APPENDI X C. BES T MANAGEMENT P RACTI C E S 

APPENDIX C 

BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR SOIL AND WATER 

CONSERVATION 

IDAHO WATER DESIGNATION ABSTRACTS 

Surface Water Quality Beneficial Use Designations* 

Agricultural Water Supply: Waters that are suitable or intended to be made suitable for the 

irrigation of crops or as drinking water for livestock (Source: IDAPA 16.01.0200,01a). Criteria: 

General surface water quality criteria. Narrative or "free-form" criteria for hazardous materials, 

deleterious materials, floating, suspended, or submerged matter, excess nutrients, oxygen 

demanding materials and sediment. Numeric criteria for radioactive materials (Source: IDAPA 

16.01.02250,03.a). 

Domestic Water Supply: Waters that are suitable or intended to be made suitable for drinking 

water supplies (Source IDAPA 16.01.02100,01.b). Criteria: Numeric criteria for specific 

constituents (Source: IDAPA 16.01.02250,03.a). 

Cold Water Biota: Waters which are suitable or intended to be made suitable for protection and 

maintenance of viable communities of aquatic organisms and populations of significant aquatic 

species which have optimal growing temperatures below 18 degrees C (Source: IDAPA 

16.01.02100,02.a). Criteria: Numeric criteria for pH, dissolved oxygen, gas saturation, residual 

chlorine, water temperature and total ammonia (Source: IDAPA 16.01.02100,02.a and b). 

Salmonid Spawning: Waters that provide or could provide a habitat for active self-propagating 

populations of salmonid fishes (Source: IDAPA 16.01.0200,02.c). Criteria: Numeric criteria for 

pH, gas saturation, residual chlorine, dissolved oxygen, water temperature and total ammonia 

(Source: IDAPA 16.01.02250,02.a and d). 

Primary Contact Recreation: Surface waters which are suitable or are intended to be made 

suitable for prolonged and intimate contact by humans or for recreational activities when the 

ingestion of small quantities of water is likely to occur. Such waters include, but are not restricted 

to, those used for swimming, water skiing or skin diving (Source: IDAPA 16.01.02100,03.a). 

Criteria: Numeric criteria applied between May 1st and September 30th (recreation season) for 

fecal coliform bacteria (Source: IDAPA 16.01.02250,01.a). 

Secondary Contact Recreation: Surface waters which are suitable or are intended to be made 

suitable for recreational uses on or about the water and which are not included in the primary 

contact category. These waters may be used for fishing, boating, wading, and other activities 

where ingestion of raw water is not probable (Source: IDAPA 16.01.02100,04). Criteria: 

Numeric criteria for fecal coliform bacteria (Source: IDAPA 16.01.02250, 01.b). 

Wildlife Habitats: Waters that are suitable or are intended to be made suitable for wildlife 

habitats. This use applies to all surface waters of the state (Source: IDAPA 16.01.02100,04). 

Criteria: General surface water quality criteria (Source: IDAPA 16.01.02200). 

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APPENDI X C. BES T MANAGEMENT P RACTI C E S 

Aesthetics: This use applies to all surface waters of the state (Source: IDAPA 16.01.02100,05). 

Criteria: General surface water quality criteria (Source: IDAPA 16.01.02200). 

* Different criteria apply to stream segments or water bodies that have been assigned site-specific 

criteria. 

Groundwater Use Classifications 

Agricultural Water Supplies: Waters that are suitable or intended to be made suitable for the 

irrigation of crops or as drinking water for livestock (Source: IDAPA 16.01.02250,03.a). 

Criteria: General groundwater quality criteria. Narrative or "free-form" criteria for hazardous 

materials and deleterious materials (Source: IDAPA 16.01.02299,04.a and b). Numeric criteria 

for radioactive materials (Source: IDAPA 16.01.02299,04.c and d). 

Domestic Water Supplies: Waters that are suitable or intended to be made suitable for drinking 

water supplies (Source: IDAPA 16.01.02299,04.a and b). Criteria: Numeric criteria for specific 

constituents (Source: IDAPA 16.01.02250,03.a). 

Special Designations 

Special Resource Water: Those specific segments or bodies of water that are recognized as 

needing intensive protection: a) to preserve outstanding or unique characteristics; or b) to 

maintain current beneficial use (Source: IDAPA 16.01.02003,54). For special resource waters, 

new or modified point sources of pollution cannot be allowed unless there is no measurable 

change in the quality of the receiving water body after allowing for an applicable mixing zone. 

Designations as a special resource water recognizes at least one of the following characteristics: 

a) the water is of outstanding high quality, exceeding both criteria for primary contact recreation 

and cold water biota: b) the water is of unique ecological significance; c) the water possesses 

outstanding recreational or aesthetic qualities; d) intensive protection of the quality of the water is 

in paramount interest of the people within a State or National Wild and Scenic River System; or 

e) intensive protection of the quality of the water is necessary to maintain an existing but 

jeopardized beneficial use (Source: IDAPA 16.01.02054,01). 

