Implementation of Forestry Best Management Practices and Sediment Delivery in Three Regions of North Carolina and Virginia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brent S Hawks ◽  
M Chad Bolding ◽  
W Michael Aust ◽  
Scott M Barrett ◽  
Erik Schilling ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Forest Operations ◽  
Sediment Delivery ◽  
Management Zones ◽  
Erosion Rates ◽  
Best Management ◽  
Streamside Management Zones ◽  
Sediment Mass

Abstract Forestry best management practices (BMPs) were created in response to the Clean Water Act of 1972 to protect water quality from nonpoint source pollutants such as sediment. The objectives of this study were to quantify the relationship between BMP implementation and sediment delivery on 58 recently harvested sites across three physiographic regions and five forest operational features. BMP implementation rates, erosion rates, sediment delivery ratios, and sediment masses were calculated at 183 silt fences functioning as sediment traps adjacent to streams in Virginia and North Carolina. Major access system features, including stream crossings, skid trails, and haul roads, typically delivered the greatest sediment mass to streams and had the highest sediment delivery ratios on a per feature basis. When accounting for sediment mass delivered and area in each feature, harvest area accounted for approximately 70% of sediment delivered to streams for all regions. Most features had proportionally higher erosion rates than sediment masses collected at silt fences, indicating that most erosion generated by forest operations is being trapped by either harvest areas or streamside management zones. For most features and regions, as BMP implementation increased, erosion rates and the sediment masses delivered to streams decreased. Study Implications Forestry best management practices (BMPs) are designed to mitigate the amount of sediment entering streams and affecting other aquatic features as a result of forest operations. In this study, a significant inverse relationship between BMP implementation and the amount of sediment delivered to streams was found, indicating that increasing levels of BMP implementation reduces sediment delivery. Most of the erosion caused by forest operations is being trapped before it is delivered to streams. This research highlights the importance of leaving streamside management zones along streams and minimizing the extent of bare soil and area in temporary and permanent roads.

scholarly journals Estimated Sediment Protection Efficiences for Increasing Levels of Best Management Practices on Forest Harvests in the Piedmont, USA

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 997
Author(s):  
Richard Cristan ◽  
W. Michael Aust ◽  
M. Chad Bolding ◽  
Scott M. Barrett
Keyword(s):  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Weighted Average ◽  
Published Data ◽  
United States Department ◽  
Forest Operations ◽  
Sediment Delivery ◽  
Erosion Rates ◽  
Best Management ◽  
Forest Operation

In-stream watershed level evaluations confirm that application of recommended forestry best management practices (BMPs) can minimize sedimentation following management, while on-site erosion research shows that BMPs reduce erosion from individual forest operations, thus implying watershed-level sediment reductions. Assessments of forest operations and sediment have developed very few sediment delivery ratios (SDR). Linking BMP levels (low, standard recommendation, high) within specific forest operations to sedimentation could enable managers to evaluate BMP effects. Reported data regarding forest operations, erosion rates and SDR by forest operation, and BMP implementation levels were sufficient within the Piedmont region to allow approximations of sediment delivery and BMP efficiency. Existing United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service reports and published erosion and sediment research were used to comprise the following method. For regional annual harvests, estimated sediment deliveries (Mg year−1) = annual harvest area (ha year−1) × weighted average erosion rate from all forest operations (Mg ha−1 year−1) × SDR (unitless ratio). Weighted average erosion rates for all forest operations were determined by applying areas in each operational activity (%) × estimated erosion per operation (Mg ha−1 year−1). In comparing published data, standard BMPs reduced estimated sedimentation by 75% compared to low BMP implementation levels. This supports forestry BMP efficiency findings reported for sediment removals in watershed studies. Higher levels of BMP implementation were estimated to potentially remove nearly all forest operation-produced sediment. Values of this pilot study should be viewed cautiously, as estimates were based on limited data, estimated operations, and limited SDRs; are based on BMP categories that vary between states; and address only one year following harvests. However, the approach provided approximations that facilitate BMP evaluations and can be improved with additional data. This methodology highlights the importance of accurate estimates of erosion rates, SDRs, sediment masses, and area for operations. This supports the importance of state programs, which have increased BMP implementation rates and compliance options with BMP program maturation.

scholarly journals Assessment of Compliance of Forestry Best Management Practices in West Virginia

2007 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 60-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingxin Wang ◽  
Joseph McNeel ◽  
William Goff ◽  
Steve Milauskas
Keyword(s):  
West Virginia ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Management Zones ◽  
Best Management ◽  
Random List ◽  
Streamside Management Zones ◽  
Increasing Trend ◽  
Assessment Of Compliance

Abstract The compliance of forestry best management practices (BMP) was assessed based on 116 randomly selected sites harvested between November 2003 and March 2004 in West Virginia. Landowners were contacted to gain permission for site visits according to the random list. The landowners also were interviewed to identify their knowledge and satisfaction about the harvest and BMP. Four checklists were used to assess 29 BMPs on haul roads, skid trails, landings, and in streamside management zones (SMZ). A general increasing trend in BMP compliance was noted in this statewide BMP assessment with an overall BMP compliance of 74%. Results also indicated that the BMP compliances averaged 81% on haul roads, 68% on skid trails, 80% on landings, and 55% in SMZs.

