Streamside Management Zones Research Articles

Compliance with Forestry Best Management Practices in Maine

Abstract Compliance with 60 forestry best management practices (BMPs) in Maine was evaluated from a sample of 120 sites randomly selected from areas harvested during the period January 1, 1993 to December 31, 1994. The forestry BMPs were organized into six groups [haul roads, stream crossings, skid roads/trails, putting trails/roads to bed, log yards/landings, and streamside management zones (SMZs)]. Applicability of each practice was assessed at each site and compliance with applicable BMPs rated. Evidence of sediment movement was used as a measure of BMP effectiveness. Compliance with the various BMPs within each of the six groups ranged as follows: haul roads 34%-100%; stream crossings 31%-94%; skid roads/trails 49%-95%; putting trails/roads to bed 25%-88%; log yards/landings 53%-96%; and SMZs 42%-78%. Low levels of compliance per se may overstate the negative impacts in those cases where BMPs are applicable on a small number of sites. For example, compliance with the recommendation that water courses be forded only on hard bottoms and banks was low (54%) but was applicable to only 39 sites, affecting 21 of the 120 sites examined. Overall compliance was greatest for the BMPs related to yards and landings (81%) and was lowest for putting trails/roads to bed (54%). Compliance levels in Maine were similar to those reported in Vermont and Minnesota. Compliance tended to be higher for those BMPs associated with planning and layout of haul roads and skid trails, compared to those dealing with water diversion from long, unobstructed surfaces. Old roads pose a challenge. Many road systems in use today were constructed a decade or more ago by scraping surface soil down to the basal till generating low road surfaces bounded by high banks. Ditches slowly eroded and became ineffective in diverting water from the road surface. Corrective measures are expensive, and new water diversion ditches will disturb more of the area. This study supports the utility and effectiveness of commonly recommended BMPs in reducing erosion and sedimentation in Maine. When BMPs were used, sediment movement was eliminated completely or was largely restricted from surface waters. Numbers of sites at which appreciable sediment delivery to surface waters was associated with noncompliance of individual BMPs within each of the six categories are summarized as follows: haul roads 1-17 sites; stream crossings 0-17 sites; skid roads/trails 0-20 sites; putting trails/roads to bed 9-14 sites; log yards/landings 1-14 sites; and SMZs 1-9 sites. In total, noncompliance with at least one BMP was associated with a downstream sediment trail at 34 sites. North. J. Appl. For. 15(2):57-68.

Effect of Streamside Management Zone Width on Avifauna Communities

Abstract We analyzed 2 yr of bird population data in streamside management zones (SMZs) of three widths (50 ft, 100 ft, and 164 ft), adjoining ≤5 yr old pine plantations, and mature riparian areas in the Georgia Upper Coastal Plain. We evaluated relationships between SMZ width and bird abundance and density. Breeding and wintering avifaunal abundance were greater in SMZs than in the surrounding pine plantation. Breeding forest interior birds and forest interior neotropical migrant species were abundant in the mature forest control, but were essentially absent in SMZs and pine plantations. However, SMZs did provide habitat for an abundant avifauna community including several interior-edge and edge species not found in the pine plantations. Avian abundance was similar among SMZ widths, although densities were highest in the narrow SMZs. Forest managers should regard SMZs as important for maintaining avifauna abundance and diversity across pine dominated landscapes. South. J. Appl. For. 19(4):166-169.

Compliance with Silvicultural Best Management Practices on Harvested Sites in South Carolina

Abstract One-hundred-seventy-seven harvested sites in South Carolina were evaluated for compliance with Best Management Practices (BMPs). South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC)foresters evaluated the roads, road stream crossings, streamside management zones, harvest operations, and log decks. In addition, each site was evaluated for overall BMP compliance, which was based on the level of both off-site and on-site impacts. Overall BMP compliance was 84.7%. Compliance was highest for log decks (97.7%), roads (92.0%), and harvest operations (89.8%) and lowest for streamside management zones (72.4%) and road stream crossings (41.7%). Nineteen variables were analyzed to determine their influence on BMP compliance. Two variables were responsible for the 27 sites with inadequate ratings: (1) the presence of perennial and intermittent streams, and (2) logging under wet soil conditions. Compliance did not differ significantly among landowner categories or physiographic regions. To improve BMP compliance, landowners should identify sensitive sites and take adequate steps to protect them during timber harvesting. South. J. Appl. For. 18(4):163-167.

