Implementation of Forestry

Best Management Practices:

2012 Southern Region Report

Prepared by:

Water Resources Committee

September 2012
Implementation of Forestry Best Management Practices: 2012 Southern Region Report

Water and the Southern Group of State Foresters i

WATER AND THE SOUTHERN GROUP OF STATE FORESTERS

The Southern Group of State Foresters (SGSF) is a non-profit organization consisting of State 

Foresters from:

 Alabama

 Arkansas

 Florida

 Georgia

 Kentucky

 Louisiana

 Mississippi

 North Carolina

 Oklahoma

 South Carolina

 Tennessee

 Texas

 Virginia 

 Puerto Rico

 U.S. Virgin Islands

We work together to identify and address issues and challenges that are important to southern 

forests and citizens, many of which have been assessed with each state’s Forest Action Plan ( www.

forestactionplans.org ). A common theme of these plans among southern states was water quality 

and quantity. The SGSF has incorporated a goal into our Implementation Plan that recognizes the 

role of forests and forestry to the long-term sustainable supply of clean water in the south.

The SGSF has identified several important actions to achieve this “water goal.” One of those 

actions is to continue state forestry agency programs directed toward nonpoint source pollution, 

specifically: “promote the protection of soil and water resources through the development, 

adoption, and implementation of silviculture best management practices (BMPs) or other suitable 

measures.” In order to achieve this component of our water goal, southern states will:

 Promote and encourage the use and proper implementation of Silviculture Best 

Management Practices (BMPs) through educational materials, training, technical 

assistance, incentives or other means necessary. 

 Facilitate work to monitor, report, and demonstrate the implementation and effectiveness 

of silviculture BMPs. 

 Support watershed research that focuses on developing effective BMPs, quantifying/

modeling BMP efficiency, and increasing our overall understanding of forest hydrology. 

 Document and report progress made in BMP implementation, load reductions, and water 

quality improvement. 

 Promote science based silviculture that supports the conservation, sustainable 

management, and functionality of wetlands.

SGSF Mission

To provide leadership in sustaining the economic, environmental, 

and social benefits of the South’s forests.

SGSF Implementation Plan - Goal 5 “Water Goal”

The SGSF will provide leadership and support to state agency programs that work to 

manage, conserve, restore, and enhance forests to provide a sustainable supply of 

clean water for economic, social, and ecological benefits.
Implementation of Forestry Best Management Practices: 2012 Southern Region Report

Forward iii

FORWARD

In order to improve and maximize the integrity of forestry Best Management Practices (BMP) 

implementation monitoring in the southeast, the Southern Group of State Foresters (SGSF) 

appointed a Task Force to develop recommendations for a more consistent approach to this activity 

in the region. Specifically, the Task Force was charged with developing guidance on monitoring 

BMP implementation that would be statistically sound, objective, and technically defensible. This 

framework was to achieve analytical consistency, making monitoring results and data generally 

comparable across the southern states.

In 1997, the Task Force completed the initial document titled Silviculture Best Management 

Practices Implementation Monitoring – A Framework for State Forestry Agencies (Framework). 

In 2002, this document was revised and re-published, and states began working toward 

conformance. As envisioned by the SGSF, one aspect of having multistate conformance with the 

Framework was the capability to compile BMP implementation data for participating states and 

periodically report this information at a regional level. Among other values, this “regional report” 

was expected to identify categories of BMPs for which implementation may need improvement 

throughout the region. It was further expected that those needs would then be addressed by the 

SGSF Water Resources Committee (WRC), through regional BMP training, demonstration, and 

information exchange.

In 2008, a small working group from the SGSF WRC solicited each of the southern states for all 

BMP implementation data that was collected in conformance with the Framework since 1997. 

This data was compiled, analyzed, and published in Implementation of Forestry Best Management 

Practices: A Southern Region Report, 2008. 

As a way to assess the ongoing educational efforts since 2008, the SGSF WRC again convened a 

working group to produce an updated “regional report.” The same data request format was used 

for easy comparison of results and included data collected between 2007 and 2012. Eleven of the 

13 states submitted data for inclusion in this report.

Southern Group of State Foresters

Water Resources Committee

www.southernforests.org
Implementation of Forestry Best Management Practices: 2012 Southern Region Report

Executive Summary v

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Forty-four statewide monitoring surveys have been conducted since the initial development 

of the Framework in 1997, with 24 in the last five years. The number of surveys completed to 

date provides a useful dataset for determining BMP implementation across the region, as well as 

changes in state implementation, since the inception of the Framework. 

