Results of Georgia's 2023 silvicultural best management practices implementation and compliance survey / Georgia Forestry Comission.

Results of Georgia's 2023 Silvicultural Best Management Practices
Implementation and Compliance Survey
Prepared by the Georgia Forestry Commission
in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Division
of the Department of Natural Resources,
State of Georgia December 5, 2023
The preparation of this report was financed in part through a grant from the United States Environmental Protection Agency under the provisions of
Section 319(h) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) is the lead agency, as designated by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), for statewide development, education, implementation, and monitoring for "Georgia's Best Management Practices for Forestry" (BMPs). Beginning in late-October of 2022, the GFC began the fourteenth Statewide Forestry BMP Implementation and Compliance Survey. Such surveys have been done periodically since 1991.

The objectives of the 2023 Statewide Forestry BMP Survey were to determine the following: rates of BMP implementation, miles of streams in compliance, miles of roads in compliance, total number of water quality risks identified, effectiveness of BMPs for any needed modifications, and ownership classes and regions to target for future training.

The protocol and scoring methodology for this fourteenth survey was consistent with the revised

recommendations developed and adopted by the Southern Group of State Foresters' (SGSF) BMP Monitoring

Task Force in June 2002, titled Silvicultural Best Management Practices Implementation Monitoring, a

Framework

for

State

Forestry

Agencies

at:

http://southernforests.org/wp-

content/uploads/2023/11/SGSF_BMP_Implementation_Monitoring_Framework_2007_UpdatedLogo.pdf

The SGSF Task Force is composed of hydrologists and water specialists from state forestry agencies, the US Forest Service, forest industry, and the National Council for Air and Stream Improvement (NCASI), in consultation with EPA Region IV nonpoint source specialists.

The 2023 Statewide Forestry BMP Survey evaluated 266 sites that were selected in a stratified random sample. These sites had to have been silviculturally treated within the past two years, preferably within the previous six months. By ownership, 170 sites occurred on non-industrial private forest land (NIPF), 59 sites on forest industry / corporate land, and 37 sites on public land. By physiographic region, 13 sites were in the Mountains, 18 sites were in the Ridge & Valley, 68 sites were in the Piedmont, 53 sites were in the Upper Coastal Plain and 114 sites were in the Lower Coastal Plain.

BMP implementation was determined by dividing the total number of individual BMPs that were applicable and fully implemented on the sites by the total number of applicable BMPs. Results were summarized for each practice or category, overall site, region, and statewide. Of the 9093 individual BMPs evaluated, the statewide percentage of correct implementation was 96.81 percent. This is a 4.23 percentage point change in BMP implementation from the 2021 survey. By ownership, the percentage of BMP implementation statewide was 98.33 percent on corporate lands, 98.39 percent on public lands, and 95.94 percent on NIPF lands. Corporate lands remained at a high level changing by 3.26 percentage points from 2021, while NIPF lands and public lands both changed by 5.5 and 1.28 percentage points respectively from the good levels from 2021.

A particularly positive note is that the number of Water Quality Risks observed decreased from 58 to 29. The average ratio of Water Quality Risks per site for the 2023 survey is calculated at 0.11. A more detailed discussion of Water Quality Risks can be found later in this report.

Best Management Practices compliance for stream and road length on all sites was evaluated on a mileage basis for this survey. It should be noted that this per unit BMP compliance scoring methodology goes beyond the SGSF recommendations for BMP monitoring and is specific to Georgia. BMP compliance was determined by dividing miles of streams or roads that were in compliance with BMPs, by the total number of miles of streams or roads. On the 266 sites, 56477.76 acres of separate forestry operations were evaluated. Of the 129.88 miles of streams evaluated, 128.55 (or 98.98 percent) were observed to have no impacts or impairment from forestry practices.
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This continues a very good score and even represents a 5.08 percentage point improvement from 2021. Of the 268.61 miles of roads evaluated, 260.23 miles, or 96.88 percent, were observed to have no impacts or impairment from forestry practices. This score is slightly better than the 2021 survey, representing a 0.42 percentage point change. By practice or category, statewide percentages of BMP implementation and compliance were as follows:

Practice or Category
Stream Crossings Forest Roads
Timber Harvesting Mechanical Site Preparation Chemical Site Preparation
Firebreaks/Burning Artificial Regeneration (Tree Planting)
Equipment Servicing Special Management Areas
Forest Fertilization Streamside Management Zones (SMZs)
Weighted Overall Average

2021

2023

Implementation (% BMPs Implemented)
85.53

% Point Change from 2021 Survey
+ 8.85

Implementation (% BMPs Implemented)
94.38

93.49

+ 2.08

95.57

97.08

+ 1.81

98.89

90.20

+ 5.85

96.05

97.19

+ 2.81

100.00

81.47

+ 8.36

89.83

93.89

+ 4.7

98.59

97.41

+ 1.94

99.35

91.53

+ 5.48

97.01

100

0

NA

90.98

+ 7.00

97.98

92.58

+ 4.23

96.81

Practice or Category
Stream Mileage Forest Roads Mileage

2021

2023

Compliance

% Point Change from

Compliance

(% Miles meeting BMPs)

2021 Survey

(% Miles meeting BMPs)

