By: Shane Harrington, BMP Forester (Ret.), Texas Forest
Service
Q: I have heard you mention various products
such as logging mats, culverts, and geo-textile fabrics in past articles. I wanted to know where these types of
products can be purchased and what do they typically cost.
A: A variety of products are used in the
management of forestlands and some of these products can be difficult to
find. The Texas Forest Service BMP
Project Office maintains a product/vendor guide which lists a variety of products
and the vendors who sell or manufacture them.
Prices are also listed with these products but the vendor should be
contacted to ensure prices have not changed.
Products such as logging mats
or drag line mats can be found in the BMP Product/Vendor Guide. Logging mats are used when access across a
stream or wet area is only needed for a short time during the harvest or
planting of a tract. These temporary
crossings are relatively inexpensive, can be used multiple times, and when
installed correctly greatly minimize or prevent any negative impacts to water
quality. Most logging mats when cared
for properly can last anywhere from five to seven years and can be transported
easily from operation to operation.
Logging mats are typically made of several hardwood cants that are
bolted together and provide a secure and stable crossing for equipment. Depending on the size logging mat purchased
to price can range anywhere from $300 to $1200 each.
Another common product that
can be found in the BMP Product/Vendor Guide is culverts. Culverts are used when permanent access is
needed across a stream or the stream is too large for logging mats. When installing culverts care should be taken
to ensure that the proper size culvert is used and that it is installed
correctly. Soil type and topography
greatly influence the size of culvert that is needed to adequately handle
expected water flow through a stream. A
topographic map and soil survey can be used to determine the amount of water
being drained from a watershed and the soil type of the area drained. Culverts not properly installed can
negatively impact water quality and can be very costly to repair. There are several types of culverts and they
come in various sizes ranging from 18 inches in diameter and larger and range
widely in price depending on the size
Geo-textile products such as
Geoweb are listed as well. Geoweb is
used for shallow stream crossings or low water crossings. These crossings are permanent crossings on
streams that have relatively flat approaches and shallow stream channels. The purpose of using a product such as Geoweb
is to provide a stable low water crossing and to prevent rutting up the stream
channel for passing vehicles. The stream
must have a stable bottom for this type of crossing to be effective. When purchasing Geoweb it is important to
purchase enough material so that it stretches several feet out past the edge of
the stream channel. This is to ensure
that the approaches do not become washed out and rutted which can increase the
amount of erosion and sediment entering the stream. Geoweb, when installed correctly, can provide
a stable low water crossing that can last for many years. Several companies sell Geoweb or products
that are similar and they come in various sizes and range in price from $150 to
$500 per unit.
For more information
concerning these products or other products please consult the BMP
Product/Vendor Guide which can be viewed by visiting the Texas Forest Service
website at http://txforestservice.tamu.edu/water. If you have any questions concerning the BMP
Product/Vendor Guide or BMPs in general please contact me by calling (936)
639-8180.
* This article was published in the January 2007 issue of the Texas Logger