Water Quality Limited Segment: Any segment where it is known that water quality does not meet 

applicable water quality standards, and/or is not expected to meet applicable water quality 

standards, even after the application of the technology-based effluent limitations required by 

sections 301(b) and 306 of the Clean Water Act (Source: 40 CFR Chapter 1, Section 130,2(j)). 

Water quality limited segments are to be prioritized for total maximum daily load development. 

Designation as a water quality limited segment is based on water quality data. 

Wild and Scenic River: Under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (P.L. 90-542 as amended) a river 

or a section of a river may be classified as a wild river, a scenic river or recreational river. Wild 

Rivers are those rivers or sections of rivers that are free of impoundments and generally 

inaccessible except by trail, with watersheds and shorelines essentially primitive and unpolluted. 

They represent vestiges of primitive America. Scenic Rivers are those rivers or sections of rivers 

that are free of impoundments, with shorelines or watersheds still largely primitive and shorelines 

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APPENDI X C. BES T MANAGEMENT P RACTI C E S 

largely undeveloped, but accessible in places by roads. Recreational Rivers are those rivers or 

sections of rivers that are readily accessible by road or railroad, that may have some development 

along their shorelines and that may have undergone some impoundment or diversion in the past 

(Source: Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, Section 2 (b)). 

The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act prohibits the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission from 

licensing hydropower projects on eligible or designated river segments; withdraws public lands 

within authorized boundaries from entry, sale, or deposition; limits mineral extraction within 

designated or study river corridors; and requires that management actions necessary to protect 

such rivers be taken. 

BMP EFFECTIVENESS RATINGS 

This part of the appendix describes standard Best Management Practices (BMPs) commonly used 

on the Payette National Forest to minimize effects of timber management and associated 

activities on soil and water resources. The purpose of Table AD-1 is to: 

1. Establish the connection between the SWCP employed by the Forest Service and the 

Rules and Regulations pertaining to the Idaho Forest Practices Act; and 

2. Provide a qualitative assessment of expected effectiveness that the implemented BMP 

will have on preventing or reducing impacts on soil and water resources. 

The BMPs described herein are tiered to the Soil and Water Conservation Practices (SWCP) 

Handbook (FSH 2509.22) which is a supplemental document to the Forest Plan. This appendix 

does not cover all possible practices contained in the Forest Service Handbook, but it does 

represent the more common practices used to meet State and Forest management objectives. All 

reasonable practices will be implemented where applicable in the design of selected projects. The 

District Ranger (through the Presale Forester) is responsible for ensuring that all relevant SWCPs 

are incorporated into proper B and/or C Timber Sale Contract provisions. The Contracting 

Officer, through official representative(s), is responsible for ensuring that these provisions are 

properly administered on the ground. 

Each Soil and Water Conservation Practice is described as follows: 

• Title - Includes the sequential number of the SWCP and a brief title. 

• Objective - Describes the SWCP objective(s) and the desired results for protecting soil and 

water resources. 

• Effectiveness - Provides a qualitative assessment of expected effectiveness that the 

implemented practice will have on preventing or reducing impacts on soil and water resources. 

The SWCP effectiveness rating is based on the following criteria: 

a. Literature/Research (must be applicable to area). 

b. Administrative studies (local or within similar ecosystem). 

c. Experience (judgment of qualified personnel by education and/or experience). 

d. Fact (obvious by reasoned, logical, response). 

The expected effectiveness of the SWCP is rated High, Moderate or Low: 

• HIGH: Practice is highly effective (greater than 90%), meets one or more of the rating 

criteria and documentation is available. 

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• MODERATE: Documentation shows that practice is 75% to 90% effective; or Logic 

indicates that practice is highly effective, but there is no documentation to back it up. 

Implementation and effectiveness of this practice will be monitored and the practice will 

be modified if necessary to achieve the mitigation objective. 

• LOW: Effectiveness is unknown or unverified, and there is little or no documentation; or 

applied logic is uncertain and practice is estimated to be less than 60% effective. This 

practice is speculative and needs both effectiveness and validation monitoring. 

• Compliance - Identifies specific Idaho Forest Practices Act Rule(s) that the implemented 

practice would meet or exceed. 

BMP Description Purpose or Objective 

Effectiveness and 

IFPA Compliance 

SWCP 11.05 - Wetlands analysis 

and evaluation. 

Maintain wetland functions and avoid adverse 

soil and water resource impacts associated 

with the destruction or alteration of wetlands, 

bogs, and wet meadows. 