93.90 96.46

+ 5.08 + 0.42

98.98 96.88

Forest operators continue to do a good job of protecting sensitive areas. The score for SMZs remains good at 97.98 percent, and this represents a 7.00 percentage point improvement in BMP Implementation in the category of streamside management zones (SMZs). Stream crossings improved by 8.85 percentage points to a score of 94.38 percent, while special management areas maintained a good score of 97.01 percent. Generally forest operators as a whole, continue to do a good job of implementing forestry BMPs with an overall implementation rating of 96.81 percent. This 96.81 percent represents an improvement of 4.23 percentage points from 2021.
BMP implementation for forest roads improved by 2.08 percentage points to a score of 95.57 percent. There continues to be some room for improvement in the areas of stream crossings, and to a lesser extent, streamside management zones. One corporate site in the Mountains did score relatively poorly. However, in general and overall, most of the scores for stream crossings were good. Scores for forest roads were generally good as well with no water quality risks found. Streamside management zones (SMZs) scored well at 97.98 percent implementation overall. However, some extra attention to SMZs is warranted in the Piedmont and the Ridge and Valley regions. Firebreak/burning scores improved to 89.83 percent implementation, representing an 8.36 percentage point improvement. Continued education about firebreak/burning BMPs is needed for landowners and
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private contractors. We will continue to address this issue during Prescribed Burning Certification Classes held regularly throughout the state, and with any interactions with landowners and contractors. There were 150 stream crossings evaluated on 80 sites with an overall implementation rate of 94.38 percent, which represents an improvement of 8.85 percentage points from the 2021 survey. The most noted stream crossing problems were associated with approach design, culvert sizing, culvert installation, and the use of improper debris crossings and fill. BMPs related to stream crossings accounted for 20 of the total 29 water quality risks on all the survey sites. That represents 69 percent of the Water Quality Risks found during the entire 2023 Survey. A more detailed discussion of the BMP implementation changes in each category is located in the Educational Opportunities and Conclusion section of this report on pp.17-19.
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Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................2 INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................................7 SURVEY PROCEDURE................................................................................................................................8
Methodology for Sampling Intensity and Site Selection...................................................................8 Site Evaluation ..................................................................................................................................8 BMP Implementation ........................................................................................................................8 Significant Water Quality Risk .........................................................................................................9 BMP Compliance ..............................................................................................................................9 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ...................................................................................................................10 Statistical Analysis ..........................................................................................................................10 OVERALL BMP IMPLEMENTATION AND COMPLIANCE RESULTS BY CATEGORY OF PRACTICE ...................................................................................................................................................11 Streamside Management Zones (SMZs) .........................................................................................11 Stream Crossings .............................................................................................................................11 Forest Roads Outside SMZs............................................................................................................12 Special Management Areas .............................................................................................................12 Timber Harvesting Outside SMZs ..................................................................................................13 Mechanical Site Preparation Outside SMZs ...................................................................................13 Chemical Site Preparation Outside SMZs.......................................................................................13 Firebreaks/Burning Outside SMZs..................................................................................................14 Artificial Regeneration (Tree Planting) Outside SMZs ..................................................................14 Forest Fertilization ..........................................................................................................................15 Equipment Servicing .......................................................................................................................15 Stream Assessments ........................................................................................................................15 Overall Statewide Results ...............................................................................................................16 Water Quality Risk Assessment ......................................................................................................16 BMP Implementation data available by River Basin and Ecoregion ..............................................17 EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ..........................................................................................................17 CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................................19 APPENDIX ...................................................................................................................................................21 Table 1: Site Distribution by County and Ownership.................................................................... 21 Tables 2 a d: Distribution of Sites with Streamside Management Zones ................................... 24 Tables 3 a d: Distribution of Sites with Stream Crossings ......................................................... 25 Tables 4 a d: Distribution of Forest Road Sites .......................................................................... 26
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Table 5 a d: Overall Distribution of Special Management Areas ............................................... 27 Table 6 a d: Distribution of Harvesting Operations.................................................................... 28 Table 7 a d: Distribution of Mechanical Site Preparation Operations ........................................ 29 Table 8 a d: Distribution of Chemical Site Preparation Operations ........................................... 30 Table 9 a d: Distribution of Firebreak installation and Burning Operations .............................. 31 Table 10 a d: Distribution of Artificial Regeneration Operations .............................................. 32 Forest Fertilization ......................................................................................................................... 32 Table 11 a d: Distribution of Equipment Servicing Operations ................................................. 33 Table 12 a d: Distribution of Stream Types, Miles Assessed ..................................................... 34 Table 13 a d: Overall Distribution of Sites ................................................................................. 35 Chart 1a: Statewide Trends in BMP Implementation .................................................................... 36 Chart 1b: Statewide Trends in BMP Implementation.................................................................... 37 Chart 2: Statewide Trends in BMP Implementation on NIPF Sites .............................................. 38 Chart 3: Statewide Trends in BMP Implementation on Corporate Sites ....................................... 39 Chart 4: Statewide Trends in BMP Implementation on Public Sites............................................. 39 Chart 5: Statewide Trends in Reduction of WQRs from 1998 through 2023 Surveys.................. 39 Chart 6: Streamside Management Zone BMP implementation ..................................................... 42 Chart 7: Stream Crossing BMP Implementation ........................................................................... 42 Chart 8: Forest Road BMP Implementation .................................................................................. 43 Chart 9: Special Management Area BMP Implementation ........................................................... 43 Chart 10: Timber Harvesting BMP Implementation ..................................................................... 44 Chart 11: Mechanical Site Prep BMP Implementation.................................................................. 44 Chart 12: Chemical Site Prep BMP Implementation..................................................................... 45 Chart 13: Firebreak/Burning BMP Implementation ...................................................................... 45 Chart 14: Tree Planting BMP Implementation .............................................................................. 46 Chart 15: Equipment Servicing BMP Implementation.................................................................. 46 Forest Fertilization ......................................................................................................................... 47 Chart 16: Overall BMP Implementation........................................................................................ 47 Figure 1: 2023 BMP Survey Site Locations .................................................................................. 39 Figure 2: Physiographic Regions of Georgia................................................................................. 39 Figure 3: 2023 BMP Survey Sites with WQRs ............................................................................. 50 Figure 4: Georgia's 14 Major River Basins ................................................................................... 51 Figure 5: Georgia's Level IV Ecoregions ...................................................................................... 52
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INTRODUCTION
Georgia has an abundant amount of forest and water resources that provide a variety of benefits for the people of the state and region. The 24 million acres (2021 forest inventory and analysis) of commercial forestland (twothirds of the state) provide for forest products, clean water, clean air, soil conservation, wildlife habitat, recreation, aesthetics, education, and research. Many of the state's 44,056 miles of perennial streams, 23,906 miles of intermittent streams, and 603 miles of ditches and canals begin or flow through forestlands. Therefore, it is important for forest landowners to practice responsible forestry in order to protect these water resources.
The 1972 Federal Clean Water Act resulted in the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) being responsible for managing and protecting the state's waters from point and nonpoint sources of pollution. Since 1977, the EPD has designated the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) as the lead agency to develop, educate, implement and monitor the use of Best Management Practices (BMPs) for forestry operations to minimize or prevent the practice's nonpoint source pollution contributions (primarily erosion and sedimentation). Upon passage of the Clean Water Act (CWA) Amendments of 1987, the EPA issued guidance on the relationship of Nonpoint Source Controls and Water Quality Standards as part of the Water Quality Standards Handbook. To paraphrase the guidance: It is recognized that Best Management Practices, designed in accordance with a state approved process, are the primary mechanisms to enable the achievement of water quality standards. It goes on to explain that it is intended that proper installation of state approved BMPs will achieve water quality standards and will normally constitute compliance with the CWA.
BMPs for forestry were first developed and published in Georgia in 1981. A wetlands BMP manual was developed in 1990 and revised in 1993. In January 1999, these manuals were combined into one document, with input from environmental groups, soil and water experts, fish and wildlife biologists, attorneys, private forest landowners, independent timber buyers and loggers, academia, and state and federal water quality personnel. Since then, guidance for the treatment of canals and ditches was adopted in March 2000 and for floodplain features in riverine systems in July 2003. Guidance for headwater areas, i.e. ephemeral areas and gullies, was adopted in October 2005. These guidelines were merged into an updated BMP manual released in summer 2009. In 2019, the manual was updated slightly to include some additional clarification on firebreak BMPs. We also incorporated the new intermittent trout stream SMZs and some additional reference materials in the appendix. Since 1981, more than 96,540 BMP manuals and brochures have been distributed.
The main role of the GFC is to educate and inform the forestry community about these common-sense recommendations, known as BMPs, through workshops and field visits and demonstrations. Since publication of the first BMP manual, the GFC has given 3,566 BMP talks to more than 116,230 people and participated in 661 field demonstrations of BMPs (through December 2023). The education process is ongoing, with workshops routinely provided for foresters, timber buyers and loggers through the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Program in Georgia. Georgia Forestry Commission foresters have also provided BMP advice in more than 79,660 cases covering over 5.55 million acres.
Implementation of BMPs is determined through monitoring surveys. The GFC also tracks BMP implementation through BMP Assurance Exams in the regular course of carrying out complaint resolution. Of statistical importance are the monitoring surveys. The GFC has conducted BMP Implementation Surveys in 1991, 1992, 1998, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2021. This current 2023 statewide survey continues over 30 years of Forestry BMP monitoring in Georgia. The statewide average BMP implementation over this period has ranged from 65 percent in 1991, to a high of 96.81 percent in 2023. The purpose of this report is to present the results of the 2023 BMP Implementation and Compliance Survey.
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SURVEY PROCEDURE
Methodology for Sampling Intensity and Site Selection
The number of evaluation sites in each of Georgia's 159 counties was based on the amount of timber harvested in each county, as determined by the Georgia Forestry Commission's Forest Inventory Analysis report of wood removals by county. GFC's forest inventory analysis data collection is overseen by the US Forest Service. This methodology resulted in 266 sites being surveyed. The next step was to target the sample where the practices occurred, to reflect ownership. Ownership classes are categorized into non-industrial private forest (NIPF) land, corporate lands including forest industry and Timber Investment Management Organizations (TIMOs), and public lands, which include federal, state, county, or city ownership. The timber harvest drain for each county was used to target the number of sites to inspect per ownership class in each county. For the 2023 BMP Survey, 170 sites (63.91 percent) were inspected on NIPF lands, 59 sites (22.18 percent) on corporate, and 37 sites (13.91 percent) on public lands were inspected.
Georgia Forestry Commission personnel used satellite data from Sentinel 2 to pull land disturbance locations within a specified timeframe for the potential survey sites. The timeframe includes sites disturbed within the last two years. The sites were checked initially to confirm which sites were actually forestry sites. The forestry sites were separated by ownership category and the appropriate number of sites was drawn randomly. Table 1 (pages 21-23) shows the distribution of survey sites by county.
Site Evaluation
For this fourteenth survey, and as noted in the Executive Summary, the protocol and scoring methodology was consistent with the Southern Group of State Foresters' Protocol titled Silvicultural Best Management Practices Implementation Monitoring, a Framework for State Forestry Agencies at: http://southernforests.org/wpcontent/uploads/2023/11/SGSF_BMP_Implementation_Monitoring_Framework_2007_UpdatedLogo.pdf
After sites had been selected and verified in the field by county foresters or forest technicians, all landowners were contacted to obtain permission to conduct site evaluations. All evaluations were conducted by trained forest water quality specialists or region water quality foresters to provide accuracy, consistency, and quality control using the BMP Compliance Survey Form. For a blank copy of the 14-section 136 question form, please contact Scott Thackston (sthackston@gfc.state.ga.us).
Once a site was selected, the forest water quality specialist inspected the site and completed the survey form. Each site was identified by county, GFC region, physiographic region, ownership, river basin and sub-basin, silvicultural treatment type, terrain class, soil erodibility class, hydric soil limitation class, types of water bodies within the practice area, and miles of streams and roads evaluated within the practice area. Soils and stream data were determined using NRCS county soil survey maps, Web Soil Survey, or USGS topographical maps. Data could be extracted through each of these fields of information.
BMP Implementation
Each site was evaluated for BMP implementation by observing as much of the treated area as possible and answering the 136 specific, YES/NO questions directly related to BMP implementation. Scoring was determined at three levels on each site: (1) individual BMP; (2) category of practice; and (3) overall site implementation.
Level 1 - individual BMP implementation was recorded as either a NOT APPLICABLE, YES, or NO. For all applicable BMP's, each question was worded so that a YES represents a BMP that was implemented properly
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while a NO represents a BMP implemented improperly or not at all. If an individual BMP that was applicable and needed was not fully implemented over the entire area, it received a NO. There is no partial credit, as recommended by the SGSF framework.

Level 2 - categories of practice and Level 3 - overall site implementation, scores were expressed as a percent of all applicable BMPs implemented against all applicable BMPs in the category of practice and overall site. Therefore, each category of practice and overall site could score between 0 and 100 percent. The categories of practices evaluated were as follows:

Streamside Management Zones (SMZs) Stream Crossings Forest Roads Timber Harvesting Mechanical Site Preparation Chemical Site Preparation

Firebreaks/Burning Artificial Regeneration (Tree Planting) Equipment Servicing Special Management Areas Forest Fertilization

Significant Water Quality Risk
Each BMP was further evaluated in terms of significant water quality risk (WQR). A risk is defined by the SGSF framework for monitoring as an "existing on-the-ground condition resulting from failure to correctly implement BMPs, that if left unmitigated will likely result in an adverse change in the chemical, physical or biological condition of a waterbody. Such change may or may not violate water quality standards." Documenting the occurrence of risks serves a number of useful and practical purposes. First, risk assessment lends much credibility and integrity to the BMP monitoring process by evaluating the effectiveness of an individual or group of BMPs and allows opportunities to analyze ineffective BMPs for possible revisions. Second, it recognizes that high-risk conditions can occur and that prevention and/or restoration is a high priority for state forestry agencies. Third, routine documentation of risks will determine whether such instances are the exception rather than the rule. Finally, providing forest landowners with an objective risk assessment is a valuable public service that not only protects the environment, but can also protect the landowner and/or operator from what might otherwise result in enforcement proceedings or other personal liability.