For the seven BMP categories considered in this report, the lowest average implementation for 

the region was for Firebreaks (82 percent), and the highest average implementation was for 

Chemical Application (98.5 percent). The Harvesting, Forest Roads, Streamside Management 

Zone, Site Preparation, and Chemical Application categories all scored 90 percent or above, while 

Stream Crossings scored 89 percent.

Combining all BMP categories in all states, and using only the most recent survey data, the average 

overall BMP implementation for the southern region was 92 percent, up from 87 percent in 2008. 

The range of overall implementation reported by individual states for surveys included in this 

report was from 85 percent to 99 percent.

Change in BMP implementation has been positive across the region since the initial report in 

2008. Most notably, BMP implementation in the Harvesting and Firebreak categories increased 

by seven percentage points and nine percentage points, respectively. All other BMP categories 

realized at least a one percentage point increase since the previous report.
Implementation of Forestry Best Management Practices: 2012 Southern Region Report

Table of Contents vii

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Average Regional BMP Implementation by Category................................................... 2

Figure 2. Comparison of Average Regional BMP Implementation by Category – 

2008 vs. 2012................................................................................................................ 3

Figure 3. Changes in Overall BMP Implementation by State....................................................... 6

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1. BMP Implementation by State, Year, and Regional Category ....................................... 7

Table 2. Online Links to the Most Current State Forestry BMP Manuals in the 

Southern Region......................................................................................................... 11

Table 3. Online Links to Forestry BMP Implementation Information in the 

Southern Region......................................................................................................... 12

TABLE OF CONTENTS

WATER AND THE SOUTHERN GROUP OF STATE FORESTERS i

FORWARD iii

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY v

INTRODUCTION 1

FINDINGS 2

Overall BMP Implementation.........................................................................2

Regional Averages ............................................................................................ 3

Implementation of BMPs by Report Category ................................................4

Harvesting ........................................................................................................ 4

Forest Roads ..................................................................................................... 4

Stream Crossings............................................................................................... 4

Streamside Management Zones (SMZ).............................................................. 4

Site Preparation................................................................................................ 4

Firebreaks......................................................................................................... 5

Chemical Application......................................................................................... 5

SUMMARY 6

REFERENCES 10

Regional Reports .........................................................................................10

State BMP Manuals.....................................................................................11

State BMP Implementation Reports.............................................................12
Implementation of Forestry Best Management Practices: 2012 Southern Region Report

Introduction 1

INTRODUCTION

Beginning in 1997, states in the southern region were introduced to a BMP monitoring protocol 

titled Silviculture Best Management Practices Implementation Monitoring – A Framework for 

State Forestry Agencies (Framework). At that time, states began working toward this monitoring 

approach. Currently, all states in the region are in conformance with the Framework. However, 

only 11 of the 13 states submitted eligible data for inclusion in this report.

The Framework calls for the evaluation of seven BMP categories: Harvesting, Forest Roads, Stream 

Crossings, Streamside Management Zones, Site Preparation, Firebreaks, and Chemical Application. 

In addition, conformance with the Framework requires that BMPs be evaluated at three 

implementation levels, including individual practice, category, and overall. In order to allow for 

regional comparisons, the Framework also asks that states express implementation as a percent. 

As agreed to by the SGSF WRC, states in conformance with the Framework submitted BMP 

implementation monitoring data to a small working group. This data was to be extracted from all 

statewide surveys conducted in conformance with the Framework since the initial regional report 

published in 2008. For states that had not conducted monitoring since the initial regional report, 

their most recent data (2007) was used. 

Since forestry practices are different across the region, not all states reported on all categories 

of BMPs referenced in the Framework. For example, forest chemical use in Tennessee is 

not common, therefore Tennessee did not report implementation monitoring data for this 

BMP category. Similarly, some states evaluate BMPs less frequently than others, resulting in 

disproportionate responses for certain BMP categories. Finally, BMP monitoring forms for states 

are organized differently with respect to the BMP categories called for in the Framework. For 

example, Harvesting is a BMP category referenced in the Framework, but North Carolina addresses 

“harvesting practices” throughout their BMP Manual, and captures these practices under multiple 

BMP categories during implementation monitoring. Consequently, for consistency in this report, 

regional criteria (shown below) for each of the seven BMP categories were developed.

