1. CHRIS ISAACSON Certified Wildlife Biologist Registered Forester
BMPs for Southern States
CHRIS ISAACSON Certified Wildlife Biologist Registered Forester

2. ALABAMA
General
Enforcement: Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM)
Education: Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC)
Monitoring: Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC)
BMP Status: Current manual published in 1993
Contact: Alabama Forestry Commission
(334)

3. ALABAMA Manual Contents 1. Streamside management zones
2. Stream crossings
3. Forest roads
4. Timber harvesting
5. Reforestation / stand management
6. Forested wetland management
7. Revegetation / stabilization

4. ALABAMA Section Highlights 1. Streamside management zones
Perennial side / retain 50% of crown cover
Intermittent side / total harvest allowed but must retain vegetative cover
2. Stream crossings
Crossings allowed: log, fords, culverts, bridges

5. ALABAMA Section Highlights 3. Forest Roads General guidelines Planning
Drainage
Crowned roads
Turnout ditches
Outsloped roads
Insloped roads
Water bars
Broad-based dips
Road closure
Maintenance

6. ALABAMA Section Highlights 4. Timber Harvesting Logging roads Felling
Skidding
Cut-to-length
Trash Disposal

7. ALABAMA Section Highlights 5. Reforestation / Stand Management
Mechanical site preparation
Chemical site preparation
Follow label directions
Avoid application within SMZ
Do not mix / clean equipment near standing water
Prescribed burning
Tree planting

8. ALABAMA Section Highlights 6. Forested Wetland Management
15 Federally mandated BMPs
Timber harvesting
Reforestation
Land clearing
Herbicide use
Bedding
Species composition
Removal of beaver dams

9. ALABAMA Section Highlights 7. Revegetation / stabilization
Site preparation
Liming & fertilizing
Species recommendations
Mulching
Vegetation establishment
Silt screen / hay bale
Gully stabilization

10. ARKANSAS
General
Enforcement: Arkansas Department of Pollution Control & Ecology (ADPCE)
Education: Arkansas Forestry Commission (AFC)
Monitoring: Arkansas Forestry Commission (AFC)
BMP Status: Under revision. Due 12/2001.
Contact: Arkansas Forestry Commission
(501)

11. ARKANSAS Manual Contents 1. Planning
2. Road construction & maintenance
3. Harvesting
4. Mechanical site preparation
5. Silvicultural chemicals
6. Recommended specifications

12. ARKANSAS Section Highlights 1. Planning 2. Road construction Location
Drainage
Water crossings
Maintenance

13. ARKANSAS Section Highlights 3. Harvesting
Setting design
Log landings
Felling & bucking
Skidding
Disposal of debris & litter
4. Mechanical site preparation

14. ARKANSAS Section Highlights 5. Silvicultural chemicals
Maintenance of equipment
stop leaks
no servicing near streams
Mixing
prevent backflow
avoid spills
Aerial application
do not apply or allow to drift onto open water
Ground application
do not apply to water
do not exceed allowable rate

15. ARKANSAS Section Highlights 5. Silvicultural chemicals (continued)
Limitations
follow label
Container handling & disposal
make sure container is labeled
follow local, state, & federal regs
triple rinse
Equipment cleanup
avoid cleanup near streams, ponds, etc
notification of spills
contain & neutralize spills

16. ARKANSAS Section Highlights 6. Recommended specifications Haul roads
Water bars
Wing ditches
Cross road drainage: culverts
Broad-based dips
Rolling dips
Stream crossings
Skid trails

17. FLORIDA General Enforcement:
Education: Florida Division of Forestry (DOF)
Monitoring: Florida Division of Forestry (DOF)
BMP Status: Current manual published in 1993
Contact: Florida Division of Forestry
(850)
*Florida BMPs are quasi-regulatory

18. FLORIDA Manual Contents 1. Special Management Zones
2. Best Management Practices

19. FLORIDA Section Highlights 1. Special Management Zones (“SMZ”)
SMZ protects water quality, stream temp, & wildlife habitat
Width determined by site sensitivity class
3 components of SMZ: primary zone, secondary zone, stringer
Guidelines provided are very specific!