HIGH. IFPA Rule 

030: 08c 

SWCP 11.07, 11.11 - Oil spill 

contingency plan. Petroleum 

storage, delivery facilities, and 

management. 

Prevent contamination of soil and water 

resources resulting from leaking delivery 

systems and storage facilities. 

HIGH. IFPA Rules 

060: 02a, b, c 

SWCP 11.09 - Management by 

closure to use. 

Exclude activities that could result in damages 

to facilities or degradation of soil and water 

resources. 

HIGH. IFPA Rule 

040: cii, di, dii, eiii, 

eiv 

SWCP 11.14 - Management of 

snow survey sites. 

Protect snow courses and related data sites 

from effects by land management activities. 

HIGH. No related 

IFPA rules. 

SWCP 13.04 - Revegetation of 

surface-disturbed areas. 

Protect soil productivity and water quality by 

minimizing soil erosion. 

MODERATE. 

IFPA Rule 030: 

04c, 05a, 05b 

SWCP 14.05, 15.05 - Protection 

of unstable areas. Slope 

stabilization and prevention of 

mass failures. 

Identify and protect unstable areas so as to 

avoid triggering mass movements and 

resultant erosion and sedimentation. 

HIGH. IFPA Rule 

3.d.ii 

SWCP 14.17, 15.3, 15.19 - Stream 

channel protection. Controlling inchannel excavation. Stream bank 

protection. 

Protect natural stream flows and streamside 

vegetation by maintaining unobstructed 

passage of stream flows and by reducing 

sediments and other stream pollutants from 

entering. 

HIGH. IFPA Rule 

030: 05a, 

040: 04a thru d 

SWCP 15.02 - General guidelines 

for the location and design of 

roads and trails. 

Locate and design roads and trails with 

minimal soil and water resource impacts while 

considering all design criteria. 

MODERATE. 

IFPA Rule 030: 

03b, c; 04a 

040: 02a thru h 

SWCP 15.03 - Road and trail 

erosion control plan. 

Prevent, limit, and mitigate erosion and 

sedimentation through timely implementation 

of erosion control practices prior to and during 

ground-disturbing activities. 

MODERATE. 

IFPA Rule 040: 

03c, f, hi. 

SWCP 15.06 - Mitigation of 

surface erosion and stabilization 

of slopes. 

Minimize soil erosion and sedimentation from 

road cut slopes, fill slopes, and travelways 

during and after construction. 

MODERATE. 

IFPA Rule 040: 03a 

thru j. 

SWCP 15.07 - Control of 

permanent road drainage. 

Minimize the erosive effects of concentrated 

water and the degradation of water quality 

through proper design and construction of road 

drainage systems and control structures. 

MODERATE. 

IFPA Rule 040: 03 

and 04. 

SWCP 15.08 - Pioneer road Minimize sediment production and mass MODERATE. 

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BMP Description Purpose or Objective 

Effectiveness and 

IFPA Compliance 

construction. wasting associated with pioneer road 

construction. 

IFPA Rule 040: 

02 

SWCP 15.09 - Timely erosion 

control measures for incomplete 

roads and stream crossings. 

To minimize accelerated erosion and 

sedimentation from disturbed ground created 

by ongoing incomplete projects. 

MODERATE. 

IFPA Rule 040: 03a, 

b, f, I 

SWCP 15.10, 15.18 - Control of 

road construction excavation and 

sidecast. Disposal of right-of-way 

and roadside debris. 

Reduce sedimentation from unconsolidated 

excavated and sidecast material and 

construction slash caused by road 

construction, reconstruction, or maintenance. 

HIGH. IFPA Rule 

040: 04a 

SWCP 15.11 - Servicing and 

refueling of equipment. 

Prevent contamination of water from 

accidental spills of fuels, lubricants, bitumens, 

raw sewage, wash water, and other harmful 

materials. 

HIGH. IFPA Rule 

060: 02a, b, c 

SWCP 15.14 - Diversion of flows 

around construction sites. 

Minimize downstream sedimentation by 

ensuring that all stream diversions are 

carefully planned. 

HIGH. IFPA Rule 

040: 03e 

SWCP 15.16 - Bridge and culvert 

installation (disposition of surplus 

material). 

Minimize sedimentation and turbidity 

resulting from excavation for in-channel 

structures. 

HIGH. IFPA Rule 

040: 03b, d, e 

SWCP 15.17 - Regulation of 

borrow pits, gravel sources, and 

quarries. 

Minimize sediment production from borrow 

pits, gravel sources, and quarries, and limit 

channel disturbances in those gravel sources 

suitable for development in floodplains. 

HIGH. IFPA Rule 

040: 03g 

SWCP 15.21 - Maintenance of 

roads. 

Conduct regular preventive maintenance 

operations to avoid deterioration of the road 

surface and minimize disturbance to water 

quality and fish habitat. 

