NYS Forestry Best Management Practices for Water Quality
Full Guide
Best Management Practices full guide (2.87 Mb pdf) This file is large and may take a few minutes to open.
Guide Parts
Introduction, Planning, Log Decks & Landings, Forest Roads (1.08 Mb pdf)
Skid Trails, Stream Crossings, Post Harvest Wrap-up, Hazardous Materials (659 kb pdf)
Erosion Control Tools & Techniques (1.08 Mb pdf)
Regulations and Permits, Sources for Information (371 kb pdf)
Protecting water quality and the forest and soil resources on the land, are among the most important aspects of a successful and environmentally-sustainable timber harvest. Studies have shown that while timber harvesting is not a major cause of water quality problems, skid trails, haul roads and landings have the potential to be sources of sedimentation, erosion and siltation of streams and other water bodies. The key to success is proper planning and the use of appropriate, or "best" management practices (BMPs). These are simple, often low-cost practices and techniques you can incorporate in your timber harvest. They will pay big dividends in keeping our water clean, maintaining the productivity of the forest, improving public confidence in timber harvesters and maintaining public support for forest management and timber harvesting, which are essential for sustainable forest management. This field guide is intended to be a practical tool for timber harvesters, forest managers and landowners.