20. FLORIDA Section Highlights 1. SMZ - Primary Zone
Applies to perennial lakes, streams, sinkholes, special status waters, some wetlands
no clearcutting except under special conditions
leave 50% of stocking
width varies side

21. FLORIDA Section Highlights 1. SMZ - Secondary Zone
Applies to intermediate lakes, streams, sinkholes
May be “add-on” to primary zone
no limitations on timber harvesting
no mechanical site prep, fertilization, or aerial application of herbicide

22. FLORIDA Section Highlights 1. SMZ - Stringer
applies to intermittent streams
comprised of trees left on or near the streambank
primary benefit to wildlife, especially songbirds

23. FLORIDA Section Highlights 2. Best Management Practices Public land
Wetlands
drainage & conversion
roads
harvest < 200 ac - retain snags & 3-5 tpa or 10% area
harvest > 200 ac - retain snags & 1-2 tpa / cc cannot exceed 160 ac / cc separated from adjoining cc by 200’ strip
units with >5 small isolated wetlands must retain 20% unharvested
skidding

24. FLORIDA Section Highlights 2. Best Management Practices Canals
Sinkholes
Roads
planning
construction
drainage
maintenance
Stream crossings
culverts
hard-surface crossings

25. FLORIDA Section Highlights 2. Best Management Practices
Timber harvesting
skid trails
slash disposal
Site preparation & planting
Fire line construction
Waste disposal
oil
solids

26. FLORIDA Section Highlights 2. Best Management Practices
Pesticide & fertilizer use
use equipment to direct spray
no aerial application in primary zone
properly dispose of containers
avoid SMZ or water body when cleaning equipment
no application of fertilizer in primary zone
Wet weather
Emergency operations

27. GEORGIA General Enforcement: Georgia Environmental Protection Division
Education: Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC)
Monitoring: Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC)
BMP Status: Current manual published in 1999
Contact: Georgia Forestry Commission
(800) GA-TREES

28. GEORGIA Manual Contents 1. Planning 2. Streamside Management Zones
3. Special Management Areas
4. Road Location, Construction, Steam Crossings, Maintenance, & Retirement
5. Timber Harvesting
6. Site Preparation & Reforestation
7. Management & Protection
8. Additional Management Objectives

29. GEORGIA Section Highlights 1. Planning 2. Streamside Management Zones
Perennial
side
leave 50 sf basal area or 50% of canopy
Intermittent
side
leave 25 sf basal area or 25% of canopy
Designated Trout Streams
side
option A - 25’ no harvest / balance 50 sf ba or 50% canopy
option B - 50 sf ba

30. GEORGIA Section Highlights 3. Special Management Area
Includes braided streams, canals, ditches, protected mountain tops, protected river corridors, seeps & springs, sinkholes, sloughs, water supply reservoirs, & wetlands
4. Road location…..
Road location
Road Construction
Stream crossings
Maintenance & retirement

31. GEORGIA Section Highlights 5. Timber Harvesting Log decks Skid trails
Stream crossings
Rutting
Equipment washing & servicing
Protecting SMZ during harvesting
Protecting wetlands during harvesting

32. GEORGIA Section Highlights 6. Site Prep & Reforestation
Mechanical site prep
Mechanical site prep in wetlands
Chemical site prep
avoid application or drift into SMZ
handle / mix / clean well away from water body
properly dispose of herbicide containers
Prescribed burning
Reforestation

33. GEORGIA Section Highlights 7. Management & Protection
Prescribed burning / hazard reduction
Wildfire suppression
Fertilization
Revegetation & stabilization
8. Additional Management Objectives
Wildlife management
Protected species
Aesthetics
Sensitive sites

34. GEORGIA Section Highlights 9. Appendix Designated Trout Streams
Federal & state laws affecting forest landowners

35. LOUISIANA
General
Enforcement: Louisiana Division of Environmental Quality
Education: Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry
Monitoring: Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry
BMP Status: Current manual published in 1999
Contact: Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry
(318)

36. LOUISIANA Manual Contents 1. Planning 2. Roads 3. Timber Harvesting
4. Site Preparation & Reforestation
5. Silvicultural Chemicals
6. Fire Management
7. Wetlands
8. Louisiana Natural & Scenic Rivers