 Overall BMP Implementation – Average of all BMPs evaluated

 Harvesting – BMPs for landings, skid trails, wetlands, and waste disposal

 Forest Roads – BMPs for permanent and temporary forest roads

 Stream Crossings – BMPs for stream crossings – permanent or temporary – haul or skidder

 SMZs – BMPs for SMZs

 Site Preparation – BMPs for site preparation and planting

 Firebreaks – BMPs for firebreaks – wildland fire pre-suppression or prescribed burn

 Chemical Application – BMPs for application of pesticides, fertilizers, or other chemicals

While there is extensive BMP implementation monitoring data across the region, direct state to 

state comparisons are difficult, given the natural variability in site characteristics, operational 

methods, and BMP specifications throughout the South. Table 1 on page 7 provides current and 

historical data to facilitate in-state comparisons.
Implementation of Forestry Best Management Practices: 2012 Southern Region Report

2 Findings

FINDINGS

Overall BMP Implementation

The Overall Implementation statistic is reported for each site and accumulated for each survey. 

It includes all BMPs for a given forestry operation and is expressed as a percent of all applicable 

practices. Eleven states captured this statistic and responded with data (Figure 1). Overall 

implementation ranged from 85 percent to 99 percent for this reporting period, averaging 92 

percent. In states where multiple surveys were reported, overall implementation showed a 

generally positive change. Figure 1 below illustrates the average regional BMP implementation 

by category using the most recent survey from each state. 

Figure 1. Average Regional BMP Implementation by Category
Implementation of Forestry Best Management Practices: 2012 Southern Region Report

Findings 3

Regional Averages

Data reported by the individual states were analyzed to determine the current region-wide 

averages for overall BMP implementation and the seven BMP categories (Figure 2). This data was 

then compared to the region-wide average of the 2008 report to identify any change. The current 

overall BMP implementation average for the southern region is 92 percent, representing an 

increase of five percentage points since the initial survey (2008). Regional BMP implementation 

averages increased for all categories with notable improvement occurring in Harvesting (increase 

of seven percentage points) and Firebreaks (increase of nine percentage points). Figure 2 below 

illustrates the average regional BMP implementation by category from the previous regional 

report (2008) compared to the most recent survey data used in this report (2012).

Figure 2. Comparison of Average Regional BMP Implementation by Category – 

2008 vs. 2012
Implementation of Forestry Best Management Practices: 2012 Southern Region Report

4 Findings

Implementation of BMPs by Report Category

The following information addresses the data submitted by the states for each BMP category 

required by the Framework. A brief description of the category is provided below along with the 

average score and the range of responses.

Harvesting

The Harvesting category includes BMPs that address forestry activities, such as skidding, landings, 

wetlands, slash disposal, and timber felling. Eleven states captured harvesting BMPs directly and 

responded with data for this category. For this reporting period, implementation ranged from 

85 to 99 percent with a regional average of 95 percent. In states where multiple surveys were 

reported, implementation of Harvesting BMPs showed a generally positive change. 

Forest Roads

The Forest Roads category includes BMPs that address forestry activities, such as road construction, 

road maintenance, and runoff/erosion control. Eleven states captured Forest Road BMPs directly 

and responded with data for this category. For this reporting period, implementation ranged from 

78 to 99 percent with a regional average of 88 percent. In states where multiple surveys were 

reported, implementation of Forest Road BMPs showed a generally positive change. 

Stream Crossings

The Stream Crossing category includes BMPs that address forestry activities, such as culvert sizing 

and installation, construction of low-water crossings, and runoff/erosion control. This category 

includes both temporary and permanent as well as road and skidder crossings. Eleven states 

captured Stream Crossing BMPs directly and responded with data for this category. For this 

reporting period, implementation ranged from 72 to 98 percent with a regional average of 89 

percent. In states where multiple surveys were reported, implementation of Stream Crossing 

BMPs showed a generally positive change.

Streamside Management Zones (SMZ)

The SMZ category includes BMPs that address forestry activities in proximity to streams, 

rivers, lakes, and other water resource features. Eleven states captured SMZ BMPs directly and 

responded with data for this category. For this reporting period, implementation ranged from 

85 to 99 percent with a regional average of 93 percent. In states where multiple surveys were 

reported, implementation of SMZ BMPs showed a generally positive change.

