R5 FSH 2509.22 - SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION HANDBOOK

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Amendment No.: 2509.22-2011-1

Effective Date: December 5, 2011

Duration: This amendment expires 5 years from the effective date unless superseded or 

 remove earlier.

Approved: RANDY MOORE Date Approved: 12/5/2011 

 Regional Forester

Posting Instructions: Amendments are numbered consecutively by Handbook number 

and calendar year. Post by document; remove the entire document and replace it with this 

amendment. Retain this transmittal as the first page(s) of this document. The last amendment to 

this Handbook was 2509.22-2 (7/16/1990) to chapter 50.

New Document 2509.22_10 237 Pages

Superseded Document(s) 

by Issuance Number and 

Effective Date None

Digest: 

New issuance.

FOREST SERVICE HANDBOOK

SOUTHWEST REGION (REGION 5)

VALLEJO, CA
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Table of Contents

01 - AUTHORITY..............................................................................................................4

02 - OBJECTIVES............................................................................................................5

03 - POLICY.....................................................................................................................6

04 - RESPONSIBILITY ....................................................................................................7

04.1 - Regional Forester.7

04.2 - Regional Staff Director.7

04.3 - Forest Supervisor.7

05 - DEFINITIONS............................................................................................................7

06 - REFERENCES........................................................................................................12

11 - INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................33

11.1 - NEPA and the Interdisciplinary Approach....................................................................... 42

11.2 - Application of BMPs ....................................................................................................... 43

12 - BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES......................................................................43

12.1 - Timber Management........................................................................................................ 45

12.11 - Timber Management Best Management Practices.46

12. 2 - Road Management Activities.74

12.21 - Road Management BMPs.75

12.3 - Mining ........................................................................................................................... 129

12.31- Mining BMPs.129

12.4 - Recreation...................................................................................................................... 137

12.41 - Recreation BMPs.137

12.5 - Vegetation Manipulation................................................................................................ 174

12.51 - Vegetation manipulation BMPs.174

12.6 - Fire Suppression and Fuels Management...................................................................... 189

12.61 - Fire Suppression and Fuels Management BMPs.189

12.7 - Watershed Management................................................................................................. 198

12.71 - Watershed management BMPs.198

12.8 - Range Management ....................................................................................................... 209

12.81 - Range Management BMPs.214

13 - ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES......................................................................224

13.1 - General Procedures........................................................................................................ 224

13.2 - National Environmental Policy Act Procedures............................................................ 226

13.3 - Project Implementation.................................................................................................. 227

14 - ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT.................................................................................228

14.1 - Purpose and Scope......................................................................................................... 228

14.2 - PLAN............................................................................................................................. 231

14.21 - Roles and responsibilities.231

14.22 - Identify risk and uncertainty.236

14.23 - Conceptual model and key monitoring questions.237

14.3 - DO—Implement the BMPs and Water Quality Management Handbook...................... 239
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14.4 - CHECK—Implementation, effectiveness, and validation monitoring strategy ............ 239

14.5 - ACT—Short-term corrective actions, reporting, and recommendations or decisions for 

programmatic change .................................................................................................... 240

14.51 - Response procedures for monitoring program components.241

14.52 - Reporting.243

15 - WATERSHED PRIORITIZATION FOR RESTORATION ......................................246

15.1 - Priority Watershed Selection ......................................................................................... 247

15.2 - Watershed Condition Assessment.................................................................................. 248

15.3 - Watershed Improvement Needs Inventories.................................................................. 249

15.4 - Essential Project Identification ...................................................................................... 249

15.5 - Watershed Restoration Plans ........................................................................................ 250

15.6 - Annual Watershed Improvements Accomplishments Reporting ................................... 250

15.7 - Project Level Restoration ............................................................................................. 251

16 - MONITORING.......................................................................................................251

16.1 - Objectives...................................................................................................................... 251

16.2 - Program Management.................................................................................................... 252

16.3 - Monitoring Protocols..................................................................................................... 252

16.31 - Monitoring common to all projects and activities.253

16.32 - Baseline In-Channel Monitoring.255

16.33 - Rangeland water-quality monitoring.256

16.34 - Project-Level Monitoring for Projects in Watersheds without Baseline Monitoring 

that are at or above thresholds of concern for cumulative watershed effects.257

16.4 - Reporting ....................................................................................................................... 258

17 - TOTAL MAXIMUM DAILY LOAD IMPLEMENTATION.........................................258

17.1 - Minimizing Adverse Effects of Current Activities........................................................ 259

17.2 - Repairing Damage from Past Activities ........................................................................ 259

17.3 - Monitoring..................................................................................................................... 259

18 - NEEDED FUTURE ACTIONS...............................................................................260

18.1 - Administrative Practices................................................................................................ 260

18.2 - BMPs............................................................................................................................. 260

18.3- Restoration..................................................................................................................... 261

18.4 - Monitoring..................................................................................................................... 261
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This handbook provides guidance for protection and improvement of water quality on National 

Forest System lands in California.

01 - AUTHORITY

As a Federal agency, the Forest Service is bound by Federal laws, Executive orders, and 

Department of Agriculture directives, which are the basis for Forest Service programs and 

operations. Federal laws and Executive orders of direct and specific application to water-quality 

management include the following: 

1. Organic Administration Act of 1897 (16 U.S.C. 475). This law defines original 

national forest purposes to improve and protect the forests; to secure favorable conditions 

of water flows; and to furnish a continuous supply of timber for the use and necessities of 

the citizens of the United States.

2. Multiple Use Sustained-Yield Act of 1960 (16 U.S.C. 528). This law expands national 

forest purposes to include watershed, wildlife and fish, outdoor recreation, range, and 

timber. Renewable surface resources are to be managed for multiple use and sustained 

yield of the several products and services that they provide. The principles of multiple 

use and sustained yield include the provision that the productivity of the land shall not be 

impaired.

3. Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 (16 U.S. C. 1271.1287; PL 90-452) requires 

that the Forest Service manage for nondegradation and enhancement of water quality in 

designated rivers on national forests.

4. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321, 4331.4335, 

4341.4346, 4346a-b, 4347). This law declares a national policy that encourages a 

“productive and enjoyable harmony between humans and their environment.” All Federal 

agencies, including the Forest Service, are required to use a systematic interdisciplinary 

approach to planning and decision-making. In addition, Federal agencies are to prepare 

detailed statements assessing the environmental impact of and alternatives to major 

Federal actions significantly affecting the environment.

5. Environmental Quality Improvement Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 4371.4374). This act 

establishes a national policy for the environment, which provides for the enhancement of 

environmental quality.

6. Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, as amended (33 U.S.C. 1251, 1254, 

1323, 1324, 1329, 1342, 1344). This series of laws establishes goals, policies, and 

procedures for maintaining and improving the Nation’s waters. It addresses both point 

and nonpoint sources of pollution and establishes or requires programs for controlling 

both sources of pollution. Section 208 requires area-wide waste-treatment management 
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plans and water-quality management plans for nonpoint sources of pollution. The 

act established specific roles for Federal, State and local authorities in the regulation, 

enforcement, planning, control, and management of water pollution. Section 313 requires 

Federal agencies to comply with water-quality regulations of state and local governments. 

Section 319 addresses nonpoint source pollution and also requires development of waterquality management plans.

7. Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1600-

1614). This law provides for systematic, long-range planning in managing renewable 

resources. The plans are based on a national assessment conducted every 10 years. The 

plans are updated every 5 years and submitted to Congress.

8. National Forest Management Act of 1976 (16 U.S.C. 1600-1602, 1604, 1606, 

1608.1614). This law amended the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning 

Act, emphasizing interdisciplinary involvement in the preparation of land and resource 

management plans. The law reinforced the concept of multiple use management of NFS 

lands and added requirements for resource protection.

9. Executive Order 12088 of October 13, 1978. This order requires Federal agencies 

to comply with environmental laws to be consistent with requirements that apply to a 

private person. Compliance will be in line with authorities and responsibilities of other 

Federal agencies, State, interstate, and local authorities as specified and granted in each of 

the various environmental laws.

The Antideficiency Act, 31 U.S.C. §1341. This act prohibits federal agency officials from 

obligating funds in advance or in excess of Congressional appropriations. As a result, a 

federal agency official cannot agree to commit the federal agency to future, indefinite, or 

potentially unlimited financial obligations or expenditures of funds for which there is no 

Congressional appropriation. All actions by the USFS as a federal agency are covered by 

this act. However, under this handbook, implementation and monitoring of BMPs are 

required for funded USFS projects.

02 - OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this Water Quality Management Handbook for NFS lands in California are: 

1. To ensure that the quality and beneficial uses of water are maintained where they are 

in good condition, consistent with the Federal and State anti-degradation/non-degradation 

policies, and the principles of conservation biology.

2. To protect the quality and beneficial uses of water from further degradation in water 

bodies that are trending toward impairment, as defined by Clean Water Act Section 303 

(d).
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3. To make substantial progress toward eventual delisting of water body segments listed 

pursuant to Clean Water Act Section 303(d).

4. To remediate legacy sources of pollution.

5. To ensure compliance with Federal and State water-quality objectives and legal 

requirements in the most efficient manner.

6. To enhance Forest Service performance as a water-quality management agency, 

and increase and improve its responsibility, transparency and accountability in its 

relationships with the Water Boards and the public.

03 - POLICY

The Forest Service will comply with the objectives, policies, and procedures of agency 

directives, handbooks and manuals, including, but not limited to, those required in FSM 2532.

The Forest Service will comply with applicable forest plan standards and guidelines.

The Forest Service will be responsive, in an ongoing and cooperative manner, to the 

environmental intent, goals and objectives provided by the Clean Water Act, the Coastal Zone 

Act Reauthorization Amendments, and related EPA regulations.

The Forest Service will comply with the State’s Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, 

applicable water-quality control plans and policies enacted by the Water Boards, and regulatory 

mechanisms imposed by the Water Boards. 

The following actions will be used to manage water quality on NFS lands in California:

1. Implement BMPs during all current management activities on all NFS lands in 

California.

2. Review and revise BMPs as needed to reflect the most recent state-of-the-art methods 

and techniques of BMP implementation and changes in Forest Service policy and 

direction.

3. Implement an iterative adaptive management process for BMP implementation (14).

4. Correct legacy water-quality problems (15).

5. Establish a monitoring program (16) to determine the effectiveness of the Water 

Quality Management Handbook for protecting and improving water quality.
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04 - RESPONSIBILITY

See FSM 2504 and 2530.4 for the water quality management responsibilities for the Regional 

Forester, Forest Supervisors and District Rangers.

04.1 - Regional Forester

The Regional Forester will conduct Forest Service activities in accordance with the Regional 

USFS Water Quality Management Handbook and the 2011 Memorandum of Understanding with 

the State Water Resources Control Board.

04.2 - Regional Staff Director

The Regional Staff Director will:

1. Review the reference section of the BMP handbooks needed to verify that the 

directives cited as references for BMPs are still valid source documents. In most cases 

this will involve the review of multiple BMP reference sets.

2. Continue to refine and update existing BMPs to keep pace with state-of-the-art 

knowledge and to develop new practices where voids exist or as needs arise.

04.3 - Forest Supervisor

The Forest Supervisors shall:

1. Apply BMPs for water quality protection and improvement in day-to-day management 

activities.

2. Evaluate attainment of water quality management goals through formal and informal 

reviews of project planning, and through monitoring using BMPEP protocols.

3. Conduct BMP training annually on an as needed basis, before each field season 

for new employees, new line officers, and new resource personnel. Training of a new 

resource person shall include practical instruction in the application of BMPs for 

planning and administration of various management activities.

05 - DEFINITIONS

Amendment. Revised sections of the Forest Service Manual and the Forest Service Handbook 

system to keep the text updated.

Apron. A reinforcement mechanism that protects soil from erosional and gravitational 

displacement.
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Armoring. Protective coverings or structures used to dissipate the erosive energy of water. 

Aprons and rip-rap are types of armoring.

Beneficial Use. A use of the waters of the state to be protected against quality degradation, 

including but not necessarily limited to domestic, municipal, agricultural, industrial supply, 

power generation, recreation, esthetic enjoyment, navigation, conservation and enhancement of 

fish, wildlife, and aquatic resources.

Best Management Practice (BMP). A practice, or a combination of practices, that is determined 

by the State (or designated area-wide planning agency) after problem assessment, examination 

of alternative practices, and appropriate public participation to be the most effective, practicable 

(including technological, economic, and institutional considerations) means of preventing, or 

reducing the amount of pollution generated by nonpoint sources to a level compatible with 

water-quality goals.

Best Management Practice Evaluation Program. The field evaluation process developed and 

used by Region 5, to systematically evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of BMP.

Cross Drain. A ditch constructed to intercept surface water runoff and divert it before the runoff 

concentrates to erosive volumes and velocities.

Crowning. Forming a convex road surface, which allows runoff to drain from the running 

surface to either side of the road prism.

Designated Stream. A stream or portion of a stream identified as warranting special 

consideration in management decisions and project activities. See also Stream or Streamcourse. 

Designated Swimming Waters. Those waters in which swimming, wading, dabbling, diving, and 

other forms of primary water-contact recreation are specifically encouraged by signs, or public 

notice.

Earth ScientistAir resource specialists, geologists, hydrologists, and soil scientists working for 

the Forest Service in the field of natural sciences. These personnel, with knowledge and skills 

in the fields of soil-precipitation-runoff relationships, are primarily concerned with on-site 

productivity and protection of water quality.

Erosion Hazard Rating (EHR). A relative rating of the potential for soil erosion on a given 

site. Commonly used to estimate the erosion response expected from a given land management 

activity. Ratings are the result of a composite analysis of the following factors: soil, topography, 

climate, soil cover.
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Extremely Unstable Lands. Land areas exhibiting one, or more of the following characteristics:

1. Active landslides.

2. Erosion hazard rating is greater than a score of “29” on the R-5 rating scale.

3. Inner gorges.

4. Portions of shear zones and dormant landslides having slope gradients that are 

typically steeper than 60 to 65 percent.

5. Unconsolidated deposits with slope gradients at, or steeper than the stable angle of 

repose.

6. Lands with slope gradients at, or steeper than the mechanical strength of the 

underlying soil and rock materials.

Floodplain. The areas adjoining inland streams and standing bodies of water and coastal waters, 

including debris cones and flood-prone areas of offshore islands, including at a minimum, that 

area subject to a 1.percent chance of flooding in any given year.

Ground Cover. Material on the soil surface that impedes raindrop impact and overland flow 

of water. Material may include duff and organic matter such as needles, sticks, and limbs, in 

addition to exposed roots, stumps, surface gravels, and living vegetation

Hazardous Substances. Any of a wide variety of materials—solid, liquid, or gas—which requires 

specific cautionary handling and procedures to permit their safe use. (Health and Safety Code 

6709.11, chapter 9)

Horizontal Drains. Horizontal pipes installed in road cut slopes and fills to drain subsurface 

water and guard against landslides. Includes perforated metal or plastic pipes in horizontal drill 

holes in water-bearing formation.

Inner Gorge. A geomorphic feature that consists of the area of channel side slope situated 

immediately adjacent to the stream channel, and below the first break in the slope above the 

stream channel. Debris sliding and avalanching are the dominant mass wasting processes 

associated with the inner gorge.

Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP). A forestwide document that provides direction 

for managing National Forest System lands within the forest boundaries, with the goal to fully 

integrate a mix of management actions that provide for multiple use and protection of forest 

resources, satisfy guiding legislation, and address local, regional, and national issues for the plan 

period. Also frequently referred to as LMP.
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Legacy Site. A site disturbed by a previous land use that is causing or has potential to cause 

adverse effects to water quality.

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Permit System (NPDES). The system for issuing, 

conditioning, and denying permits for the discharge of pollutants from point sources, by State 

water-quality regulatory authorities, or the Environmental Protection Agency. The program is 

administered by the Regional Water Quality Control Boards of California.

Nonpoint Source. Diffuse sources of water pollution that originate at indefinable sources, such 

as from silvicultural and recreational activities. Practically, nonpoint sources do not discharge at 

a specific, single location such a conveyance pipe.

Outsloping. Shaping a road prism without an inside drainage ditch to direct runoff to the 

outside shoulder, as opposed to insloping which directs runoff to an inside ditch. Emphasis is on 

maintaining flow at an angle across the road to avoid buildup of an erosive flow of water.

Permittee. Individual or entity that uses National Forest System resources by permit from the 

Forest Service.

Pesticide. A general term applied to a variety of chemical pest controls, including insecticides 

for insects, herbicides for plants, fungicides for fungi, and rodenticides for rodents.

Pipe Underdrains. A perforated pipe or fabric at the bottom of a narrow trench backfilled with 

filter material. This kind of installation is used where there is a need to lower the water table 

adjacent to the roadbed, or other structure.

Pitting. Making shallow pits or basins of adequate capacity and distribution to retain water from 

snowmelt and rainfall to enhance infiltration, augment soil moisture, and retard runoff.

Point Source. Water pollution originating from a discrete identifiable source, or conveyance.

Road Decommissioning. Activities that result in the stabilization and restoration of unneeded 

roads to a more natural state (36 CFR 212.1), (FSM 7703)

Sale Area Improvement Plan (SAI Plan). A plan of work for post sale enhancement and 

improvement of the sale project area. The plan addresses development, protection, and 

maintenance actions for the future production of renewable resources. 

Sale Area Map. A map of suitable scale and detail to be legible, which is part of a timber sale 

contract. The map identifies sale area boundaries and contract requirements specific to the sale.