BMP Compliance
BMP Compliance was also determined for the categories of forest roads and stream length. This scoring methodology goes beyond the SGSF BMP monitoring protocol and is specific to Georgia. However, this scoring methodology allowed for comparison with previous surveys in determining trends. Forest road and stream length were measured in miles. Scores were expressed as a percent of units of measure in full BMP compliance against the total units of measure evaluated. Documenting compliance with the units of measure is important in that it allows forest managers, landowners, and regulators to see the holistic picture of forestry operations and our effect on these critical categories. As with the implementation evaluation, the lack of BMP implementation may not necessarily equate to large-scale areas being out of compliance. For those two categories, it provides a better picture of locations to be prioritized for improvements.

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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The 2023 Statewide Forestry BMP Survey evaluated 266 sites comprising 56,477.76 acres. There were 150 stream crossings, 268.61 miles of forestry roads, and 129.88 stream miles evaluated. Table 1 (pages 21-23) shows the distribution of survey sites by county. Figure 1 (page 48) shows the spatial location of the 266 survey sites. Figure 2 (page 49) is a map of the state showing the different physiographic regions for reference. The tables, charts, and maps included with this report provide summaries of the distribution of the sites evaluated by region and ownership, as well as BMP implementation and compliance results.
Statistical Analysis
The 266 sites evaluated during this survey represent only a sample of all operations that met the criteria for selection. Data compiled from county tax assessors' offices indicates that the number of timber harvesting operations conducted annually ranges from 7,000 to 10,000. Therefore, one could assume the sample reflects a range of 3.8 percent to 2.7 percent sample at best. In order to achieve a statistically valid monitoring report, Georgia has adopted the Statistical Guide for BMP Implementation Monitoring. This guidance was developed by the Water Resources Committee of the Southern Group of State Foresters, to be used as a model for achieving statistically valid BMP monitoring.
The guide has been used to determine the number of sites needed to conduct a statistically reliable survey, to calculate the margin of error for each BMP category or individual BMP, and analyze statistical trends in implementation.

Formula for Determining the Sample Size, or Number of Sites to Evaluate

Where

4(100 - )

=

2

n = the number of sites to evaluate p = the estimated overall percent implementation in the state m = the margin of error (5%)

p must be estimated because it is unknown (% implementation from the most recent survey
may be used). The closer the estimated value of p is to 100, the lower the value of n will be. n is highest when p is estimated to be 50 percent. m is the margin of error associated with the estimate of P. That is, there is 0.95 probability
that the sample taken will produce an estimate that differs from p by a value of m.
The SGSF framework recommended a margin of error at five percent.

This formula provides the minimum sample size of 110 sites in order to achieve a five percent margin of error. We have evaluated 2.42 times the needed number of sites, so, using the formula, this level of survey should yield a margin of error of 3.21 percent for this survey. The reason the additional sites were assessed is so subsets of data in the survey, i.e., landowner groups, physiographic regions, river basins, etc., would be more statistically valid when used separately from statewide data.

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OVERALL BMP IMPLEMENTATION AND COMPLIANCE RESULTS BY CATEGORY OF PRACTICE
Streamside Management Zones (SMZs)
Streamside Management Zones (SMZs) are designated areas of varying widths adjacent to the banks of perennial (continuous flowing) or intermittent (normally flows only during winter/wetter months) streams and other bodies of water. USGS topographical maps and Natural Resource Conservation Service county soil survey maps along with field observations were used to identify these types of streams. In these SMZs, forest management practices are modified in order to minimize potential impacts to protect water quality, fish, or other aquatic resources. According to the 2019 BMP manual, SMZs along intermittent streams vary in width from 20 to 50 feet on most streams, depending on slope. A formal amendment was made to the trout stream SMZs in 2015 and incorporated into the actual manual in 2019. SMZs along intermittent trout streams are now 35 to 50 feet. SMZs along perennial streams vary from 40 to 100 feet, depending on slope, and SMZs should be 100 feet on perennial trout streams. Clearcutting is not recommended in the SMZs, except during the control of documented serious health/pest issues such as southern pine beetles or salvage operations from natural disasters. Special care should still be given to avoid adverse soil disturbance. Of note SMZs are also recommended for ponds, lakes, and sinkholes, per Georgia's Best Management Practices Guidelines for Forestry.
It is worth noting that during the course of this survey many sites had areas left where no harvesting occurred adjacent to streams. These unharvested areas are significantly wider than what is recommended by definition as an SMZ. Such areas provide all the water protection of an SMZ plus more multiple use benefits such as wildlife corridors, diversity, and aesthetics. However, areas were not judged as SMZs where they were significantly wider than normal SMZs, and therefore the forestry activities that did occur on the parcels do not have any effect on water quality. In addition, these areas were not marked to show that they were intentionally left as an SMZ. If such areas had been included as SMZs, then scores would likely have been even higher than recorded.
Table 2 (page 24) provides summaries of the results by ownership, region, and state totals. Chart 6 (page 42) provides total BMP Implementation over time. Notable findings include:
Statewide implementation for SMZs is 97.98 percent. Statewide BMP compliance for stream length is 98.98 percent. 4 WQRs were identified for SMZs (all in the Piedmont area). Overall, this was a good reduction of 14
WQRs from 2021. Implementation for overall SMZs have improved by 7.00 percentage points to a very good overall score
of 97.98 percent. Insufficient SMZ widths and logging debris left in stream channels, seem to be the most common BMP
deficiencies found in the SMZ category. Also, the proper tie-in of firebreaks within SMZs needs additional attention.
Stream Crossings
Stream crossings are often necessary for access to forestlands. From a water quality standpoint, stream crossings are the most critical aspect of the road system. Failure of a stream crossing due to improper planning or construction can result in erosion and introduction of sediment into a stream, affecting water quality. Types of acceptable crossings include main haul road fords, culvert crossings, and bridges. Dirt/Debris-type crossings and skidder fords are not acceptable crossing types. Permanent crossings are considered those still in place at the time of inspection. Temporary crossings were noted where crossing approaches were still evident, but the actual crossing facility (i.e. temporary bridge, culvert and fill, etc.) had been removed.
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Table 3 (page 25) provides a summary of the results by ownership, region, and state totals. Chart 7 (page 42) provides total BMP Implementation over time. A total of 150 crossings were evaluated on 80 sites statewide. Significant findings include:
Statewide implementation for stream crossings is 94.38 percent. This is an 8.85 percentage point improvement from 2021.
Stream crossings scores improved in all regions by at least 1.11 percentage points. 20 WQRs were associated with stream crossings in 2023, compared to 33 WQRs for 2021. This is a good
39.39% reduction in WQRs for stream crossings compared to 2021. Of note, 4 of the 20 total WQRs associated with stream crossings occurred on a single corporate site in
the Mountain region. This one odd site made up 1/5th of the WQRs for stream crossings. The WQRs associated with stream crossings were distributed as follows: 15 for Non-Industrial Private
ownerships, 5 for Corporate ownerships, and 0 for Public ownerships. Areas for improvement in stream crossings continue to be stream crossing approach design, culvert
installation and culvert sizing with respect to storm flow, culvert placement with respect to migration of aquatic species, and proper removal/restoration of temporary crossings.
Forest Roads Outside SMZs
Access roads are an essential part of any forest management operation and provide access for other activities, permanent or temporary. With proper planning, location, construction and maintenance, access roads allow for productive operations and minimally impact soil and water quality. However, poorly located, poorly constructed, and/or poorly maintained roads can result in sediment reaching streams. These factors may lead to changing stream flow patterns, degrading fish and aquatic organism habitat, and adversely affected aesthetics.
Table 4 (page 26) provides a summary of the results by region, ownership, and state totals. Chart 8 (page 43) provides total BMP Implementation over time. Approximately 268.61 miles of road were evaluated on 254 sites. Forest road BMP implementation showed an improvement of 2.08 percentage points from the 2021 survey. Significant findings include:
Forest roads BMP implementation across all ownerships is 95.57 percent. Forest roads compliance is 96.88 percent, a very slight improvement of 0.42 percentage points. There were zero WQRs associated with forest roads. Challenges for forest roads BMP implementation continues to be properly installing water diversions and
stabilizing and reshaping of forest roads after activities are complete.
Special Management Areas
This category applies to canals and ditches, riverine floodplain features, headwater/ephemeral areas, and wetlands that could possibly transport sediments and other pollutants into other water bodies. These areas need some measure of protection, but normally do not need to be treated as streams.
Table 5 (page 27) provides a summary of the results by region, ownership, and state totals. Chart 9 (page 43) provides total BMP Implementation over time. Statewide, there were 216 sites with canals, ditches, ephemeral areas, gullies, floodplain features, and/or wetland features. Other significant findings include:
Special management area BMP implementation across all ownerships was 97.01 percent. This represents a 5.48 percentage point improvement from 2021. 12

