Record of Decision (ROD)/Approved RMP 113

APPENDIX B – BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

The publications referenced in this appendix are sources of “Best Management Practices” (BMPs). BMPs are measures 

that have been developed by agency, industry, scientific, and/or working groups as voluntary methods for reducing 

environmental impacts associated with certain classes of activity. BLM typically uses these measures as guidelines or 

“project design features” during implementation planning at the activity and/or project-specific levels. 

The list included in this appendix is not all-inclusive, but references the most frequently used sources. As new 

publications are developed, BLM may consider those BMPs. In addition, many BLM handbooks (such as BLM Manual 

9113-Roads and 9213-Interagency Standards for Fire and Aviation Operation) also contain BMP-type measures for 

minimizing impacts. These BLM-specific guidance and direction documents are not referenced in this appendix. 

Planning implications: Use of Best Management Practices is not mandatory, since individual measures may not be 

appropriate for use in every situation. They may be added, dropped, or modified through plan maintenance. 

NEPA implications: Only the wind energy development BMPs have been analyzed in a NEPA process. The use of other 

BMPs should be analyzed on a case-by-case basis in NEPA documents associated with projects on the public lands. 

These case-by-case analyses should not “tier to” the BMP publication as a way to dismiss environmental impacts (i.e., 

must still analyze and disclose the environmental considerations and effects associated with use of the BMP).

Montana Best Management Practices for Grazing 

Developed by: Working group with representation from: MSU College of Agriculture, Society of American Fisheries, 

Montana Stockgrowers Association, Montana Woolgrowers Association, USDI Bureau of Land 

Management, USDA Forest Service, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Montana Farm 

Bureau, and Montana Dept. of Natural Resources and Conservation. 

Publication reference: N/A, first printed in 1999 

Available From: Conservation Districts Bureau, DNRC, PO Box 201601, Helena MT 59620-1601 (406-444-6667). 

Description: Describes BMPs for livestock grazing designed to protect and enhance water quality, soils, plant 

communities, and other rangeland resources. Explains how and why to use BMPs to manage upland 

rangeland, forested rangeland, and riparian areas; and describes how grazing BMPs fit into a grazing 

management plan

Water Quality BMPs for Montana Forests

Developed by: Montana State University Extension Service 

Publication reference: Logan, R. 2001. Water Quality BMPs – Best Management Practices for Montana Forests. 

EB158, MSU Extension Forestry, Missoula, MT. 58pp.

Available from: MSU Extension Forestry, 32 Campus Dr, Missoula MT 59812, OR MSU Extension Publications, PO 

Box 172040 Bozeman MT 59717 

Description: Discusses methods for managing forest land while protecting water quality and forest soils. Intended 

for all forest land in Montana, including non-industrial private, forest industry, and state or federallyowned forests. These are preferred (but voluntary) methods that go beyond Montana State Law 

(Streamside Management Zones). Includes definitions, basic biological information, and BMPs for 

Streamside Management Zones; road design, use, planning and locating, construction, drainage, and 

closure; stream crossings, soil, timber harvesting methods, reforestation, winter planning, and cleanup. 
Appendix B

114 Record of Decision (ROD)/Approved RMP

Montana Placer Mining BMPs

Developed by: Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology 

Publication Reference: Special Publication 106, October 1993 

Available from: Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, Main Hall, Montana College of Mineral Science and 

Technology, Butte MT 59701 

Description: Provides guidelines for planning, erosion control, and reclamation in arid to semi-arid, alpine, and 

subalpine environments, to prevent or decrease environmental damage and degradation of water 

quality. 

BMPs for Wind Energy

Developed by: Bureau of Land Management

Publication reference: Wind Energy Development Programmatic EIS

Available From: FEIS Chapter 2 (section 2.2.3.2) at http://windeis.anl.gov/

Description: As part of the proposed action, BLM developed BMPs for each major step of the wind energy 

development process, including site monitoring and testing, plan of development preparation, 

construction, operation, and decommissioning. General BMPs are available for each step, and certain 

steps also include specific BMPs to address the following resource issues: wildlife and other ecological 

resources, Visual resources, Roads, Transportation, Noise, Noxious Weeds and Pesticides, 

Cultural/Historic Resources, Paleontological Resources, Hazardous Materials and Waste Management, 

Storm Water, Human Health and Safety, monitoring program, air emissions and excavation and 

blasting activities. 

Montana Guide to the Streamside Management Zone Law

Note: The Montana Guide to the Streamside Management Zone Law is a field guide to compliance with State 

of Montana Law 77-5-301[1] MCA. 

Developed by: Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Service Forestry Bureau, in cooperation 

with Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Montana Logging Association, Montana Wood 

Products Association, Plum Creek Timber LP, USDA Forest Service, USDI Bureau of Land 

Management 

Publication reference: Revised August 2002

Available From: Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, 2705 Spurgin Road, Missoula MT 

59801-3199, (406)542-4300, or local MT DNRC field office. 

