Final Environmental Impact Statement Kings River Experimental Watershed Project

Appendix C C-1

Appendix C Best Management Practices

BMP Name, Objective, and 

Direction Application to the KREW Project

BMP 1-1 Timber Sale Planning Process: To 

incorporate water quality and hydrologic 

considerations into the timber sale planning 

process.

Implemented through the Riparian Conservation Objectives/Forest Plan Consistency 

report, specification of operational BMPs, Environmental Analysis including 

interdisciplinary team office and field discussions, and incorporation of water quality 

protection measures in the Timber Sale Contract for the KREW EIS.

BMP 1-4 Use of Sale Area Maps (SAM) 

and/or Project Maps for Designating Water 

Quality Protection Needs: To ensure 

recognition and protection of areas related 

to water quality protection delineated on a 

SAM or project map. 

The sale administrator and purchaser will review these areas on the ground prior to 

commencement of ground disturbing activities. Examples of water quality protection 

features that will be designated on the project map include:

1) Location of streamcourses and riparian zones to be protected, including the width of 

the protection zone for each area.

2) Wetlands (meadows, lakes, springs, etc.) and other sensitive areas (such as shallow 

soils) to be protected. 

3) Boundaries of harvest units, specified roads and roads where hauling activities are 

prohibited or restricted, areas of different skidding and/or yarding methods, 

including post-harvest fuels treatments, and water sources available for purchaser’s 

use.

BMP 1-5 Limiting the Operating Period of 

Timber Sale Activities: To ensure that the 

purchasers conduct their operations, 

including erosion control work, road 

maintenance, and so forth, in a timely 

manner, within the time frame specified in 

the Timber Sale Contract.

The purchaser’s contract operation period will be limited to contract-specified periods 

when adverse environmental effects are not likely. The Sale Administrator will close 

down operations due to rainy periods, high water, or other adverse operating conditions 

in order to protect resources.

BMP 1-8 Streamside Management Zone 

Designation: To designate a zone along 

riparian areas, streams and wetlands that 

will minimize potential for adverse effects 

from adjacent management activities. 

Management activities within these zones 

are designed to improve riparian values. 

Streamside management zones (SMZs ) have been supplemented with RMAs and RCAs.

Within SMZs, the constraints defined in Sierra Supplement No. 1 apply. This includes 

no self-propelled ground based equipment, a minimum groundcover of 50%, and shade 

canopy may not be modified in a way that affects stream temperature. 

Under Alternative 3, harvest in SMZs will follow the SMZ Prescription described in 

Watershed Design Measure #2 (following this table) to ensure compliance with these 

constraints. Under Alternative 3, Class I and II streams in sub-watersheds with CWE 

concerns will have no harvest within SMZs to provide increased protection to these 

areas. 

Modifications to these guidelines are possible where site-specific needs exist if the action 

is reviewed by a hydrologist or fisheries biologist.

BMP 1-9 Determining Tractor Loggable 

Ground: To minimize erosion and 

sedimentation resulting from ground 

disturbance of tractor logging systems. 

Limit ground skidding and machine piling with tractors to slopes less than 35%. 

Endlining can be used to remove logs from steeper slopes. Ground disturbance on areas 

of shallow soils, notably soils adjacent and abutting to rock outcrops, will be avoided. 

BMP 1-10 Tractor Skidding Design: By 

designing skidding patterns to best fit the 

terrain, the volume, velocity, concentration, 

and direction of runoff water can be 

controlled in a manner that will minimize 

erosion and sedimentation.

The sale administrator and purchaser will designate all skid trails prior to ground 

disturbing activities. If uncertainty arises regarding potential resource impacts of skid 

trail location, consult with an earth science specialist (i.e., hydrologist, aquatic biologist, 

or soil scientist). Utilize existing skid trails whenever feasible if they are outside an 

RCA or SMZ

BMP 1-11 Suspended Log Yarding in 

Timber harvesting: To protect the soil 

mantle from excessive disturbance; to 

maintain the integrity of the SMZ or other 

sensitive watershed area; to control erosion 

on cable corridors.