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

1994 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 163-167
Author(s):  
Tim O. Adams ◽  
Donal D. Hook
Keyword(s):  
South Carolina ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Timber Harvesting ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Management Zones ◽  
Best Management ◽  
Streamside Management Zones ◽  
Forestry Commission ◽  
Physiographic Regions

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.

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

1992 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Lickwar ◽  
Clifford Hickman ◽  
Frederick W. Cubbage
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Management Zones ◽  
Total Cost ◽  
Marginal Costs ◽  
Best Management ◽  
Streamside Management Zones ◽  
Timber Sale ◽  
The Cost

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.

scholarly journals Application and Effectiveness of Forestry Best Management Practices in West Virginia

2008 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingxin Wang ◽  
William A. Goff
Keyword(s):  
West Virginia ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
The West ◽  
Private Lands ◽  
Management Zones ◽  
Compliance Assessment ◽  
Best Management ◽  
Streamside Management Zones ◽  
Stream Type

Abstract The application and effectiveness of forestry best management practices (BMP) was assessed on 33 harvested sites with streamside management zones (SMZ) throughout West Virginia, which coincided with 116 sites of statewide BMP compliance assessment. The sampled sites either showed evidenceof activity in the SMZ or showed evidence of a stream crossing caused by the harvest. Four checklists derived from the West Virginia BMP guidelines were used to assess 27 BMPs on haul roads, skid trails, at landings, and in SMZs. Rankings were analyzed statistically to examine the differencesof BMP application and effectiveness among forester involvement, ownership, harvest, and stream type. The overall BMP application and effectiveness on sites with SMZs averaged 85 and 80% in West Virginia. Results also indicated that the BMP application and effectiveness rates were higheron industry-owned lands or with forester involvement than on private lands or without forester involvement. The findings should be useful to aid in future assessments of application and effectiveness of BMP across West Virginia or in the region.

scholarly journals Best Management Practices Influence Sediment Delivery from Road Stream Crossings to Mountain and Piedmont Streams

2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (6) ◽  
pp. 682-695 ◽  
Author(s):  
A J Lang ◽  
W Michael Aust ◽  
M Chad Bolding ◽  
Kevin J McGuire ◽  
Erik B Schilling
Keyword(s):  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Sediment Delivery ◽  
Best Management

scholarly journals Benefits and Costs of Forestry Best Management Practices in Virginia

1996 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. M. Aust ◽  
R. M. Shaffer ◽  
J. A. Burger
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Coastal Plain ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Erosion Rates ◽  
Best Management ◽  
Water Quality Protection ◽  
Program Compliance ◽  
Plain Region ◽  
Benefits And Costs

Abstract Benefits and costs of Virginia's forestry best management practices (BMPs) were estimated for the Mountains, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain regions using three actual nonregulatory phases and one theoretical regulatory phase of forest water quality protection. The four phases ranged from passive, nonregulatory to regulatory BMPs with increasingly restrictive provisions. As the level of regulation increased, the benefit:cost ratio decreased, indicating that costs were accruing at a proportionately greater rate than benefits. This pattern was most pronounced in the Coastal Plain region where average erosion rates were low, and substantial acreages were harvested. Results suggested that an aggressive, nonregulatory BMP program is the most efficient approach to forest water quality protection assuming that overall program compliance levels are sufficient to satisfy society's needs. South. J. Appl. For 20(1):23-29.

scholarly journals Role of the Tennessee Master Logger Program in Implementation of Best Management Practices on Non-Industrial Private Forests

2003 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chad T. Davis ◽  
Wayne K. Clatterbuck
Keyword(s):  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Field Evaluation ◽  
Timber Harvesting ◽  
Private Forests ◽  
Percentage Score ◽  
Best Management ◽  
Streamside Management Zones ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Private Forestland

Abstract A field evaluation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) was used to determine the effectiveness of the Tennessee Master Logger Program (TMLP) in 1997–1998. The study was conducted on non-industrial private forestland (NIPF) and excluded harvests on land owned by forest industry or public forests. Completed logging jobs were evaluated in relation to four components of timber harvesting: (1) haul roads, (2) skid trails, (3) log decks, and (4) Streamside Management Zones (SMZs). The scores assigned during evaluation to each of the four components were added together to yield an overall score. An overall percentage score was calculated because some sites did not have all four components, for example, SMZs are not necessary on sites without streams. Of 191 randomly chosen logging sites across the state of Tennessee, 38, or 19.9%, were harvested by trained Master Loggers. A significant association (P < 0.05) was found between overall percentage score and logger training. The mean overall percentage score for Master Loggers was 75.1%, and the mean score for untrained loggers was 60.4%. Only 17 of the 627 possible scores or 2.6%, exhibited threats to water quality. Of these 17, Master Loggers were only responsible for 3. Point biserial correlations indicated that a substantial association (P < 0.05) existed between harvests completed by Master Loggers and the scores of haul roads, skid trails, log decks, and SMZ grades. This study indicates that loggers who received training from the TMLP were more likely to implement BMPs during harvesting operations on NIPF than loggers who did not participate in the Tennessee Master Logger Program. South. J. Appl. For. 27(1):36–40.

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