Description: MT State Law (77-5-301[1] MCA). Complementary BMPs are found in the Water Quality BMPS for 

Montana Forests (also referenced in this appendix). Provides definitions, stream classifications, and 

guidelines on the seven forest practices prohibited by Montana law in SMZs (broadcast burning, 

operation of wheeled or tracked vehicles except on established roads, the forest practice of 

clearcutting, the construction of roads except when necessary to cross a stream or wetland; the 

handling, storage, application, or disposal of hazardous or toxic materials in a manner that pollutes 

streams, lakes, or wetlands, or that may cause damage or injury to humans, land, animals, or plants; the 

side casting of road material into a stream, lake, wetland, or watercourse; and the deposit of slash in 

streams, lakes, or other water bodies. 
Best Management Practices

Record of Decision (ROD)/Approved RMP 115

Erosion and Sediment Control Practices: Field Manual 

Developed by: Prepared for the Montana Department of Transportation

Publication reference: FHWA/MT-030003/8165

Available From: National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 21161

Description: The Erosion and Sediment Control Best Management Practices Construction Field Manual was 

developed to assist in design, construction, and post-construction phases of MDT projects. This manual 

provides background to concepts of Erosion and Sediment Control. Most of MDTs Best Management 

Practices are listed within the manual based on application categories. Each BMP is described; its 

applications and limitations are listed, as well as its design criteria. Construction phase and postconstruction phase BMPs are described. This manual is a field guide and condensed version of the 

Erosion and Sediment Control Design Construction Best Management Practices Manual. For more 

detailed discussion on topics found within, refer to the Erosion and Sediment Control Construction 

Best Management Practices Manual.

Erosion and Sediment Control Practices: Reference Manual 

Developed by: Prepared for the Montana Department of Transportation

Publication reference: FHWA/MT-030003/8165

Available From: National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 21161

Description: The Erosion and Sediment Control Construction Best Management Practices Manual was developed to 

assist in the design, construction, and post-construction phases of MDT projects. This manual provides 

background to state and federal regulations associated with erosion and sediment control practices 

including a general overview of the erosion and sediment processes. Best Management practices are 

listed within the manual based on application categories. Each BMP is described; its applications and 

limitations are listed, as well as its design criteria. The design phase includes development of 

construction plans, NOI, and SWPPP. Construction phase includes the finalization of the SWPPP, 

NOI, and the implementation of BMPs. Post-Construction phase includes monitoring, maintenance, 

and removal activities.

BMPs for Fluid Minerals

Developed by: Bureau of Land Management

Publication reference: BLM/WO/ST-06/021+3071

Available from: Online at: http://www.blm.gov/bmp/

Online at: http://www.mt.blm.gov/oilgas/operations/goldbook/goldbook1.html

Online at: http://www.mt.blm.gov/oilgas/operations/goldbook/Stand_Enviro_Color.pdf

Online at: http://www.mt.blm.gov/oilgas/operations/color.pdf

Description: BMPs for oil and gas demonstrate practical ideas which may eliminate or minimize adverse impacts 

from oil and gas development to public health and the environment, landowners, and natural resources; 

enhance the value of natural and landowner resources; and reduce conflict. The publication reference is 

to the “Gold Book” which is formally titled “Surface Operating Standards and Guidelines for Oil and 
Appendix B

116 Record of Decision (ROD)/Approved RMP

Gas Exploration and Development.” In addition, the first internet citation is to a location maintained by 

the Washington Office of the BLM containing general and technical information on the use and 

application of BMPs. The second location refers the reader directly to an online version of the “Gold 

Book.” The third and fourth locations refer the reader to color charts for use in selecting paint colors 

for oil and gas facilities.

Montana Non-Point Source Management Plan

Developed by: Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Planning Bureau, Watershed Protection 

Section

Publication reference: 2007 

Available From: Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Planning Bureau, Watershed Protection 

Section, P.O. Box 200901, Helena, MT 59620-0901

Online at: http://www.deq.state.mt.us/wqinfo/nonpoint/2007NONPOINTPLAN/Final/NPSPlan.pdf

Description: This document describes the Montana Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) updated strategy 

for controlling nonpoint source (NPS) water pollution, which is the state’s single largest source of 

water quality impairment. NPS pollution is contaminated runoff from the land surface that can be 

generated by most land use activities, including agriculture, forestry, urban and suburban development, 

mining, and others. Common NPS pollutants include sediment, nutrients, temperature, heavy metals, 

pesticides, pathogens, and salt. The purpose of the Montana NPS Pollution Management Plan (Plan) is: 

1) to inform the state’s citizens about NPS pollution problems and 2) to establish goals, objectives, and 

both long-term and short-term strategies for controlling NPS pollution on a statewide basis. The goal 

of Montana’s NPS Management Program is to protect and restore water quality from the impacts of 

non-point sources of pollution in order to provide a clean and healthy environment.