There were just 2 WQRs associated with special management areas, this was 4 less than the number found in 2021. One WQR involved reactivating a gully. The other WQR involved not fully protecting a floodplain feature.
Additionally, problems were found with firebreaks crossing gullies and not using low impact methods.
Timber Harvesting Outside SMZs
Timber harvesting outside of SMZs poses little threat to water quality in Georgia. Potential impacts can be avoided or minimized if careful consideration is given to seasonal weather conditions, soil type, soil moisture, topography, and equipment type matched to the particular harvesting site. The location, construction, and maintenance of log decks and skid trails are the primary concerns.
Table 6 (page 28) provides a summary of the results by ownership, region, and state total. Chart 10 (page 44) provides total BMP Implementation over time. Approximately 27,923.99 acres were evaluated on 239 sites. A total of 880 log decks and 1,452 main skid trails were evaluated. Other significant findings include:
Timber harvesting outside SMZs BMP implementation, across all ownerships, is 98.89 percent. All BMPs for Timber Harvesting scored 92 percent or better. There were just two WQRs associated with Timber Harvesting. Both were the result of failing to properly
stabilize skid trails.
Mechanical Site Preparation Outside SMZs
Site preparation methods groom harvested and non-forested areas for the natural and artificial regeneration of desired tree species and stocking. Methods include shearing, raking, chopping, windrowing, piling, bedding, and other physical methods to cut, break apart or move logging debris, or to improve soil conditions prior to planting. The purpose is to reduce logging impacts and debris, control competing vegetation, and enhance seedling survival. The technique or method(s) used depends on soil type, topography, erodibility, condition of the site, and any wetland limitations.
Table 7 (page 29) provides a summary of the results by region, ownership, and state totals. Chart 11 (page 44) provides total BMP Implementation over time. Statewide, approximately 4,074.66 acres were evaluated on 35 sites. Significant findings include:
Mechanical Site Prep BMP implementation is 5.85 percentage points higher than the 2021 survey. It now sits at 96.05 percent.
There were no WQRs found associated with Mechanical Site Prep. Mechanical Site Prep for pine regeneration in wetlands identified in EPA/USACE memo did not occur
on any applicable sites surveyed. The main challenge observed for Mechanical Site Prep is avoiding bedding that directs water into
roadways and ditches.
Chemical Site Preparation Outside SMZs
Herbicides are valuable tools used in forest management to control competing vegetation, invasive species, and enhance tree survival and growth. On many highly erodible sites, the use of herbicides is actually more effective than exposing too much surface area by mechanical site preparation methods. By following EPA approved labels that govern storage, transportation, handling, and application, herbicide application should not pose any threat to water quality.
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Table 8 (page 30) provides a summary of the results by region, ownership, and state totals. Chart 12 (page 45) provides total BMP Implementation over time. Statewide, approximately 8,995.67 acres were evaluated on 93 sites. Significant findings include:
BMP implementation and compliance for Chemical Site Prep is 100.00 percent, a 2.81 percentage point improvement from 2021.
Firebreaks/Burning Outside SMZs
Controlled burning is often used alone or in conjunction with chemical or mechanical site preparation to prepare sites for regeneration. It may also be used during timber stand management to control or reduce hazardous accumulations of forest fuels, manage competing vegetation, improve wildlife habitat, and perpetuate certain endangered plant and animal ecosystems. Additionally, wildfires burn forestland acres as well.
Approximately 6010.84 acres were evaluated for burning including 120.01 miles of firebreaks. There was a total of 73 sites evaluated for firebreaks/burning. BMP implementation was 89.83 percent. The score improved by 8.36 percentage points from 2021. The main challenges involved firebreaks including proper construction and spacing of water diversions, avoiding intersections with forest roads, and improperly tying into streamside management zones or special management areas. Firebreaks are created by various methods to contain prescribed burns and wildfires. If properly installed according to BMP guidelines, firebreak impacts on water quality can be minimized.
Of the 73 sites, 38 sites included GFC installed firebreaks. GFC installed firebreaks scored 92.02 percent BMP implementation. There were 36 sites that included landowner (private and public) or contractor installed firebreaks. For the 2023 survey landowner/contractor installed firebreaks scored 86.86 percent BMP implementation. Historically relatively little firebreak BMP training has occurred for landowner or contractors. GFC personnel receive regular training on firebreak BMPs. GFC will continue providing some firebreak BMP training to landowners and contractors during regularly held Prescribed Burn Certification classes.
Table 9 (page 31) provides a summary of the results by region, ownership, and state totals. Chart 13 (page 45) provides total BMP Implementation over time.
Artificial Regeneration (Tree Planting) Outside SMZs
Reforestation can be accomplished artificially or naturally. Natural regeneration and hand planting generally pose less of a threat to water quality than mechanical methods. Table 10 (page 32) provides a summary of the results by region, ownership, and state totals. Chart 14 (page 46) provides total BMP Implementation over time. Approximately 8,659.39 acres were evaluated on 87 sites. Overall BMP implementation for artificial regeneration was 98.59 percent. That maintains a high level of BMP Implementation. Significant findings include:
BMPs were fully implemented on the vast majority of these sites. Just one water quality risk was identified on a corporate site in the Piedmont region where the planting
did not properly follow the contour.
14

Forest Fertilization
For the 2023 BMP Survey, no known fertilization sites were selected during the random site selection process. Indicators of this particular practice include evidence of mixing areas and containers on the site. Since the BMPs call for the removal and proper disposal of containers, fertilization that was not obvious or reported may have occurred.
Equipment Servicing
Improper equipment washing and servicing can introduce hazardous or toxic materials to the site, which can affect water quality. Oils, lubricants, their containers, other trash, and waste should be disposed of properly.
Table 11 (page 33) provides a summary of the results by region, ownership, and state totals. Chart 15 (page 46) provides total BMP Implementation over time. A total of 913 landings were evaluated on 258 sites. Significant findings include:
BMP implementation for Equipment Servicing was 99.35 percent, up by 1.94 percentage points from 2021. There were no WQRs found for this category.
The most common issue was improper disposal of oil/lubricants, containers, and other trash. All BMPs assessed for Equipment Servicing were implemented at or above 98 percent.
Stream Assessments
Perhaps the most important observation in evaluating the effectiveness of BMPs was the visual assessment of the water bodies on each site. A total of 129.88 miles of streams on 160 sites were evaluated for visual signs of impairment. Those signs could include obvious soil erosion entering the stream, logging debris left in the channel, improper stream crossings resulting in blocked flow, excessive removal of canopy trees within the SMZs exposing the stream to elevated temperatures, and impaired stream bank or channel integrity due to forestry practices. Table 12 (page 34) provides a summary of the results by region, ownership, and state totals by stream type. A total of 75.16 miles of perennial streams were assessed on these sites. Of these, 99.71 percent were in compliance. A total of 54.72 miles of intermittent streams were assessed on these sites. Of these, 97.97 percent were in compliance. Total combined stream compliance was 98.98 percent. Significant findings include:
29 water quality risks (WQRs), total, were identified statewide There were 20 WQRs (68.97 percent of the total) involving stream crossings
7 of these were associated with steam crossing approaches 6 were associated with temporary fills not removed in their entirety 3 involved the disruption of the migration of aquatic species 1 involved the stabilization of exposed soils on a wetland fill road 1 were instances where skidder fords were not avoided 1 involved culvert sizing and proper installation 1 involved crossings not properly designed to prevent the restriction of expected flood flow Of note, 4 of the 20 total WQRs associated with stream crossings occurred on a single corporate
site in the Mountain region.
Within SMZs, there were 4 WQRs (13.79 percent of the state total of WQRs). 2 were associated with logging debris in stream channels 1 involved a firebreak lacking proper water diversions where tied in at the SMZ margins 1 involved mechanical site prep not being kept fully out of the SMZ 15

Of note is the fact that all 4 WQRs for SMZs were found in the Piedmont region.
2 WQRs were associated with Special Management Areas. 1 involved not avoiding reactivating a gully 1 involved not fully protecting the bank of a floodplain feature
2 WQRs were associated with Timber Harvesting for skid trails on rolling/steep terrain not being properly stabilized.
1 WQR was associated with Tree Planting where machine planting was not done on the contour.
Overall, the 98.98 percent stream compliance figure in Georgia further supports that BMPs are protecting water resources.
Overall Statewide Results
Table 13 (page 35) provides the statewide implementation results of the total number of sites, the acres evaluated, the number of BMPs evaluated, and the number of water quality risks determined by region and ownership. Chart 16 (page 47) provides total BMP Implementation over time. Statewide, the overall BMP implementation for all practices, all landownership classes, and all regions, was found to be 96.81 percent. This is a 4.23 percentage point improvement from the 2021 survey, a very good score. Using the SGSF BMP Monitoring Framework Guidance, a sample size of 266 sites for this survey results in a margin of error of 3.21 percent.
Water Quality Risk Assessment Water Quality Risk assessments were made at each site as a component of the Southern Group of State Foresters' BMP monitoring protocol. Water Quality Risks (WQRs) were observed at 29 specific locations on just 15 sites, out of the 266 total survey sites. This indicates that only a small portion of sites contain any WQRs. The total of 29 WQRs is exactly half of the previous BMP survey in 2021, representing a 50 percent improvement from the 2021 survey. Looking into these numbers a little deeper, it can be seen that 94.36 percent or 251 of the 266 sites surveyed for 2023 had no WQRs. Overall, it is clear that a small percentage of the sites surveyed account for all the observable Water Quality Risks seen. Additionally, of note is the fact that for the 2023 Survey, 5 (or 17.24 percent) of the total 29 WQRs, were found on one single poorly executed corporate site in the Mountain region. Below is a table showing the distribution of Water Quality Risk occurrence over the past 10 survey cycles.