BMP 1-12 Log Landing Location: To The following criteria are to be used by the Sale Administrator when evaluating 
Final Environmental Impact Statement Kings River Experimental Watershed Project

Appendix C C-2

BMP Name, Objective, and 

Direction Application to the KREW Project

locate new landings in such a way as to 

avoid watershed impacts and associated 

water quality degradation 

landings:

a. Utilize existing landings if they are not located in an RCA. In some cases, using an 

existing landing located within an RCA is preferable to constructing a new landing 

outside of it. These situations will be reviewed on a site-by-site basis by an earth 

science specialist (aquatics, hydrology, geology, or soils). 

b. The cleared or excavated size of landings will not exceed that needed for safe and 

efficient skidding and loading operations. Trees considered dangerous will be 

removed around landings to meet the safety requirements of OSHA.

c. Selected landing locations will involve the least amount of excavation and fill 

possible. Landings must be located outside of SMZs.

d. Locate landings near ridges away from headwater swales in areas that will allow 

skidding without crossing stream channels, violating SMZs, or causing direct 

deposit of soil and debris to a stream. 

e. Locate landings where the least number of skid roads will be required, and sidecast 

can be stabilized without entering drainages or affecting other sensitive areas. Keep 

the number of skid trails entering a landing to a minimum.

f. Position landings such that the skid road approach will be nearly level as feasible, 

to promote safety and to protect soil from erosion.

g. Avoid excessive fills associated with landings constructed on old landslide 

benches. 

h. Construct stable landing fills or improve existing landings by using appropriate 

compaction and drainage specifications. 

BMP 1-13 Erosion Prevention and Control 

Measures during Timber Sale Operations: 

To ensure that the purchasers’ operations 

will be conducted reasonably to minimize 

soil erosion.

Timber purchaser responsibilities for erosion control will be set forth in the Timber Sale 

Contract. Equipment will not be operated when ground conditions are such that 

excessive damage will result. The kinds and intensity of control work required of the 

purchaser will be adjusted by the sale administrator to ground and weather conditions 

with emphasis on controlling overland runoff, erosion, and sedimentation. 

Erosion control work required by the contract will be kept current. At certain times of the 

year this means daily, if precipitation is likely or weekly when precipitation is predicted 

for the weekend. Erosion prevention measures must be applied no later than October 1 

and immediately upon completion of activity begun after November 1. 

If the purchaser fails to perform seasonal erosion control work prior to any seasonal 

period of precipitation or runoff, the Forest Service may temporarily assume 

responsibility, complete the work, and use any unencumbered deposits as payment for 

the work.

BMP 1-16 Log Landing Erosion Protection 

and Control: To reduce the impacts of 

erosion and subsequent sedimentation 

associated with log landings by use of 

mitigating measures. 

Landings will be properly cross-ditched, ripped (if soils are compacted), re-contoured (as 

necessary), and mulched after use and before the winter precipitation period, whichever 

comes first. Excess material not needed for erosion control can be piled and burned. 

Upon completion of the project, consult with the hydrologist or soil scientist to 

determine the need for additional soil protection measures.

BMP 1-17 Erosion Control of Skid Trails: 

To protect water quality by minimizing 

erosion and sedimentation derived from 

skid trails. 

Erosion control measures will be installed on all skid trails, tractor roads, and temporary 

roads. Erosion control measures include, but are not limited to, cross ditches (water 

bars), organic mulch, and ripping. 

Cross ditches will be spaced according to the guidelines below, maintained in a 

functioning condition, and will not discharge directly into a watercourse. The level of 

maintenance will be contingent upon existing or predicted weather patterns as 

determined by the Sale Administer (see BMP 1-13).

 Minimum Cross Drain Spacing 

% Slope Maximum Spacing

0 - 15 125 feet

15 - 35 45 feet

BMP 1-18 Meadow Protection during 

Timber Harvesting: To avoid damage to the 

ground cover, soil, and hydrologic function 

of meadows.

