SFE Program, 1996 Forest Harvesting: Best Management Practices: FOR 420 James Hart Feb 15, 2001 Adopted from a Doug Lantagne Forest Stewardship Presentation.

SFE Program, 1996

Forest Harvesting: Forest Harvesting: Best Management Practices:Best Management Practices:

FOR 420 James Hart Feb 15, 2001

Adopted from a Doug Lantagne Forest Stewardship Presentation

SFE Program, 1996

Water FactsWater Facts Michigan

– 11,000 inland lakes– 36,000 miles of rivers and streams– surrounded by the Great Lakes

The Point?– We Drink it!– What is done in the woods, on

roads and in population centers may eventually reach water and affect us all!

SFE Program, 1996

Forest FactsForest Facts 50% of Michigan is forested 57% is in private hands

– > 10 million acres < 5% use foresters(estimate)

2 million hunters 12 million anglers

– $2 billion industry

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ObjectivesObjectives

Describe need for water quality management Describe a healthy stream Describe impact of sedimentation/light Describe impact of poor harvesting practices Describe Best Management Practices Explain the Water Quality Laws of Michigan

SFE Program, 1996

Biologically Healthy StreamsBiologically Healthy Streams

High insect species diversity– mayfly, stonefly, caddisfly dominate

Cold water High oxygen content Stable water flows Good fishery Riparian coverPatton, 1992 and Bond, 1996, Chamberlin, 1982

SFE Program, 1996

Physically Healthy StreamsPhysically Healthy Streams

Clean hard bottom Pools and riffles Numerous “niches” Low nutrient inputs Low turbidity No toxic chemicalsPatton, 1992 and Bond, 1996, Chamberlin, 1982

SFE Program, 1996

Degraded StreamsDegraded Streams

Embedded with soil sediment Fewer habitat “niches” Turbid water Increased temperature/oxygen extremes Depth decreased/width increased Less stable water flows Elevated nutrient levelsChamberlin, 1982

SFE Program, 1996

Biological ResponseBiological Response

More surface insects in stream– less dependent on water oxygen levels

Food availability declines– fewer insects for fish– fewer plants for insects

Result is fewer insects and fish Undesirable fish species increase numbersWenger, 1982

SFE Program, 1996

Best Management Practices:Best Management Practices:

The Right Idea

must be Properly Implemented

SFE Program, 1996

DefinitionsDefinitions

Permanent stream– regular flow of water with defined banks and a

recognizable stream bed.

Intermittent stream– periodic flow of water related to precipitation

(rain and snow). Recognizable bank, and bed. Change in vegetation within stream bed.

Wenger, 1984

SFE Program, 1996

DefinitionsDefinitions

Vernal ponds– occur as a seasonal pond in forested areas.

Usually dry up partially or totally by mid-summer. Used by wildlife and plants.

Seeps– an area from which ground water reaches the

soil surface. They are an important source of cold water for streams.

Wenger, 1984

SFE Program, 1996

Potential Solutions to Potential Solutions to Harvesting ImpactsHarvesting Impacts

Care and concern– reduce chance of soil sedimentation in streams.– minimize litter and gas and oil spills.– help maintain riparian cover.

Follow through with action.

Improves professional image.

SFE Program, 1996

Best Management PracticesBest Management Practices

What are BMP’s?– voluntary guidelines to reduce the chance of

soil movement into streams, lakes and ponds.– acceptable practices for road building and

working in the forest.

They are not laws!

but

Compliance is being monitored.

SFE Program, 1996

Laws or Ethics?Laws or Ethics?

BMP’s may become mandatory

if they are not

followed voluntarily!!!!

Goal is the use of effective and cost-effective approaches to minimize soil erosion and maintain water quality.

SFE Program, 1996

Inland Lakes and Streams ActInland Lakes and Streams Act(P.A. 451, Part 301)(P.A. 451, Part 301)

Applicable to all waters greater than 5 acres in size except the Great Lakes

PERMIT REQUIRED

before dredging, filling, or interfering

with natural flows.Administrator: MI DEQ, Land and Water Division

SFE Program, 1996

Inland Lakes and Streams ActInland Lakes and Streams Act(P.A. 451, Part 301)(P.A. 451, Part 301)

Permits required for ALL:

permanent stream crossings– intermittent stream crossings– temporary stream crossings– For culverts and bridges

Administrator: MI DEQ, Land and Water Division

SFE Program, 1996

Floodplain Regulatory AuthorityFloodplain Regulatory Authority(P.A. 451, Part 31)(P.A. 451, Part 31)

Reviews plans for stream crossing structures such as bridges and culverts.

Stream crossings must meet 100 year flood capacity.