37. LOUISIANA Section Highlights 1. Planning 2. Roads Permanent roads
location & planning
construction
drainage
water crossings
road maintenance
Temporary roads

38. LOUISIANA Section Highlights 3. Timber Harvesting Pre-harvest planning
SMZ
Perennial side
Intermittent side
Felling & skidding
Landing, log decks, & sets
Revegetation
Equipment maintenance & litter

39. LOUISIANA Section Highlights 4. Site Prep & Reforestation
5. Silvicultural Chemicals
Follow label
Avoid leaks from equipment
Use anti-siphon water intake
Avoid mixing/cleanup near water body
Avoid direct or indirect application into water
Utilize injection / stump treatment immediately adjacent to water
Contain spills
Dispose of containers properly

40. LOUISIANA Section Highlights 6. Fire Management 7. Wetlands
Prescribed burning
Fireline construction
Wildfires
7. Wetlands
Mandatory road BMPs
Permanent roads
Temporary roads & skid trails
Road maintenance
Harvesting operations
Buffers

41. LOUISIANA Section Highlights 7. Wetlands (continued)
Site preparation
Reforestation
Forest chemicals
follow label directions
use skilled / licensed applicators
buffer moving surface water
8. Louisiana Natural & Scenic Rivers
Harvesting restrictions w/in 100’ of low water mark
Notification required when harvesting in that zone
Permit required for “aerial application of pesticide… to fields adjacent to scenic streams”

42. MISSISSIPPI
General
Enforcement: Mississippi Dept. of Environmental Quality
Education: Mississippi Forestry Commission
Monitoring: Mississippi Forestry Commission
BMP Status: 3rd edition published in 2000
Contact: Mississippi Forestry Commission
(601)

43. MISSISSIPPI Manual Contents
1. Principles of Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Methods
2. Water Quality / Forest Management Planning
3. Streamside Management Zones
4. Woodland Trails & Roads
5. Forest Harvesting
6. Site Preparation
7. Tree Planting
8. Revegetation of Disturbed Forest Sites

44. MISSISSIPPI Section Highlights
1. Principles of Nonpoint….Control Methods
2. Forest Management Planning
Written plan recommended
3. Streamside Management Zones
Perennial
side
retain 50 sf basal area
Intermittent
side
cc allowed but must maintain vegetative cover

45. MISSISSIPPI Section Highlights 4. Woodland Trails & Roads Skid trails
Haul roads
Erosion control methods
broad-based dips
fords
bridges
turnouts
water bars
outsloped roads
culverts
temporary stream crossings

46. MISSISSIPPI Section Highlights 5. Forest Harvesting
Access trails & roads
Logging debris
Equipment maintenance
Landings & concentration yards
Portable sawmills & sawdust
6. Site Preparation
Prescribed burning
Mechanical site prep

47. MISSISSIPPI Section Highlights 6. Site Preparation (continued)
Chemical site prep
consider chemical over mechanical on highly erosive sites
never broadcast chemical in watercourse or SMZ
avoid mixing / cleaning equipment near water
properly dispose of containers
7. Tree Planting
8. Revegetation

48. NORTH CAROLINA General Enforcement:
Education: NC Division of Forest Resources
Monitoring: NC Division of Forest Resources
BMP Status: currently under revision /
due 10/2001
Contact: NC Division of Forest Resources
(919)

49. NORTH CAROLINA Manual Contents
1. Elements of Water Quality Affected by Forest Practices
2. Runoff & Erosion
3. Accessing & Harvesting Forest Products
4. Site Preparation & Reforestation
5. Revegetating Disturbed Areas
6. Wildfire Protection

50. NORTH CAROLINA Section Highlights
1. Elements of Water Quality Affected by Forest Practices
Sediment
Temperature
Chemical use
Organic matter
2. Runoff & Erosion

51. NORTH CAROLINA Section Highlights
3. Accessing & Harvesting Forest Products
Planning
recommend written pre-harvest plan
Streamside Management Zone
perennial side / harvesting allowed - retain 75% crown cover / <20% bare ground
intermittent side / harvesting allowed - retain 25% crown cover / <40% bare ground
perennial trout stream side
public water supply side