Site Preparation

The Site Preparation category includes BMPs which address forestry activities that facilitate 

reforestation, such as shearing, chopping, raking, and bedding. Nine states captured Site 

Preparation BMPs directly and responded with data for this category. For this reporting period, 

implementation ranged from 74 to 99 percent with a regional average of 92 percent. In states 

where multiple surveys were reported, implementation of Site Preparation BMPs showed a 

generally positive change.
Implementation of Forestry Best Management Practices: 2012 Southern Region Report

Findings 5

Firebreaks

The Firebreaks category includes BMPs that address forestry activities, such as fireline construction, 

maintenance, and rehabilitation. While eight states captured Firebreak BMPs directly and 

responded with data, this category had the fewest number of sites, representing a relatively small 

sample size. For this reporting period, implementation ranged from 33 to 100 percent with a 

regional average of 82 percent. In states where multiple surveys were reported, implementation 

of Firebreak BMPs showed both positive and negative changes.

Chemical Application

The Chemical Application category includes BMPs that address forest chemical use, including 

pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, especially in close proximity to water resource features. Eight 

states captured Chemical Application BMPs directly and responded with data for this category. 

For this reporting period, implementation ranged from 94 to 100 percent with a regional average 

of 98.5 percent. In states where multiple surveys were reported, implementation of Chemical 

Application BMPs showed a generally positive change.
Implementation of Forestry Best Management Practices: 2012 Southern Region Report

6 Summary

SUMMARY 

This regional report on forestry BMP implementation monitoring is the second in a planned series 

to be published every three to five years. The objective of the report is to provide information 

at a regional level, for the purpose of continuously improving monitoring methods and BMP 

implementation, and to promote consistency among states in the southern region for this activity.

BMP implementation in the southern region is a high priority with the state foresters, as reflected 

in the continued support and coordination of the SGSF WRC. Although the regional data identifies 

several BMP categories in need of improvement, an overall regional implementation rate of 92 

percent is considered notable. Likewise, positive change has been made in every BMP category 

since the 2008 report. Specific BMP categories that should be targeted by the SGSF WRC for 

improvement are Firebreaks, Stream Crossings, and Forest Roads. 

Individual states in which multiple surveys have been conducted in accordance with the Framework 

have also shown positive changes in BMP implementation (Figure 3 and Table 1). This is largely 

attributed to the numerous educational, outreach, and training efforts being conducted across 

the southern region by the states and their cooperators, and to the efforts of the SGSF through 

the Water Resources Committee.

Figure 3. Changes in Overall BMP Implementation by State
Implementation of Forestry Best Management Practices: 2012 Southern Region Report

Summary 7

Year

BMP Category

Overall BMP 

Implementation Harvesting Forest Roads Stream Crossings SMZs Site Preparation Firebreaks Chemical Application

Alabama

2009 97 96 93 96 92 98 90 100

2010 97 98 93 96 97 98 97 98

Arkansas

2003 88 97 81 89 86 85 52 83

2006 88 96 85 90 81 86 55 87

2008 86 94 74 86 83 81 72 96

2011 89 97 85 84 86 74 80 100

Florida

1997 96 98 91 93 99 97 97 100

1999 96 97 90 91 97 97 96 100

2001 97 98 94 93 96 96 98 99

2003 97 98 96 87 95 98 88 100

2005 99 99 98 100 99 99 95 99

2007 98 100 98 99 98 98 100 100

2009 98 99 98 96 97 99 95 100

2011 99 99 99 98 98 99 100 100

Georgia

1998 79 87 77 59 81 97 30 99

2002 86 91 83 77 87 95 71 98

2004 90 94 89 81 91 99 85 100

2007 92 97 91 84 89 94 68 98

2009 94 98 90 90 97 88 88 100

2011 95 98 94 93 95 96 85 100

Table 1. BMP Implementation by State, Year, and Regional Category
Implementation of Forestry Best Management Practices: 2012 Southern Region Report

8 Summary Year BMP Category Overall BMP Implementation Harvesting Forest Roads Stream Crossings SMZs Site Preparation Firebreaks Chemical Application Mississippi 2003 89 93 95 89 89 90 81 95 2007 93 95 96 91 93 91 92 96 2010 93 95 91 92 94 96 92 98 North Carolina

2003 82 76 80 64 87 NA NA 99

2008 85 85 86 72 91 NA NA 94

Oklahoma

2004 91 96 82 90 97 93 100 100

2006 92 98 83 91 97 90 50 100

2010 92 96 85 93 96 97 33 100

South Carolina

2003 94 94 92 78 87 96 92 98

2005 96 96 94 96 96 NA NA NA

2008 97 96 95 94 99 NA NA NA

Tennessee

2007 89 93 91 80 85 90 NA NA

Texas

2000 89 98 84 67 86 96 96 100

2002 92 97 90 85 88 90 88 95

2005 92 97 92 81 91 95 96 100

2008 92 98 92 82 88 98 100 100

2011 94 99 96 85 90 98 89 98
Implementation of Forestry Best Management Practices: 2012 Southern Region Report

