Peter Smallidge and Gary Goff, Spring 1998
definition - Best management practices (BMPs) are
proactive and often voluntary practical methods or practices used during forest management
to achieve goals related to water quality, silviculture, wildlife and biodiversity,
aesthetics, and/or recreation.
application - Harvesting, silviculture, and road design are tools
to attain certain goals, but necessitate specific practices to ensure the continued
quality and sustainable productivity of the forest. BMPs should be used, as warranted,
under specific conditions and at appropriate times and sites.
BMPs can
be divided into separate categories that relate to specific, if somewhat subjective goals.
Goals specify the outcome of forest management activities associated with each category of
BMP |
Category |
Common
Goals |
| water quality |
- reduce or eliminate non-point source pollution; maintain water clarity, quality, and
quantity for human consumption and fish and wildlife habitat
|
| silviculture |
- maintain the desired stand characteristics, including adequate regeneration of suitable
species
|
| wildlife and biodiversity |
- provide habitat, food, and cover for a variety of wildlife species; optimize diversity
of native plant and animal species among stands (landscape approach)
|
| soil quality |
- maintain soil characteristics to ensure the potential of the site to continue
productivity at current and historic levels
|
| aesthetics |
- create or maintain forest conditions that are aesthetically pleasing (entirely
subjective and owner specific)
|
| recreation |
- provide opportunities for land owners and/or the public to pursue desired, often
multiple-use, recreational activities
|
constraints - Constraints are biological and physical characteristics
of a forest stand. The financial and stewardship interests of owners further determine the
appropriate BMPs to attain management goals. Each category of BMP has constraints, some of
which overlap with other BMP categories. Examples of constraints include: soil type,
aspect and degree of slope, distance to water body and water source, deer population
density, proximity and visibility to public, and season.
As noted above, BMPs are appropriate for several aspects of forest
management. One area that has received considerable attention is the use of BMPs to
maintain water quality. The following list is provided as a guideline. If you
are interested in more detailed information, contact your local office of Cornell
Cooperative Extension or Soil and Water Conservation District.
BMPs Guidelines
for Water Quality
Timber Harvesting Systems and Skid Trail
Layout
erosion associated with harvesting typically results from poorly designed skid and haul
roads
reduce costs by using the least amount of road to complete the job safely and
effectively
use existing roads when possible
locate roads away from poorly drained sites and soils
maintain protective buffers between roads and streams; minimum buffer widths of 100 ft
and an additional 5 ft for each 1 percent of slope greater than 10%.
locate roads on contours and install water bars; decrease distance between water bars on
steeper slopes such as 175’ for 5%; 90’ for 10%; 70’ for 15%, 50’ for
20%, and 40’ for 20+ %.
forwarders cause less rutting and skid trail disturbance than either tracked or rubber
tire skidders
trees should be winched to the skidder rather than driving skidder to each tree
Landings
- locate landings on gentle slopes with drainage, or slope land to provide drainage
- do not locate landings on poorly drained soils
- locate landings 200 feet away from streams, or use sediment and erosion control devices
- install diversion ditches on the uphill side of landings
- properly store and dispose of petroleum products and containers
Stream crossings
- avoid stream crossings whenever possible
- many streams are DEC classified and require a permit to establish a crossing
- bridges and culverts can be used for stream crossings to prevent erosion
- fords can be used where stream banks are hard and the stream channel contains
rock or gravel
Wetlands/Streams/Lakes
- aquatic areas provide many important ecological services, and require extra precautions
- when harvesting in DEC designated wetlands, comply with necessary permits
- maintain buffer strips around wetlands, streams, and lakes
- avoid crossing nonforested wetlands, cross only if frozen or dry enough to prevent
rutting
- do not add or remove woody debris to streams
- leave 60 to 80 square feet of basal area of trees in forested wetlands
Site stabilization, closure, and revegetation
- grade roads and landings to fill ruts
- remove temporary stream crossing devices
- install water bars on permanent roads, prevent vehicular access as necessary
- grade roads and side ditches to ensure proper drainage
- loosen soil in heavily compacted areas before seeding
- seed and mulch disturbed areas to stabilize soils, use appropriate seed mixtures
Season of Harvesting
- minimize or avoid wet season (Spring and Fall) logging except on very well drained soils
- summer logging may scarify soils necessary for establishment of some species
- bark "slips" more easily when bumped during the Spring season
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