52. NORTH CAROLINA Section Highlights
3. Accessing & Harvesting Forest Products
Access roads
“If possible, haul road should be built at least a year before harvest begins so that they have time to stabilize…”
Water turnouts
Log decks, landings, & portable sawmills
Skid trails
Stream crossings
Cross road drainage
Broad based dips / rolling dips / water bars

53. NORTH CAROLINA Section Highlights 4. Site Preparation & Reforestation
Planning
Prescribed burning
Drum chopping
Disking
Bull dozing
Bedding
Furrowing & scalping
Hand tools & equipment
Machine planting

54. NORTH CAROLINA Section Highlights 4. Site Preparation & Reforestation
Pesticide
follow label
properly dispose of containers
avoid mixing / cleanup near waterway
avoid leaking equipment
application
“surface wind < 6mph”
“below 90 degrees”
avoid spraying in advance of or during changing weather
use equipment / technology to avoid drifting
notification of adjacent landowner required for aerial application

55. NORTH CAROLINA Section Highlights 5. Revegetating Disturbed Areas
Seedbed preparation
Liming / fertilizing
Permanent seeding
Mulching
Anchoring organic mulch
Maintenance
Temporary seeding & seeding mixture
6. Wildfire Protection

56. SOUTH CAROLINA General
Enforcement: Dept of Health & Environmental Control
Education: South Carolina Forestry Commission
Monitoring: South Carolina Forestry Commission
BMP Status: supplement published to address braided streams
Contact: South Carolina Forestry Commission
(803)

57. SOUTH CAROLINA Manual Contents 1. Streamside Management Zones
2. Stream Crossings
3. Forest Road Construction
4. Timber Harvesting
5. Site Preparation
6. Reforestation
7. Prescribed Burning
8. Pesticide
9. Fertilization
10. Minor Drainage
11. Endangered Species Act
12. Additional Management Options

58. SOUTH CAROLINA Section Highlights 1. Streamside Management Zones
Primary zone side
Secondary zone side
Perennial
primary retain min 50 sf basal area
secondary minimize soil disturb / all silv. act. allowed
Intermittent
primary cc but maintain vegetative cover
Ephemeral
avoid disturbance of forest floor
avoid crossing, emptying road runoff into, or altering flow

59. SOUTH CAROLINA Section Highlights 2. Stream Crossing
culverts
woody fill
3. Forest Road Construction
Planning
Construction
Stabilization
Maintenance
Wetland road construction

60. SOUTH CAROLINA Section Highlights 4. Timber Harvesting
Water quality BMPs
onsite impacts BMPs (site productivity, visual impacts, wildlife habitat)
5. Site Preparation
Mechanical
Chemical
Prescribed burning
6. Reforestation
7. Prescribed Burning

61. SOUTH CAROLINA Section Highlights 8. Pesticides
Follow label directions
Proper disposal of containers
Aerial application
<5 mph liquid
<8 mph solid
Ground application
< 10 mph
Wait for change in wind direction if blowing toward sensitive site
Avoid mixing / cleanup near open water
Cleanup / contain all spills

62. SOUTH CAROLINA Section Highlights 8. Pesticides (continued)
Avoid application directly to water body
Avoid broadcast in primary SMZ
Avoid application adjacent to primary SMZ that would damage trees in SMZ
9. Fertilization
10. Minor Drainage
11. Endangered Species Act
12. Additional Management Options
Wildlife management

63. SOUTH CAROLINA Section Highlights 13. Braided Streams Supplement
Streamside Management Zones
Road stream crossings
Forest road construction
Timber harvesting

64. TENNESSEE
General
Enforcement: Tennessee Dept of the Environment & Conservation
Education: Tennessee Division of Forestry
Monitoring: Tennessee Division of Forestry
BMP Status: currently under revision / draft in hands of Attorney General for review
Contact: Tennessee Division of Forestry
(615)

65. TENNESSEE Manual Contents 1. Locating & Constructing of Forest Roads
2. Establishing Streamside Management Zones
3. Planning Timber Harvest
4. Slash Treatment & Site Preparation
5. Providing for Revegetation of Disturbed Areas
6. Special Considerations in Forested Wetlands