Sale Plan. The document used to identify the approved locations for timber harvest and 

transportation improvements in a given sale, including a description of project results to be 

accomplished. The sale plan also includes required mitigation measures that were identified in 

the environmental documentation process.
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Specified Road. A forest development transportation-system road identified (specified) in a 

timber sale contract.

Stabilization Trenches. These are wide trenches with sloping sides and a blanket of filter 

material approximately 3 feet on the bottom and sides. Perforated drainpipes are installed on the 

bottom of the trench to transmit the collected water. Stabilization trenches are placed in swales or 

ravines and under side hill fills, to stabilize fill foundation areas that are saturated.

Standard Specifications. Standards and design requirements, from the current version of 

“Engineering Management (EM) 7720-100,” Forest Service Standard specifications for 

constructing roads and bridges, which direct Forest Service construction activities.

Stream Classification. The ordering of streams in a manner that reflects (1) flow characteristics, 

(2) present and foreseeable downstream values of the water, and (3) physical characteristics of 

the stream environment—as evaluation criteria. Class I is the highest value stream, Class IV is 

the lowest value stream.

Streamside Management Zone (SMZ). An administratively designated zone adjacent to 

ephemeral, intermittent, and perennial channels; and around standing bodies of water, wetlands, 

springs, seeps and other wet or marshland areas. SMZ is also meant to include other naming 

conventions for streamside buffering areas such as stream protection zone, riparian reserves, 

riparian habitat conservation areas, and so forth. SMZs are designed and delineated for the 

application of special management controls aimed at the maintenance and/or improvement 

of water quality. SMZ delineation may include floodplains and riparian areas when present. 

SMZ delineation can have synergistic benefits with other resources such as maintenance and 

improvement of riparian area-dependent resources, visual and aesthetic quality, wildlife habitat, 

and recreation opportunities.

Suitable Forest Land. Land that is subject to being managed for timber production on a 

sustained scheduled basis. Some determinants of land suitability for harvesting are reforestation 

potential, timber growth rate, economics, and land stability. Also included are forest lands 

where the land and resource management plan recognized an emphasis for achieving other key 

resource objectives, such as recreation, visual, wildlife, water, and so forth, in addition to timber 

management.

Timber Sale Contract Provisions. Often referred to by the section of the timber sale contract in 

which they occur:

1. B Provisions - Standard provisions for Forest Service timber sale contracts, located in 

section “b” of the contract.

2. C Provisions - Special provisions needed to tailor the timber sale contract to meet 

specific management objectives in R-5, located in section “c” of the contract.
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Unsuitable Forest Land. Forest land that is not currently suitable for timber production. Some 

reasons for classifying land as unsuitable include: potential soil productivity loss and potential, 

irreversible damage to soil which cannot be prevented using current technology, mineral 

withdrawals, low-volume growth rates, and inadequate assurance that the land can be restocked 

within 5 years after harvest.

Watershed Restoration. The process of assisting the recovery of resilience and adaptive 

capacity of ecosystems that have been degraded, damaged, or destroyed. Restoration focuses on 

establishing the composition, structure, pattern, hydrologic function and ecological processes 

necessary to make terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems sustainable, resilient, and healthy under 

current and future conditions. 

Wetlands. Those areas that are inundated by surface or groundwater with a frequency sufficient 

to support a prevalence of vegetation, or aquatic life that requires saturated or seasonally 

saturated soil conditions for growth and reproduction. Wetlands generally include swamps, 

marshes, bogs, and similar areas such as sloughs, potholes, springs, seeps, wet meadows, river 

overflows, mud flats, and natural ponds.

06 - REFERENCES

Ahearn, D.S.; R.W. Sheibley; R.A. Dahlgren; Michael Anderson; Joshua Johnson; and K.W. 

Tate. 2005. Land use and land cover influence on water quality in the last free-flowing river 

draining the western Sierra Nevada, California: Journal of Hydrology 313: 234.247.

Antos-Ketcham, Peter S. and Richard Andrews, Ed., 2001, Backcountry Sanitation Manual 

Green Mountain Club/Appalachian Trail Conference, 220 p.

Birkby, Robert C., 2006, Lightly on the Land: The SCA Trail-Building and Maintenance Manual, 

268 p.

Bisson, P.A., J.M. Buffington, and D.R. Montgomery. 2006. Valley segments, stream reaches, 

and channel units: chapter 2 in Methods in Stream Ecology, Elsevier Publishing, 23.49.

Frazier J.W., K.B. Roby, J.A. Boberg, K. Kenfield, J.B. Reiner, D.L. Azuma, J.L. Furnish, B.P. 

Staab, and S.L. Grant. 2005. Stream Condition Inventory Technical Guide Version 5.0: USDA 

Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region - Ecosystem Conservation Staff, Vallejo, California, 

111 p.

Burton, Timothy A., Steven J. Smith, and Ervin R. Cowley. 2008. Monitoring Streambanks and 

Riparian Vegetation - Multiple Indicators. Technical Bulletin No 2008.5. 

California Department of Fish and Game Aquatic Bioassessment Laboratory, Rancho Cordova, 

California: http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/swamp/docs/reports/cmap_

conditionassessment.pdf
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California State Parks. 2008 Soil Conservation Standard and Guidelines, 50 p.

Crimmons, Tom M., 2006, Management Guidelines for Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation, 

NOHVCC, 51 p.

Demrow, Carl and David Salisbury, 1988, The Complete Guide to Trail Building and 

Maintenance, 3rd Edition, 256 p.

Domagalski, J.L.; D.L. Knifong; P.D. Dileanis; L.R. Brown; J.T. May; Valerie Connor; and 

C.N. Alpers. 2000. Water Quality in the Sacramento River Basin, California, 1994-98: U.S. 

Geological Survey Circular 1215, 36 p., on-line at http://pubs.water.usgs.gov/circ1215/

International Mountain Bicycling Association, 2004, Trail Solutions: IMBA’s Guide to Building 

Sweet Singletrack, 272 p.

Kratzer, C.R. and Jennifer Shelton. 1998. Water Quality Assessment of the San Joaquin-Tulare 

Basins, California: Analysis of Available Data on Nutrients and Suspended Sediment in Surface 

Water, 1972-1990: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1587, 93 p. http://ca.water.usgs.

gov/sanj/pub/usgs/pp1587/pp1587.pdf

MacDonald, L.H., and Coe, D., 2006, Influence of headwater streams on downstream reaches in 

forested areas: Forest Science 53(2):148.168.

Meitl, J., and Maguire, T. (eds.), Compendium of Best Management Practices to Control Polluted 

Runoff: A Source Book. Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. March 2003. (http://www.

deq.state.id.us/water/data_reports/surface_water/nps/reports.cfm#bmps )

Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, 1999, BMPs for Grazing.

Napper, Carolyn, 2008, Soil and Water Road-Condition Index - Field Guide, 0877 1806P, 

San Dimas, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, San Dimas Technology and 

Development Center, 104 pp. http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/pdf/08771806.pdf

NRCS National Conservation Practice Standards (http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/standards/

nhcp.html) -- 383 Fence

Ode, P.R. 2007. Ecological condition assessment of California’s perennial wadeable streams. 

Report to the State Water Resources Control Board’s Non-Point Source Program: California 

U.S. Department of Agriculture. Forest Service. 2004. Best Management Practices Evaluation 

Program, 1992.2002 Monitoring Results U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific 

Southwest Region. 76 p.

Ode, P. 2009. Recommendations for the development and maintenance of a reference condition 

management program (RCMP) to support biological assessment of California’s wadeable 

streams. Report to the State Water Resources Control Board’s Surface Water Ambient 

Monitoring Program (SWAMP), SWAMP Aquatic Bioassessment Laboratory/ Water Pollution 
R5 AMENDMENT 2209.22-2011-1

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12/05/2011

DURATION: This amendment expires 5 years from the effective date unless superseded or remove earlier.

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Control Laboratory California Department of Fish and Game.

Parker, Troy Scott, 1994, Trails Design and Management Handbook, 230 p.

Parker, Troy Scott, 2004, Natural Surface Trails by Design: Physical and Human Design 

Essentials of Sustainable, Enjoyable Trails, 80 p.

Steinholtz, Robert and Brian Vachowski, 2001, Wetland Trail Design and Construction. USDA 

Forest Service.

SWRCB Agreement 04.121.555.0. Implementation of Vegetative Buffer, Irrigation, and Grazing 

Best Management Practices to Reduce Pathogens, Organic Carbon, and Colloids in Runoff from 

Rangelands and Irrigated Pastures. P.I. K.W. Tate, UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences.

SWRCB Agreement 04.122.555.0. Source Identification, Optimized Monitoring and Local 

Outreach for Reducing Agricultural Pathogens into the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary. 

P.I. E.R. Atwill, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.

SWRCB Agreement 04.317.555.0. Upper Feather River Watershed (UFRW) Irrigation Discharge 

Management Program. P.I. H.A. George, UC Cooperative Extension.

Tate, K.W., E.R. Atwill, N.K. McDougald, and M.R. George, 2003, Spatial and Temporal 

Patterns of Cattle Feces Deposition on Rangeland. J. Range Management. 56:432.438.

USDA Forest Service — Engineering Staff, 1996 Standard Specifications for Construction and 

Maintenance of Trails, EM-7720-103 and EM-7720-104, September 1996. 

USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region, 2001. A Field Evaluation of the Use of Small 

Trail Tractors to Maintain and Construct OHV Trails on National Forests in California, August 

22, 2001.

USDA Forest Service, 2002, Investigating water quality in the Pacific Southwest Region, Best 

Management Practices Evaluation Program: A User’s Guide: USDA Forest Service, Pacific 

Southwest Region, Vallejo, California.

USDA Forest Service, 2004, FSM chapter 2520, Watershed Protection and Management

USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region, 2004, Revised OHV Trail Monitoring Form 

(GYR Form) and Training Guide, July 30, 2004.

USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region, 2006, Rolling Dips for Drainage of OHV 

Trails, January 2006.

USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region, 2006, Restoration of OHV-damaged Areas - A 

Ten-Step Checklist, May 31, 2006.
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EFFECTIVE DATE: 12/05/2011

DURATION: This amendment expires 5 years from the effective date unless superseded or remove earlier.

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USDA Forest Service. 2009. Water Quality Protection on National Forests in the Pacific 

Southwest Region: Best Management Practices Evaluation Program, 2003.2007. U.S. 

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region. 28 p.

USDA Forest Service, 2010 Restoration of Off-Highway Degraded Landscapes San Dimas 

Technology and Development Center (in press).

USDA Forest Service, 2010, FSM 2020, Ecological Restoration and Resilience 

USDA Forest Service, 2011, FSH 2509.22 Soil and Water Conservation Handbook, chapter 20, 

USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region.

U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, USDA Forest Service, and USDA 

Natural Resources Conservation Service, 1998, TR1737.15, Riparian Area Management - Guide 

to Assessing Proper Functioning Condition and the Supporting Science for Lotic Areas.

U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, USDA Forest Service, and USDA 

Natural Resources Conservation Service, 1999, TR1737.16 Riparian Area Management - Guide 

to Assessing Proper Functioning Condition and the Supporting Science for Lentic Areas.

University of Idaho. 2004. Stubble height study report: University of Idaho Forest, Wildlife, and 

Range Experiment Station Contribution No. 986, 33 pp.

Wernex, Joe, 2002, Off-Highway Motorcycle and ATV Trails: Guidelines for Design, 

Construction, Maintenance and User Satisfaction, Second Edition, 56 p.

Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, 1997, Best Management Practices for Grazing 

(http://deq.state.wy.us/wqd/watershed/Downloads/NPS%20Program/92602.pdf)
R5 AMENDMENT 2209.22-2011-1

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12/05/2011

DURATION: This amendment expires 5 years from the effective date unless superseded or remove earlier.

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06 Exhibit 01

BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES REFERENCES By BMP Number

1.1 FSH 1909.15

1.1 FSH 2409.13, Chap. 21.41

1.1 R5.FSH 2409.26 Section 13

1.1 FSH 2509.18

1.1 NFMA

1.1 NEPA

1.1 TSC

1.1 FSM 1950

1.1 FSM 2531

1.2 NFMA

1.2 FSM 2470.3

1.2 FSM 2471.2

1.2 TSC Prov. C6.601 - R5

1.2 TSC Prov. C6.602 - R5

1.2 TSC Prov. C6.63 - R5

1.2 R5 Soil Quality Standards

1.3 FSH 2509.18

1.4 TSC Prov. B1.1

1.4 TSC Prov. B6.5

1.4 TSC Prov. B6.6

1.4 TSC Prov. C6.5

1.4 TSC Prov. C6.6

1.4 TSC FS2400-3 Standard Provisions 1 & 11

1.4 R-5 FSM 2526

1.5 TSC Prov. B6.31.5

1.5 TSC Prov. B6.31

1.5 TSC Prov. B6.6

1.5 TSC Prov. B6.65

1.5 TSC Prov. C6.3

1.5 TSC Prov. C6.313

1.5 TSC FS2400-3 Standard Provisions 1 & 11

1.6 FSM 2404

1.6 R5 Stand Record System Users Guide

1.6 TSC 2400-3 Standard Provision 10
R5 AMENDMENT 2209.22-2011-1

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12/05/2011

DURATION: This amendment expires 5 years from the effective date unless superseded or remove earlier.

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06 Exhibit 01--Continued

BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES REFERENCES By BMP Number

1.7 NFMA

1.7 R5.FSH 2409.26 Sec 12 & 13

1.7 FSM 2470.3

1.8 R5.FSH 2409.26 Section 12 & 13

1.8 R-5 FSH 2409.15, Sec. 61.51

1.8 FSM 1950

1.8 FSM 2526

1.8 R-5 FSH 2409.15, Sec. 15.21

1.8 NEPA

1.8 NFMA

1.8 TSC 2400-3 Standard Provision 11

1.8 TSC Prov. C5.421

1.8 TSC Prov. C6.411

1.8 TSC Prov. C6.5

1.9 FSM 2521

1.9 FSH 2509 18

1.9 FORM R5.2500-14

1.9 Timber Sale Area/Project Map, all contract forms

1.10 R-5 FSH 2409.15, Sec 61.42

1.10 R-5 FSH 2409.15, Sec. 51

1.10 TSC Prov. B6.42

1.10 TSC Prov. B6.424

1.10 TSC Prov. C6.41

1.10 TSC Prov. C6.422

1.10 TSC Prov. C6.424 Provisions

1.11 R-5 FSH 2409.15 Sec 61.41

1.11 TSC Prov. B6.42

1.11 TSC Prov. C6.425

1.11 TSC Prov. C6.427

1.11 TSC Prov. C6.429

1.11 TSC 2400-3 Standard Provision 1 and special provisions approved for specific sales

1.12 R-5 FSH 2409.15, Sec. 6.42

1.12 TSC Prov. B6.42

1.12 TSC Prov. C6.63

1.12 TSC Prov. C9.2
R5 AMENDMENT 2209.22-2011-1

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12/05/2011

DURATION: This amendment expires 5 years from the effective date unless superseded or remove earlier.

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CHAPTER 10 - WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK

06 Exhibit 01--Continued

BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES REFERENCES By BMP Number

1.12 OSHA Regulations

1.12 TSC 2400-3 Special Provision 12

1.13 TSC Prov. B4.225

1.13 TSC Prov. C6.6

1.13 TSC Prov. C6.422

1.13 R-5 FSH 2409.15, Sec. 61.41 & 61.42

1.13 R-5 FSH 2409.15, Sec. 51.6

1.13 TSC 2400-3, Special Provision 10

1.14 TSC Prov. B6.6

1.14 TSC Prov. C6.6

1.14 TSC Prov. C6.602 - R5

1.14 R-5 FSH 2409.15, Sec. 6.42

1.14 FSH 2509.11

1.14 TSC 2400-3 Special Provision 9 & 10

1.15 R-5 FSH 2209.23, Cap. 50

1.15 R-5 FSH 2409.15, Sec. 6.42

1.15 TSC Prov. B6.6

1.15 TSC Prov. C6.6

1.15 TSC Prov. C6.601.R5

1.16 TSC Prov. B6.422

1.16 TSC Prov. B6.6

1.16 TSC Prov. B6.63

1.16 TSC prov. C6.428

1.16 TSC Prov. C6.6

1.16 TSC Prov. C.6.601.R5

1.16 TSC Prov. C6.602.R5

1.16 TSC prov. C6.63

1.16 R-5 FSH 2409.15, Sec. 51

1.16 TSC 2400-3, Special Provisions 10 & 12

1.17 TSC Prov. B6.6

1.17 TSC Prov. B6.66

1.17 TSC Prov. C6.601.R5

1.17 TSC Prov. C6.64

1.17 R-5 FSH 2409.15, Sec. 61.42

1.17 R-5 FSH 2409.15, Sec. 51.64
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EFFECTIVE DATE: 12/05/2011

DURATION: This amendment expires 5 years from the effective date unless superseded or remove earlier.