Survey Year
2004 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019 2021 2023

Survey Done
412 370 221 187 209 213 232 254 260 266

0 WQ Risks 1-3 WQ Risks 4-6 WQ Risks 7-9 WQ Risks
352 85.44% 36 8.74% 13 3.16% 5 1.21% 328 88.65% 21 5.68% 15 4.05% 4 1.08% 212 95.93% 8 3.62% 1 0.45% 0 0.00% 178 95.19% 7 3.74% 1 0.53% 1 0.53% 185 88.52% 13 6.22% 6 2.87% 3 1.44% 199 93.43% 7 3.29% 3 1.41% 3 1.41% 214 92.24% 13 5.60% 4 1.72% 1 0.43% 230 90.55% 23 9.06% 1 0.39% 0 0.00% 231 88.85% 25 9.62% 3 1.15% 0 0.00% 251 94.36% 14 5.26% 1 0.38% 0 0.00%

10 or more WQ Risks
6 1.46% 2 0.54% 0 0.00% 0 0.00% 2 0.96% 1 0.47% 0 0.00% 0 0.00% 1 0.38% 0 0.00%

16

BMP Implementation data available by River Basin and Ecoregion

Regional Water Councils can extract similar statistics for each of the 14 major river basins (Figure 4, page 51), 52 sub-basins, and 12-digit HUCs for use in accordance to the Georgia Comprehensive State-wide Water Management Plan. Each of Georgia's 28 Ecoregions (Figure 5, page 52) could also be used to extract the survey statistics.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

For the 2023 Forestry Survey, BMP implementation improved for all categories including the following:

Stream Crossings Firebreaks/Burning Streamside Management Zones (SMZs) Mechanical Site Preparation Special Management Areas Artificial Regeneration (Tree Planting) Chemical Site Preparation
Forest Roads Equipment Servicing Timber Harvesting Forest Fertilization Weighted Overall Average

+ 8.85 +8.36 + 7.00 + 5.85 + 5.48 + 4.70 + 2.81 + 2.08 + 1.94 + 1.81 NA + 4.23

Our educational opportunities will continue to address these categories to maintain good scores. However, there is always some room for improvement, especially on critical area where we have seen issues in the past. We will concentrate our educational efforts wherever needed. In particular, educational opportunities include:
Stream Crossings Stream crossing approach design and stabilization Proper removal and rehab of temporary crossings Culvert crossing design, installation, and planning Basic stream crossing design needs, including storm flow and aquatic migration requirements Temporary portable bridge use
Streamside Management Zones (SMZs) Maintaining recommended minimum SMZ widths Maintaining recommended minimum residual basal area within SMZs Maintaining streambank trees Keeping logging debris out of stream channels Proper water diversions for firebreaks when tied in at the SMZ margins Properly tying firebreaks into streams with low impact methods Minimizing soil disturbance in SMZs

17

Firebreaks/Burning Outside of SMZs Proper firebreak planning and water diversion installation Proper tie-in with roads and other sensitive areas such as ephemeral areas
Forest Roads Outside of SMZs Proper water diversion design and placement Proper closeout needs following harvest activities
Timber Harvesting Outside of SMZs Skid trail stabilization requirements
Mechanical Site Preparation Outside of SMZs Avoidance of bedding directing surface runoff to roads and road-ditches
Special Management Areas Keeping debris out of canals/ditches Avoiding interference with natural flow in ephemeral areas Avoidance of direct tie in from road and firebreak diversions into ephemerals and gullies Using low impact methods for firebreaks Identifying and preserving the Special Management Area features
Artificial Regeneration Outside of SMZs Machine planting on the contour
Equipment Servicing Proper disposal of oils, lubricants, containers, and/or trash
Charts 1 through 4 (pages 36-40) are perhaps the most important tools in this document for determining BMP implementation trends. These charts provide an overall summary and comparison of BMP implementation by practice and ownership over recent survey cycles. They also provide impetus for continued training and improvement. The table below illustrates BMP Implementation according to three tract size groupings.

Tract Size
Under 100 Acres 101-200 Acres 201 Acres or more All

No. Sites
162 63 41 266

Acres
17870.82 17078.5 21528.44 56477.76

BMPs Assessed
5172 2292 1629 9093

% BMPs Implemented
97.18% 96.68% 95.83% 96.81%

WQ Risks
9 8 12 29

As shown in the above table, differences in the BMP implementation scores for different tract sizes appear to be small, and all the tract size categories showed good scores above 95 percent. In the past, we have seen trends that indicated poorer BMP implementation and/or more problems with water quality risks (WQRs) on smaller tracts versus larger tracts. For the 2023 BMP Survey we did not see a definitive trend related to tract size. However, the good scores and reduced number of water quality risks overall seem to indicate something positive. Tracts under 100 acres now seem to be doing much better than in the past and comparable to the larger tracts in general. It is noteworthy that out of the 12 WQRs found on larger tracts, 5 were found on a single large corporate tract in the Mountain region.
Although this survey did not see a trend with smaller tracts having more issues with BMP implementation or WQRs, we still need to be aware of certain potential problems associated with smaller tract parcelization.
As has been noted in previous surveys, problems could result from the following: potential poor road location due to tract boundary constraints, potentially more stream crossings due to the access issues and boundary locations of smaller tracts, and having more roads and stream crossings simply because there are more landowners
18

needing access across their parcels. Therefore, we know from experience that parcelization of land into more and smaller parcels has the real potential to lead to other problems. Also, since smaller landowners often have fewer resources and/or knowledge of forestry, problems are often left unnoticed or given little attention, potentially resulting in more water quality risks on such ownerships. When land is allocated into larger tracts, there are fewer owners, and therefore, less need for stream crossings and access points from public roads. Larger landowners also tend to have more resources and/or knowledge of forestry to recognize and address potential issues.
All of these results suggest a need for continued outreach to landowners of all sizes of tracts. The GFC has already undertaken efforts to make BMP educational information available in-person and online. GFC has worked with partners to provide BMP educational content for in-person and online Master Timber Harvester (MTH) training, as well as Continuing Logger Education (CLE). Currently, GFC has 3 BMP learning modules available for anyone to access at any time to learn about forestry BMPs. Those module titles include Forest Roads and Pre-Harvest Planning, along with a slide-show depicting detailed installation steps for geotextile rocked ford stream crossing installation. These modules are located on GFC's public website at: https://gatrees.org/forest-managementconservation/water-quality-protection/. Additional modules might be created in the future to continue to address needs. In addition, an ongoing effort further promotes the use of temporary portable bridges for timber harvesting. Although we continue to see efforts made to avoid the need for stream crossings during timber harvesting activities, issues persist with skidders using inadequate crossings. An increased use of proper temporary and/or portable logging bridge stream crossings would help avoid many of these problems. Also, for mechanical site prep, there is a need to re-emphasize the avoidance of bedding directing surface runoff into roads and road-ditches. Finally, we plan to continue to emphasize the BMPs for firebreak installation through our Prescribed Burn Certification training for landowners and contractors.
Chart 5 (page 41) shows the current number of Water Quality Risks (WQRs) observed in BMP implementation surveys between the 1998 survey and the present. There had been a dramatic decline in these observed WQRs until the 2013 survey, which exposed some issues with basic BMP implementation and planning, leading to an uptick in WQRs for that 2013 survey. However, in 2015, 2017, and 2019, the WQRs went back down. The 2021 survey showed another uptick in WQRs. However, this uptick was less significant, and as has been the case in past surveys, the vast majority of those WQRs were concentrated on just a small number of poorly executed sites. For the 2023 survey, we saw a good decrease in the number of WQRs, down 50% from 2021.
CONCLUSION
Since the survey first started in 1991, the BMP Implementation score has improved greatly from 65 percent in 1991, to a new high of 96.81 percent for the 2023 survey. The BMP Implementation score has been high and remained high (about 90% or above) since 2004 (about 19 years). The current 2023 survey shows that the BMP Implementation score remains very strong with a score of 96.81 percent overall. The percentage of stream miles in compliance remains very high at 98.98 percent. Since the 1998 survey, the number of water quality risks has decreased significantly, but did experience a significant upswing in the 2013 survey. However, the number of WQRs decreased back down to good levels between 2013 and 2019. The 2021 survey showed another uptick on WQRs. However, this uptick was less significant, and as has been the case in past surveys, the vast majority of those WQRs were concentrated on just a small number of poorly executed sites. 2023 shows a good decrease in the number of WQRs. This continued the overall long-term downward trend for the number of WQRs. Chart 5 (page 41) tracks the level of observed Water Quality Risks since the 1998 survey.
The 2023 BMP implementation survey shows the need for continued BMP education efforts in order to help stabilize BMP implementation at satisfactory levels. Although the survey shows relatively high overall rates of BMP implementation, it also reveals areas for improvement within certain BMP categories and across certain landowner groups in the state. The information from this survey will be used to target BMP training at Master
19

Timber Harvester workshops, SWPA workshops, and forester and landowner workshops and trainings. In addition, the increased availability and use of portable logging bridges would help maintain/increase stream crossing BMP implementation. GFC will continue to use available means to resolve forestry BMP complaints. The Georgia Forestry Commission, the Georgia Forestry Association, the University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, participating companies who subscribe to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, and the Southeastern Wood Producers Association support this concept. The Georgia SFI committee will continue to monitor and address "violators," as reported to their Inconsistent Practices sub-committee. Non-compliance cases will be referred to state or federal regulatory agencies as needed.
20

APPENDIX Table 1: Site Distribution by County and Ownership Type

County
Appling Atkinson
Bacon Baldwin Banks Bartow Ben Hill Berrien Bleckley Brantley Brooks Bryan Bulloch Burke
Butts Calhoun Camden Candler Carroll Charlton Chattahoochee Chattooga Cherokee
Clay Clinch Coffee Colquitt Columbia Cook Crawford Dade Dawson Decatur Dodge Dooly Early Echols Effingham Elbert Emanuel Evans Floyd Franklin

Public 1
1 1

Corporate
2

1

1

2 1 1

1

1

1

3 1 1
2 1 6

1
3 2 2
21

NIPF 1 2
1
2 2 1
1 1 1 1 4 4 1 1 3 1 2
2 1
2 1 1 1 1 1
2 4 2 2
1
3 1 1 3

Totals
2 2 3 1 3 2 1 2 1 3 2 2 4 6 1 1 4 1 2 3 1 3 3 1 6 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 4 2 2 3 3 2 3 1 1 3

County
Gilmer Glascock
Glynn Gordon Grady Greene Habersham Hancock Haralson Harris
Hart Heard Henry Irwin Jackson Jasper Jeff Davis Jefferson Jenkins Johnson Jones Lamar Lanier Laurens Lee Liberty Long Lumpkin Macon Madison Marion McDuffie McIntosh Meriwether Miller Mitchell Monroe Montgomery Morgan Murray Oconee Oglethorpe Pickens Pierce
Pike
Polk

Public Corporate
1
2 3

1 1
1 1

1 1

1

2

2

1

1

1

1

1

1

1 1
2 1
1
22

NIPF 1 1
2 2
1 1 2 1 2 2
1 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 1
4 1 1 2 1 1 1 1
1 2 1 2 2 1 1 1 2 1 3

Totals
1 1 1 2 2 2 4 1 2 1 2 2 1 2 1 3 2 2 1 2 2 1 1 4 1 4 2 3 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 2 1 3 3 1 3 2 2
1
4

County
Pulaski Putnam Quitman Randolph Schley Screven Seminole Spalding Stewart Sumter Talbot Taliaferro Tattnall Taylor Telfair Terrell Thomas
Tift Toombs Treutlen Troup Turner Twiggs Union Upson Walker Walton
Ware Warren Washington Wayne Wheeler Whitfield
Wilcox Wilkes Wilkinson Worth
Total

Public
1 1

Corporate
1 1
1

2 1 1 2

1 1

1

1

1

3

1

2

3

2

2

1

1

37

59

NIPF 1 1 1 2 1 4 1 2
1 1 1 2 2 3 1
1 2 1 1 1 2
1
1 2 2 3 4 2 1 2 2 3 1
170

Totals
2 3 2 2 2 4 1 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 3 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 2 1 3 3 1 5 5 3 4 2 3
2 4 4 2
266

23

Tables 2 a d: Distribution of Sites with Streamside Management Zones Evaluated By Region, Ownership, Acres Evaluated, # BMPs Assessed, % BMPs Implemented, and # Water Quality Risks.