Summary 9

Year

BMP Category

Overall BMP 

Implementation Harvesting Forest Roads Stream Crossings SMZs Site Preparation Firebreaks Chemical Application

Virginia

2007 75 78 70 77 82 60 NA NA

2008 82 79 79 81 81 NA 68 100

2009 82 82 75 83 86 80 70 88

2010 83 85 74 82 86 81 74 NA

2011 86 86 78 87 91 81 76 NA
Implementation of Forestry Best Management Practices: 2012 Southern Region Report

10 References

REFERENCES

Regional Reports

Best Management Practices (BMP) Monitoring Task Force. 2007. Silviculture Best Management 

Practices Implementation Monitoring. In: Implementation of Forestry Best Management 

Practices: A Southern Regional Report. Appendix 1. Southern Group of State Foresters, Water 

Resources Committee. Available online at: www.southernforests.org/publications/SGSF%20

Regional%20BMP%20Framework%20Protocol%20publication_2007.pdf.

Southern Group of State Foresters (SGSF). 2008. Implementation of Forestry Best Management 

Practices: A Southern Region Report. Southern Group of State Foresters, Water Resources 

Committee. Available online at: www.southernforests.org/publications/Regional%20BMP%20

Report%202008.pdf/view.
Implementation of Forestry Best Management Practices: 2012 Southern Region Report

References 11

Table 2. Online Links to the Most Current State Forestry BMP Manuals in the 

Southern Region

State BMP Manuals

Table 2 below provides an online link to the most current forestry BMP manual for each state in 

the southern region.

State Year 

Published

Online Link

Alabama 2007 www.forestry.state.al.us/Publications/BMPs/2007_BMP_Manual.pdf

Arkansas 2002 arkforests.org/PDFs/BestManagementPractices.pdf

Florida 2011 www.floridaforestservice.com/publications/silvicultural_bmp_

manual2011.pdf

Georgia 2009 www.gfc.state.ga.us/resources/publications/BMPManualGA0609.pdf

Kentucky 2001 www.ca.uky.edu/forestryextension/Publications/FOR_FORFS/FOR67.pdf

Louisiana 2007 www.ldaf.state.la.us/portal/Portals/0/FOR/for%20mgmt/BMP.pdf

Mississippi 2008 www.mfc.ms.gov/pdf/Mgt/WQ/Entire_bmp_2008-7-24.pdf

North Carolina 2006 ncforestservice.gov/water_quality/bmp_manual.htm

Oklahoma 2008 www.forestry.ok.gov/Websites/forestry/Images/documents/

WaterQuality/Oklahoma%20Forestry%20BMPS%202008.pdf

South Carolina 2007 www.state.sc.us/forest/bmpmanual.pdf

Tennessee 2003 www.tn.gov/agriculture/publications/forestry/BMPs.pdf

Texas 2010 txforestservice.tamu.edu/sustainable/BMP_Manual

Virginia 2011 www.dof.virginia.gov/wq/resources/ManualBMP/2011_Manual_BMP.

pdf
Implementation of Forestry Best Management Practices: 2012 Southern Region Report

12 References

State BMP Implementation Reports

Table 3 below provides an online link to where forestry BMP implementation information for each 

state in the southern region can be obtained.

State Online Link

Alabama www.forestry.state.al.us/bmpmon.aspx?bv=2&s=1

Arkansas forestry.arkansas.gov/Services/ManageYourForests/Pages/

bestManagementPractices.aspx

Florida www.floridaforestservice.com/forest_management/hydrology_index.html

Georgia www.gfc.state.ga.us/forest-management/water-quality/bmps/index.cfm

Kentucky www.ca.uky.edu/forestryextension/publications_BMPS.php

Louisiana www.ldaf.state.la.us/portal/Offices/Forestry/ForestManagement/

BestManagementPractices/tabid/232/Default.aspx

Mississippi www.mfc.ms.gov/water-quality.php

North Carolina ncforestservice.gov/water_quality/wq_bmp_studies.htm

Oklahoma www.forestry.ok.gov/h2o-compliance-monitoring

South Carolina www.state.sc.us/forest/menvir.htm

Tennessee www.tn.gov/agriculture/forestry/waterquality.shtml

Texas tfsweb.tamu.edu/BMPMonitoring

Virginia www.dof.virginia.gov/wq/monitoring.htm

Table 3. Online Links to Forestry BMP Implementation Information in the 

Southern Region
www.southernforests.org