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06 Exhibit 01--Continued

BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES REFERENCES By BMP Number

1.17 TSC 2400-3, Special Provision 10

1.18 TSC Prov. B6.61

1.18 TSC Prov. C6.5

1.18 TSC Prov. C6.61

1.18 TSC Prov. C6.62

1.18 R-5 FSM 2526

1.18 R-5 FSH 2409.15, Sec. 24.1

1.18 R-5 FSH 2409.15, Sec. 51.61

1.18 Executive Order 11990

1.18 TSC 2400-3, Special Provisions 9 & 12

1.19 FSH 2409.26, Sec. 13

1.19 R-5 FSH 2409.15, Sec. 15.54 and 61

1.19 R-5 FSH 2509.22, Cap. 30

1.19 R-5 FSM 2526

1.19 TSC Prov. B6.5

1.19 TSC Prov. B6.6

1.19 TSC Prov. C6.427

1.19 TSC Prov. C6.5

1.19 TSC Prov. C6.6

1.19 TSC 2400-3, Special Provision 11

1.20 TSC Prov. B4.225

1.20 TSC Prov. B6.6

1.20 TSC Prov. B6.66

1.20 TSC 2400-3, Special Provision 9

1.21 R-5 FSH 2409.15, Sec. 51, 54 & 61

1.21 R-5 FSH 2409.15, Sec. 15

1.21 TSC Prov. B6.6

1.21 TSC Prov. B6.63

1.21 TSC Prov. B6.64

1.21 TSC Prov. B6.65

1.21 TSC Prov. B6.66

1.21 TSC Prov. C6.601

1.21 TSC Prov. C6.602

1.21 TSC Prov. C6.603

1.21 TSC Prov. C6.6

1.21 TSC Prov. C6.63
R5 AMENDMENT 2209.22-2011-1

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12/05/2011

DURATION: This amendment expires 5 years from the effective date unless superseded or remove earlier.

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06 Exhibit 01--Continued

BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES REFERENCES By BMP Number

1.21 TSC 2400-3 Provision 9

1.22 R-5 FSH 2409.15, Sec. 61.5

1.22 R-5 FSH 2409.15, Sec.15

1.22 FSM 1950

1.22 TSC Prov. C6.7

1.22 TSC Prov. C6.73

1.22 TSC Prov. C6.76

1.22 TSC Prov. C6.77

1.22 TSC Prov. C6.78

1.22 TSC 2400-3, Prov. 7 & 11

1.23 FSH 2409.13, Chap. 21, 42

1.23 FSH 2409.26, Sec 12 & 13

1.23 FSM 2470.3

1.23 NFMA

1.23 TSPP

1.24 FSH 2409.18, Sec. 42.2 & 53.23

1.24 TSPP

1.24 TSC 2400-3. [page 1

1.25 TSC Prov. B8.3

1.25 TSC Prov. C8.2

1.25 TSC Prov. C8.3

1.25 CFR 223.113

1.25 CFR 223.116

1.25 TSC 2400-3, Prov. 3, 18 & 41

2.1 FSM 7700

2.1 FSM 7710

2.1 FSM 7709.55

2.1 FSM 7709.59, Chap. 10

2.2 FSH 7720

2.2 FSH 7709.56

2.3 FSH 7709.57

2.3 FP-03, Sections 105, 107, and 200
R5 AMENDMENT 2209.22-2011-1

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12/05/2011

DURATION: This amendment expires 5 years from the effective date unless superseded or remove earlier.

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06 Exhibit 01--Continued

BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES REFERENCES By BMP Number

2.4 FSM 7700

2.4 FSM 7710

2.4 FSM 7700, Chap. 30

2.4 FSH 7709.58

2.4 FSH 7709.59

2.4 Timber Sale T800 specifications

2.5 none

2.6 FSH 7709.59, Chap. 60

2.7 FSM 7734

2.8 FSM 7720

2.8 FSH 7709.56, Chap. 10

2.8 FP-03 Sections 157, 200, 550, and 600

2.9 FSM 7732.17

2.9 FSH 7732.25

2.10 none

2.11 FSM 2160

2.11 FSH 7109.19

2.11 FP-03 Section 107.10

2.12 FSM 2520 (R-5 supplement)

2.12 FSM 2853 (including R-5 supplement)

2.12 FP-03, Sections 105, 107, and 150

2.13 FSM 7700

2.13 FSH 7709.56

2.13 FSH 7709.57

2.13 FP-03 Sections 157 and 158

2.13 CASQA BMP Handbook

2.13 California DOT Stormwater and Water Pollution Control Guidelines

3.1 FSM 2817

3.1 FSM 2817.3

3.1 FSM 2810.1 & .4
R5 AMENDMENT 2209.22-2011-1

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12/05/2011

DURATION: This amendment expires 5 years from the effective date unless superseded or remove earlier.

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06 Exhibit 01--Continued

BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES REFERENCES By BMP Number

3.1 FSM 2813.14 & .2

3.1 FSM 28.14.11 - .16

3.1 FSM 2509.15

3.1 FSH 2809.11

3.1 FSH 2809.12

3.1 30 CFR 212 Transportation regulations

3.1 30 USC 21.54 et. seq.

3.1 36 CFR 228.1; 228.4 (a), (e), (f) 228.8 (b), (c), (e), (f), (g); 228.5 (b)

3.1 36 CFR 261.10 (a)

3.1 16 USC 478

3.1 16 USC 551

3.1 16 USC 1151 et. seq.

3.1 NEPA

3.1 RCRA

3.1 CERCLA

3.1 30 USC 6112

3.2 FSM 1531.12d

3.2 FSM 2522.14

3.2 FSM 2822

3.2 FSH 2509.15

3.2 FSH 2809.11

3.2 FSH 2809.12

3.2 Mineral Leasing Act of February 25, 1920 (41 Stat. 437, as amended; 30 USC 181)

3.2 Federal Coal Leasing amendments Act of August 4, 1976 (90 Stat. 1083; 30 USC201 (a) 

201(b), and 207; 17 USC 1276)

3.2 Act of March 4, 1917 (39 Stat. 1150, as supplemented; 16 USC 520)

3.2 Section 402 of Reorganization Plan No. 3, of July 16, 1946 (60 Stat. 1097, 1099; 5 USC 

Appendix)

3.2 Act of August 7, 1947 (61 Stat. 913; 30 USC 351, 352, 354, 359) as amended by PL 167 

Geothermal steam Act

3.3 FSM 2522.14

3.3 FSM 2850

3.3 FSH 2509.15

3.3 FSH 2809.11

3.3 FSH 2809.12

3.3 36 CFR 228, Subpart c
R5 AMENDMENT 2209.22-2011-1

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12/05/2011

DURATION: This amendment expires 5 years from the effective date unless superseded or remove earlier.

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06 Exhibit 01--Continued

BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES REFERENCES By BMP Number

3.3 Act of July 31, 1947 (61 Stat. 681), as amended by the Act of August 31, 1950 (64 Stat. 

571), and the Act of July 23, 1955 (69 Stat. 367; 30 USC 601.603), and pursuant to the 

Act of June 11, 1960 (74 Stat. 205), and the Act of September 25, 1962 (76 Stat. 587)

4.1 FSM 2335.2

4.1 R-5 FSM 2335.2

4.1 EPA Water Quality criteria, 1976, pg. 44

4.2 Safe Drinking Water Act (PL 95.190)

4.2 State and Local Codes

4.2 National Interim Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR 141)

4.2 FSM 2332.2

4.2 FSM 2332.54

4.2 FSM 7420

4.2 R-5 FSM 7420

4.2 R-5 FSM 7421

4.2 FSM 7421

4.2 FSM 7422

4.2 R-5 FSM 7422

4.2 FSH 7409.11

4.3 FSM 7421.25

4.3 FSM 2335.2

4.3 R-5 FSM 2335.2

4.3 FSM 2532.03

4.3 R-5 FSM 7421

4.4 State and Local Codes such as; Regional Water Quality Control Board Basin Plans, 

Public Health Codes, and so on.

4.4 36 CFR 261.11(a)

4.4 FSM 2333.52

4.4 FSM 2332.3

4.4 FSM 7430.1

4.4 FSM 7441

4.4 FSM 7462

4.4 FSH 7409.11

4.5 36 CFR 261.11 (b,d,e)

4.5 Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (PL 94.580)

4.5 FSM 2332.41
R5 AMENDMENT 2209.22-2011-1

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12/05/2011

DURATION: This amendment expires 5 years from the effective date unless superseded or remove earlier.

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06 Exhibit 01--Continued

BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES REFERENCES By BMP Number

4.5 FSM 2333.53

4.5 FSM 7462

4.6 FSM 2333.52 & .53

4.6 FSM 2332.3

4.6 FSM 2345

4.6 FSM 2334.28

4.6 FSM 7430.1

4.6 FSM 7441

4.6 FSH 7409.11

4.7 Executive Order 11644

4.7 FSM 2355

4.7 FSM 2355.5

4.7 FSM 2355.01

4.7 FSM 2532.5

4.7 36 CFR 261.13

4.7 36 CFR 261.56

4.7 36 CFR 295.5

4.7.1 FSM 7710

4.7.1 FSH 7709.55

4.7.1 FSH 7709.59 chapter 10

4.7.2 FSM 7720

4.7.2 FSH 7709.56

4.7.3 FSM 7722 and 

4.7.3 FSH 7709.56b

4.7.4 FSH 7709.57

4.7.5 none

4.7.6 FSM 7732

4.7.6 FSH 7709.58

4.7.6 FSH 7709.59, chapter 60 

4.7.7 none
R5 AMENDMENT 2209.22-2011-1

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12/05/2011

DURATION: This amendment expires 5 years from the effective date unless superseded or remove earlier.

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CHAPTER 10 - WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK

06 Exhibit 01--Continued

BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES REFERENCES By BMP Number

4.7.8 FSM 7734

4.7.9 FSM 2160

4.7.9 FSH 7109.19 chapter 40

4.8 36 CFR 261.14(c)

4.9 36 CFR 261.11 (b), (c)

4.9 36 CFR 261.14(q)

4.9 36 CFR 261.50

4.9 36 CFR 261.58

4.9 FSM 2323.4

4.9 SM 2333.35

4.9 FSM 2502

4.10 FSM 2323.138

5.1 R-5 FSH 2209.23, Sec. 234.3

5.1 Brushland Management ES, 1972 Forest Reestablishment on National Forest in 

California ES, 1974

5.2 FSH 2209.23, Sec. 322

5.2 FSH 2209.23, Sec. 332

5.2 FSH 2209.23, Sec. 331.1

5.2 FSH 2409.15, Sec. 51, Sec. 41, 42 & 43

5.2 “Brushland Management” EIS, 1972 “Vegetation Management for Reforestation” Draft 

1987

5.3 FSH 2521

5.3 FSM 2526

5.3 R-5 FSH 2209.23, Sec. 221

5.3 R-5 FSH 2209.23, Sec. 234.7

5.3 R-5 FSH 2409.15, Sec. 51.43

5.3 R-5 FSH 2409.15, Sec. 51.61

5.3 “Brushland Management” EIS, 1972

5.3 “Vegetation Management for Reforestation” Draft 1987

5.4 R-5 FSH 2209.23, Sec. 500

5.4 FSH 7709.56, Sec. 4
R5 AMENDMENT 2209.22-2011-1

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12/05/2011

DURATION: This amendment expires 5 years from the effective date unless superseded or remove earlier.

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CHAPTER 10 - WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK

06 Exhibit 01--Continued

BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES REFERENCES By BMP Number

5.4 FSH 7709.56, Sec. 5

5.4 FSM 2240.2

5.4 FSM 2240.3

5.4 FSM 2405.13

5.4 “Brushland Management” EIS, 1972

5.4 “Vegetation Management for Reforestation” Draft 1987

5.5 R-5 FSH 2209.23

5.5 R-5 FSH 2209.23, Sec. 232

5.5 R-5 FSH 2209.23, Sec.322

5.5 R-5 FSH 2209.23, Sec. 331.1

5.5 “Brushland Management: EIS, 1972

5.5 “Vegetation Management for Reforestation” Draft 1987

5.6 FSM 2521

5.6 R-5 FSH 2209.23

5.6 “Brushland management EIS, 1972

5.6 “Vegetation Management for Reforestation” Draft 1987

5.7 R-5 FSH 2209.23

5.7 R-5 FSH 2209.23, Sec. 331.14

5.7 FSM 2472.31

5.7 “Brushland Management” EIS, 1972

5.7 “Vegetation Management for Reforestation” Draft 1987

5.8 FSH 1909.15

5.8 FSH 2109.11, Sec. 93

5.8 FSM 2150, 2151

5.8 FSM 2150.3

5.8 FSM 2151

5.8 FSM 2153.2, 2153.2, 2155

5.8 FSM 2155

5.8 FSM 2240.2, .1

5.8 FSM 2243.32 - 34

5.8 FSM 2243

5.8 FSM 2257.9

5.8 FSM 2501

5.8 FSM 2502

5.8 FSM 2503

5.8 FSM 2504
R5 AMENDMENT 2209.22-2011-1

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12/05/2011

DURATION: This amendment expires 5 years from the effective date unless superseded or remove earlier.

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06 Exhibit 01--Continued

BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES REFERENCES By BMP Number

5.8 FSM 2520.3

5.8 FSM 2521.02. -03

5.8 FSM 2521

5.8 FSM 2525

5.8 FSM 2526

5.8 FSM 2527

5.8 FSM 2530, 2532

5.8 FSM 2542

5.8 FSM 2504.1, .2, & .3

5.8 FSM 2530.45

5.8 FSM 2510.41, .42 & .43

5.8 FSM 2521.04b, .04c

5.8 FSM 3403.1

5.8 FSM 3404

5.8 FSM 3421

5.8 FSM 3423

5.8 FSM 3431

5.8 FSM 3433

5.8 FSM 3403.1

5.8 FSM 7443

5.8 FSM 7462.52

5.8 FSH 2109.12

5.8 R-5 FSH 2109.21

5.8 R-5 FSH 2209.23, Sec. 221

5.8 R-5 FSH 2209.23, Sec. 231.15

5.8 R-5 FSH 2209.23, Sec. 231.17

5.8 Pesticide Background Statements Volume 1. Herbicides, August 1984, USDA Forest 

Service Agriculture Handbook, Number 633

5.8 NFMA

5.8 NEPA

5.9 FSM 2150.3.7

5.9 FSM 2150.3.10

5.9 FSM 2155

5.9 FSM 2243.34, .4, .5

5.9 FSM 2542

5.9 FSM 3403.1

5.9 FSM 3404

5.9 R-5 FSH 2109.21

5.9 R-5 FSH 2209.23, Sec. 231.12
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06 Exhibit 01--Continued

BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES REFERENCES By BMP Number

5.9 R-5 FSH 2209.23, Sec. 231.13

5.10 FSH 1909.15

5.10 FSM 2150.3

5.10 FSM 2150.3.9

5.10 FSM 2153.2

5.10 FSM 2155

5.10 FSM 2158

5.10 FSM 2525

5.10 FSM 2530, 2532

5.10 FSM 2542

5.10 FSM 3403.1

5.10 FSM 3404

5.10 FSM 3421

5.10 FSM 7443

5.10 R-5 FSH 2109.21

5.10 R-5 FSH 2209.23, Sec. 231.17

5.10 Practice 7 - 6

5.11 FSM 2150.3.4

5.11 FSM 2153.3

5.11 FSM 2155

5.11 FSM 2157

5.11 FSM 2158

5.11 FSM 2542

5.11 FSM 3403.1

5.11 FSM 7443

5.11 FSM 7462.52

5.11 FSH 2109.12

5.11 R-5 FSH 2109.21

5.11 USDA - FS Agriculture Handbook Number 633

5.11 Practice 7 - 4

5.12 FSM 2150-3.7

5.12 FSM 2153.3

5.12 FSM 2155

5.12 FSM 2157

5.12 FSM 2542

5.12 FSM 3403.1

5.12 FSM 3404
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06 Exhibit 01--Continued

BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES REFERENCES By BMP Number

5.12 FSM 7462.52

5.12 FSH 2109.12

5.12 R-5 FSH 2109.21

5.12 R-5 FSH 2209.23, Sec. 231.15

5.12 40 CFR 165

5.13 FSM 2153.2

5.13 FSM 2153.20

5.13 FSM 2153.3

5.13 FSM 2155

5.13 FSM 2521

5.13 FSM 2526

5.13 FSM 2527

5.13 FSM 2542

5.13 FSM 3403.1

5.13 FSM 3404

5.13 R-5 FSH 2109.21

5.13 R-5 FSH 2209.23, Sec. 221 & 222.2

5.13 USDA-FS Agriculture Handbook Number 633

5.14 FSM 2155

5.14 FSM 3403.1

5.14 FSM 3404

5.14 R-5 FSH 2109.21

5.14 R-5 FSH 2209.23, Sec. 231.11

5.14 R-5 FSH 2209.23, Sec. 231.14

5.14 R-5 FSH 2209.23, Sec. 231.15

5.14 R-5 FSH 2209.23, Sec. 231.17

6.1 “Brushland management” EIS, 1972

6.1 FSH 1909.15

6.1 FSM 1950

6.1 FSM 5100

6.1 FSM 5102

6.1 FSM 5103

6.1 FSM 5140

6.1 FSM 5150

6.1 FSM 5194
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06 Exhibit 01--Continued

BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES REFERENCES By BMP Number

6.2 FSM 5140

6.3 FSM 5140

6.4 FSH 5109.32

6.4 FSM 5130

6.4 FSM 5130.3

6.5 FSH 2509.13

6.5 FSM 2523.1

6.5 FSM 5130.3

6.5 FSM 5194

6.6 FSH 2509.13

6.6 FSM 2523

7.1 FSM 2510.43

7.1 FSM 2512

7.1 FSM 2522.2

7.1 FSM 2522.04b

7.1 NFMA Sec. 219.23e

7.2 Executive Order 11988

7.2 FSH 1909.15

7.2 R-5 FSH 2509.22, Chap. 30

7.2 FSM 2526

7.2 R-5 FSM 2526

7.2 FSM 2527.04b, 04c

7.2 FSM 7721.16

7.3 Executive order 11990

7.3 FSM 2471.2

7.3 FSM 2526

7.3 R-5 FSM 2526

7.3 FSM 2527.04b, 04c

7.3 R-5 FSM 2532

7.3 R-5 FSH 2509.22, Chaps. 30 & 40

7.4 TSC B6.34

7.4 FSM 7442
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06 Exhibit 01--Continued

BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES REFERENCES By BMP Number

