Sustaining your forest and Georgia's water quality

HISTORY OF BMPS IN GEORGIA
BMPs are practices that are economical. socially respon sible, and effective from an environmental and forestry stand point. Georgia's Forestry BMPs were first developed in 1981 by a Forestry Nonpoint Source Pollution Technical Task Force as required by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
Because of technological advances and changing land regulations, the forestry community and regulators began the revision of BMPs in 1997.
In Georgia, BMPs were intended to be implemented through a voluntary program. While still a voluntary approach, elements of Georgia BMPs have been incorporated into Federal and State laws and regulations. Failure to follow BMPs may now result in fines or penalties.
How to Protect Your Resources ... You have several options for implementing BMPs on your property. BMPs should be part of your contract for the sale and harvest of your timber or other operations you conduct. You may also have an agreement with those doing work on your property to use the BMPs you prescribe. And. landown ers who do their own work can implement the needed BMPs as part of their ongoing operations. It is important that you personally become knowledge able about BMPs and communicate your expectations to those who work on your forestlands. As a landowner, you are ultimately responsible for the implementation of BMPs on your property.
For More Information There are many organizations dedicated to helping you learn about BMPs. State agencies can provide you with manu als and training on forest management activities in Georgia. For additional information on BMPs and to request a copy of the Georgia BMP Manual for Forestry, contact the Georgia Forestry Commission at 1-800-GA-TREES.
SMZs protect water quality and provide wildlife habitat diversity.

AN INTRODUCTION TO GEORGIA'S FORESTRY BMPs
Streamside Management Zones (SMZs)
Land next to streams and other bodies of water needs special protection during harvesting and other activities. It is important to protect streams from nonpoint source pollution that could result from runoff if the forestry practices went right to the stream bank.
SMZs are buffer strips adjacent to perennial or intermit tent streams or other bodies of water (lakes. ponds, reser voirs, etc.) where forestry practices are limited or carefully prescribed. 'Trees and other vegetation in the SMZ provide shade that buffers water temperatures; woody debris vital to the aquatic ecosystem; natural filtration of sediment and other pollutants (fertilizers and pesticides); and travel corridors and habitat for wildlife.
SMZ Width Recommendations
There is no uniform formula to determine the appropriate width of an SMZ. In general, however, the steeper the slope and more erosive the soil, the wider the SMZ. Slopes should be determined from a point I 00 feet perpendicular to the stream bank. Therefore, SMZ widths may vary along a stream's course and on opposite sides of the same stream. SMZs should be measured along the ground from the stream bank on each side of the stream and not from the centerline of the stream.
The chart below will provide you with general guidance on the appropriate SMZ widths required for different water bodies.
Diagram S(row/119 How ro Ocier111/11e Slope


STREAM

SMZ Widtf,s f,y Slop, Cla 1111d Str,am Typ,

Slope Class
Slight 1<20%! Moderate 121-40%1 Steep I >40%1

Minimum Width 1ft) o/ SMZ on Each Side

Pffl'lwlr1I l(tl lnlenniltfnl ({lJ Troul l(O

Intermittent Trout Stream l(O

40

20

100

35

70

35

100

35

100

50

100

50

Road Building Access roads are an essential element for any forest management operation. Whether existing or newly con structed, access roads create more potential for soil movement than any other forest management activity. Many existing woods or field roads are often poorly located and are not suited for today's harvesting equipment. Roads should be evaluated for potential water quality impacts, especially near streams or at stream crossings. If necessary, plan for improvements or relocate the road. With proper planning, construction and maintenance techniques. exist ing or newly constructed roads allow for productive opera tions and cause minimal soil and water quality impacts.
Road layout is an essential component of BMPs.

Harvesting
Timber harvesting encompasses several operations. In addition to cutting trees, it typically includes the layout, construction, stabilization and maintenance of roads, stream crossings, log decks, and skid trails. Potential adverse impacts can be avoided or minimized if your harvest plan considers: existing streams. other sensitive areas. soil type, topography, seasonal weather conditions, stand composition, and the type of equipment best suited for the site.
It is important to maintain shade along streams. Only selective harvesting should be conducted in SMZs.
Site Preparation and Reforestation
Planning for reforestation before harvesting will help protect your land investment. Repeated selective harvesting without regard for reforestation usually results in a decline in stocking and value of desirable species. The choice of regeneration method is dependent on timber species, age, stocking, soils and landowner objectives. You can success fully regenerate by planting or naturally, using seed tree or shelterwood harvests .

Stream Crossings From a water quality standpoint, stream crossings are the most critical component of the road system. Stream crossings should be avoided, if possible, through pre-har vest planning. If necessary. crossings can be made with the use of bridges. culverts, or fords. Where permanent or tem porary crossings are used, the Federal Clean Water Act. Sec tion 404, mandates the use of 15 baseline provisions. These mandates also apply to skidder crossings. Fords and logging debris for skidder crossings are not recommended. For more information regarding stream crossings refer to the Georgia BMP Manual.
Pole bridges um be used for temporary stream crossings under certain conditions.

Plan(ting) for Ifie f11ture.
Various site preparation methods may be used to prepare areas for natural or artificial regeneration. The method selected depends on soil type, slope, logging residue. cost and landowner objectives. The three primary site preparation methods are: mechanical, chemical. burn ing, or a combination of these options. The method should be suitable for the site and should not occur within SMZs.
Federal and private cost share assistance for site preparation and reforestation (up to 50%) is available. Mony forest products companies offer forest monogement support through their landowner assistance programs. For more information. contact the Georgia Forestry Commission ( I -800-GA-TREES).