Mechanical equipment is not permitted in meadows unless specifically authorized by an 

aquatic biologist and hydrologist.
Final Environmental Impact Statement Kings River Experimental Watershed Project

Appendix C C-3

BMP Name, Objective, and 

Direction Application to the KREW Project

BMP 1-19 Streamcourse and Aquatic 

Protection: The objectives of this BMP are:

a. To conduct management actions 

within these areas in a manner that 

maintains or improves riparian and 

aquatic values. 

b. To provide unobstructed passage of 

stormflows. 

c. To control sediment and other 

pollutants entering streamcourses.

d. To restore the natural course of any 

stream as soon as practicable, where 

diversion of the stream has resulted 

from timber management activities. 

a. The location and method of crossings on Class IV and V streams must be agreed to 

by the sale administrator (SA) prior to construction. 

b. Stream crossings on Class I – III streams must be approved by the hydrologist and 

aquatic biologist. 

c. Damage to stream banks and channels will be repaired to the extent practicable. 

d. All sale-generated debris will be removed from streamcourses, unless otherwise 

agreed to by the SA, and in an agreed upon manner that will cause the least 

disturbance. 

e. Felled trees will not be pulled across perennial or intermittent stream channels 

without prior approval by the hydrologist or aquatic biologist. 

f. Methods for protecting water quality while utilizing tractor skid trail design in 

stream course areas where harvest is approved include: (1) end lining, (2) falling to the 

lead, and (3) utilizing specialized equipment with low ground pressure such as feller 

buncher harvester. 

g. Water bars or other erosion control structures will be located so as to disperse 

concentrated flows and filter out suspended sediments prior to entry into streamcourse. 

h. Material from temporary road construction and skid trail streamcourse crossings 

will be removed and streambanks restored to the extent practicable. 

i. Special slash treatment site preparation activities will be prescribed in sensitive 

areas to facilitate slash disposal without use of mechanized equipment. 

j. Project-related bare soil areas (e.g. skid trails, landings, temporary roads, etc.) will 

be covered with existing native vegetation mulch, organic debris, or certified weed free 

straw to at least 50%, well distributed cover, and cross-ditched per BMP 1-17 

requirements.

BMP 1-20 Erosion Control Structure 

Maintenance: To ensure that constructed 

erosion control structures are stabilized and 

working

During the period of the timber sale contract, the purchaser will provide maintenance of 

soil erosion control structures contracted by the purchaser until they become stabilized, 

but not more than one year after their construction. If the purchaser fails to do seasonal 

maintenance work, the Forest Service may assume the responsibility and charge the 

purchaser accordingly. The Forest Service sale administrator is responsible for ensuring 

erosion control maintenance work is completed.

BMP 1-21 Acceptance of Timber Sale 

Erosion Control Measures before Sale 

Closure: To ensure the adequacy of required 

erosion control work on timber sales. 

The sale administrator must inspect erosion control measures to ensure their adequacy 

prior to accepting closure on the unit and/or sale. 

The effectiveness of erosion control measures will be evaluated using BMPEP protocols 

after the sale area has been through one or more wet seasons. This evaluation is to ensure 

that erosion control treatments are in good repair and functioning as designed before 

releasing the purchaser from contract responsibility. 

The purchaser is responsible for repairing erosion control treatments that fail to meet 

criteria in the Timber Sale Contract, as determined by the Sale Administer, for up to one 

year past closure of the sale. 

BMP 1-22 Slash Treatment in Sensitive 

Areas: To maintain or improve water 

quality by protecting sensitive areas from 

degradation which would likely result from 

using mechanized equipment for slash 

disposal. 

All burn piles made with mechanical equipment must be located outside of the SMZ.

Hand piles will be kept at least 50 feet away from all streams, meadows, springs, seeps, 

and other sensitive aquatic areas. 

Project design measures include specialized mechanized fuels treatments to be used in

sub-watersheds with cumulative watershed effects concerns in order to minimize ground 

disturbance.

BMP 2-1 General guidelines for the 

Location and Design of Roads: To locate 

and design roads with minimal resource 

damage. 

The following considerations are incorporated into the planning process of road location 

and design. These measures are preventative, apply to all transportation activities, and 

indirectly protect water quality:

(a) Transportation facilities will be developed and operated to best meet the resource 

management objectives with the least adverse effect on environmental values. 

