Forestry

Fact Sheets and Reports | Guidance Documents and Manuals | Information Resources and Centers | Special Programs | Research Facility | Research Studies

Sources of nonpoint source (NPS) pollution associated with forestry activities include removal of streamside vegetation, road construction and use, timber harvesting, and mechanical preparation for the planting of trees. Road construction and road use are the primary sources of NPS pollution on forested lands, contributing up to 90 percent of the total sediment from forestry operations.

Harvesting trees in the area beside a stream can affect water quality by reducing the streambank shading that regulates water temperature and by removing vegetation that stabilizes the streambanks. These changes can harm aquatic life by limiting sources of food, shade and shelter.

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Fact Sheets and Reports

• Nonpoint Pointer No. 8 - Managing Nonpoint Source Pollution from Forestry
  This fact sheet addresses the impact of forestry practices on nonpoint source pollution and positive steps that can be taken to reduce forestry’s impact (EPA 841-F-96-004H).
  
  
• Water and the Forest Service (PDF) (35 pp, 1.9MB, About PDF)
  This report focuses on the role of forests in water supply, including quantity, quality, timing of release, flood reductions and low flow augmentation, economic value of water from national forest lands, and economic benefits of tree cover for stormwater reduction in urban areas.

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Guidance Documents and Manuals

• Forestry Documents
  This is a list of forestry documents—most notably BMP manuals—that the Nonpoint Source Control Branch at EPA headquarters has found to be especially well done.
  
  
• National Management Measures to Control Nonpoint Source Pollution from Forestry
  This report helps forest owners protect lakes and streams from polluted runoff that can result from forestry activities. These scientifically sound techniques are the best practices known today. The report will also help states to implement their nonpoint source control programs (May 2005, EPA 841-B-05-001). Note: Forestry certification programs are rapidly evolving; for the most recent information regarding the major certification systems, please see EPA's list of forestry certification programs.
  
  
• Techniques for Tracking, Evaluating, and Reporting the Implementation of Nonpoint Source Control Measures—Forestry
  This guidance is intended to assist state, regional and local environmental professionals in tracking the implementation of best management practices (BMPs) used to control nonpoint source pollution generated by forestry practices. Information is provided on methods for sample site selection, sample size estimation, sampling and result evaluation and presentation (July 1997, EPA 841-B-97-009).
  
  
• Management Measures for Forestry
  This chapter specifies management measures to protect coastal waters from nonpoint pollution related to forestry activities.
  
  
• National Fire Plan: Rehabilitation and Restoration
  The USFS National Fire Plan includes a significant emphasis on rehabilitation and restoration of watersheds with the goal of closely matching historical or pre-fire ecosystem structure, function, diversity and dynamics. Restoration projects focus on restoring watershed function, including protection of basic soil, water resources, biological communities and prevention of invasive species.

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Information Resources and Centers

• Southern Forestry Extension Resource Center, Best Management Practices and Information
  This site is designed to provide access convenient to national, regional, state and local online services related to forestry best management practices. Explore educational and training opportunities, relevant legislation and regulations, water quality and best management practices materials.
  
  
• The Forest Landowners Guide to Internet Resources: States of the Northeast
  This guide provides landowners in 20 states with access to more than 1,000 online publications, brochures and fact sheets on subjects they are likely to find of interest. Links are categorized both by subject matter and by State.

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Special Programs

• Canada's Model Forest Program
  Canada's Model Forest Program builds local, national and international partnerships for sustainable forest management. The Model Forest Program was created by the Canadian government to preserve forests by applying new knowledge and technologies. A model forest demonstrates the collaboration of partners working on achieving sustainable forest management.
  
  
• The American Forest Foundation's American Tree Farm System
  The American Tree Farm System^® (ATFS), a program of the American Forest Foundation, is committed to sustaining forests, watershed and healthy habitats through the power of private stewardship.
  
  
• The American Forest Foundation's Shared Streams Initiative
  Shared Streams™ is part of Forests for Watersheds & Wildlife™ (F2W2), the national habitat conservation program of the American Forest Foundation. Shared Streams works with partners and family forest owners to improve riparian habitat and watershed health across the United States.

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Research Facility

• The National Council for Air and Stream Improvement
  The National Council for Air and Stream Improvement (NCASI) is an independent, non-profit research institute that focuses on environmental topics of interest to the forest products industry.

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Research Study

• Forests as Nonpoint Sources of Pollution and Effectiveness of Best Management Practices (Technical Bulletin No. 0672)
  This 1994 technical bulletin from The National Council for Air and Stream Improvement reviews the literature on the quality of water in forests, the effects of forest management on water quality, and the effectiveness of BMPs for water quality protection.
  
  
• Compendium of state and provincial forestry best management practices (2007) (PDF) (22 pp, 485K, About PDF) (from The National Council for Air and Stream Improvement)
  This document provides an overview of state and provincial forestry best management prescriptions, best management monitoring, programs and implementation and compliance rates.