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Natural Resources Compliance 16 items

Timber Harvest Best Management Practices (BMP) Water Quality Checklist

Verify that a timber harvest operation implements forestry Best Management Practices to protect water quality, covering streamside buffers, roads, stream crossings, and erosion control.

Clean Water Act Section 319State Forest Practices ActSilvicultural BMPsStreamside Management Zones

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Planning & Notification

  • Has a harvest plan or notification been filed with the state forestry agency where required? *
  • Have streams, wetlands, and water bodies within the harvest area been identified and mapped? *
  • Have applicable state BMP guidelines for the harvest region been referenced in the plan? *

Streamside Management Zones (SMZ)

  • Are streamside management zones of the required width established along perennial and intermittent streams? *
  • Is residual basal area / canopy retained within the SMZ as specified by state BMPs? *
  • Is equipment operation, ground disturbance, and slash accumulation restricted within the SMZ? *

Forest Roads & Skid Trails

  • Are roads and skid trails located to minimize grade and stream approaches, and outsloped or crowned to drain? *
  • Are water bars, broad-based dips, or turnouts installed at required spacing to divert runoff? *
  • Is road runoff directed away from streams into vegetated filter areas? *

Stream Crossings

  • Are stream crossings minimized in number and constructed at right angles where feasible? *
  • Are crossings (culverts, bridges, fords) sized to pass expected flow without ponding or washout? *
  • Are temporary crossings removed and the streambanks stabilized after use? *

Erosion Control & Closeout

  • Are disturbed areas (landings, roads, skid trails) revegetated, mulched, or otherwise stabilized after harvest? *
  • Are petroleum products, fuel, and waste kept out of streamside zones and disposed of properly? *
  • Was a post-harvest BMP inspection conducted and deficiencies corrected?
  • Attach a photo of a representative stream crossing or SMZ.

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