream.

Flat cars can be used to establish sturdy bridge crossings

Timber Creosote bridges are also used to gain permanent access across large streams.  They can handle heavy traffic, minimize the amount of sedimentation and erosion, and also function under high water conditions.  The major drawback to these devices is the high cost.  When installing these bridges, choose approaches that have a constant grade.  Build abutments parallel to the stream and imbed them into good foundation material. 

Timber Creosote bridges are a common approach to establishing permanent stream crossings

To find out more information about suppliers and prices of these products, please consult the TFS Product and Vendor Guide.  The Texas Forest Service does not endorse the use of specific products or vendors listed in this guide.  You can view this on the Internet at http://txforestservice.tamu.edu/water.  If you have a question regarding BMPs, please call me at (936) 639-8180.

* This article was published in the June 2001 issue of the Texas Logger

May BMP Q&A

By: Hughes Simpson, BMP Forester, Texas Forest Service 

Q:   I just received a copy of the Texas BMP compliance monitoring checklist and noticed in the comments section that the term “below grade road” was used. What exactly is a below grade road, and why is it a problem? What can be done to correct these types of roads?

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

Below grade roads can pose a serious impact to water quality. Roadways that are actually lower than the surrounding land can act as a channel for runoff water. In areas with rolling terrain or steep topography, these “channels” can accelerate the flow of water and increase the amount of erosion that will occur. This can lead to eventual sedimentation into our streams.

This type of problem is not only limited to moderate or steep slopes. While below grade roads in the flatwoods might not contribute a significant impact to water quality, they do present an access problem. Water will always flow to the lowest spot on a site, and if this happens to be the roadway, then the water will not be able to 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, you must first decide if the area 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.

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 handling temporary roads, you can always consider reseeding or applying fertilizer to the area. This will help establish vegetation on the site that will serve to hold the soil in place and minimize the amount of erosion and sedimentation that may occur. A more cost efficient way to accomplish this is to add brush and logging debris to the roadbed. If you have a question regarding BMPs, please call me at (936) 639-8180.

* This article was published in the May 2001 issue of the Texas Logger

April BMP Q&A

By: Hughes Simpson, BMP Forester, Texas Forest Service 

Q:   I am planning on cutting a tract of timber in San Augustine County that has several streams running through it. I have heard about leaving Streamside Management Zones and want to follow the recommended guidelines, but don’t really know which streams need protection. Do all streams need protection? If not, how can I determine which ones should be protected?

A:   This is an excellent question. First of all, not all streams need protection. Streams are grouped into one of three categories (perennial, intermittent, or ephemeral), based on the amount of time during the year that water flows through them. An important thing to remember is that there are transition zones along streams where one category might be turning into another category. As you might guess, this classification can become very complex and challenging, especially during periods of heavy rainfall or extreme drought.

Streams are classified as perennial, intermittent, or ephemeral. Perennial and
intermittent streams require SMZ protection.

A perennial stream will flow at least 90% of the year and have a well defined channel. This channel will be sinuous (winding) and show evidence of soil and debris movement. Water pools are present, even during dry conditions. High water marks are sometimes noticed along the stream, as well as wetland vegetation, such as mosses, ferns, and some woody species. Gray soils with red specks are associated with these types of streams. The Texas Forest Service recommends leaving a minimum width of 50 feet on either side of perennial streams.

An intermittent stream will flow at least 30% of the year, usually during the wet winter months. This type of stream also has a well defined, sinuous channel that shows evidence of soil and debris movement. Water pools are absent during dry conditions but present during wet conditions. High water marks and wetland vegetation still occur along these areas. Predominately brown soils with gray soils mixed in are usually found here. The Texas Forest Service recommends leaving a minimum width of 50 feet on either side of intermittent streams.

An ephemeral stream will flow only during or after it rains. These streams are short lived, and don’t have a well defined channel. The flow area is almost always straight and there is an absence of water pools. High water marks and wetland vegetation are not found along these areas. Regular soils typical of the site occur around these streams. The Texas Forest Service recommends using your professional judgement in determining whether or not to leave an SMZ along ephemeral streams.

Remember, Streamside Management Zones can be managed to remove some of the economic value. These areas can be thinned to a minimum of 50% of the original crown cover or 50 square feet of basal area per acre. All logging debris should be removed from streams immediately to prevent any unnecessary blockage of the stream channel. If you have a question regarding BMPs, please call me at (936) 639-8180.

* This article was published in the April 2001 issue of the Texas Logger

March BMP Q&A

By: Hughes Simpson, BMP Forester, Texas Forest Service

Q:   I understand the importance of using Best Management Practices, but would like to see some actual field examples. We did this in the BMP training workshop and it was very helpful. Is there anywhere in East Texas that shows on the ground applications of BMPs that the public can view?

A:   You bet there is! The Texas Forest Service manages five state forests throughout East Texas, totaling 7,314 acres. Their primary function is to provide public education and sound forest management demonstrations. Two of these state forests, the W. Goodrich Jones and the John Henry Kirby, display the use of Best Management Practices for the protection of water quality from non-point source water pollution during forestry operations.

The W. Goodrich Jones State Forest is located in Conroe, approximately 1.5 miles west of Interstate 45 on FM 1488. This 1,733 acre forest contains examples of road BMPs and streamside management zones. Stream crossings are also shown in great detail, and include bridges, culverts, and low water crossings.

The John Henry Kirby State Forest is located on Highway 69, south of Warren in Tyler County. This 600 acre forest also has demonstrations of road construction and drainage, stream crossings, and even includes a wetlands designation.

These forests are open year round to the general public during daylight hours and provide an excellent educational opportunity to learn about protecting water quality. A wooden sign is used to mark each BMP example, describe the actual demonstration, and explain its function.

For those of you who do not have time to visit these areas, a virtual forest tour has been developed on the Internet. This tour includes topics that discuss road maintenance and stabilization, stream crossings, streamside management zones, culvert installations, and other useful BMPs. It can be accessed by visiting the Texas Forest Service’s webpage at http://txforestservice.tamu.edu/water. All BMPs pictured have a description of how they work to protect water quality. You will find detailed instructions on how to properly install culverts. There are also before and after pictures of roadwork.

For more information on these state forests or to arrange an on the ground field tour for your group, contact the BMP office at (936) 639-8180. If you have a question regarding BMPs, please contact me.

* This article was published in the March 2001 issue of the Texas Logger