Determined as part of the review of the culvert or bridge permit.

SFE Program, 1996

Soil Erosion and Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control ActSedimentation Control Act

(P.A. 451, Part 91)(P.A. 451, Part 91)

Applies if natural cover or topography will be altered on 1 or more acres or within 500 feet

of a lake or stream.

Exempts Logging

BUT

not road construction

Administrator: County based - ask local MIDEQ office

SFE Program, 1996

Wetlands Protection ActWetlands Protection Act(P.A. 451, Part 303)(P.A. 451, Part 303)

Controls road building in wetlands next to lakes and streams and in wetlands over 5

acres in size.

Temporary Logging roads are not subject to permits.

SFE Program, 1996

Wetlands Protection ActWetlands Protection Act(P.A. 451, Part 303)(P.A. 451, Part 303)

No permit required if: You employ BMP’s

– sufficient cross culverts– minimum fill volume– minimum width– removal of fill– restore wetland area upon road closure

Administered by: MIDEQ, Land and Water Division

SFE Program, 1996

Sand Dune Protection Sand Dune Protection and Management Actand Management Act

(P.A. 451, Part 353)(P.A. 451, Part 353)

Protects certain critical dunes areas.

Forest Management activities are subject to acquiring a permit.

Administered by:Local Townships Offices have maps showing affected areas.

SFE Program, 1996

Michigan Environmental Protection ActMichigan Environmental Protection Act(P.A. 451, Part 17)(P.A. 451, Part 17)

Right of any citizen to bring action against others for pollution or negative impact on

air, water, and other natural resources!

SFE Program, 1996

Applying BMP PracticesApplying BMP Practices

Road layout and design– think ahead (use soil surveys)– locate area on maps– determine location of

landings skid trails haul roads stream crossings

MIDNR, 1994

SFE Program, 1996

Applying BMP PracticesApplying BMP Practices

Establishing buffer zones– 100 foot minimum – increased width with slope– deviation is at the logger’s discretion– Limited timber harvest

no forest floor disturbance maintain riparian shade remove slash from buffer zone

MIDNR, 1994

SFE Program, 1996

Applying BMP PracticesApplying BMP Practices

Plan Road Drainage– Direct and slow water

water diversion ditches broad-based dips water bars

– Major Considerations spacing of drainage control structures proper road grades

MIDNR, 1994

SFE Program, 1996

Applying BMP PracticesApplying BMP Practices

Stream crossing– determine correct culvert diameter.– length extends two feet beyond road.– locate at right angles to road bed.– place culvert into bed of stream.– road rises on approach to top of culvert.– stabilize soil surrounding the culvert end.

MIDNR, 1994

SFE Program, 1996

Permitting ProcessPermitting Process

Fees (culverts)– $50 minor project (< 2 sq. mile drainage area)– $100 major project (> 2 sq. mile drainage area)

Timeline– varies widely, call local DEQ office.

Contact local DEQ to discuss project first. Applications mailed to Lansing.

SFE Program, 1996

Steps to PermitsSteps to Permits Road weight limits.

– local road commission Culverts in road ditches.

– local road commission Culvert and bridge permits.

– MI DEQ Road construction permits.

– Varies by county Dune permits.

– MI DEQ

SFE Program, 1996

AcknowledgmentsAcknowledgments

This slide set is the work of many people, including Linda DePaul, MSUE Forest Stewardship Education Coordinator; Byron Sailor, DNR Forester; William Deephouse, DNR Stream Biologist who worked together to originally initiate BMP training in Michigan. Their work, combined with that of Russell Kidd, District Extension Agent; Robert Ojala, Oscoda Extension Director; Tom Barnes and Dave Andersen, SFE District Extension Agents; Rich Hausler, DNR BMP Coordinator; Douglas Lantagne, MSU Extension Specialist and others who reviewed parts of the presentation are all responsible for the production of this slide presentation on Best Management Practices in Michigan.

SFE Program, 1996

ReferencesReferences

Bond, C.E. 1996. Biology of Fish. Second Edition. Saunders College Publishing, Harcourt Brace College Publishers, New York. 750p.

Chamberlin, T.W. 1982. Influence of Forest and Rangeland Management on Anadromous Fish Habitat in Western North America: Timber Harvest. USDA Forest Service PNW Exp. Station General Technical Report PNW-136. 30p.

MIDNR. 1994. Water Quality Management Practices on Forest Land. Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Lansing, MI. 77p.

Patton. D.R. 1992. Wildlife Habitat Relationships in Forested Ecosystems. Timber Press. Portland, Oregon. 392p.

Wenger, K.F.1984. Forestry Handbook, Second Edition. John Wiley and Sons, New York. 1335p.