2a. Streamside Management Zones - NIPF

Region

No. Sites Acres BMPs Assessed

Mountains

3

11.45

26

Piedmont

36

157.59

327

Upper Coastal Plain

19

56.3

192

Lower Coastal Plain

32

88.87

312

Ridge and Valley

10

68.06

100

Total

100

382.27

957

2b. Streamside Management Zones - Public

Region

No. Sites Acres BMPs Assessed

Mountains

6

61.75

54

Piedmont

9

97.24

77

Upper Coastal Plain

3

10.89

30

Lower Coastal Plain

5

14.91

42

Ridge and Valley

4

75.68

32

Total

27

260.47

235

2c. Streamside Management Zones - Corporate

Region

No. Sites Acres BMPs Assessed

Mountains

1

20.59

9

Piedmont

16

83

149

Upper Coastal Plain

8

35.4

61

Lower Coastal Plain

7

28.81

64

Ridge and Valley

1

2.67

9

Total

33

170.47

292

2d. Streamside Management Zones - All Ownership

Region

No. Sites Acres BMPs Assessed

Mountains

10

93.79

89

Piedmont

61

337.83

553

Upper Coastal Plain

30

102.59

283

Lower Coastal Plain

44

132.59

418

Ridge and Valley

15

146.41

141

Total

160

813.21

1484

% BMPs Implemented 100.00% 96.33% 97.92% 98.72% 95.00% 97.39%
% BMPs Implemented 100.00% 98.70% 100.00% 100.00% 96.88% 99.15%
% BMPs Implemented 88.89% 98.66% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 98.97%
% BMPs Implemented 98.88% 97.29% 98.59% 99.04% 95.74% 97.98%

WQ Risks 0 2 0 0 0 2
WQ Risks 0 1 0 0 0 1
WQ Risks 0 1 0 0 0 1
WQ Risks 0 4 0 0 0 4

24

Tables 3 a d: Distribution of Sites with Stream Crossings Evaluated by Region, Ownership, # Crossings Assessed, # BMPs Assessed, % BMPs Implemented, and Water Quality Risks.

3a. Stream and Wetland Crossings - NIPF

Region

No. Sites Crossings BMPs Assessed

Mountains

0

0

0

Piedmont

16

31

199

Upper Coastal Plain

12

15

155

Lower Coastal Plain

15

18

208

Ridge and Valley

8

12

95

Total

51

76

657

3b. Stream and Wetland Crossings - Public

Region

No. Sites Crossings BMPs Assessed

Mountains

2

8

31

Piedmont

2

4

21

Upper Coastal Plain

0

0

0

Lower Coastal Plain

4

6

58

Ridge and Valley

4

15

51

Total

12

33

161

3c. Stream and Wetland Crossings - Corporate

Region

No. Sites Crossings BMPs Assessed

Mountains

1

13

14

Piedmont

6

12

85

Upper Coastal Plain

4

5

40

Lower Coastal Plain

5

9

66

Ridge and Valley

1

2

9

Total

17

41

214

3d. Stream and Wetland Crossings - All Ownership

Region

No. Sites Crossings BMPs Assessed

Mountains

3

21

45

Piedmont

24

47

305

Upper Coastal Plain

16

20

195

Lower Coastal Plain

24

33

332

Ridge and Valley

13

29

155

Total

80

150

1032

% BMPs Implemented NA
90.45% 94.19% 96.63% 89.47% 93.15%
% BMPs Implemented 100.00% 100.00% NA 100.00% 94.12% 98.14%
% BMPs Implemented 50.00% 96.47% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 95.33%
% BMPs Implemented 84.44% 92.79% 95.38% 97.89% 91.61% 94.38%

WQ Risks 0 5 3 4 3 15
WQ Risks 0 0 0 0 0 0
WQ Risks 4 1 0 0 0 5
WQ Risks 4 6 3 4 3 20

25

Tables 4 a d: Distribution of Forest Road Sites Evaluated By Region, Ownership, # Miles Assessed, % Compliance, # BMP Assessed, % BMPs Implemented, and Water Quality Risks.

4a. Forest Road Sites - NIPF

Region

No. Sites Miles % Miles Compliance BMPs Assessed % BMPs Implemented WQ Risks

Mountains

3

1.71

100.00%

31

100.00%

0

Piedmont

43 21.9

95.21%

463

94.60%

0

Upper Coastal Plain 37 36.99

92.27%

304

92.43%

0

Lower Coastal Plain 67 51.46

94.81%

508

93.90%

0

Ridge and Valley

12 7.31

99.59%

132

93.18%

0

Total

162 119.37

94.46%

1438

93.88%

0

4b. Forest Road Sites - Public

Region

No. Sites Miles % Miles Compliance BMPs Assessed % BMPs Implemented WQ Risks

Mountains

9 17.16

100.00%

103

100.00%

0

Piedmont

8 11.37

99.91%

89

98.88%

0

Upper Coastal Plain

3

6.42

100.00%

22

100.00%

0

Lower Coastal Plain

9 30.57

98.36%

82

95.12%

0

Ridge and Valley

4

5.57

99.64%

43

97.67%

0

Total

33 71.09

99.25%

339

98.23%

0

4c. Forest Road Sites - Corporate

Region

No. Sites Miles % Miles Compliance BMPs Assessed % BMPs Implemented WQ Risks

Mountains

1

2.23

100.00%

10

100.00%

0

Piedmont

16 12.68

95.90%

193

97.93%

0

Upper Coastal Plain 11 14.45

98.48%

93

97.85%

0

Lower Coastal Plain 29 48.59

98.97%

213

99.06%

0

Ridge and Valley

2

0.2

100.00%

19

100.00%

0

Total

59 78.15

98.41%

528

98.48%

0

4d. Forest Road Sites - All Ownership

Region

No. Sites Miles % Miles Compliance BMPs Assessed % BMPs Implemented WQ Risks

Mountains

13 21.1

100.00%

144

100.00%

0

Piedmont

67 45.95

96.56%

745

95.97%

0

Upper Coastal Plain 51 57.86

94.68%

419

94.03%

0

Lower Coastal Plain 105 130.62

97.19%

803

95.39%

0

Ridge and Valley

18 13.08

99.62%

194

94.85%

0

Total

254 268.61

96.88%

2305

95.57%

0

26

Table 5 a d: Distribution of Sites with Special Management Areas Evaluated By Region, Ownership, BMPs Assessed, % BMPs Implemented, and Water Quality Risks.

5a. Special Management Areas - NIPF

Region

No. Sites

BMPs Assessed

Mountains

3

6

Piedmont

43

233

Upper Coastal Plain

29

129

Lower Coastal Plain

42

139

Ridge and Valley

12

46

Total

129

553

5b. Special Management Areas - Public

Region

No. Sites

BMPs Assessed

Mountains

9

20

Piedmont

9

62

Upper Coastal Plain

4

22

Lower Coastal Plain

9

34

Ridge and Valley

4

14

Total

35

152

5c. Special Management Areas - Corporate

Region

No. Sites

BMPs Assessed

Mountains

1

9

Piedmont

16

95

Upper Coastal Plain

10

46

Lower Coastal Plain

23

112

Ridge and Valley

2

4

Total

52

266

5d. Special Management Areas - All Ownership

Region

No. Sites

BMPs Assessed

Mountains

13

35

Piedmont

68

390

Upper Coastal Plain

43

197

Lower Coastal Plain

74

285

Ridge and Valley

18

64

Total

216

971

% BMPs Implemented 100.00% 96.57% 95.35% 94.24% 100.00% 96.02%
% BMPs Implemented 100.00% 96.77% 100.00% 94.12% 100.00% 97.37%
% BMPs Implemented 100.00% 98.95% 97.83% 99.11% 100.00% 98.87%
% BMPs Implemented 100.00% 97.18% 96.45% 96.14% 100.00% 97.01%

WQ Risks 0 0 0 1 0 1
WQ Risks 0 0 0 0 0 0
WQ Risks 0 1 0 0 0 1
WQ Risks 0 1 0 1 0 2

27

Table 6 a d: Distribution of Sites with Harvesting Operations Evaluated By Region, Ownership, Acres Assessed, # BMPs Assessed, % BMPs Implemented, and Water Quality Risks.

