Alabama Best Management Practices for Forestry
Alabama Best Management Practices for Forestry
Alabama’s Best Management
Practices for Forestry
Alabama’s Best Management
Practices for Forestry
“… are voluntary guidelines to help maintain and protect the
physical chemical and biological integrity of waters of the state.”
“… are voluntary guidelines to help maintain and protect the
physical chemical and biological integrity of waters of the state.”
BMPs are Designed to reduce and/or prevent
NPS Pollution.
BMPs are Designed to reduce and/or prevent
NPS Pollution.Sediment (loose soil particles)
Organic materials (tree tops and limbs)
Temperature (caused by the removal of shade)
Trash
Pesticides and Nutrients (herbicides & fertilizers)
Sediment (loose soil particles)
Organic materials (tree tops and limbs)
Temperature (caused by the removal of shade)
Trash
Pesticides and Nutrients (herbicides & fertilizers)
ResponsibilityResponsibility
LandownersForest resource managersTimber purchasersLoggersVendors
LandownersForest resource managersTimber purchasersLoggersVendors
“… all those involved in the authorization, planning and implementation of forestry operations.”
“… all those involved in the authorization, planning and implementation of forestry operations.”
There are 7 Individual BMPsThere are 7 Individual BMPs
1. Streamside Management Zones2. Stream Crossings3. Forest Roads4. Timber Harvesting5. Reforestation /Stand
Management6. Forested Wetland Mgt.7. Revegetation/Stabilization
1. Streamside Management Zones2. Stream Crossings3. Forest Roads4. Timber Harvesting5. Reforestation /Stand
Management6. Forested Wetland Mgt.7. Revegetation/Stabilization
There are 7 Individual BMPs1. Streamside Management
Zones
There are 7 Individual BMPs1. Streamside Management
Zones
Other names for Streamside Management Zones (SMZs):Other names for Streamside Management Zones (SMZs):
• Leave Strips• Buffer Zones• Wildlife Corridors• Riparian Zones• Hardwood
Stringers
• Leave Strips• Buffer Zones• Wildlife Corridors• Riparian Zones• Hardwood
Stringers
Streamside Management Zones
Streamside Management Zones
Things to Consider:Things to Consider:
•Width should vary (min. 35 feet)•Protect from destabilization•Maintain shade and organic recruitment•Maintain forest floor•Control: logging debris, mech. operations, pesticides, fertilizers, trash
•Width should vary (min. 35 feet)•Protect from destabilization•Maintain shade and organic recruitment•Maintain forest floor•Control: logging debris, mech. operations, pesticides, fertilizers, trash
SMZ IllustrationSMZ Illustration
Harvesting in a SMZ should be done so as to protect the forest floor & understory veg. from damage.
Harvesting in a SMZ should be done so as to protect the forest floor & understory veg. from damage.
There are 7 Individual BMPsThere are 7 Individual BMPs
1. Streamside Management Zones2. Stream Crossings3. Forest Roads4. Timber Harvesting5. Reforestation /Stand
Management6. Forested Wetland Mgt.7. Revegetation/Stabilization
1. Streamside Management Zones2. Stream Crossings3. Forest Roads4. Timber Harvesting5. Reforestation /Stand
Management6. Forested Wetland Mgt.7. Revegetation/Stabilization
2. Stream Crossings2. Stream Crossings
• Avoid crossing streams if possible• Use the fewest number as possible• Locate and construct with least
damage• Install at right angles to stream• Remove temporary crossings• Stabilize and maintain permanent
crossings
• Avoid crossing streams if possible• Use the fewest number as possible• Locate and construct with least
damage• Install at right angles to stream• Remove temporary crossings• Stabilize and maintain permanent
crossings
Log CrossingsLog Crossings
CulvertsCulverts
Make fill over a culvert the high spot in the crossing.
Make fill over a culvert the high spot in the crossing.
Use adequate
size
Use adequate
size
Proper Installation Is CriticalProper Installation Is Critical• Place culvert on
stream bottom; do not dig out
• Culvert should have 2-3% pitch downstream
• Compact lower half of fill during installation
• Provide for stream overflow away from culvert fill to prevent blowouts
• Place culvert on stream bottom; do not dig out
• Culvert should have 2-3% pitch downstream
• Compact lower half of fill during installation
• Provide for stream overflow away from culvert fill to prevent blowouts
Forded Stream CrossingsForded Stream Crossings
A geoweb ford, when properly installed can be a good alternative to a culvert in the right situation.