(b) The location, design, and construction of roads will include the use of the IDT. 

(c) Sensitive areas such as wetlands, inner gorges, and unstable ground will be avoided 

to the extent practiable.

(d) Stream crossings will be designed to provide the most cost efficient drainage 

facility consistent with resource protection, facility needs, and legal obligations. 

BMP 2-3 Timing of Construction Ground-disturbing activities will occur when soils are dry. In some cases soils may never 
Final Environmental Impact Statement Kings River Experimental Watershed Project

Appendix C C-4

BMP Name, Objective, and 

Direction Application to the KREW Project

Activities: To minimize erosion by 

conducting operations during minimal 

runoff periods and when soils are dry and 

less prone to compaction. 

dry sufficiently. Ground-disturbing work that occurs off of existing roads will occur 

during the dry season and will reduce ground disturbance as much as possible.

BMP 2-5 Road Slope Stabilization 

Construction Practices: To reduce 

sedimentation by minimizing erosion from 

road slopes and slope failure along roads.

An adequate soils and geologic investigation will be conducted when finalizing new 

road construction designs for: correct cut and fill steepness based on the angle of repose 

for the type of material; methods to handle surface runoff; and necessary compaction 

standards and surfacing needs.

BMP 2-7 Control of Road Drainage: To 

minimize the erosive effects of water 

concentrated on roads, to disperse runoff 

from road surfaces, to lessen sediment yield 

from roaded areas, and to minimize erosion 

of the road prism. 

Newly constructed or reconstructed roads will be designed to reduce hydrologic 

connectivity and soil erosion wherever feasible. The sale administrator or other Forest 

Service representative will ensure that roads are adequately maintained during project 

implementation to ensure that road drainage features function as designed.

BMP 2-8 Constraints Related to Pioneer 

Road Construction: To minimize sediment 

production and mass wasting from pioneer 

road construction. 

(a) Roads will be constructed within the planned roadway limits unless otherwise 

specified or approved by the ER or COR.

(b) Pioneer roads will be located to prevent undercutting of the designated final cut 

slope, avoid deposition of materials outside the designated roadway limits, and 

accommodate drainage with temporary culverts or log crossings. 

(c) Erosion control work will be completed prior to the rainy season and in accordance 

with the contract.

(d) Crossing sites on live streams will be dewatered during construction with diversion 

devices (see BMP 2-15). 

BMP 2-9 Timely Erosion Control Measures 

on Incomplete Roads and Stream Crossing 

Projects: To minimize erosion and 

sedimentation from disturbed ground on 

incomplete projects. 

Erosion control must be completed before the rainy season (usually October in the 

KREW project area). Preventative measures for timely erosion control include:

(a) Removal of temporary culverts, culvert plugs, diversion dams, or elevated stream 

crossings.

(b) Installation of temporary culverts, side drains, flumes, cross drains, diversion 

ditches, energy dissipaters, dips, sediment basins, berms, debris racks, or other 

facilities needed to control erosion. 

(c) Removal of debris, obstructions, and spoil material from channels and floodplains. 

(d) Planting vegetation, mulching, and/or covering exposed surfaces with jute mates or 

other protective material.

BMP 2-10 Construction of Stable 

Embankments: To construct embankments 

with materials and methods which minimize 

the possibility of failure and subsequent 

water quality degradation. 

Roadways will be designed and constructed as stable and durable earthwork structures 

with adequate strength to support the treadway, shoulders, subgrade and road traffic 

loads.

BMP 2-11 Control of Sidecast Material 

During Construction and Maintenance: To 

minimize sediment production originating 

from sidecast material during road 

construction or maintenance.

Sidecasting is not permitted within SMZs.

Waste areas must be located where excess material can be deposited and stabilized.

BMP 2-12 Servicing and refueling 

equipment: To prevent pollutants such as 

fuels, lubricants, bitumens and other 

harmful materials from being discharged 

into or near rivers, streams and 

impoundments, or into natural or man-made 

channels. 

