Effectiveness of forestry best management practices in the United States: Literature review

Abstract

In response to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (a.k.a., Clean Water Act) of 1972, forestry best management practices (BMPs) were developed and subsequently implemented to address NPS pollution during forest management. BMP guidelines vary by state and can be nonregulatory, quasi-regulatory, or regulatory. To determine how effective the guidelines for protecting water quality are, research literature relating to BMP effectiveness was evaluated. Forestry BMP effectiveness studies are often site or region specific. Therefore, BMP research in the United States was divided into three regions: northern, southern, and western. Thirty research studies were reviewed for the southern region with the majority being conducted in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain physiographic regions. The Western region had thirty-one studies, most of which were in the Pacific Border physiographic region. The northern region had twenty studies primarily in the northeastern states. Forestry BMP effectiveness research generally focused on forest water quality from timber harvesting, site preparation, forest road construction and maintenance, stream crossings, and other categories of forest operations. The literature indicates that forestry BMPs protect water quality when constructed correctly and in adequate numbers. Forestry BMP effectiveness studies allow state forestry BMP programs to evaluate progress in reducing non-point source pollution and achieving water quality goals established under the Clean Water Act (CWA). Furthermore, states have used research findings to change BMPs and improve their guidelines. Although forestry BMPs have been proven to protect water quality, they are still being refined to enhance their performance.

Differing Levels of Forestry Best Management Practices at Stream Crossing Structures Affect Sediment Delivery and Installation Costs

“…Following inception of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, many states developed BMP guidelines for the protection of water quality, which have been shown to be effective [21][22][23][24][25]. In 1997, state-implemented BMP effectiveness monitoring was found to be lacking; however, in 2010, many states had implemented effectiveness monitoring programs [23,26].…”

Forest Management Challenges for Sustaining Water Resources in the Anthropocene

“…Future forest water resource management must consider the trade-offs of forest ecosystem services and coupled nature-human systems. Existing forest Best Management Practices (BMPs) [82] should be revisited to mitigate and adapt to the negative impacts of natural and anthropogenic disturbances that are expected to increase in the Anthropocene.…”

“…Active management including implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) is critical to offset increasing environmental threats to forest ecosystem services [82]. In the past, improvement in forest condition with forest management in many parts of the world has been tremendously successful [9].…”

“…In the past, improvement in forest condition with forest management in many parts of the world has been tremendously successful [9]. Among the best examples, is the recovery of heavily cutover lands in the eastern U.S. Reforestation and the implementation of best management practices has restored these forests and associated ecosystem services [82,83]. Forest coverage in China has been increasing thanks to large scale reforestation campaigns that aims at reducing soil erosion and protecting remaining forests in the last three decades [84].…”

Characteristics of Logging Businesses across Virginia’s Diverse Physiographic Regions

“…Pre-harvest planning of items such as roads, skid trails, landings, and stream crossings can impact the productivity of the operation, and can also have an impact in terms of compliance with implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) for water quality. Implementation of BMPs for water quality is important throughout the USA [18] and responses indicate that Virginia logging businesses invest a substantial amount of time in pre-harvest planning and the implementation of BMPs to protect water quality.…”