7.4 FSM 7440 R5 SUPP 7400-92.4

7.4 R-5 FSM 7443

7.4 TSC C6.341

7.4 Practice 5.11 & 2.12

7.4 40 CFR 112

7.4 FSH 6309.32 (FAR), Landscape Preservation

7.4 Executive Order 12856

7.4 State Above Ground Petroleum Storage Act of 1995, Chap 6.67, California State Health 

and Safety Code

7.5 FSH 2709.11

7.5 FSM 2703

7.5 FSM 2716.3

7.5 FSM 2713.3

7.5 FSM 2772.1

7.5 FSM 2709.11, Chap. 50

7.5 FSM 2721.61c

7.6 FSM 1922.7

7.6 FSM 2532

7.6 R-5 FSM 2532

7.6 FSM 2355.05

7.6 36 CFR 261.9e, .52, .53e, .58 & .56

7.7 Executive Order 11644

7.7 Executive Order 11989

7.7 36 CFR 261

7.7 FSM 2542.2

7.7 R-5 FSM 7731.4

7.8 FSM 2431

7.8 R-5 FSH 2509.22, Chap. 20

7.8 NEPA Sec. 1508.25 (a) & (c)

8.1 FSM 2210

8.1 FSM 2250

8.1 R-5 FSM 2526

8.1 36 CFR 222

8.1 FSH ID 2209.13.96.1
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06 Exhibit 01--Continued

BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES REFERENCES By BMP Number

8.1 R5.EM-TP-004

8.2 FSM 2230

8.2 FSM 2240

8.2 FSM 2250

8.2 FSH 2209.13

8.2 36 CFR 222

8.2 R5.EM-TP-004

8.3 R-5 FSM 2526

8.3 FSM 2230

8.3 FSM 2240

8.3 FSM 2250

8.3 R5.EM-TP-004
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11 - INTRODUCTION

1. The Organic Administration Act of June 4, 1897, which created the National 

Forest System (NFS), established as a primary purpose of the forests the “securing of 

favorable conditions of water flow.” In the years since Congress approved that act, the 

national forests in California have generally provided a high level of protection for the 

headwaters of the State. For example, a recent statewide survey found that streams in 

forested watersheds were in better condition than streams in watersheds in any other 

land use (Ode 2007). Water quality of the Sacramento River and its tributaries, which 

drain primarily NFS lands, have generally good quality and support their beneficial uses 

(Domagalski and others 2000). Sediment and nutrient loads from forested watersheds 

in the Sierra Nevada, including large areas within national forests, were found to be 

substantially lower than loads from downstream agricultural areas and significantly 

lower than average pollutant loads nationwide (Kratzer and Shelton 1998). Ahearn and 

others (2005) compared water quality in the upper Consumnes River watershed, which is 

mostly national forest, to the more agricultural and heavily populated lower watershed, 

and found that “upland drainages tended to deliver dilute, clear waters to the lowlands, 

while lower elevation sub-watersheds produced more turbid waters with elevated levels 

of constituents” (p. 242). 

2. Nevertheless, resource-management and protection activities on NFS lands have the 

potential to result in nonpoint source pollution of the State’s waters, and continual efforts 

are needed to maintain and improve water quality. The USDA Forest Service (USFS) 

has as its goal the ecological restoration of NFS lands in California (Forest Service 

Manual (FSM) 2020, USFS Pacific Southwest Region Leadership Intent 2010), and 

water quality is an important component of forest ecosystems. Recognizing increasing 

stresses on the environment, new regulatory developments, and its responsibility for 

leadership in ecological restoration within the state, the Forest Service has worked with 

the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), the Regional Water Quality Control 

Boards (Regional Boards), tribes, and stakeholders to develop this revised Water Quality 

Management Handbook for NFS lands in California. 

3. The FSM directs that best management practices (BMP) will be used to control 

nonpoint source pollution related to all management actions with the potential to affect 

water quality on NFS lands (FSM 2532). BMPs are the practices that both the Federal 

and State water-quality regulatory agencies expect the Forest Service to implement to 

meet its obligation for complying with applicable water-quality laws and standards, and 

to maintain and improve water quality. BMPs address protection of water quality from 

new and ongoing activities. Restoration of water-quality problems resulting from past 

land uses (legacy sites) is also an important component of this plan. 
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4. A decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in August 2010 will result in many 

NFS roads being classified and regulated as point sources. The regulatory process that 

will be used for roads meeting criteria for point sources has not yet been developed. This 

Water Quality Management Handbook includes all road-related BMPs developed for 

management of roads as nonpoint sources. The Forest Service fully intends to comply 

with any future point source regulatory process the State of California and the U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) develop for forest roads.

5. Monitoring by the Forest Service (USFS 2004, 2009) indicates that improved 

implementation of BMPs is likely to be the most effective approach to improving 

protection of water quality on NFS lands. Most of this revised handbook focuses on 

steps to improve BMP implementation through changes in administrative practices 

and adaptive management. The handbook also includes several new BMPs to address 

developing water-quality issues and revisions of several BMPs selected on the basis of 

monitoring results and priorities as described in section 12.

6. This Water Quality Management Handbook for NFS lands in California describes 

background, legal, and policy basis for the handbook, BMPs that will be used for 

controlling nonpoint source pollution, processes for implementing those BMPs, an adaptive 

management system to continually improve BMPs, restoration of legacy water-quality 

problems, a monitoring plan to evaluate the success of the handbook, specific measures for 

total maximum daily load (TMDL) implementation, and needed future actions. The Forest 

Service will use these BMPs and processes to comply with provisions of: 

a. Federal water-quality statutes and regulations, including the Clean Water Act, the 

Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments, and the related regulations of the 

EPA.

b. California’s water-quality requirements, including the Porter-Cologne Water 

Quality Control Act; the five elements of implementation and enforcement for 

the SWRCB Non-point Source Pollution Control Policy; the Basin Plans of the 

RWQCBs; and water-quality control regulations, plans, policies, and program plans 

approved by the SWRCB pursuant to the foregoing Federal and State statutes.

The provisions of this Water Quality Management Handbook are designed to conform 

and comply with all of these legal requirements, as well as with applicable Forest 

Service directives.

7. Section 313 of the Clean Water Act states that the Federal Government is subject to 

and will comply with all Federal, State, interstate, and local requirements, administrative 

authority, and process and sanctions respecting the control and abatement of water 

pollution in the same manner, and to the same extent as any nongovernmental entity. This 
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means the Forest Service must use nonpoint source controls, including BMPs, approved 

by the State.

8. Several different relationships occur throughout the United States regarding Statespecific BMPs and NFS lands. States usually have their own sets of BMPs, and when 

they do, the Forest Service adheres to them. A second situation occurs when the Forest 

Service has authored the BMPs and a state has agreed that those practices conform to 

state requirements. The use of Forest Service-authored BMPs is usually formalized 

through a memorandum of understanding. The third situation occurs when Forest 

Service-authored BMPs have gone through a formal public review process, been 

approved by the state and/or EPA, and the governor of the state has designated the Forest 

Service as the water-quality management agency for NFS lands within the state. In 

California, the State is the final authority on adequacy of BMPs.

9. Water-quality regulation of activities on NFS lands is the result of both Federal and 

State laws. As noted above, Congress, in amending the Federal Water Pollution Control 

Act (Clean Water Act) in 1972, waived sovereign immunity for Federal agencies, and 

included in the law a requirement that Federal agencies comply with all state and local 

laws pertaining to water quality to the same extent as nonfederal entities. The State’s 

Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act was chaptered in 1969, augmenting the 

State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) and establishing the nine Regional 

Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCB). The Federal Water Pollution Control Act 

of 1972 was amended by the Clean Water Act of 1977. Clean Water Act Section 208 

provided authority and funding for states to develop water quality management plans 

and to designate water quality management agencies with primary responsibility for 

implementing those plans. The water quality management plans were to address, among 

other things, nonpoint source pollution. EPA promulgated regulations specifying the 

contents required in a water quality management plan (including best management 

practices and the process by which they were to be implemented), the process to be used 

for water-quality management plan development, and the qualifications required of a 

management agency (40 CFR, Part 130, Section 130.6). 

10. The Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act authorized the SWRCB to exercise 

any powers delegated to the states by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act or 

subsequent amendments. Also, the governor delegated to the SWRCB the authority 

granted by Clean Water Act Section 208 to certify proposed water quality management 

plans for the State. Accordingly, the Forest Service and SWRCB initiated a 208 water 

quality management planning process for nonpoint source activities on NFS lands in 

California. The Forest Service, including the Pacific Northwest Region, the Pacific 

Southwest Region, and the Intermountain Region, drafted a proposed water quality 

management plan for NFS lands in California, and the SWRCB reviewed the draft water 

quality management plan. 
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11. In 1981, the SWRCB, in accordance with Clean Water Act Section 208, took the 

following actions:

a. The SWRCB certified the document titled “Water Quality Management for 

National Forest System Lands in California” as a water quality management plan.

b. The SWRCB designated the Forest Service (all three Regions) as the 

management agency with primary responsibility for water quality management plan 

implementation.

c. The SWRCB executed a management agency agreement with the Forest Service 

setting forth the latter’s commitment to implementing the water-quality management 

plan, and expressing the anticipation that Regional Boards would waive imposition of 

waste discharge requirements under the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act.

12. In accordance with EPA regulations, all these SWRCB actions were submitted to the 

EPA for approval, which was granted in 1981.

13. During the following 20 years, a number of new Federal and State laws were 

enacted that affected the status of the water quality management plan and accompanying 

management agency agreement. In 1987, the Federal Water Quality Act was approved, 

adding Section 319 to provide funding for implementing nonpoint source management 

plans. Congress eliminated funding for implementing Section 208. In 1988, SWRCB 

adopted the “Source of Drinking Water” Policy (SWRCB Resolution 88.63). The Coastal 

Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990 (Section 6217) required affected states 

to develop nonpoint source control programs for waters that flowed to the ocean. The 

EPA promulgated “Guidance Specifying Management Measures for Sources of Nonpoint 

Pollution in Coastal Waters” to implement it, specifying the contents of such plans and 

requiring implementation of specific “management measures” (mostly performance 

standards) for silviculture and some other nonpoint sources of pollution. In 1999, 

SB390 amended the Porter-Cologne Act to formalize requirements for waivers of Waste 

Discharge Requirements.

14. In 2000, the Forest Service, SWRCB, and the RWQCBs collaboratively reviewed and 

revised the water quality management plan and BMPs. Revisions primarily involved the 

references cited for the BMPs. The SWRCB deemed these changes to be administrative and 

non-substantive, so re-certification of the water quality management plan was not needed. 

15. Additional major changes in California’s water-quality regulatory landscape occurred 

after approval of the revised water quality management plan in 2000:

a. The Porter-Cologne Act was amended to require that all Water Board waivers 

of waste discharge requirements be formal, temporary, conditional, and include 
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monitoring as a condition. Two Regional Boards have adopted conditional waivers 

of waste discharge requirements for timber harvesting and vegetation management, 

and one has adopted a waiver covering most resource-management activities on NFS 

lands.

b. The SWRCB was, for the first time, authorized to adopt its own waivers, which 

could be statewide.

c. Pursuant to the Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments and EPA (g) 

guidance regulations, SWRCB and the State Coastal Commission adopted, and EPA 

approved, California’s Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program (NPS Program 

Plan), which sets forth “management measures” (mostly performance standards) for 

silviculture and several other activities that generate nonpoint source pollution. The 

EPA holds the State accountable for conforming to these management measures.

d SWRCB adopted the policy titled “Implementation and Enforcement of the 

Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program” (NPS Policy). It sets forth key elements 

for a third-party nonpoint source pollution-control program.

e. SWRCB adopted the policy titled “Addressing Impaired Waters: Regulatory 

Structure and Options.” It sets forth alternative ways of meeting TMDL goals.

f. Many water bodies on and downstream of NFS lands were added to the State’s 

section 303(d) list of impaired water bodies.

g. The National Marine Fisheries Service and the State Department of Fish and Game 

began listing various populations of anadromous salmonids and steelhead trout as 

threatened or endangered pursuant to the Federal or State Endangered Species Acts, a 

process that is still continuing. NFS lands harbor much of the remaining habitat and 

refugia for some of these populations, especially along the North Coast.

h. The EPA and the North Coast Regional Board began calculating sediment and 

thermal pollution TMDLs (which are the two most frequently observed pollutants 

contributing to water-body impairment on NFS lands), and the Regional Board has 

been developing TMDL implementation plans.

i. The Forest Service began developing a set of national core BMPs.

16. The many changes indicated that the 2000 water quality management plan needed 

to be significantly revised and updated, and that the regulatory mechanisms needed to 

be reconsidered and streamlined. This Water Quality Management Handbook is the 

immediate successor to the 2000 water quality management plan.
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17. This Water Quality Management Handbook is related to other Forest Service 

directives and programs that govern water-quality protection and improvement on NFS 

lands. These directives and programs are briefly described in this section.

18. Forest Service activities are governed by a planning framework that includes general 

policies and directives, as well as specific standards and guidelines. The Forest Service 

planning framework includes formal directives contained in the Forest Service Manual 

(FSM) and Forest Service Handbook (FSH), standards and guidelines from provincial 

and national forest plans, and the Forest Service Watershed Improvement Program.

19. Key water quality components of the Forest Service planning framework are 

described below: 

a. Land and Resource Management Plans - Each national forest has a Land and 

Resource Management Plan (LRMP), also known as a “forest plan.” These plans 

provide broad guidance for forest management over relatively long (10 to 15 years) 

periods. LRMPs determine areas within each forest that are suitable for different 

resource management activities, including timber harvest, livestock grazing, and 

recreation, and establish desired conditions for forest resources. LRMPs include plans 

for wildfire suppression and standards and guidelines for activities and projects within 

the national forest. LRMPs are prepared and analyzed under NEPA.

b. Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) - The NWFP includes an assessment and planning 

process for the Six Rivers, Klamath, Mendocino, Shasta-Trinity, and Rogue RiverSiskiyou National Forests, as well a portion of the Modoc National Forest. The 

NWFP amended the LRMPs for these forests in 1994. 

20. The Aquatic Conservation Strategy (ACS) of the NWFP (http://www.reo.gov/library/

reports/newsandga.pdf) has nine objectives for maintaining and restoring the function, 

diversity, and integrity of the riparian and aquatic system, including water-quality 

protection:

a. Maintain and restore the distribution, diversity, and complexity of watershed and 

landscape-scale features to ensure protection of the aquatic systems to which species, 

populations, and communities are uniquely adapted.

b. Maintain and restore spatial and temporal connectivity within and between 

watersheds. Lateral, longitudinal, and drainage network connections include 

floodplains, wetlands, upslope areas, headwater tributaries, and intact refugia. These 

network connections must provide chemically and physically unobstructed routes to 

areas critical for fulfilling life history requirements of aquatic and riparian-dependent 

species.
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c. Maintain and restore the physical integrity of the aquatic system, including 

shorelines, banks, and bottom configurations.

d. Maintain and restore water quality necessary to support healthy riparian, aquatic, 

and wetland ecosystems. Water quality must remain within the range that maintains 

the biological, physical, and chemical integrity of the system and benefits survival, 

growth, reproduction, and migration of individuals composing aquatic and riparian 

communities.

e. Maintain and restore the sediment regime under which aquatic ecosystems 

evolved. Elements of the sediment regime include the timing, volume, rate, and 

character of sediment input, storage, and transport.

f. Maintain and restore in-stream flows sufficient to create and sustain riparian, 

aquatic, and wetland habitats and to retain patterns of sediment, nutrient, and wood 

routing. The timing, magnitude, duration, and spatial distribution of peak, high, and 

low flows must be protected.

g. Maintain and restore the timing, variability, and duration of floodplain inundation 

and water table elevation in meadows and wetlands.

h. Maintain and restore the species composition and structural diversity of plant 

communities in riparian areas and wetlands to provide adequate summer and winter 

thermal regulation, nutrient filtering, appropriate rates of surface erosion, bank 

erosion, and channel migration; and to supply amounts and distributions of coarse 

woody debris sufficient to sustain physical complexity and stability.

i. Maintain and restore habitat to support well-distributed populations of native plant, 

invertebrate, and vertebrate riparian-dependent species.

21. Key watersheds comprise a system of large refugia for fish and wildlife based 

at the watershed scale. Key watersheds comprise nearly 40 percent of Forest Service 

lands within the forests managed under the NWFP, and are managed to maintain 

or recover habitat for anadromous and resident fish species. Key watersheds have 

a high priority for restoration. Specific road management guidelines apply to key 

watersheds: 1) no new roads in roadless areas within key watersheds; 2) no new roads 

in unroaded portions of roadless areas within key watersheds; and 3) reduction in 

existing road mileage within key watersheds (no net increase if funding is insufficient 

to implement reductions).

22. Riparian reserves are a key component of the ACS and comprise lands along 

streams and unstable and potentially unstable areas where special standards and 

guidelines direct land use. Riparian reserves apply to all ephemeral, intermittent, 
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and perennial streams, and geologically unstable areas. These reserve areas maintain 

hydrologic, geomorphic, and ecological processes that directly affect streams and fish 

habitats. Widths of the reserves can range from a minimum of 100 feet on each side of 

ephemeral and/or intermittent streams to over 300 feet on each side of perennial fishbearing streams. Only activities that protect or enhance ACS objectives are permissible 

within a riparian reserve. Riparian reserves serve to protect aquatic resources and water 

quality from timber-harvesting activities, road building, and other nonpoint source 

activities such as grazing, by maintaining a diverse riparian community, a buffer area 

from upslope activities, canopy for shade and aquatic nutrition, and filtration of sediment 

from hillslopes.