A geoweb ford, when properly installed can be a good alternative to a culvert in the right situation.
Bridges create the least disruption to stream flowBridges create the least
disruption to stream flow
Portable bridges can be used for temporary stream
crossings
Portable bridges can be used for temporary stream
crossings
There are 7 Individual BMPsThere are 7 Individual BMPs
1. Streamside Management Zones2. Stream Crossings3. Forest Roads4. Timber Harvesting5. Reforestation /Stand
Management6. Forested Wetland Mgt.7. Revegetation/Stabilization
3. Forest Roads3. Forest Roads
• Proper planning and location is key
• Avoid problem areas• Minimize soil exposure• Stabilize exposed soil• Close temporary roads• Maintain permanent
roads• DRAINAGE,
DRAINAGE
• Proper planning and location is key
• Avoid problem areas• Minimize soil exposure• Stabilize exposed soil• Close temporary roads• Maintain permanent
roads• DRAINAGE,
DRAINAGEEx: Crowned road
Turnout ditches should be installedTurnout ditches should be installed
• 3% slope = 235’
• 5% slope = 180’
• 10% slope = 140’
• 15% slope = 125’
• 3% slope = 235’
• 5% slope = 180’
• 10% slope = 140’
• 15% slope = 125’
There are 7 Individual BMPsThere are 7 Individual BMPs
1. Streamside Management Zones2. Stream Crossings3. Forest Roads4. Timber Harvesting5. Reforestation /Stand
Management6. Forested Wetland Mgt.7. Revegetation/Stabilization
1. Streamside Management Zones2. Stream Crossings3. Forest Roads4. Timber Harvesting5. Reforestation /Stand
Management6. Forested Wetland Mgt.7. Revegetation/Stabilization
4. Timber Harvesting4. Timber Harvesting
• Develop a harvesting plan
• Location of landings
• Felling direction• Proper skid trails• Harvesting system• Trash disposal
• Develop a harvesting plan
• Location of landings
• Felling direction• Proper skid trails• Harvesting system• Trash disposal
Things to Consider:
Selecting the right harvesting system is critical Selecting the right harvesting system is critical
There are 7 Individual BMPsThere are 7 Individual BMPs
1. Streamside Management Zones2. Stream Crossings3. Forest Roads4. Timber Harvesting5. Reforestation /Stand
Management6. Forested Wetland Mgt.7. Revegetation/Stabilization
1. Streamside Management Zones2. Stream Crossings3. Forest Roads4. Timber Harvesting5. Reforestation /Stand
Management6. Forested Wetland Mgt.7. Revegetation/Stabilization
5. Reforestation /Stand Management
5. Reforestation Stand Mgt. includes recommendations on:5. Reforestation Stand Mgt. includes recommendations on:
• Mech. site prep (subsoiling on contour)
• Chemical site prep (follow label)
• Prescribed burning (stabilize firelines)
• Tree planting (machine planting should be done on contour)
Mech. site prep (subsoiling on contour)Mech. site prep (subsoiling on contour)
Prescribed burning (stabilize firelines)Prescribed burning (stabilize firelines)
There are 7 Individual BMPsThere are 7 Individual BMPs
1. Streamside Management Zones2. Stream Crossings3. Forest Roads4. Timber Harvesting5. Reforestation /Stand
Management6. Forested Wetland Mgt.7. Revegetation/Stabilization
1. Streamside Management Zones2. Stream Crossings3. Forest Roads4. Timber Harvesting5. Reforestation /Stand
Management6. Forested Wetland Mgt.7. Revegetation/Stabilization
6. Forested Wetland Mgt.6. Forested Wetland Mgt.
There are 7 Individual BMPsThere are 7 Individual BMPs
1. Streamside Management Zones2. Stream Crossings3. Forest Roads4. Timber Harvesting5. Reforestation /Stand
Management6. Forested Wetland Mgt.7. Revegetation/Stabilization
1. Streamside Management Zones2. Stream Crossings3. Forest Roads4. Timber Harvesting5. Reforestation /Stand
Management6. Forested Wetland Mgt.7. Revegetation/Stabilization
7. Revegetation / Stabilization. includes recommendations on:
7. Revegetation / Stabilization. includes recommendations on:
• Site preparation• Applying limestone & fertilizer• Plant species
recommendations• Mulching• Vegetative establishment
• Site preparation• Applying limestone & fertilizer• Plant species
recommendations• Mulching• Vegetative establishment
7. Revegetation / Stabilization.
QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?