Storage of hazardous materials (including fuels) and servicing and refueling of 

equipment will be conducted at pre-designated locations outside of RCAs and CARs. If 

fueling and/or storage of hazardous materials are needed within RCAs or CARs, those 

sites must be reviewed and approved by the forest Hydrologist or Aquatic Biologist. 

Additional protection measures, such as containment devices, may be necessary. 

BMP 2-13 Control of Construction and 

Maintenance Activities Adjacent to SMZs: 

To protect water quality by controlling 

construction and maintenance actions 

within and adjacent to SMZs so that SMZ 

functions are not impaired. 

Construction and maintenance fills, sidecast, and end-hauled materials will be kept out of 

SMZs except at designated crossing sites to minimize the effect to the aquatic 

environment. 

BMP 2-14 Controlling In-Channel 

Excavation: To minimize stream channel There will be no in-channel or streambank excavation during any phase of project 
Final Environmental Impact Statement Kings River Experimental Watershed Project

Appendix C C-5

BMP Name, Objective, and 

Direction Application to the KREW Project

disturbances and related sediment 

production.

activities unless authorized by the forest hydrologist or aquatic biologist.

BMP 2-16 Stream Crossings on Temporary 

Roads and Skid Trails: 

Mechanical equipment crossing of perennial and intermittent (generally class I – III) 

streams is not permitted unless approved by the district hydrologist or aquatic biologist. 

Ephemeral streams (stream class IV and V) may be crossed at designated locations as 

agreed upon by the sale administrator and purchaser. Designate skid trails to avoid 

stream crossings and SMZs wherever possible. Designated crossings must be as 

perpendicular to the channel as possible and avoid sensitive soils and riparian vegetation 

damage. Stream banks must be repaired upon completion of the project.

BMP 2-19 Disposal of Right-of-Way and 

Roadside Debris: To ensure that organic 

debris generated during road construction is 

kept out of streams so that channels and 

downstream facilities are not obstructed. 

Slash generated by road work will not be disposed of into any watercourse or SMZ.

BMP 2-21 Water Source Development 

Consistent with Water Quality Protection: 

To supply water for roads and fire 

protection while maintaining existing water 

quality.

Water drafting will not occur in streams when the base discharge is less than 1.5 cfs, and 

will not draft more than 50% of the ambient discharge over 1.5 cfs. New drafting sites 

shall be approved by the District Hydrologist or Fisheries/Aquatic Biologist and located 

to minimize sediment and maintain riparian resources, channel condition, meadow 

integrity, and aquatic species viability and habitat. Approaches will be as near 

perpendicular to the stream as possible and will be gravel surfaced or otherwise 

stabilized. 

If water-drafting is required, pumps with low entry velocity and suction strainers with 

screens less than 2 mm in size (1/8 in.) will be used.

BMP 2-22 Maintenance of Roads: To 

maintain roads in a manner that provides for 

water quality protection by minimizing 

rutting, failures, sidecasting, and blockage 

of drainage facilities, all of which can cause 

erosion, sedimentation, and deteriorating 

watershed conditions.

Roads needed for project activities will be brought to current engineering standards of 

alignment, drainage, and grade before use, and will be maintained through the life of the 

project. Roads will be inspected at least annually to determine what work, if any, is 

needed to keep ditches, culverts, and other drainage facilities functional and the road 

stable. 

BMP 2-23 Road Surface Treatment to 

Prevent Loss of Materials: 

Surface stabilization will be considered where grades exceed 12% or road is within 

riparian conservation areas.

BMP 2-24 Traffic Control During Wet 

Periods: To reduce road surface disturbance 

and the rutting of roads, and to minimize 

sediment washing from disturbed road 

surfaces.

On roads not designated for all weather or winter haul, heavy equipment operations will 

be limited until the period after the soil has dried in the top 12 inches in the spring.

BMP 2-26 Obliteration or 

Decommissioning of Roads: To reduce 

sediment generated from temporary roads, 

unneeded system and non-system roads by 

obliterating or decommissioning them at the 

completion of the intended use.