66. TENNESSEE Section Highlights 1. Locating & Constructing Forest Roads
Planning design & location
Constructing the road
Drainage from the road surface
broad-based dips
water bars
culverts
2. Establishing SMZs
side
perennial - retain >50% canopy
intermittent - retain vegetative cover
stream crossings

67. TENNESSEE Section Highlights 3. Planning Timber Harvest
Locating log landings & skid trails
4. Slash Treatment & Site Prep
Mechanical site prep
Chemical site prep
avoid application in SMZ
5. Providing for Revegetation of Disturbed Areas
6. Special Consideration in Wetlands
Forest roads / SMZ / Harvesting

68. TEXAS General Enforcement: Texas State Soil & Water Conservation Board
Education: Texas Forest Service
Monitoring: Texas Forest Service
BMP Status: 2000
Contact: Texas Forest Service
(409)

69. TEXAS Manual Contents 1. Planning 2. Road Construction & Maintenance
3. Road Material Sites
4. Harvesting
5. Site Preparation / Planting
6. Fire
7. Silvicultural Chemicals
8. Streamside Management Zones
9. Recommended Specifications
10. Wetlands

70. TEXAS Section Highlights 1. Planning
2. Road Construction & Maintenance
Location
Construction
Drainage
Water crossings
Road maintenance
3. Road Material Sites
Planning & layout
Active sites
Reclamation

71. TEXAS Section Highlights 4. Harvesting 5. Site Preparation / Planting
Design
Felling & bucking
Skidding
Disposal of debris & litter
5. Site Preparation / Planting
6. Fire
Prescribed fire
Wildfire control
Wildfire reclamation
Fireline & firelane construction

72. TEXAS Section Highlights 7. Silvicultural Chemicals Planning
Maintenance of equipment (no leaks)
Mixing (backflow prevention)
Aerial application
avoid direct or indirect application to water
Ground application
do not exceed rx rate
single stem treatment immediately adjacent to open water
Manage spills / Proper disposal of containers
Cleanup - triple rinse & apply to site

73. TEXAS Section Highlights 8. Streamside Management Zones
Design
perennial & intermittent - side
municipal water supply - side
Harvesting
“enough trees & understory ... left to provide adequate shade for the stream, lessen the impact from rain drops, & intercept sediment & debris washing toward the stream”
9. Recommended Specifications
Haul roads Skid Trails Logging sets
Water bars Wing ditches Cross road drainage
Stream crossing Rolling Dips Broad-based dips
SMZs Salvage in SMZ Revegetation

74. TEXAS Section Highlights 10. Wetlands Planning SMZ & riparian area
Access systems (Mandatory road BMPs)
Harvesting operations / Rutting
Site preparation
Fire management
Silvicultural chemicals
follow label “to the letter”
skilled/licensed applicators
buffer moving surface water
do not allow spray or rinse to reach SMZ

75. VIRGINIA General Enforcement: VA Department of Forestry
Education: VA Department of Forestry
Monitoring: VA Department of Forestry
BMP Status: / under revision, due May, 2001
Contact: VA Department of Forestry
(804)

76. VIRGINIA Manual Contents 1. Watersheds 2. Pre-harvest Planning
3. Streamside Management Zones
4. Truck Haul Roads
5. Stream Crossings
6. Skid Trails
7. Log Decks,l Landings, & Portable Sawmills
8. Revegetation of Bare Soil Areas
9. Wetlands
10. Additional BMP Measures

77. VIRGINIA Section Highlights 1. Watersheds 2. Pre-harvest Planning
Notification of harvesting is required??
3. Streamside Management Zones
Perennial side / retain 50% crown cover
Intermittent side / retain 50% crown cover
4. Truck Haul Road
Specifications
Rolling dips / broad-based dips
Pipe culverts
Maintenance

78. VIRGINIA Section Highlights 5. Stream Crossing Design & Construction
Temporary bridges
Culverts
Fords (dumping of “unnatural or foreign material in stream is prohibited”)
6. Skid Trails
7. Log Decks & Portable Sawmills
8. Revegetation of Bare Soil Sites

79. VIRGINIA Section Highlights 9. Wetlands 10. Additional BMP measures
Planning
Access systems
Permanent haul roads
SMZs
Felling practices
Wildlife & fish habitat
Springs / seeps
10. Additional BMP measures

80. For additional information, contact