6a. Timber Harvesting Outside SMZs - NIPF

Region

No. Sites Acres BMPs Assessed

Mountains

3

232.15

24

Piedmont

43

3915.47

323

Upper Coastal Plain

37

5190.76

263

Lower Coastal Plain

62

4480.1

422

Ridge and Valley

12

1397.69

97

Total

157

15216.17

1129

6b. Timber Harvesting Outside SMZs - Public

Region

No. Sites Acres BMPs Assessed

Mountains

9

468.49

73

Piedmont

8

1875.95

61

Upper Coastal Plain

3

893.13

20

Lower Coastal Plain

10

2762.13

62

Ridge and Valley

4

575.39

35

Total

34

6575.09

251

6c. Timber Harvesting Outside SMZs - Corporate

Region

No. Sites Acres BMPs Assessed

Mountains

1

333.41

9

Piedmont

16

1753.39

122

Upper Coastal Plain

10

1036.33

70

Lower Coastal Plain

19

2935.57

112

Ridge and Valley

2

74.03

18

Total

48

6132.73

331

6d. Timber Harvesting Outside SMZs - All Ownership

Region

No. Sites Acres BMPs Assessed

Mountains

13

1034.05

106

Piedmont

67

7544.81

506

Upper Coastal Plain

50

7120.22

353

Lower Coastal Plain

91

10177.8

596

Ridge and Valley

18

2047.11

150

Total

239

27923.99

1711

% BMPs Implemented 100.00% 97.21% 99.24% 99.53% 95.88% 98.49%
% BMPs Implemented 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%
% BMPs Implemented 77.78% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 99.40%
% BMPs Implemented 98.11% 98.22% 99.43% 99.66% 97.33% 98.89%

WQ Risks 0 1 0 0 0 1
WQ Risks 0 0 0 0 0 0
WQ Risks 1 0 0 0 0 1
WQ Risks 1 1 0 0 0 2

28

Table 7 a d: Distribution of Sites with Mechanical Site Preparation Operations Evaluated By Region, Ownership, # Acres Assessed, # BMPs Assessed, % BMPs Implemented, and Water Quality Risks.

7a. Mechanical Site Preparation Outside SMZs - NIPF

Region

No. Sites Acres BMPs Assessed

Mountains

0

0

0

Piedmont

0

0

0

Upper Coastal Plain

2

114.82

2

Lower Coastal Plain

12

888.66

22

Ridge and Valley

0

0

0

Total

14

1003.48

24

7b. Mechanical Site Preparation Outside SMZs - Public

Region

No. Sites Acres BMPs Assessed

Mountains

0

0

0

Piedmont

0

0

0

Upper Coastal Plain

0

0

0

Lower Coastal Plain

1

182.06

3

Ridge and Valley

0

0

0

Total

1

182.06

3

7c. Mechanical Site Preparation Outside SMZs - Corporate

Region

No. Sites Acres BMPs Assessed

Mountains

0

0

0

Piedmont

0

0

0

Upper Coastal Plain

0

0

0

Lower Coastal Plain

20

2889.12

49

Ridge and Valley

0

0

0

Total

20

2889.12

49

7d. Mechanical Site Preparation Outside SMZs - All Ownership

Region

No. Sites Acres BMPs Assessed

Mountains

0

0

0

Piedmont

0

0

0

Upper Coastal Plain

2

114.82

2

Lower Coastal Plain

33

3959.84

74

Ridge and Valley

0

0

0

Total

35

4074.66

76

% BMPs Implemented NA NA
100.00% 90.91%
NA 91.67%
% BMPs Implemented NA NA NA
100.00% NA
100.00%
% BMPs Implemented NA NA NA
97.96% NA
97.96%
% BMPs Implemented NA NA
100.00% 95.95%
NA 96.05%

WQ Risks 0 0 0 0 0 0
WQ Risks 0 0 0 0 0 0
WQ Risks 0 0 0 0 0 0
WQ Risks 0 0 0 0 0 0

29

Table 8 a d: Distribution of Sites with Chemical Site Preparation Operations Evaluated By Region, Ownership, # Acres Assessed, # BMPs Assessed, % BMPs Implemented, and Water Quality Risks.

8a. Chemical Site Preparation Outside SMZs - NIPF

Region

No. Sites Acres BMPs Assessed

Mountains

0

0

0

Piedmont

9

523.92

18

Upper Coastal Plain

20

3207.34

40

Lower Coastal Plain

33

2502.5

66

Ridge and Valley

2

48.99

4

Total

64

6282.75

128

8b. Chemical Site Preparation Outside SMZs - Public

Region

No. Sites Acres BMPs Assessed

Mountains

0

0

0

Piedmont

1

211.46

2

Upper Coastal Plain

2

234.97

4

Lower Coastal Plain

2

61.63

4

Ridge and Valley

0

0

0

Total

5

508.06

10

8c. Chemical Site Preparation Outside SMZs - Corporate

Region

No. Sites Acres BMPs Assessed

Mountains

0

0

0

Piedmont

6

388.85

12

Upper Coastal Plain

3

163.85

6

Lower Coastal Plain

14

1612.16

28

Ridge and Valley

1

40

2

Total

24

2204.86

48

8d. Chemical Site Preparation Outside SMZs - All Ownership

Region

No. Sites Acres BMPs Assessed

Mountains

0

0

0

Piedmont

16

1124.23

32

Upper Coastal Plain

25

3606.16

50

Lower Coastal Plain

49

4176.29

98

Ridge and Valley

3

88.99

6

Total

93

8995.67

186

% BMPs Implemented NA
100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%
% BMPs Implemented NA
100.00% 100.00% 100.00%
NA 100.00%
% BMPs Implemented NA
100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%
% BMPs Implemented NA
100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

WQ Risks 0 0 0 0 0 0
WQ Risks 0 0 0 0 0 0
WQ Risks 0 0 0 0 0 0
WQ Risks 0 0 0 0 0 0

30

Table 9 a d: Distribution of Sites with Firebreaks and Burning Operations Evaluated by Region, Ownership, # Miles Assessed, # BMPs Assessed, % BMPs Implementation, and Water Quality Risks.

9a. Fire Breaks & Prescribed Burning- NIPF

Region

No. Sites Miles BMPs Assessed

Mountains

0

0

0

Piedmont

12

15.54

84

Upper Coastal Plain

14

33.54

84

Lower Coastal Plain

29

42.89

139

Ridge and Valley

3

3.29

19

Total

58

95.26

326

9b. Fire Breaks & Prescribed Burning- Public

Region

No. Sites Miles BMPs Assessed

Mountains

0

0

0

Piedmont

2

5.02

19

Upper Coastal Plain

3

6.96

14

Lower Coastal Plain

4

6.35

17

Ridge and Valley

0

0

0

Total

9

18.33

50

9c. Fire Breaks & Prescribed Burning- Corporate

Region

No. Sites Miles BMPs Assessed

Mountains

0

0

0

Piedmont

4

4.86

27

Upper Coastal Plain

1

0.33

7

Lower Coastal Plain

1

1.23

3

Ridge and Valley

0

0

0

Total

6

6.42

37

9d. Fire Breaks & Prescribed Burning- All Ownership

Region

No. Sites Miles BMPs Assessed

Mountains

0

0

0

Piedmont

18

25.42

130

Upper Coastal Plain

18

40.83

105

Lower Coastal Plain

34

50.47

159

Ridge and Valley

3

3.29

19

Total

73

120.01

413

% BMPs Implemented NA
84.52% 90.48% 94.96% 78.95% 90.18%
% BMPs Implemented NA
73.68% 100.00% 94.12%
NA 88.00%
% BMPs Implemented NA
92.59% 71.43% 100.00%
NA 89.19%
% BMPs Implemented NA
84.62% 90.48% 94.97% 78.95% 89.83%

WQ Risks 0 0 0 0 0 0
WQ Risks 0 0 0 0 0 0
WQ Risks 0 0 0 0 0 0
WQ Risks 0 0 0 0 0 0

31

Table 10 a d: Distribution of Sites with Artificial Regeneration Operations Evaluated By Region, Ownership, # Acres Assessed, # BMPs Assessed, % BMP Implementation, and Water Quality Risks.

10a. Artificial Regeneration Outside SMZs - NIPF

Region

No. Sites Acres BMPs Assessed

Mountains

0

0

0

Piedmont

9

520.32

16

Upper Coastal Plain

15

2318

28

Lower Coastal Plain

32

2445.59

47

Ridge and Valley

2

48.69

4

Total

58

5332.6

95

10b. Artificial Regeneration Outside SMZs - Public

Region

No. Sites Acres BMPs Assessed

Mountains

0

0

0

Piedmont

0

0

0

Upper Coastal Plain

2

234.97

3

Lower Coastal Plain

2

61.63

3

Ridge and Valley

0

0

0

Total

4

296.6

6

10c. Artificial Regeneration Outside SMZs - Corporate

Region

No. Sites Acres BMPs Assessed

Mountains

0

0

0

Piedmont

6

388.85

14

Upper Coastal Plain

3

163.85

4

Lower Coastal Plain

15

2437.49

22

Ridge and Valley

1

40

1

Total

25

3030.19

41

10d. Artificial Regeneration Outside SMZs - All Ownership

Region

No. Sites Acres BMPs Assessed

Mountains

0

0

0

Piedmont

15

909.17

30

Upper Coastal Plain

20

2716.82

35

Lower Coastal Plain

49

4944.71

72

Ridge and Valley

3

88.69

5

Total

87

8659.39

142

% BMPs Implemented NA
100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%
% BMPs Implemented NA NA
100.00% 100.00%
NA 100.00%
% BMPs Implemented NA
85.71% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 95.12%
% BMPs Implemented NA
93.33% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 98.59%

WQ Risks 0 0 0 0 0 0
WQ Risks 0 0 0 0 0 0
WQ Risks 0 1 0 0 0 1
WQ Risks 0 1 0 0 0 1

Forest Fertilization: There were no sites selected for this Survey on which forest fertilization was known to have occurred.