23. Watershed analysis, another component of the ACS, is required for all 5th-field 

watersheds managed under the NFWP. Watershed analysis is a process that evaluates the 

geomorphic and ecological processes operating in a watershed, and is intended to enable 

watershed planning to achieve ACS objectives. Watershed analysis provides the basis for 

monitoring and restoration programs. Watershed analysis informs restoration planning 

efforts by identifying watershed problems, such as erosional features, problem roads and 

road sections, and riparian areas not meeting the ACS objectives, as well as identifying 

those areas that should be preserved from any activities.

24. The Sierra Nevada Framework Plan Amendment (SNFPA), amended in 2004 (http://

www.fs.fed.us/r5/snfpa/final-seis/), is analogous to the NWFP. The SNFPA provides 

similar guidance for forests in the Sierra Nevada and Modoc Plateau, including the 

Modoc, Lassen, Plumas, Tahoe, Eldorado, Stanislaus, Sierra, Inyo, and Sequoia National 

Forests, and the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. The SNFPA includes an Aquatic 

Management Strategy (AMS) similar to the ACS. The SNFPA equivalent to the riparian 

reserve is the “riparian conservation area,” and the SNFPA equivalent to key watershed 

is “critical aquatic refuge.” The SNFPA equivalent to “watershed analysis” is “landscape 

analysis.”

25. The four southern California national forests (Los Padres, Angeles, San Bernardino, 

and Cleveland National Forests) have consistent LRMPs that are comparable to the 

NWFP or SNFPA. Although each southern California national forest has its own LRMP, 

they all have adopted similar supplements to the Forest Service Handbook (FSH 2509-

22) that provide protection to riparian conservation areas similar to the protection 

afforded through the NWFP and SNFPA.

26. The Forest Service Watershed Improvement Program (WIP) is a nationwide program 

that guides assessment of watershed conditions, inventories and identifies watershed 

restoration needs, and implements restoration activities. Implementation of the WIP 

results in assessment and restoration on a watershed scale.
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27. In accordance with the WIP, each forest identifies priority watersheds for restoration, 

and essential projects that will improve watershed condition. The intent of the program 

is to focus watershed restoration activities in priority watersheds and progress through 

the priority watersheds in a stepwise manner, eventually providing assessment and 

restoration for all the watersheds. As described in more detail below, priority watersheds 

receive heightened water-quality protection under Forest Service guidance and are 

integral for maintaining sanctuary habitats for threatened and endangered species and 

unique plant and animal communities. Watershed restoration projects are not limited to 

priority watersheds, and are used to address watershed issues and water-quality problems 

in lower priority watersheds.

Primary components of the WIP are:

a. Priority watershed selection

b. Watershed assessments or watershed analyses

c. Watershed improvement needs inventories

d. Essential project identification (for example, road crossings, road 

decommissioning, and landslide stabilization)

e. Watershed restoration plans

f. Annual watershed improvement accomplishments reporting

28. Forest Service directives that provide guidance for watershed-scale planning, 

restoration, and assessment, include:

a. The Forest Service Region 5 FSH 2509.22 Soil and Water Conservation Handbook, 

chapter 20 (July 1988), requires that the Forest Service assess and consider the 

potential for cumulative watershed effects of proposed activities. The Forest Service 

Pacific Southwest Region Cumulative Watershed Effects policy provides an approach 

to assessing the potential for cumulative watershed effects related to management 

activities on NFS lands. The approach uses the equivalent roaded area model to 

make a preliminary assessment of watershed conditions by comparing effects of past, 

existing, and reasonably foreseeable actions to a watershed threshold of concern. 

More detailed analyses are required when equivalent roaded area totals equal or 

exceed the threshold of concern. National Forests may use scientifically valid 

empirical and physically-based models such as Water Erosion Prediction Project 

(WEPP) model to guide the development of disturbance coefficients and thresholds 

of concern. The assessment of potential cumulative watershed effects is included in 

NEPA analyses and can guide selection of alternatives by decision makers.
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FSM chapter 2520 provides national direction for watershed condition assessment, 

watershed improvement, emergency burned area response for wildfires, monitoring, 

riparian area management, floodplain management and wetland protection, 

emergency watershed protection, and natural disaster and flood damage surveys. 

Watershed improvement activities include road decommissioning, meadow 

restoration, and reforestation of burned areas.

29 FSM chapter 2020 (September 2008) provides a policy for using ecological 

restoration in managing NFS lands, further supporting watershed analysis and restoration, 

and the ACS. Policy

11.1 - NEPA and the Interdisciplinary Approach

The NEPA process is crucial for developing site-specific methods and techniques for applying 

BMPs to fit individual project needs. Direction for environmental evaluations and preparation 

of environmental documents to comply with NEPA are contained in established NFS policy and 

procedures found in FSM 1900, FSM 1950, and FSH 1909.15. These references also contain 

direction to incorporate the interdisciplinary process into planning and decision making. Under 

NEPA, interdisciplinary involvement is required to evaluate projects that may influence water 

quality and to develop the appropriate BMP applications for maintaining and improving water 

quality. The line officer responsible for a project selects and convenes an interdisciplinary 

team to evaluate a proposed activity, and assigns them the task of formulating and evaluating 

alternatives. A major part of the team evaluation is an analysis of environmental consequences. 

Alternatives that are likely to result in significant long-term adverse effects to water quality and 

associated beneficial uses, even with full application of BMPs, will not be considered viable 

alternatives.

An interdisciplinary team is comprised of individuals representing two or more areas of 

professional knowledge and skills. They are not a fixed set of professionals. Each team 

includes a unique combination of skills that the line officer selects according to the identified 

issues, concerns, and opportunities associated with each project proposal. The team does not 

make decisions, but provides the line officer with alternatives, evaluations, and recommended 

mitigation and protection measures needed to make a reasoned decision and protect the 

environment. The final decision authority lies with the line officer.

Commonly, the methods and techniques for water-quality protection that apply to a project site 

are a composite package of multiple BMPs with site-specific applications the interdisciplinary 

team develops. These site-specific applications are also known as “on the ground prescriptions.” 

The appropriate BMPs and the methods and techniques of implementing the BMPs are included 

in the environmental documentation, permit, contract, or other controlling document used to 

conduct and administer the project (see chapter 3, Administrative Processes).
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11.2 - Application of BMPs

Although some pollutants may be thought of as characteristic of a management activity, the 

actual extent to which contaminants from an activity have the potential to degrade water quality 

will vary based on:

1. The physical, biological, meteorological, and hydrological environment where the 

activity takes place (for example, topography, physiography, precipitation, channel 

density, soil type, or vegetative cover).

2. The type of activity imposed on a given environment (for example, recreation, mineral 

exploration, or timber management), and the proximity of the activity area to surface waters.

3. The method of application and time frame over which the activity is applied (for 

example, grazing system used, types of silvicultural practices used, constant use as 

opposed to seasonal use, recurrent application, or one-time application).

4. The kind of beneficial uses of the water in proximity to the management activity and 

their relative sensitivity to the type of contaminants associated with the activity.

5. These four factors vary throughout NFS lands in California. It follows then, that 

the extent and type of potential contaminants are variable, as are the most appropriate 

abatement and control measures. 

12 - BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

This chapter describes the Forest Service programmatic BMP guidance and describes procedures 

for developing site-specific BMP prescriptions using the guidance contained in the Water 

Quality Management Handbook. The programmatic BMPs described in this handbook are 

intended to lead to on-the-ground site-specific BMP prescriptions, but are not intended to be 

such prescriptions themselves. The programmatic BMPs described below include practices and 

standards, rather than specific erosion-control structures that would be included in site-specific 

BMPs. This distinction is important because confusion has resulted from using the term “BMP” 

to describe both performance standards and specific structures or prescriptions.

Based on BMP implementation and effectiveness monitoring from 2003 to 2007 (USFS 2008), BMPs 

for Road Management (2.1 to 2.13) and Range Management (8.1 to 8.3) were reviewed and revised. 

New BMPs were developed for Off-Highway Vehicles (4.7.1 to 4.7.9). All other BMPs are identical to 

those in the previous Water Quality Management Handbook (USFS 2000). Some formatting changes 

have been made to improve consistency in this document. Some disparities in the amount of detail and 

format remain apparent between groups of new and revised BMPs and the BMPs that were retained 

from the original 1981 handbook. As described in chapter 8, review and revision of these remaining 

BMPs is planned for the future. All BMPs are intended to be dynamic and to undergo periodic review 

and revisions to ensure that they incorporate the best available information and techniques. 
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As noted above, the programmatic BMPs described in this Water Quality Management 

Handbook are performance standards. They are neither detailed prescriptions nor solutions to 

specific nonpoint pollution sources. Rather, they are action-initiating mechanisms, processes, and 

practices that call for the development of site-specific detailed prescriptions that are designed at 

the project scale during planning. Development of prescriptions is aided by results from ongoing 

monitoring, and may also follow direction developed at the national forests. 

A new procedure in this Water Quality Management Handbook is the inclusion of an On-Line 

Library, at the end of this chapter, which includes reference materials for specific pollutioncontrol techniques. National forest interdisciplinary teams are required to use techniques selected 

from these references when appropriate, or provide specific measures with equivalent or greater 

protection for water quality. The erosion control plans described in BMP 2.13 are required to 

rely on techniques described in one or more of the references in the On-Line Library.

BMPs should be used when appropriate for activities other than the primary activity for which 

they were developed. For example, BMPs 1.8 and 1.19, which deal with designation and 

protection of streamside management zones, are included with the Timber Management BMPs, 

but may and should be used for other types of activities and projects that may affect riparian 

zones, including engineering, recreation, and range management.

The BMPs are dynamic and always subject to improvement and development. Monitoring and 

evaluation of existing practices may disclose areas where refinement is warranted. Research, 

academia, and administrative studies are continually evolving new methods and techniques 

applicable to water-quality protection. Provision has been made to allow for the continued 

updating and refinement of the existing practices as well as development of new practices (see 

chapter 4, Adaptive Management).

BMPs are grouped into subject areas based on the type of resource management or use activity:

1. Timber management

2. Road building and site construction

3. Mining

4. Recreation

5. Vegetation management

6. Fire suppression and fuels management

7. Watershed management

8. Range management
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Each BMP includes the following sections:

Practice: Includes the sequential number of the BMP and a brief title.

Objective: Describes the desired results or attainment of the practice as it relates to water-quality 

protection.

Explanation: Further amplifies the brief title and expresses how to apply the practice. Describes 

criteria or standards when applicable.

Implementation: Describes where to apply the practice; who is responsible for application, 

direction, and supervision; and when to employ the practice.

12.1 - Timber Management

Timber harvesting and reforestation are the culmination of several years of multiple resource 

assessment and detailed project planning.

Timber harvest includes felling, bucking, skidding, yarding, loading, and hauling designated 

trees to a mill. Harvest can be followed by reforestation, which includes preparation of the 

harvested site to treat excess fuels and competing vegetation, followed by tree planting, and 

stand maintenance as needed.

An effective starting point for identifying, documenting, and incorporating BMPs in the timber 

sale planning process is during the formulation of silvicultural prescriptions. Forest and districts 

may differ in how and when they formulate prescriptions in the planning process, but they 

generally follow the sequence of: stand examination, diagnosis of stand treatment and detailed 

silvicultural prescriptions, with post-treatment monitoring and evaluation.

Certified silviculturists develop silvicultural prescriptions. These specialists must meet high 

standards of professional knowledge, skills, and experience in multiple-use silviculture. Their 

training for certification requires continuing education in soils and watershed management. They 

are familiar with the terminology of these disciplines, and consult with soil and water specialists 

in the process of writing, or approving timber harvest prescriptions. 

Timber sale proposals are evaluated and refined during the interdisciplinary preparation of 

environmental documentation as required by NEPA. The line officer identifies the members 

comprising the interdisciplinary team, and assigns them the responsibility for preparing 

environmental documentation, including the conduct of requisite field investigation of the 

proposed harvest site.

The team selects those BMPs necessary to protect or improve the water quality for specific sites, 

and the appropriate method and technique for their implementation, and incorporates them into 

the environmental document. When the appropriate line officer approves the environmental 

document, the BMPs are officially made a part of the harvest plan.
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Planning begins 1 to 5 years before timber harvesting begins. Timber harvest planning and 

implementation also must follow the guidelines and requirements of the Forest Land and 

Resource Management Plan.

The timber sale planning process includes the following steps:

1. Position statement development

2. Sale area design (includes the environmental documentation process)

2. Sale plan implementation (includes harvest unit layout and stand record card updates)

3. Final sale package preparation (includes sale area improvement plan and contract 

preparation)

4. Sale award

While the timber sale is in progress, the implementation and effectiveness of the BMP 

prescription for the sale area are evaluated. This evaluation process continues through the 

completion of reforestation. This is when the actual environmental effects onsite are compared to 

the expected effects the interdisciplinary team estimated.

Findings are documented for use by future interdisciplinary teams on proposed timber sales and 

to update BMPs where warranted.

12.11 - Timber Management Best Management Practices

The following are the BMPs for the control of nonpoint source pollution associated with timber 

management activities. The line officer on each administrative subunit is responsible for fully 

implementing the directives that provide for water-quality protection and improvement during 

timber harvest and management activities.

1.1 Timber Sale Planning Process

1.2 Timber Harvest Unit Design

1.3 Determining Surface Erosion Hazard for Timber Harvest Unit Design

1.4 Using Sale Area Maps and/or Project Maps for Designating Water Quality Protection 

Needs

1.5 Limiting the Operating Period of Timber Sale Activities

1.6 Protecting Unstable Lands

1.7 Prescribing the Size and Shape of Regeneration Harvest Units

1.8 Streamside Management Zone Designation

1.9 Determining Tractor-loggable Ground

1.10 Tractor Skidding Design

1.11 Suspended Log Yarding in Timber Harvesting
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1.12 Log Landing Location

1.13 Erosion Prevention and Control Measures During Timber Sale Operations

1.14 Special Erosion-prevention Measures on Disturbed Land

1.15 Regeneration of Areas Disturbed by Harvest Activities

1.16 Log Landing Erosion Control

1.17 Erosion Control on Skid Trails

1.18 Meadow Protection during Timber Harvesting

1.19 Streamcourse and Aquatic Protection

1.20 Erosion-control Structure Maintenance

1.21 Acceptance of Timber Sale Erosion-control Measures Before Sale Closure

1.22 Slash Treatment in Sensitive Areas

1.23 Five-year Restoration Requirement

1.24 Non-recurring “C” Provisions that can be used for Water-quality Protection

1.25 Modification of the Timber Sale Contract

Earth scientists and other trained and qualified individuals are available to work with the timber 

management work force to provide technical assistance in identifying beneficial uses, the most 

recent state-of-the-art water-quality control, methods and techniques, and evaluation of results.
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12.11 Exhibit 01

BMP 1.1 - Timber Sale Planning Process

Objective: To incorporate water-quality and hydrologic considerations into the timber sale 

planning process.

Explanation: The interdisciplinary team will address potential water-quality problems and 

provide for administrative controls, corrective treatments, and preventive measures. As 

warranted, a qualified specialist will define and quantify the potential changes to water quality 

and instream beneficial uses. 

The result is an environmental document and sale contract(s). These documents describe 

methods to prevent unacceptable effects to water quality during and following sale layout and 

logging operations. They document mitigation measures to ameliorate, and/or preclude adverse 

effects for those treated areas. Silvicultural treatment is excluded from environmentally sensitive 

areas where adverse environmental effects from the activity cannot be mitigated to conform to 

Federal, State, and local water-quality standards.

Implementation: Earth scientists or other trained and qualified individuals participate in the 

environmental documentation process to evaluate onsite watershed characteristics and potential 

environmental consequences of the proposed timber harvest and related activities. They design 

the timber sale to include site-specific prescriptions for each area of water-quality concern. The 

resulting contract will include those provisions set forth in the environmental document to meet 

water-quality protection objectives. 
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12.11 Exhibit 02 

BMP 1.2 - - Timber Harvest Unit Design

Objective: To ensure that timber harvest unit design will secure favorable conditions of water 

quality and quantity, while maintaining desirable stream channel characteristics and watershed 

conditions. The design should consider the size and distribution of natural structures (snag and 

down logs) as a means of preventing erosion and sedimentation.

Explanation: This is an administrative and preventive practice. Proposed timber harvest units 

will be evaluated to predict watershed response to the proposed timber harvest unit design. This 

includes onsite examination of the watersheds to evaluate their ability to absorb the effects of the 

proposed harvest without incurring unacceptable effects on water quality. 

Characteristics to be evaluated can include recovery from past harvests; size and extent of 

past management activities; protection of channels; number, size and location of harvest units; 

planned location and size of roads, landings and skid trails; logging system design; potential 

natural recovery rate of the watershed; and needs of associated beneficial uses.

Where it is not possible to mitigate adverse effects on water quality and undesirable streamflow 

conditions, the harvest unit design will be modified to reduce adverse effects. To the fullest 

extent possible, the unit design is made to be amendable to implementing mitigation measures.

