Best Management Practices for Water Quality
The American Tree Farm System® (ATFS) Standards address water quality considerations in a couple of key ways. First, landowners in the ATFS Certification program must comply with all relevant laws. This includes stream protection and other state regulations. In addition, compliance with state best management practices is a requirement for ATFS Certification, even in states where BMPs are voluntary.
As a first step, if there are water features on the property, landowners and foresters should identify these features in the management plan, as well as on the property’s map. Be sure to make reference to any relevant state laws or BMPs in forest management plans. This reference need not be overly detailed. For example, when noting a water feature, a plan may state that the “the attribute will be protected during all forest management activities in compliance with the (noted) applicable regulations.” Alternatively, the plan preparer may provide detailed descriptions of the feature, as well as the management activities and protective measures including buffers or streamside management zones.
When planning management activities that will cause soil disturbance, the state BMP handbook or manual should be consulted and applicable BMPs employed. Some common examples of activities that require BMP application include harvest planning, reforestation design, road maintenance and prescribed burning. State BMP manuals are generally quite detailed on recommended practices for road construction and other disturbances in riparian zones. In some states, permits may be required for forest roads and other disturbances that intersect with riparian zones.
Inadvertent violations of BMPs or water quality laws occasionally occur in the course of management activities. In these cases, to remain ATFS Certified, forest owners must be committed to correcting inadvertent violations and demonstrate good-faith efforts to remedy any nonconformance. Similarly, if a property shows evidence of water quality impairment originating on the property that was not caused by the forest owner’s actions, the owner is strongly encouraged to have plans for remediation incorporated into his or her management plan.
The American Forest Foundation and ATFS provide a range of web-based resources on BMPs and water quality for both landowners and foresters. For example, the ATFS Woodland Owner Resources provides a comprehensive listing of BMPs by state. Also, MyLandPlan.org offers a landowner-friendly overview of water and soil conservation with links to easy-to-use tools