32

Table 11 a d: Distribution of Sites with Equipment Servicing Operations Evaluated By Region, Ownership, # of Landings Assessed, # BMPs Assessed, % BMP Implementation, and Water Quality Risks.

11a. Equipment Servicing and Trash Clean-up - NIPF

Region

No. Sites Landings BMPs Assessed

Mountains

3

10

9

Piedmont

42

115

126

Upper Coastal Plain

38

129

114

Lower Coastal Plain

73

190

219

Ridge and Valley

12

37

36

Total

168

481

504

11b. Equipment Servicing and Trash Clean-up - Public

Region

No. Sites Landings BMPs Assessed

Mountains

8

21

24

Piedmont

8

59

24

Upper Coastal Plain

3

20

9

Lower Coastal Plain

10

82

30

Ridge and Valley

4

20

12

Total

33

202

99

11c. Equipment Servicing and Trash Clean-up - Corporate

Region

No. Sites Landings BMPs Assessed

Mountains

1

9

3

Piedmont

16

60

47

Upper Coastal Plain

10

33

30

Lower Coastal Plain

28

124

84

Ridge and Valley

2

4

6

Total

57

230

170

11d. Equipment Servicing and Trash Clean-up - All Ownership

Region

No. Sites Landings BMPs Assessed

Mountains

12

40

36

Piedmont

66

234

197

Upper Coastal Plain

51

182

153

Lower Coastal Plain

111

396

333

Ridge and Valley

18

61

54

Total

258

913

773

% BMPs Implemented 100.00% 99.21% 97.37% 99.54% 100.00% 99.01%

WQ Risks 0 0 0 0 0 0

% BMPs Implemented 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

WQ Risks 0 0 0 0 0 0

% BMPs Implemented 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

WQ Risks 0 0 0 0 0 0

% BMPs Implemented 100.00% 99.49% 98.04% 99.70% 100.00% 99.35%

WQ Risks 0 0 0 0 0 0

33

Table 12 a d: Distribution of Sites and Stream Types, # Miles Assessed, and % Compliance by Region, and Ownership.

12a. Stream Assessment - NIPF

Region

No. Intermittent Miles

Sites

Assessed

Mountains

3

1.24

Piedmont

36

8.49

Upper Coastal Plain 19

6.28

Lower Coastal Plain 32

10.59

Ridge and Valley 10

4.11

Total

100

30.71

12b. Stream Assessment - Public

Region

No. Intermittent Miles

Sites

Assessed

Mountains

6

2.54

Piedmont

9

6.19

Upper Coastal Plain 3

2.41

Lower Coastal Plain 5

0.71

Ridge and Valley

4

1.8

Total

27

13.65

12c. Stream Assessment - Corporate

Region

No. Intermittent Miles

Sites

Assessed

Mountains

1

1.29

Piedmont

16

4.8

Upper Coastal Plain 8

3

Lower Coastal Plain 7

1.17

Ridge and Valley

1

0.1

Total

33

10.36

12d. Stream Assessment - All Ownership

Region

No. Intermittent Miles

Sites

Assessed

Mountains

10

5.07

Piedmont

61

19.48

Upper Coastal Plain 30

11.69

Lower Coastal Plain 44

12.47

Ridge and Valley 15

6.01

Total

160

54.72

% Miles Compliance
100.00% 98.82% 96.97% 99.43% 83.21% 96.61%
% Miles Compliance
100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%
% Miles Compliance
96.90% 99.38% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 99.32%
% Miles Compliance
99.21% 99.33% 98.37% 99.52% 88.52% 97.97%

Perennial Miles Assessed 0.2 15.09 4.53 7.78 6.92 34.52
Perennial Miles Assessed 4.06 11.2 0.29 2.56 3.75 21.86
Perennial Miles Assessed 1.81 8.99 3.52 4.22 0.24 18.78
Perennial Miles Assessed 6.07 35.28 8.34 14.56 10.91 75.16

% Miles Compliance
100.00% 99.87% 100.00% 98.71% 99.57% 99.57%
% Miles Compliance
100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 98.67% 99.77%
% Miles Compliance
100.00% 99.78% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 99.89%
% Miles Compliance
100.00% 99.89% 100.00% 99.31% 99.27% 99.71%

Total % Miles Compliance 100.00% 99.49% 98.24% 99.13% 93.47% 98.18%
Total % Miles Compliance 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 99.10% 99.86%
Total % Miles Compliance 98.71% 99.64% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 99.69%
Total % Miles Compliance 99.64% 99.69% 99.05% 99.41% 95.45% 98.98%

34

Table 13 a d: Overall Distribution of Sites Evaluated by Region, Ownership, Acres Evaluated, BMPs Assessed, % BMPs Implemented, and Water Quality Risks.

Overall Distribution - NIPF

13a. Region

No. Sites Acres

Mountains

3

243.6

Piedmont

43

5733.38

Upper Coastal Plain

38

12344.47

Lower Coastal Plain

74

11746.1

Ridge and Valley

12

1637.6

Total

170

31705.15

13b. Overall Distribution - Public

Region

No. Sites Acres

Mountains

9

530.24

Piedmont

9

2819.08

Upper Coastal Plain

4

1764.24

Lower Coastal Plain

11

3857.25

Ridge and Valley

4

651.07

Total

37

9621.88

13c. Overall Distribution - Corporate

Region

No. Sites Acres

Mountains

1

354

Piedmont

16

2786.79

Upper Coastal Plain

11

1950.09

Lower Coastal Plain

29

9903.15

Ridge and Valley

2

156.7

Total

59

15150.73

13d. Overall Distribution - All Ownership

Region

No. Sites Acres

Mountains

13

1127.84

Piedmont

68

11339.25

Upper Coastal Plain

53

16058.8

Lower Coastal Plain

114

25506.5

Ridge and Valley

18

2445.37

Total

266

56477.76

BMPs Assessed 96
1789 1311 2082 533 5811
BMPs Assessed 305 355 124 335 187 1306
BMPs Assessed 54 744 357 753 68
1976
BMPs Assessed 455 2888 1792 3170 788 9093

% BMPs Implemented 100.00% 95.14% 95.80% 97.02% 94.00% 95.94%

WQ Risks 0 8 3 5 3 19

% BMPs Implemented 100.00% 97.46% 100.00% 97.91% 97.33% 98.39%

WQ Risks 0 1 0 0 0 1

% BMPs Implemented 81.48% 98.12% 98.60% 99.47% 100.00% 98.33%

WQ Risks 5 4 0 0 0 9

% BMPs Implemented 97.80% 96.19% 96.65% 97.70% 95.30% 96.81%

WQ Risks 5 13 3 5 3 29

35

Chart 1a: Statewide Trends in BMP Implementation

BMP Implementation Trends

100

Chart 1a: Statewide Trends in BMP Implementation

95

90

Percent

85
1991

1992

1998

80

2002

2004

2007

75

2009

2011

2013

2015

70

2017

2019

2021

65

2023

60

55

50
36

Chart 1b: Statewide Trends in BMP Implementation
100 95 90 85 80 75 70 65 60 55 50
37

Percent

Chart 2: Statewide Trends in BMP Implementation on NIPF Chart 2: Statewide Trends in BMP Implementation on NIPF Sites
Statewide BMP Implementation Trends - NIPF
100

95

90

85

80

2004

2007

2009

75

2011

2013

2015

70

2017

2019

2021

65

2023

60

55

50

38

Percent

Chart 3: Statewide Trends in BMP Implementation on Corporate Sites
Statewide BMP Implementation Trends - Corporate
100

95

90

85
2004

2007

80

2009

2011

2013
75
2015

2017

70

2019

2021

2023
65

60

55

50

39

Percent

Chart 4: Statewide Trends in BMP Implementation on Public Sites
Statewide BMP Implementation Trends - Public
100

95

90

85

80

2004

2007

2009

75

2011

2013

2015
70
2017

2019

65

2021

2023

60

55

50

40

Chart 5: Statewide Trends in Reduction of WQRs from 1998 through 2023 Surveys
450

400

350

300

1998 (448)

2002 (286)

2004 (213)

250

2007 (154)

2009 (22)

2011 (26)

2013 (100)

200

2015 (63)

2017 (51)

2019 (34)

150

2021 (58)

2023 (29)

100

50

0 Water Quality Risks - Statewide
41

Chart 6: Streamside Managment Zone BMP implementation

S

c

o

r

e

Year

Chart 7: Stream Crossing BMP Implementation

S

c

o

r

e

Year

42

Chart 8: Forest Road BMP Implementation

S

c

o

r

e

Year

Chart 9: Special Management Area BMP Implementation

S

c

o

r

e

Year

43

Chart 10: Timber Harvesting BMP Implementation

S

c

o

r

e

Year

Chart 11: Mechanical Site Prep BMP Implementation

S

c

o

r

e

Year

44

Chart 12: Chemical Site Prep BMP Implementation

S

c

o

r

e

Year

Chart 13: Firebreak/Burning BMP Implementation

S

c

o

r

e

Year

45

Chart 14: Tree Planting BMP Implementation

S

c

o

r

e

Year

Chart 15: Equipment Service BMP Implementation

S

c

o

r

e

Year

46

Forest Fertilization: Historically, forest fertilization has only been surveyed on a few sites each year. Due to the continually low sample size, a chart would likely not accurately represent trends.
Chart 16: Overall BMP Implementation
S c o r e
Year
47

Figure 1: 2023 BMP Survey Site Locations
48

Figure 2: Physiographic Regions of Georgia
Lower Coastal Plain Mountains Piedmont Ridge and Valley Upper Coastal Plain
49

Figure 3: 2023 BMP Survey Sites with WQRs
50

Figure 4: Georgia's 14 Major River Basins
51

Figure 5: Georgia's Level IV Ecoregions
52

Notes:________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________
53