Best management practices for forested wetlands in the Southern Appalachian Region

Forestry best management practices (BMPs) have been developed for all of the states included in the Southern Appalachian Region (Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia). All of the state forestry BMPs were developed to reduce nonpoint source pollution from forestry operations. However, the states have developed BMPs that differ substantially with regard to methodology, particularly for forested wetlands. The state BMP guidelines vary in several major areas, including wetland types, BMP manual detail, streamside management zones, harvesting operations, site preparation operations, regeneration systems, road construction, and timber removal activities. An understanding of the similarities and differences between the state BMP guidelines will allow the forested wetland manager to comply with or improve upon existing forestry BMPs for wetlands.

Herbicide dissipation studies in southern forest ecosystems

AbstractResults of research on the movement of hexazinone, imazapyr, picloram, and sulfometuron in first‐order watersheds in the southern United States are presented. Herbicides contaminate surface waters to varying degrees, depending on application rate, method of application, product formulation, and site‐specific characteristics. Highest concentrations are observed in streams in ephemeral pulses during the first three storm events after application. Streamside management zones greatly reduce the amount of herbicide entering streams from forestry applications. Soil persistence of herbicides is highly variable and a function of many site characteristics. Plant residues have been monitored and found to dissipate rapidly, with half‐lives < 40 d.

Costs of Protecting Water Quality During Harvesting on Private Forestlands in the Southeast

Abstract Data on harvest volumes, topography, and other site and area characteristics were obtained from 22 timber harvests in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. An economic analysis was then used to estimate the marginal costs of implementing each state's recommended Best Management Practices (BMPs), as well as a set of enhanced BMPs on these sites. Considering all of the areas combined, the costs of using the recommended BMPs averaged 2.9% of gross timber sale revenue, $2.34 per thousand board feet (mbf) of timber harvested, or $12.45/ac. The cost of implementing the enhanced BMPs averaged 5.1% of gross stumpage value, $4.13/mbf, or $21.94/ac. Seed, fertilizer, and mulch, broad based dips, and water bars were the most expensive practices on a total cost basis. Culvert installation, streamside management zones, and road relocation costs were less expensive for most tracts. South. J. Appl. For. 16(1):13-20.

Organic Debris and the Management of Small Stream Channels

Abstract Longitudinal profiles, riparian and in-channel debris loads, and sediment storage were measured in eight reaches of first- to third-order, snowmelt-dominated, intermittent, and perennial streams in western Montana. Low-order channels tended to concentrate debris. Organic matter providedover 60% of total sediment storage in all study reaches. We suggest that Streamside Management Zones (SMZs) be extended to include intermittent channels and possibly the lowest portions of ephemeral channels in anticipation of their activation. Predisturbance appraisal of downed woody fuelsin these SMZs is recommended to provide a target debris loading during site preparation, thus ensuring a steady-state supply of organic materials to maintain channel stabdity following timber harvest. West. J. Appl. For. 5(1):25-28.

Sediment Control in South African Forests and Mountain Catchments

SUMMARY Accelerated erosion in South African forests and mountain catchments not only results in degradation of the productivity and aesthetic value of land, but also causes impairment of the quality of water from these areas. Multiple purpose management therefore requires primary concern for soil and water. Experience in the U.S.A. has shown that relatively inexpensive means are available for soil and water protection. Suggested remedies are: (1) advanced planning of access systems, (2) careful stabilisation of firebreaks and tracers, (3) zoning of catchments to delineate sensitive areas. Streamside management zones (SMZs) are proposed for zoning. The concept of the SMZ implies a concern for the pattern of activities over the natural drainage basin, since the pattern is often more important than the specific practice.