MODERATE. 

IFPA Rules 040: 

04a, b. 

SWCP 15.23 - Traffic control 

during wet periods. 

Reduce the potential for road surface 

disturbance during wet weather and reduce 

sedimentation probability. 

MODERATE. 

IFPA Rule 040: 

03.i 

SWCP 15.24 - Snow removal 

controls. 

Minimize impacts of snowmelt on road 

surfaces and embankments and reduce the 

probability of sediment production resulting 

from snow removal operations. 

MODERATE. 

IFPA Rule 040: 

05a, b 

SWCP 15.27 - Trail maintenance 

and rehabilitation. 

Minimize soil erosion and water quality 

problems resulting from trail erosion. 

HIGH. No related 

rules 

BMP Description 

Watershed Management 

SWCP 11.05 - Wetlands analysis and evaluation. 

SWCP 11.07, 11.11 - Oil spill contingency plan. Petroleum storage, delivery facilities, and 

management. 

SWCP 11.09 - Management by closure to use. 

SWCP 11.14 - Management of snow survey sites. 

Timber 

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APPENDI X C. BES T MANAGEMENT P RACTI C E S 

SWCP 14.05, 15.05 - Protection of unstable areas. Slope stabilization and prevention of mass 

movements. 

SWCP 14.17, 15.19 - Stream channel protection. Controlling in- channel excavation. Stream 

bank protection. 

Roads and Trails 

SWCP 15.02 - General guidelines for the location and design of roads and trails. 

SWCP 15.03 - Road and trail erosion control plan. 

SWCP 15.06 - Mitigation of surface erosion and stabilization of slopes. 

SWCP 15.07 - Control of permanent road drainage. 

SWCP 15.08 - Pioneer road construction. 

SWCP 15.09 - Timely erosion control measures for incomplete roads and stream crossings. 

SWCP 15.10, 15.18 - Control of road construction excavation and sidecast. Disposal of right-ofway and roadside debris. 

SWCP 15.11 - Servicing and refueling of equipment. 

SWCP 15.14 - Diversion of flows around construction sites. 

SWCP 15.16 - Bridge and culvert installation (disposition of surplus material). 

SWCP 15.17 - Regulation of borrow pits, gravel sources, and quarries. 

SWCP 15.21 - Maintenance of roads. 

SWCP 15.22 - Road surface treatment to prevent loss of materials. 

SWCP 15.23 - Traffic control during wet periods. 

SWCP 15.24 - Snow removal controls. 

SWCP 15.25 - Obliteration of temporary roads. 

SWCP 15.27 - Trail maintenance and rehabilitation. 

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NONPOINT SOURCE CONTROL PROGRAM 319 UPDATE 

Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ) 

Idaho Department of Health and Welfare DEQ is responsible for the overall coordination and 

implementation of the state's nonpoint source programs. Implementation of the Nonpoint Source 

Management Program is accomplished through interagency coordination with local, state, and 

federal natural resource agencies. The nonpoint source programs are implemented with assistance 

from public advisory committees, which provide continuous feedback on the direction and 

acceptability of the nonpoint source control strategy. 

The nonpoint source control strategy is based on the feedback loop concept. BMPs are the 

backbone of this control program. A process for site-specific application of BMPs is developed 

under each nonpoint source program, and monitoring is used to evaluate the effectiveness of the 

BMPs. Changes to BMPs are recommended when they do not support the beneficial uses; 

monitoring continues to ensure that the revised practices are adequate (The 1992 Idaho Water 

Quality Status Report, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, DEQ, December 1992). The 

nonpoint source program places emphasis on the following actions: 

• Building on the strength of existing nonpoint programs, such as agriculture and forestry; 

• Focusing evaluation and monitoring techniques on beneficial use assessments and BMP 

effectiveness; 

• Creating public awareness and support through information, education, and citizen 

participation; 

• Institutionalizing the feedback loop components in state and federal agency programs using 

the Clean Water Act requirements; and 

• Integrating the nonpoint source control program with implementation of the Antidegradation 

Policy. 

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APPENDI X C. BES T MANAGEMENT P RACTI C E S 

Feedback Loop Process for Nonpoint Source Control 

1. INSTREAM CRITERIA, 

which are developed to protect 

the beneficial uses of water or 

where there presently are no 

criteria – impairment to 

beneficial uses, which... 

Is the basis for 

development and 

modification of This data is then 

evaluated against the 

2. LAND MANGEMENT 

4. INSTREAM WATER 

QUALITY 

MONITORING 

Practices or Best Management 

Practices (BMPs)—voluntary 

for some NFS activities, 

mandatory for others 

The effectiveness of the 

BMPs in protecting water 

quality is evaluated through The BMPs 

are 

3. IMPLEMENTED onsite 

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