Implementation: Earth scientists or qualified specialists will conduct a hydrologic and geologic 

survey of the area affected by proposed harvest activities. Mitigations or changes needed to 

stabilize slopes and project or improve stream courses will be incorporated into the harvest 

unit design. It is the responsibility of the aale administrator to carry out on-the-ground 

accomplishments of environmental protection measures, and the timber sale contract-specific 

areas will be identified during design for monitoring attainment of water-quality objectives.
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12.11 Exhibit 03

BMP 1.3 - Determining Surface Erosion Hazard for Timber Harvest Unit Design

Objective: To identify high-erosion hazard areas to adjust treatment measures and prevent 

downstream water-quality degradation.

Explanation: This is a preventive practice. The California Soil Survey Committee erosion hazard 

rating (EHR) system is a method used to estimate the potential erosion hazard of a given area. It 

evaluates the soil-topography-climate-soil cover relationships of site-specific areas. Where the 

post-harvest hazard is predicted to be “moderate,” an onsite evaluation is conducted to determine 

the need for erosion control measures. Where the post-harvest hazard is predicted to be “high,” 

or “very high,” erosion-control measures are necessary to reduce the potential risk of accelerated 

erosion to a low or moderate level. 

Where the harvest impacts cannot be reduced to a low or moderate level with treatments, then the 

harvest units should be avoided or harvest methods modified, or both (see also BMP 1.6).

Implementation: The erosion-hazard determination is part of the pre-sale planning process, 

as input to the environmental document. Only trained and qualified Forest Service employees 

will establish the EHR for individual harvest units. The timber sale Planning Forester uses this 

information to help design the timber sale, and apply appropriate erosion control.
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12.11 Exhibit 04

BMP 1.4 - Using Sale Area Maps and/or Project Maps for Designating Water-Quality 

Protection Needs

Objective: To ensure recognition and protection of areas related to water-quality protection 

delineated on a sale-area map or a project map. 

Explanation: This is an administrative and preventative practice. The following are examples 

of water-quality protection features that pre-sale foresters can designate on the sale area map or 

project map, thereby ensuring their incorporation as timber sale contract requirements:

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

the protection zone required for each stream

2. Wetlands (meadows, lakes, springs, and so forth) to be protected

3. Boundaries of harvest units

4. Specified roads

5. Roads where log hauling is prohibited, or restricted

6. Structural improvement

7. Area of different skidding and/or yarding method application

8. Sources of rock for road work, riprapping, and borrow materials

9. Water sources that are available for purchasers’ use

10. Other features that are required by contract provisions

11. Site preparation/fuel treatment

Implementation: The interdisciplinary team will identify and delineate these and other features 

on maps, as part of the environmental documentation process. The Sale Preparation Forester will 

include them on the sale area map at the time of contract preparation. The sale administrator and 

the purchaser will review these areas on the ground before commencing harvest.
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12.11 Exhibit 05

BMP 1.5 - Limiting the Operating Period of Timber Sale Activities

Objective: To ensure that the purchasers conduct their operations, including, erosion-control 

work, road maintenance, and so forth, in a timely manner, within the time specified in the timber 

sale contract.

Explanation: Contract provision C6.3, “Plan of Operation” is required in all timber sale contracts. 

This provision states that the purchaser must submit a general plan of operation which will set 

forth planned periods for, and methods of road construction, timber harvesting, completion of 

slash disposal, erosion-control work, and other contractual requirements. Forest Service written 

approval of the Plan of Operation is prerequisite to commencement of the purchaser’s operation. 

Contract clause B6.31, “Operation Schedule,” requires that the purchaser provide an annual 

schedule of anticipated activities such as road maintenance and erosion-control work until the 

sale is closed. Contract clause C6.313, “Limited Operating Period,” will be used in a contract 

to limit the purchaser’s operation to specified periods when adverse environmental effects are 

unlikely. Contract provision B6.6 can be used to close down operations due to the rainy season, 

high water, and other adverse operating conditions, to protect resources.

Implementation: During the timber sale planning process, the interdisciplinary team will identify 

and recommend limited operating periods. The Sale Preparation Forester prepares the contract 

to include clause C6.313. Provisions B6.3, B6.31, and C6.3 are all mandatory provisions of the 

timber sale contract. Provision C6.3 is mandatory only for sales over a 2.year contract period. 

The purchaser must submit a general plan and annual plans to the Forest Service. The purchaser 

may commence operations only after written Forest Service approval of the general plan under 

C6.3.
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12.11 Exhibit 06

BMP 1.6 - Protecting Unstable Lands

Objective: To provide special treatment of unstable areas to avoid triggering mass slope failure 

with resultant erosion and sedimentation.

Explanation: This practice is an administrative and preventative control. Where unstable lands 

are delineated, they are taken out of suitable forest lands and are reclassified as unsuitable forest 

land. Using existing harvest technologies, unsuitable forest lands cannot be managed for timber 

production where irreversible adverse effects to soils, productivity, or watershed conditions may 

occur. Timber harvesting is deferred pending technology development proven to be operational 

on these sites without causing adverse environmental effects.

Implementation: The interdisciplinary team will prepare plans and environmental documents, 

utilizing information provided by specialists trained and qualified to identify unstable areas. 

When warranted, based on location and size of the sale, proposed harvest units may be assessed 

for relationships to unstable areas through aerial photo reconnaissance (most recent photos at 

least 1:24,000 or larger scale) and a landslide hazard map, where available. These features are 

then assessed on the ground as the team deems necessary. Where unstable lands are presently 

classified as suitable forest lands, the classification is changed to unsuitable forest lands. 

Unsuitable forest lands will not be harvested until they can be harvested without irreversible 

or unmitigable resource effects. If the team determines that current or prospective logging 

methods would result in irreversible or unmitigable watershed effects, then the line officer should 

reclassify the area to unsuitable forest land and defer harvesting.
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12.11 Exhibit 07

BMP 1.7 - Prescribing the Size and Shape of Regeneration Harvest Units

Objective: To control the physical size and shape of regeneration harvest units as a means of 

preventing erosion and sedimentation.

Explanation: This is an administrative and preventive practice. 36 CFR 219.27 (d)(2) limits 

the size of openings created by the application of even-aged silviculture in California in a 

single entry (a clearcut) to 60 acres for Douglas-fir forest type and 40 acres for all other forest 

types with certain exceptions. Exceptions can be made in the case of salvage harvesting or 

with Regional Forester approval. The National Forest Management Act, section 6, contains the 

following:

“(F) insure that clearcutting, seed tree cutting, shelterwood cutting and other cuts designed to 

regenerate an even aged stand of timber will be used...only where...(iv) there are established 

according to geographic areas, forest types, or other suitable classifications the maximum size 

limits for areas to be cut in one harvest operation including provision to exceed the established 

limits after appropriate public notice and review by the responsible Forest Service officer 

one level above the Forest Service officer who normally would approve the harvest proposal: 

Provided, That such limits shall not apply to the size of areas harvested as a result of natural 

catastrophic conditions such as fire, insect and disease attack, or windstorm; and (v) such cuts are 

carried out in a manner consistent with the protection of soil, watershed, fish, wildlife, recreation, 

and esthetic resources, and the regeneration of the timber resource.”

Implementation: The size and the shape of the proposed regeneration units are reviewed on 

the ground in the pre-sale planning process. A map showing proposed units is included in 

the contract, which is reviewed and approved by the appropriate line officer. The timber sale 

should be, and normally is, delineated on the ground (roads staked, timber marked) after the 

environmental analysis is complete and a formal decision is made.
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12.11 Exhibit 08

BMP 1.8 - Streamside Management Zone Designation

Objective: 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.

Explanation: As a preventive measure, roads, skid trails, landings, and other timber-harvesting 

facilities will be kept at a prescribed distance from designated stream courses.

Factors such as stream class, channel aspect, channel stability, sideslope steepness, and slope 

stability are considered in determining the limitations on activities within the width of streamside 

management zones (SMZ). Aquatic and riparian habitat, beneficial riparian zone functions, 

their condition and their estimated response to the proposed timber sale are also evaluated in 

determining the need for and width of the streamside management zones.

The SMZ will be a zone of total exclusion of activity, or a zone of closely managed activity as 

described in the “Glossary of Terms.” It is a zone that acts as an effective filter and absorptive 

zone for sediment; maintains shade; protects aquatic and terrestrial riparian habitats; protects 

channel and streambanks; and promotes floodplain stability.

Implementation: Identify the streamside management zone requirements during the 

environmental documentation process. Each forest’s LRMP identifies specific measures to 

protect these zones. As a minimum, forest requirements must be identified and implemented. The 

timber sale project is designed to include site-specific prescriptions for preventing sedimentation 

and other stream damage from logging debris. The timber sale contract will be designed to 

ensure retention of streamside vegetation and improve the condition and beneficial functions of 

the riparian area.

As appropriate, water-quality monitoring is identified in the environmental document. The 

Timber Sale Preparation Forester is responsible for including the zones in the timber sale 

contract and on the sale area map as identified by the environmental document. The sale 

administrator is responsible for contract compliance during harvest operations.
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12.11 Exhibit 09

BMP 1.9 - Determining Tractor-loggable Ground

Objective: To minimize erosion and sedimentation resulting from ground disturbance of tractor 

logging systems.

Explanation: This preventative practice is intended to minimize accelerated soil erosion 

and sedimentation, and water-quality degradation. To determine tractor-loggable ground, 

consider physical site characteristics such as steepness of slopes, landslide prone areas, and 

soil properties. The EHR is one method. For example, where the post-tractor logging EHR is 

predicted to be “moderate,” an onsite evaluation is conducted to determine the need for erosioncontrol measures. Where the post-tractor logging EHR is predicted to be ”high,” or “very high,” 

erosion-control measures are required to reduce the risk of accelerated erosion.

Avoid tractor logging where the predicted, post-logging erosion hazard cannot be reduced to 

either “low” or “moderate.”

Implementation: A trained and qualified Forest Service employee will evaluate the EHR during 

the on-the-ground planning phase of the timber sale. This work is done within each sale area 

by evaluating representative sites. The resulting EHRs are considered during the selection of 

logging methods and silvicultural prescriptions, of erosion-control measures to reduce risk, and 

in determining the intensity of and controls for land-disturbing activities.

Interpretations of the considerations are described in the environmental document. Provisions 

in the timber sale contract specify the areas, determined by the EHR, upon which tractors can 

operate.
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12.11 Exhibit 10

BMP 1.10 - Tractor Skidding Design

Objective: 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.

Explanation: This is a preventative practice. Watershed factors considered include slope, soil 

stability, exposure, SMZs, meadows, and other factors that may affect the surface water runoff 

and sediment yield potential of the land. The careful control of skidding patterns serves to avoid 

onsite and downstream channel instability, build-up of destructive runoff flows, and erosion in 

sensitive watershed areas such as meadows and SMZs.

Methods for protecting water quality while utilizing tractor skid trail systems are:

1. End-Lining. This method involves winching the log directly out of the sensitive areas 

(such as SMZs and meadows) with a cable operated from outside the sensitive area. In 

this manner, logs can be removed from the sensitive areas, while avoiding encroachment 

by heavy equipment and associated adverse environmental effects.

2. Felling to the Lead. This method involves felling trees toward a predetermined skid 

pattern. This procedure facilitates an uncomplicated approach of the tractor operating 

between the log and the skid trail. Soil disturbance and compaction are consequently 

lessened, and residual stand and site damage is minimized.

3. Specialized Equipment Access. Specialized equipment (harvesters, feller bunchers) 

having low ground pressures can move in and out of selected SMZs without turning and 

leaving disturbed ground.

Implementation: For skid trail design, sensitive areas will be identified and evaluated in the 

environmental documentation process during the timber sale planning process. When needed 

to protect water quality, prescriptions must be included in the basic TSC by the use of special 

contract provisions (C-clauses). The sale administrator then executes the prescription on the 

ground by locating the skid trails with the timber purchaser, or by agreeing to the purchaser’s 

proposed locations prior to construction. Guidelines for skid trail locations are referenced in the 

sale administrator Handbook, and will be in the environmental documentation and the timber 

sale contract. 
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12.11 Exhibit 11

BMP 1.11 - Suspended Log Yarding in Timber Harvesting

Objectives:

1. To protect the soil mantle from excessive disturbance.

2. To maintain the integrity of the SMZ and other sensitive watershed areas.

3. To control erosion on cable corridors.

Explanation: Suspended log yarding includes all yarding systems that suspend logs either 

partially or completely off the ground. These systems include, but are not limited to, skyline, 

helicopter, and balloon yarders. The systems are used on steep slopes where tractors cannot 

operate. All of the systems result in less soil disturbance since heavy machinery is not used over 

the sale area. Erosion-control measures are applied as necessary in cable corridors to control 

erosion and runoff.

Implementation: The areas where suspended log yarding is required will be determined during 

the pre-sale planning process, and they will be included in the sale plan. The specific systems 

must be included in the timber sale contract, and designated on the sale area map by the 

Sale Preparation Forester. The sale administrator will oversee the project operation using the 

guidelines and standards established in the timber sale contract and sale administrator handbook 

with reference to the sale plan.
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12.11 Exhibit 12

BMP 1.12 - Log Landing Location

Objective: To locate new landings or reuse old landings in such a way as to avoid watershed 

impacts and associated water-quality degradation.

Explanation: This practice is both administrative and preventive. The location of and clearing 

limits for log landings are commonly evaluated by the interdiscipliinary team, and are agreed to 

by the sale administrator and purchaser prior to construction. The following criteria are used by 

the sale administrator in evaluating landings:

1. The cleared or excavated size of landings should 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 the Occupational Safety and Health 

Administration (OSHA).

2. To the extent feasible, select landing locations that involve the least amount of 

excavation and the least erosion potential, and are well outside of the SMZ.

3. Where feasible, locate landings near ridges away from headwater swales in areas 

that will allow skidding without crossing channels, violating the SMZ, or causing direct 

deposit of soil and debris to the stream.

4. 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.

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

to promote safety, and protect the soil from erosion.

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

7. Avoid excessive fills associated with landings constructed on old landslide benches. 

Do not change the mass balance to point to destabilize the landslide.

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

and drainage specifications. Engineered fills will be needed under certain conditions.

Implementation: The sale administrator must agree to landing locations proposed by 

the purchaser or their representatives. Relying on interdiscipliinary team input and the 

stated criteria, the sale administrator can negotiate to select mutually acceptable landing 

locations—other than those identified in the NEPA document. To be an acceptable 

landing, it must meet the above criteria. Should agreement not be reached, the decision of 

the Forest Service will prevail within contract limitations.
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12.11 Exhibit 13

BMP 1.13 - Erosion Prevention and Control Measures during Timber Sale Operations

Objective: To ensure that the purchasers’ operations will be conducted reasonably to minimize 

soil erosion.

Explanation: Timber is purchased by individuals or companies who either harvest the timber 

themselves, or sub-contract to other parties. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that purchasers 

and their sub-contractors understand and adhere to water-quality BMP prescriptions formulated 

during the timber sale planning process. This is accomplished by setting forth the purchaser’s 

responsibilities in the timber sale contract, and holding the purchaser accountable for actions of 

their sub-contractor.

Implementation: 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 to ground and weather conditions, with emphasis on the need to control 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 at least weekly when 

precipitation is predicted for the weekend.

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.
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12.11 Exhibit 14

BMP 1.14 - Special Erosion-prevention Measures on Disturbed Land

Objective: To provide appropriate erosion and sedimentation protection for disturbed areas.

Explanation: This is an administrative and preventive treatment. When required by the contract, 

the purchaser will give adequate treatment by spreading slash, mulch, or wood chips (or, by 

agreement, some other treatment) on portions of tractor roads, skid trails, landings, cable 

corridors or temporary road fills. This provision is to be used only for sales which contain 

identified special soil stabilization problems which are not expected to be adequately treated by 

normal methods prescribed under other contract provisions.

Implementation: During the timber sale planning process and/or during sale appraisal, the 

interdisciplinary team will identify criteria for selecting treatment areas or classes of areas for 

special treatment and document them in the environmental assessment. The Sale Preparation 

Forester will identify the acreage to be treated in the legend of the sale area map. The sale 

administrator will designate the specific areas to be treated on the ground.
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12.11 Exhibit 15

BMP 1.15 - Revegetation of Areas Disturbed by Harvest Activities

Objective: To establish a vegetative ground cover on disturbed sites to prevent erosion and 

sedimentation.

Explanation: Where the purchaser’s operations have severely disturbed the soil, and the 

establishment of vegetation is needed to control accelerated erosion, the purchaser will be 

required to take appropriate measures normally used to establish an adequate ground cover of 

grass or other vegetative stabilization measures acceptable to the Forest Service. The type and 

intensity of treatment to establish ground cover is prescribed by the sale administrator, with 

assistance from earth scientists and botanists, as needed.

This measure is applied in contracts where it is expected that disturbed soils in parts of the sale 

area will require vegetative cover for stabilization and other contract provisions will not mitigate 

problems.

Implementation: The Forest Service will include an estimate of the need for revegetation in 

the timber sale appraisal and sale contract. Where revegetation is prescribed, the prescription 

must be included in the timber sale contract. The sale administrator will designate the areas of 

disturbed soils, such as logging areas and temporary roads that must be treated.

The Forest Service will provide advice as to soil preparation and the application of suitable seed 

mixtures, mulch, and fertilizer, and the timing of such work. The sale administrator is responsible 

for ensuring that revegetation work is done correctly and in a timely manner.
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12.11 Exhibit 16

BMP 1.16 - Log Landing Erosion Control

Objective: To reduce the impacts of erosion and subsequent sedimentation associated with log 

landings by use of mitigating measures.

Explanation: This practice uses administrative, preventive, and corrective controls to meet the 

objective. The Sale Planning Forester and sale administrator assess the need for stabilization, 

with the assistance of earth scientists as needed.

