BMP Implementation Survey

Best Management Practices (BMPs) are tools in the toolbox for landowners and forest managers to ensure water quality is protected on their tract. During a harvest vegetation is removed, soil is disturbed and large areas can be at risk of erosion from wind and water. When erosion occurs the valuable top-soil can be lost, reducing tree growth potential and causing water quality concerns. Sediment is the primary water pollutant in the U.S., causing cloudy (turbid) water, making it difficult for fish and other aquatic species to see, find food and avoid predators. Additionally, sediment can bury aquatic habitat, cause nutrient loading, and increase the costs of treating municipal drinking water.

BMPs include recommendations for pre-harvest planning, forest road construction, stream crossing techniques, how to install devices like wattles or check dams, and rehabilitation strategies once harvest is complete. The NCFS BMP Manual details each of these recommendations and provides strategies for different landscapes. Since North Carolina has multiple ecoregions, recommendations may change based on site conditions. A strategy that works well on a coastal property may not have the same results in the mountains, meaning that different tactics may be needed in different situations. Landowners and foresters are responsible for selecting BMPs that protect water quality on their property to meet the standards of the NC Forest Practice Guidelines Related to Water Quality (FPGs).

A sample size of 216 tracts was determined based on a framework provided by the Southern Group of State Foresters (SGSF) to compare survey data with other nearby states. To ensure even distribution we collected survey data from 98 of the state's 100 counties with tract selection methods intended to eliminate bias as much as possible.

Requirements for eligible tracts:

• 5 or more acre tract size
• Waterbody within or adjacent to the tract (intermittent or perennial stream, lake or pond)
• Operationally active or active within the past 6 months
• No evidence of land use conversion

What kind of data was collected?

• Site location
• General site information (property size, type of harvest, type of landowner, timber type, etc.)
• BMP specific questions based on the recommendations in the NCFS BMP Manual.
• Location and length of streams and width of SMZs.
• Soil erosion estimates along stream crossing approachways.

• Survey results found that BMPs are extremely effective at reducing or eliminating water quality risks associated with timber harvests.
• Pre-harvest planning can help landowners and managers to identify water resources on site and find ways to minimize risk. This can be accomplished by minimizing stream crossings, planning locations for skid trails and roads that reduce steep slopes and avoid waterbodies, identifying locations for key BMP implementation, and communicating plans with project stakeholders.
• Use extra caution (i.e. more BMPs) when working in or near waterbodies or wetlands.
• Be informed and educated on the water quality rules and regulations for timber harvests.
• Don't forget about rehab! Stabilizing the site after harvest is just as important as during.