Temporary roads will be obliterated after serving their intended purpose for this project. 

This includes: (1) road effectively barricaded; (2) road effectively drained by measures 

such as re-contouring or outsloping to return surface to near natural hydrologic function; 

(3) a well distributed mulch or organic cover provides at least 50% cover, or road surface 

is revegetated using local native species; (4) sideslopes are reshaped and stabilized to 

match the natural contour (as necessary); and (5) stream crossings are removed and 

natural channel geometry is restored. 

If non-local mulch is used (such as straw), it must be approved by the Forest Service as 

weed free. 

BMP 5-8 Pesticide Application According 

to Label Directions and Applicable Legal 

Requirements: To avoid water 

contamination by complying with all label 

instructions and restrictions for use. 

This BMP requires glyphosate applicators to strictly adhere to pesticide label 

instructions.

BMP 5-11 Cleaning and Disposal of 

Pesticide Containers and Equipment: To 

prevent water contamination resulting from 

cleaning or disposal of pesticide containers. 

The cleaning and disposal of glyphosate containers will be done in accordance with 

Federal, State, and local laws, regulations and directives.

BMP 5-12 Streamside Wet Area Protection 

During Pesticide Spraying: To minimize the 

risk of pesticide inadvertently entering 

waters, or unintentionally altering the 

When spraying glyphosate, an untreated strip of land and vegetation will be left 

alongside surface waters, wetlands, riparian areas, or SMZ. Strip widths established by 

the IDT are 5 feet for dry channels and 25 feet for flowing channels (see Herbicide Use 
Final Environmental Impact Statement Kings River Experimental Watershed Project

Appendix C C-6

BMP Name, Objective, and 

Direction Application to the KREW Project

riparian area, SMZ, or wetland. design criteria). 

BMP 6-2 Consideration of Water Quality in 

Formulating Fire Prescriptions: To provide 

for water quality protection while achieving 

the management objectives through the use 

of prescribed fire. 

Prescribed burning is planned at the minimum intensity and severity necessary to achieve 

management objectives, and each Burn Plan will incorporate all relevant design 

measures from this EIS. 

BMP 6-3 Protection of Water Quality from 

Prescribed fire Effects: To maintain soil 

productivity, minimize erosion, and 

minimize ash, sediment, nutrients, and 

debris from entering water bodies.

Fires will be allowed to back into riparian vegetation, but direct lighting within riparian 

vegetation will not occur. 

All fire lines within RCAs and CARs will be water barred per BMP 1-17 spacing 

requirements. Fire lines within RCA (i.e., 150 ft., seasonal streams, and 300 ft. perennial 

streams, springs, and meadows) will be designed and constructed to reduce sediment 

entry into channels. Fire lines in RCAs will cross perpendicular to streams and follow 

the natural landscape contour as much as possible. Firelines within the SMZ will be 

hand cut. Waterbars will be placed on either side of each stream crossing to prevent or 

reduce sediment entry into streams. 

BMP 7-3 Protection of Wetlands: To avoid 

adverse water quality impacts associated 

with destruction, disturbance, or 

modification of wetlands.

Ground disturbing activities will not occur in wetlands or meadows. 

BMP 7-4 Oil and Hazardous Substance 

Spill Contingency Plan and Spill Prevention 

Containment and Countermeasure (SPCC) 

Plan: To prevent contamination of water 

from accidental spills.

A spill contingency plan and spill prevention and countermeasure plan (SPCC) must be 

prepared if hazardous materials (including fuels and oils) stored on the Sierra National 

Forest exceed 1320 gallons, or if a single container exceeds 660 gallons.

The plan will at a minimum include: the types and amounts of hazardous materials 

located in the project area, pre-project identified locations for hazardous materials 

storage and fueling/maintenance activities (must be located outside of RCA and CAR 

unless prior approval by District Hydrologist or Aquatic Biologist is obtained), methods 

for containment of hazardous materials and contents of on-site emergency spill kit, and a 

contingency plan (including contact names with phone numbers) to implement in the 

event of a spill. 

The SPCC plan must be approved by the Forest Service prior to project implementation.