Implementation: Timber sale contract requirements provide for erosion prevention and control 

measures on all landings. The Timber Sale Preparation Forester will include provisions in 

the timber sale contract for landings to have proper drainage. After landings have served the 

purchaser’s purpose, the purchaser will ditch, or slope the landings, and may be required to 

rip or subsoil and make provisions for revegetation to permit the drainage and dispersion of 

water. Erosion-prevention measures such as waterbars will be constructed to divert water 

away from landings.

Other provisions may include aggregate surfacing; scarifying; smoothing and sloping; 

construction of drainage ditches; spreading slash; covering with mulch or wood chips; or 

applying straw mulch. Prevent road drainage from reaching landings. Unless agreed otherwise, 

cut and fill banks around landings will be reshaped to stabilize the area.

The specific work needed on each landing will depend on the actual onsite conditions. The 

sale administrator is responsible for ensuring that this practice is properly implemented on the 

ground. The sale administrator will agree upon the location and size of log landings proposed by 

the purchaser before clearing and construction begins. 
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12.11 Exhibit 17

BMP 1.17 - Erosion Control on Skid Trails

Objective: To protect water quality by minimizing erosion and sedimentation derived from skid 

trails.

Explanation: This practice uses preventive controls to reach the objective.

The timber sale contract requires the installation of erosion-control measures on skid trails, 

tractor roads, and temporary roads. Normally, the work involves constructing cross ditches and 

water-spreading ditches. Other methods such as backblading will be agreed to in lieu of cross 

drains. Grass seeding or other erosion-control and compaction remediation measures may also be 

required by a “C” provision, which will be added to the timber sale contract. Areas to be treated 

are shown on the sale area map legend. During the life of the contract, these areas are designated 

on the ground annually as logging and temporary access construction progresses.

Implementation: Locations of all erosion-control measures are designated and agreed to on the 

ground by the sale administrator. The sale administrator handbook section on Skid Trails and 

Firelines contains guidelines for spacing of cross drains, construction techniques, and cross drain 

heights. The sale administrator should use these guidelines on the ground to identify site-specific 

preventive work that is required of the purchaser. The purchaser is obligated to complete and 

maintain erosion-control work specified in contract provisions during the life of the contract.
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12.11 Exhibit 18

BMP 1.18 - Meadow Protection during Timber Harvesting

Objective: To avoid damage to the ground cover, soil, and the hydrologic function of meadows.

Explanation: This is an administrative and preventive action. The interdisciplinary team 

identifies these sensitive environments during the scoping and onsite evaluation portion of the 

environmental document preparation process. As a minimum, meadow protection requirements 

contained in the forest LRMP must be identified and implemented. Trained and qualified Forest 

Service employees will assess these areas. Protection zones and tree directional felling are 

prescribed according to site conditions and within guidelines provided by the Forest Service 

directive system and the LRMP guidelines.

The timber sale contract prohibits unauthorized operation of vehicular or skidding equipment 

in meadows or in protection zones designated on sale area maps and marked on the ground. 

Vehicular or skidding equipment is not to be used on meadows except when specifically 

approved by the sale administrator. Where feasible, directional felling will be used to avoid 

felling trees into meadows. Unless otherwise agreed, trees felled into meadows will be removed 

by end-lining, slash removed, and resulting disturbance will be repaired where necessary to 

protect vegetative cover, soil, and water quality.

Implementation: The concerns and requirements will be set forth in the timber sale contract 

requirements for sale areas with meadow land. The contract may also specify that a purchaser 

is subject to liquidated damage charges each time equipment enters a designated meadow. The 

purchaser will repair damage to these designated areas and/or their associated protection zones in 

a timely manner, as agreed to by the sale administrator.

The purchaser will repair damage to a streamcourse, or SMZs caused by unauthorized 

purchasers’ operations in a timely and agreed-upon manner.
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EFFECTIVE DATE: 12/05/2011

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12.11 Exhibit 19

BMP 1.19 - Streamcourse and Aquatic Protection

1. Objectives:

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.

Explanation: This management practice uses administrative, preventive, and corrective measures 

to meet the objectives.

Streams within proposed timber sale areas are surveyed and protection zones are prescribed 

during the timber sale planning process. The interdiscipliinary team formulates stream-protection 

requirements, and includes the prescription in the decision document. The requirements are then 

included in the timber sale contract and identified on the sale area map.

2. The following principles are fundamental to protecting streamcourses:

a. The sale administrator must agree to location and method of streamcourse 

crossings prior to construction. This is done at the same time as agreements are made 

with the purchaser or purchaser’s representative for the locations of landings, skid 

trails, tractor roads, and temporary roads.

b. All damage to a streamcourse, including damage to banks and channels, will be 

repaired to the extent practicable.

c. All sale-generated debris is removed from streamcourses, unless otherwise agreed 

to by the sale administrator, and in an agreed-upon manner that will cause the least 

disturbance.

d. Limit, or exclude equipment use in designated SMZs. Widths of SMZ and 

restrictions pertaining to equipment use are defined by onsite project investigation 

and are included in the timber sale contract. The Forest Service identifies these areas 

on the sale area map prior to advertising. Boundaries of zones will be modified by 
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12.11 Exhibit 19 -- Continued

BMP 1.19 - Streamcourse and Aquatic Protection

agreement between the contractor and sale administrator, to compensate for 

unforeseen operation conditions.

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

streamcourse areas where harvest is approved include: 1) end lining, 2) felling to 

the lead, and 3) utilizing specialized equipment with low ground pressure such as a 

feller buncher harvester. Permit equipment to enter streamside areas only at locations 

agreed to by the sale administrator and the purchaser.

f. Water bars and other erosion-control structures will be located so as to 

disperse concentrated flows and filter out suspended sediments prior to entry into 

streamcourse.

g. Material from temporary road and skid trail streamcourse crossings is removed 

and streambanks restored to the extent practicable.

h. In cable log yarding operations, logs will be fully airborne within the SMZ, when 

required by the timber sale contract.

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

areas to facilitate slash disposal without use of mechanized equipment.

Implementation: The sale administrator works with the purchaser’s representative to ensure 

that the timber sale contract clauses covering the above items are carried out on the ground. 

Specialists can be called upon to help the sale administrator with decisions. In the event the 

purchaser causes debris to enter streamcourses in amounts which may adversely affect the 

natural flow of the stream, water quality, or fishery resource, the purchaser will remove such 

debris as soon as practicable, but not to exceed 48 hours, and in an agreed-upon manner that will 

cause the least disturbance to streamcourses. 
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12.11 Exhibit 20

BMP 1.20 - Erosion-control Structure Maintenance

Objective: To ensure that constructed erosion-control structures are stabilized and working.

Explanation: Erosion-control structures are only effective when they are in good repair and 

function as designed. Once the erosion-control structures are constructed, there is a possibility 

that they may not become adequately effective, or they will become damaged from subsequent 

harvest activities. It is necessary to provide follow-up inspection and structural maintenance to 

avoid these problems and ensure adequate erosion control.

Implementation: During the period of the timber sale contract, the purchaser will provide 

maintenance of soil erosion-control structures constructed by the purchaser until they become 

stabilized, but not for more than one year after their construction. After one year, accomplish 

needed erosion-control maintenance work using other funding sources under timber sale contract 

provisions B6.6 and B6.66.

The Forest Service may agree to perform such structure maintenance under timber sale contract 

provision B4.225 (Cooperative Deposits), if requested by the purchaser, subject to agreement 

on rates. If the purchaser fails to do seasonal maintenance work, the Forest Service may assume 

responsibility and charge the purchaser accordingly.
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12.11 Exhibit 21

BMP 1.21 - Acceptance of Timber Sale Erosion-control Measures before Sale Closure

Objective: To ensure the adequacy of required erosion-control work on timber sales.

Explanation: The effectiveness of soil erosion prevention and control measures is determined by 

the conditions found after sale areas have been exposed for one, or more years to the elements. 

The evaluation is to ensure that erosion-control treatments are in good repair and functioning as 

designed before releasing the purchaser from the contract responsibility.

Although a careful check is required before a timber sale is closed to ensure that planned erosion 

work has been completed to the standard prescribed, the erosion prevention work done in 

previous years must also be inspected during the life of the timber sale. These inspections will 

help determine whether the planned work was adequate, if maintenance work is needed, the 

practicability of the various treatments used, and the necessity for modifying present standards, 

or procedures.

Implementation: “Acceptable” erosion control means only minor deviation from established 

objectives, provided no major, or lasting damage is caused to soil, or water. Sale administrators 

will not accept erosion-control measures that fail to meet these criteria. Specific requirements for 

erosion control are included in each timber sale contract and the sale administrator handbook.
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12.11 Exhibit 22

BMP 1.22 - Slash Treatment in Sensitive Areas

Objective: To maintain or improve water quality by protecting sensitive areas from degradation 

which would likely result from using mechanized equipment for slash disposal.

Explanation: Special slash treatment site preparation will be prescribed in sensitive areas to 

facilitate slash disposal without use of mechanized equipment. Meadows, wetlands, SMZs, 

and landslide areas are typically sensitive areas where equipment use is normally prohibited. 

Slash-treatment and site-preparation methods are specified in environmental documents, where 

applicable, for each cut unit in project and contract documents such as a timber sale contract, 

project map, or sale area map.

Implementation: An assessment of the sale area will be made in the timber sale planning process. 

Sensitive areas requiring protection are identified. Assessment results will be documented in the 

environmental document, and identified in the timber sale contract and on the sale area map. The 

sale administrator, contract inspector, or Forest Service specialist will inspect the treatment for 

correct and satisfactory slash disposal accomplishment.
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12.11 Exhibit 23

BMP 1.23 - Five-Year Reforestation Requirement

Objective: To assure a continuous forest cover and to limit disturbance on areas with limited 

regeneration potential where there is no assurance that the site can be reforested within 5 years.

Explanation: When trees are cut to achieve timber production objectives, the cuttings shall be 

made in such a way as to assure that the technology and knowledge exists to adequately restock 

the lands within 5 years after harvest. Adequate stocking means that the cut area will contain 

the minimum number, size, distribution, and species composition of regeneration as specified in 

regional silvicultural guides for each forest type. Five years after final harvest means 5 years after 

clear cutting, 5 years after final overstory removal in shelterwood cutting, 5 years after seed tree 

removal cut in seed tree cutting, or 5 years after selection cutting (36 CFR Part 219.27 (c ) (3)).

The implementation of this practice protects water quality by helping to stabilize soils, increasing 

ground cover, and providing improved infiltration. 

Implementation: During the timber sale planning process, the interdiscipliinary team 

assesses the capability of proposed areas to achieve reforestation within the prescribed 

period. The silviculturist uses information the interdisciplinary team collected, including soil 

productivity, soil depth, and available moisture-holding capacity to determine harvesting and 

regeneration methods.
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12.11 Exhibit 24

BMP 1.24 - Non-recurring “C” Provisions that can be used for Water-quality Protection

Objective: To use the option of inserting Special “C” provisions in the timber sale contract to 

protect water quality where standard “B” or “C” provisions do not apply or are inadequate to 

protect watershed values.

Explanation: At times, District Rangers or Forest Supervisors will propose special “C” 

provisions to meet management objectives for a particular sale area. However, the Regional 

Forester must approve the provisions. Such authorization will apply only to the sale for which 

approval was given.

An example of a Special “C” provision commonly used for water-quality protection is the 

provision concerning the directional felling of timber. This provision is used for SMZs where it 

is important to avoid felling trees into streams, or into important areas of riparian vegetation, or 

residual timber.

Another example is the use of a “swing yarding” special provision in situations where such 

a method would help protect water quality. Swing yarding refers to the use of more than one 

yarding system to accomplish a difficult yarding problem. In one situation, it might be possible to 

avoid building a stream crossing by using a tractor to yard logs to a point where a skyline yarder 

could lift them across the stream to a landing.

This practice can be used in a variety of special situations, which may occur on any timber sale. 

There are no standards, or set provisions that can be referenced, since each Special “C” provision 

is unique and specific to one sale.

Implementation: The interdisciplinary team will identify and recommend the need for Special 

“C“ provisions during the timber sale planning process. The Sale Preparation Forester will 

prepare documentation describing the Special “C“ provision needed and submit it through line 

officers to the Regional Forester for approval. The Regional Forester will prepare the appropriate 

contract wording of the provision and return it approved. The sale administrator will apply the 

Special “C” provision in the same manner as the standard contract provisions.
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12.11 Exhibit 25

BMP 1.25 - Modification of the Timber Sale Contract 

Objective: To modify the timber sale contract if new circumstances or conditions indicate that the 

timber sale will damage soil, water, or watershed values.

Explanation: Once timber sales are sold, they are harvested as planned via the timber sale 

contract. At times, however, it will be necessary to modify a timber sale contract because of new 

concerns about the potential effects of land disturbance on the water resource. If new evidence 

raises serious concerns to the Forest Service representative, an interdiscipliinary team will be 

assigned to assess the evidence and implications.

The team will report to the appropriate line officer on whether the timber sale as currently 

planned will (1) damage soil, water, or watershed conditions or (2) inadequately protect stream 

courses, streambanks, shorelines, lakes, wetlands, and other bodies of water from detrimental 

changes in water quality, and/or blockages of watercourses. The interdiscipliinary team will also 

recommend mitigation and corrective actions. The environmental document prepared for the 

timber sale will then be amended to reflect the findings of the interdiscipliinary team. 

Implementation: Where the project is determined to unacceptably affect watershed values, the 

appropriate line officer will take corrective actions, which may include contract modification. 

The timber sale modification can be accomplished by agreement with the timber sale purchaser, 

or unilaterally by the Forest Service (with suitable compensation to the purchaser) using the 

amended environmental document prepared by the interdiscipliinary team.
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12. 2 - Road Management Activities

The purpose of this set of BMPs is to control nonpoint source pollution that may occur as a result 

of road (and motorized trail) management activities on NFS lands in the Pacific Southwest Region. 

Activities associated with road (and motorized trail) management include travel route planning, 

design, construction, operation, maintenance, reconstruction, storage, and decommissioning.

Considering the proportion of the landscape that they occupy, roads are a prevalent cause of 

hydrologic and geomorphic process alteration on NFS lands. Highly compacted road surfaces 

generate infiltration-excess overland flow, even during small precipitation events. In addition, 

cut slopes can intercept transient hillslope groundwater (that is, subsurface stormflow) when the 

height of the cut slope exceeds the depth to the water table. This runoff is laterally redistributed 

and often concentrated along inside ditches or the running surface, where it is discharged to 

hillslopes below the road or trail prism or routed directly into streams. These hydrologic process 

and pathway alterations largely drive the water-quality impacts associated with roads. 

When roads and associated drainage-control features contribute flow directly to a natural 

waterbody, they become part of the drainage network and are said to be hydrologically connected. 

These drainage systems may further increase hydrologic connectivity if they deteriorate because 

of use, weather, or inadequate maintenance. Drainage facilities may be inadequate after wildfires 

or extreme precipitation events, due to increased surface runoff, loss of vegetative cover, and 

stream bulking, and can increase the length of road hydrologically connected to the stream 

network. Furthermore, many slope disturbances are spatially linked to the road network, and 

roads are often the pathway for transporting pollutants from these other types of disturbances (for 

example, dispersed recreation). Hydrologically disconnecting roads is a fundamental practice for 

eliminating chronic water-quality impacts from roads and other disturbances.

Location and design strongly influence the risk and degree of road and trail impacts on water, 

aquatic and riparian resources, as can maintenance practices. Roads located adjacent to unstable 

slopes, streams, lakes, wetlands, springs, and other waters are particularly susceptible to causing 

adverse impacts. Proper road and trail design, construction, maintenance, and operation can 

reduce impacts to natural hydrogeomorphic functions and water resources. 

Stream crossings are the most frequent location of adverse road and trail impacts to water, 

aquatic, and riparian resources. Road surfaces typically drain toward crossings, so the likelihood 

of connectivity of road surface with channels is greatest. Crossings comprised of fine-grained 

native materials may erode and deliver sediment to channels. Culverts may be inadequately sized 

to properly pass flow, bedload and debris and, due to size and/or gradient, may present barriers 

to fish and aquatic organism movement. Crossings also present the risk of catastrophic failure 

if flood flows exceed crossing capacity. In such cases the crossing fill may be lost. In the worst 

case scenario, crossing failure results in diversion of flows from the channel onto the adjacent 

roadway. For these reasons, management activities conducted at crossings are vitally important 

to water, aquatic, and riparian resources, and are emphasized in the BMPs that follow.
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The following BMPs are to be applied as needed to prevent adverse impacts of road management 

activities on water, aquatic, and riparian resources to the extent possible. BMPs range from 

suggested practices to prohibitions, as required by Forest Service directives.

Section 404 permits, so named because they were created under section 404 of the Clean Water 

Act, are required for discharges of dredged or fill materials to waters of the United States, 

including wetlands. They are administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Section 401 

Water Quality Certifications are completed for section 404 permits and any other permit issued 

by a Federal agency for a project with potential to affect water quality. In California, Regional 

Water Boards administer section 401 Water Quality Certifications. Each section 404 permit needs 

a section 401 Water Quality Certification UNLESS the section 404 permit is obtained under a 

nationwide permit that has a “blanket” Water Quality Certification. 

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits may also be required. Forest 

Service engineers and hydrologists shall work together during the permitting process.

12.21 - Road Management BMPs

2.1 Travel Management Planning and Analysis

2.2 General Guidelines for the Location and Design of Roads

2.3 Road Construction and Reconstruction

2.4 Road Maintenance and Operations

2.5 Water Source Development and Utilization

2.6 Road Storage

2.7 Road Decommissioning

2.8 Stream Crossings

2.9 Snow Removal and Storage

2.10 Parking and Staging Areas

2.11 Equipment Refueling and Servicing

2.12 Aggregate Borrow Areas

2.13 Erosion Control Plans (roads and other activities)
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12.21 Exhibit 01

BMP 2.1 - Travel Management Planning and Analysis

Objective: Roads impact water quality to varying degrees. Use the travel analysis and road 

management planning processes to develop measures to avoid, minimize, and mitigate adverse 

impacts to water, aquatic, and riparian resources during road management activities, contribute 

toward restoration of water quality where needed, and identify the road system which can be 

effectively maintained. 

Explanation: The Forest Service is currently engaged in a nationwide effort to identify the 

minimum road networks needed on national forests for resource management and visitor access. 

This effort is being implemented under the Travel Management Rule subpart A (36 CFR, part 

212). Roads on NFS lands are assessed through the travel management process both in terms 

of the benefits provided and the risks to natural resources, including water quality. Decisions as 

to whether a road will or will not be retained in the NFS road network will be made by national 

forest supervisors. 

Various planning processes are involved in determining the number, type, and location of roads. 

Road management-related planning includes travel analyses, as well as consideration of road 

management in projects. Planning occurs at scales that range from forestwide assessments and 

plans, to watershed-scale or project-level analyses, to individual road activities. Effects to the 

water, aquatic, and riparian resources are assessed during planning and balanced with the social, 

economic, and land-management needs of the area. Appropriate protection and mitigation 

measures are considered when water, aquatic, and riparian resources are anticipated to be 

adversely impacted, or are already impaired. 

The line officer determines the scope and scale of travel analysis conducted, such as forest, 

watershed, landscape, or project level. This is the mandated agency procedure for advising roadrelated project decisions on cumulative effects and connected actions that may be involved with 

those decisions. Legacy roads with a history of impacts to water quality are analyzed to a degree 

commensurate with the scale of the particular travel analysis being performed. Project-level 

travel analysis is conducted to inform decisions and facilitate vegetation, fuels, range, recreation, 

or other management actions. Such analysis contains detail on the condition of individual roads 

within the project area, as well as the impacts by the roads. Specific actions for protection, 

and improvement of water quality, if needed, are identified for implementation as funding for 

a project becomes available. Options for road management include maintaining, improving, 

relocating, converting to other use, placement into storage, and decommissioning. See Exhibit 1. 

- Road management options.
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12.21 Exhibit 01 -- Continued

BMP 2.1 - Travel Management Planning and Analysis

Road management objectives document the intent and purpose of each route providing access in 

support of the forest’s LRMP. In addition, road management objectives document maintenance 

objectives, environmental concerns, and management constraints. The District Ranger approves, 

signs, and dates the road management objectives. Travel analysis may trigger a modification to 

Outline Description

Title: Road Management Options

1. Road, NFS Road, Unauthorized Road, Temporary Road.

2. Conduct Travel Analysis: May be integrated with Landscape & Watershed Analysys 36 CFR 212.5

3. Travel Managment Decision Process 36 CFR 212.51

4. National Forest System Roads, 36 CFR 212.1 & FSM 7705, then:

I. Open for use; Maintain; May include segment relocation.

II. Restrict Use; Maintain.

III. When no longer needed then:

A. Decomission

i. Levels of treatment

a. Remove Fills; 

Culverts

b. Block Entrance: 

Barricade; 

obliterate; 

sign

c. Re-vegtate; 

Waterbar; 

de-compact 

hardened 

surface; grade 

to outslope

d. Re-establish 

natural drainage 

and remove 

unstable road

e. Full obliteration 

recontouring 

and restoring 

natural

B. Convert to other uses

i. NFS Trails, 

ii. Other

C. Close: put in storage (for 1 year or more) maintenance.

i. Levels of treatment

a. Remove Fills; 

Culverts

b. Block Entrance: 

Barricade; 

obliterate; 

sign

c. Re-vegtate; 

Waterbar; 

de-compact 

hardened 

surface; grade 

to outslope

d. Re-establish 

natural drainage 

and remove 

unstable road

e. Full obliteration 

recontouring 

and restoring 

natural

5. Temporary Roads, 36 CFR 212.1 & FSM 7705, then

I. Add to National Road System

II. Convert to other uses, 

A. NFS Trails, 

B. Other

III. Decommision

A. Levels of treatment

i. Remove Fills; Culverts

ii. Block Entrance: Barricade; obliterate; sign

iii. Re-vegtate; Waterbar; de-compact hardened 

surface; grade to outslope

iv. Re-establish natural drainage and 

remove unstable road

v. Full obliteration recontouring 

and restoring natural

6. Unauthorized roads, 36 CFR 212.1 & FSM 7705 then

I. Add to National Road System

II. Convert to other uses, 

A. NFS Trails, 

B. Other

III. Decommision

A. Levels of treatment

i. Remove Fills; Culverts

ii. Block Entrance: Barricade; obliterate; sign

iii. Re-vegtate; Waterbar; de-compact hardened 

surface; grade to outslope

iv. Re-establish natural drainage and 

remove unstable road

v. Full obliteration recontouring 

and restoring natural 
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12.21 Exhibit 01 -- Continued

BMP 2.1 - Travel Management Planning and Analysis

the road management objectives, in support of reducing impacts to or improving water quality. 

The following list of techniques may be refined to reflect local site conditions.

Implementation:

1. Apply techniques of BMP 2.1(Travel Management Planning and Analysis) as 

applicable. 

2. Conduct Travel Analysis (see description of the Travel Management Rule Subpart 

A above under Explanation) to determine the minimum road system needed for safe 

and efficient travel, administration, utilization, and protection of forest land and 

water resources. Identify current and future needs and uses of each NFS system and 

unauthorized road.

3. Identify road segments causing or threatening to cause adverse impacts to 

environmental resources (that is, soils, water, aquatic or riparian habitat), utilizing 

refinement of modeling commensurate with the scale of travel analysis being performed. 

a. Use physically based, empirical, or conceptual road erosion and delivery models 

based on field-based road inventory data to identify the relative impact or risk of 

adverse impacts to water resources.

b. Identify relative risk of crossing failure by assessing:

(1) Hydraulic capacity of crossing

(2) Signs of plugging or aggradation at the culvert inlet

(3) Condition of drainage structure (for example, a culvert)

(4) Potential for drainage diversion

c. Identify relative risk of road-induced mass wasting.

d. Update road information periodically to adequately reflect time-varying road 

conditions (that is, road condition after high-magnitude, low-frequency storm events).

4. Locate, correctly interpret, and use readily available and relevant scientific literature 

and field data in the analysis. Disclose any assumptions made during the analysis, and 

reveal the limitations of the information on which the analysis is based. Use and/or 
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12.21 Exhibit 01 -- Continued

BMP 2.1 - Travel Management Planning and Analysis

collect data in accordance with FSH 7709.55 chapter 20, to identify the relative impact or 

risk of adverse impacts to water resources. 

5. Identify and rank relative risk of crossing failure.

6. Identify and prioritize mitigation measures for existing roads that cause resource or 

watershed impacts. Mitigation measures may include any of the following:

a. Relocating road segments that adversely impact soil or water resources. 

b. Reconstructing road segments to modify, improve, or restore road drainage.

c. Improving roads with deferred maintenance needs to current standards.

d. Improving stream crossings to accommodate bedload and debris, and provide for 

aquatic habitat and passage. 

f. Hardening road surfaces (that is, running surface or inside ditches) to prevent the 

generation of fine-grained surface material and/or armor portions of the road prism 

subject to concentrated runoff.

g. Putting roads in storage, while maintaining hydrologic and geomorphic 

functionality of drainage features (see BMP 2.6 - Road Storage). 

h. Closing roads seasonally to protect water resources. 

i. Restoring surface and subsurface hydrologic properties by removing roads from 

sensitive environments including riparian areas and meadows. May include relocation 

or decommissioning. 

j. Permanently closing roads that cause significant adverse impacts to soil or water 

resources.

k. Decommissioning or converting unnecessary roads to other uses, such as trails 

(see BMP 2.7 - Decommissioning). Assess risk of impact to water quality by 

decommissioning, placing road in storage, or converting to other use, and various 

treatments for each option. 

7. Review road management objectives for on-site changes to originally recorded 

documents. 
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12.21 Exhibit 01 -- Continued

BMP 2.1 - Travel Management Planning and Analysis

a. Identify current type of vehicle use and volume.

b. Monitor for effectiveness of design features on water quality, aquatic, and riparian 

resources. 

c. Identify appropriate access management strategy (that is, encourage use, accept 

use, discourage use, eliminate use, and prohibit use (FSM 7731.11)) for each road.

d. Incorporate changes from original road management objectives into analysis, and 

if necessary, update objectives.

e. Propose mitigations where needed and prioritize

8. Avoid keeping roads that display risks to water quality that outweigh benefits, when 

possible. Define mitigation measures for existing roads that impact water quality. 

9. Plan new NFS roads only when needed to support the forest LRMP.

10. Inventory and analyze unauthorized roads. Based on benefits and risks, identify roads 

for future inclusion in the forest’s transportation system, conversion to another use, or 

decommissioning.

11. At project-level analysis, roads identified for one-time use only are temporary roads, 

subject to decommissioning according to the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources 

Planning Act (16 USC 1608).
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12.21 Exhibit 02

 BMP 2.2 - General Guidelines for the Location and Design of Roads

Objective: Locate roads to minimize problems and risks to water; aquatic, and riparian 

resources. Incorporate measures that prevent or reduce impacts, through design for construction, 

reconstruction, and other route system improvements.

Explanation: A road’s location and design may have long-term effects on water quality, 

construction and maintenance costs, safety, and other public resources. Road location and design 

control hydrologic connectivity—the degree that road runoff and sediment are linked to the 

stream channel network. The extent of hydrologic connectivity, along with the magnitude and 

frequency of road erosion, drives road-related water-quality impacts. 

Roads are located according to standards and specifications to meet their use objectives, while 

protecting other resources. Well-defined project objectives are necessary to locate and design 

roads that will best address environmental and resources issues, as well as safety and traffic 

requirements. 

Designs of new roads and upgrades to existing roads consider ways to reduce impacts to 

beneficial uses of water. Management needs have changed considerably since most NFS 

roads were constructed. Influences of roads on aquatic and riparian resources are recognized 

and considered. Road maintenance budgets and opportunities have diminished. Designs for 

improvements to existing roads significantly reduce or eliminate impacts to beneficial uses 

of water. Drainage features and surfacing are among elements often considered for change. 

Improvements to the road system are made on a priority basis that considers road and resource 

condition, beneficial uses at risk, and cost. 

In addition, some situations may require adherence to special conditions associated with Clean 

Water Act permits for water quality certification (401), stormwater (402), and discharge of 

dredge and fill material (404). State and local entities may also provide guidance and regulations 

such as a Forest Practices Act or a Stream Alteration Act. Forest plans often contain direction on 

location of roads relative to streams, wetlands, and unstable landforms.

The risk from road management activities can be managed by using the appropriate techniques 

for road location and design from the following list, and adapted as needed to local site 

conditions. 

Implementation: Implementation considers new road location, relocation, and design only. 

Construction, reconstruction, maintenance, decommissioning, and erosion control are covered in 

subsequent BMPs.
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12.21 Exhibit 02-- Continued

 BMP 2.2 - General Guidelines for the Location and Design of Roads

Location:

1. Avoid locating new roads where water-quality risks outweigh beneficial uses.

2. Locate roads to fit the terrain, limit the need for excavation, and prevent damage to 

improvements and resources.

3. Avoid sensitive areas such as riparian areas, wetlands, meadows, bogs, fens, inner 

gorges, overly steep slopes, and unstable landforms to the extent practicable. If such areas 

cannot be avoided: 

a. Use bridges or raised prisms with diffuse drainage to sustain flow patterns 

b. Set crossing bottoms at natural levels of channel beds and wet meadow surfaces 

c. Avoid actions that may dewater or reduce water budgets in wetlands. Consider 

compensatory mitigation or mitigation banking. 

4. Locate roads outside SMZs whenever possible, with a minimum of number of 

crossings and connections between the road and streams. 

5. Relocate existing routes or segments that are in high-risk locations, including the 

SMZ, to the extent practicable. 

6. Relocate roads that are causing uncontrollable adverse effects to beneficial uses of 

water, with commensurate decommissioning of high-risk roads. 

7. Consider potential for generation of waste material in location of roads, and need 

for access to appropriate disposal areas. Waste or spoil may not be placed within SMZs, 

on slopes greater than 60 percent, on unstable slopes, or in areas subject to converging 

runoff.

8. Locate roads in an interdisciplinary manner with a hydrologist, soils scientist, and 

geologist, if necessary.

9. Final road location drives design features, assuring protection of water quality. 

Incorporate modeling as necessary to assist with design of road segments displaying 

higher erosion potential.
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12.21 Exhibit 02-- Continued

 BMP 2.2 - General Guidelines for the Location and Design of Roads

Design:

1. Design roads to balance cuts and fills or use full bench construction where stable fill 

construction is not possible. 

a. Consider full bench construction or mechanically stabilized fills on unstable slopes 

or slopes greater than 60 percent.

b. Ensure design addresses method to stabilize constructed fill slopes, including key 

ways where fill slopes exceed 3 feet in height at the hinge point.

c. Do not design to discharge runoff on to unstable landforms, such as hollows.

2. Design road surfaces to dissipate intercepted water in a uniform manner along the 

road by outsloping, insloping with drains, or crowning with drains, subject to site soil 

characteristics to prevent the discharge of sediment to surface waters.

3. Design to reduce the hydrologic connectivity of the road segment or network.

4. Limit occurrence of connectivity areas to water crossings only, if possible.

5. Choose low-maintenance designs (for example, outsloping and rolling the grade) for 

roads that may be subject to minimal use or will be put in storage.

6. Follow general principles of stormwater and erosion control related to roads including 

permanent and temporary controls that: 

a. Minimize soil compaction (except as needed to achieve compaction standards on 

road prism) and bare ground coverage.

b. Separate exposed bare ground from surface waters. Incorporate vegetation or slash 

over exposed fill slopes.

c. Design stable road prisms and stream crossings. 

d. Use geotextiles when necessary to avoid mixing aggregate with subgrade and 

subsequent rutting of road.

7. Employ treatments that control stormwater and erosion at the source through the use 

of small-scale treatments distributed throughout the road prism. 

8. Design properly spaced cross drains to provide maximum filter distance and to limit 

hydrologic connectivity between the road and water resource where practicable. 
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12.21 Exhibit 02 -- Continued

 BMP 2.2 - General Guidelines for the Location and Design of Roads

9. Design subsurface dispersion measures and cross drains as necessary to capture and 

disperse expected flows contributed by locally shallow groundwater and road surfaces. 

10. Design energy dissipaters, apron, downspouts, gabions, flumes, oversize drains and 

debris racks, culvert and cross drain inlets and outlets, where needed to prevent erosion 

and discharge of sediment to surface waters. Do not discharge runoff on to unstable 

surfaces.

11. Design stable ditch configuration that does not erode, yet does not fail during 

mechanical maintenance activity

12. Carefully consider impacts vs. benefits of berm in the control of runoff. Avoid berms 

except where needed to facilitate drainage patterns without adverse impact to water 

quality.

13. Design spot surface treatments to areas that are sensitive, erodible, subject to high 

seasonal water tables, or will be heavily traveled. 

14. For roads located within the SMZ where adequate buffer zone does not exist, design 

for aggregate or paved surface. Design for a floodplain surface to slow water velocities 

and minimize erosion by flood flows (energy dissipation).

15. Generally use the minimum road standards for grade and alignment (width, turning 

radius, maximum slope) to accommodate the design vehicle and traffic mix and volume.

16. Consider maintenance requirements in road design. 

17. For roads to be reconstructed, incorporate design features to reduce or eliminate 

identified water-quality impacts.

Crossings:

1. Design both temporary and system roads to limit the number of surface-water 

crossings necessary to meet planned activity objectives and safety requirements.

2. When necessary to cross streams, find optimal places for road-stream crossings. If 

possible avoid:

a. Areas requiring steep road approaches.
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12.21 Exhibit 02 -- Continued

 BMP 2.2 - General Guidelines for the Location and Design of Roads

b. Crossing braided or migrating stream channels.

c. Flat stream gradient immediately downstream of steep stream gradients.

d. Areas requiring deep fills.

e. Areas immediately downstream of unstable slopes or landforms.

3. Design crossing approaches so road surfaces and drainage features have minimum 

hydrologic connectivity with channels.

4. Design diversion potential dips at existing crossings where there is a risk of flow 

diversion or where crossing fills are higher than approaches. Consider hardened fills 

commensurate with fill height. Consult with hydrologist. 

5. Design stream-crossing structures to provide the most resource protection consistent 

with facility needs, legal obligations, and cost considerations. 

6. Provide for desired passage of aquatic and terrestrial organisms, debris, and bedload as 

well as flow. 

a. Size crossings for the 100-year flood event, plus associated debris and sediment, or 

greater.

b. Design for stream simulation if feasible in consultation with hydrologists and 

fisheries biologists.

7. Consider using culvert arrays, perched culverts and/or permeable fills in meadow 

environments or areas with naturally high water tables to encourage meadow function.
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12.21 Exhibit 03

 BMP 2.3 - Road Construction and Reconstruction 

Objective: Minimize erosion and sediment delivery from roads during road construction or 

reconstruction, and their related activities.

Explanation: During road construction and reconstruction activities, vegetation and ground cover 

are removed, often exposing both the surface and subsurface soil to erosion. Temporary and 

long-term erosion-control measures are necessary to reduce erosion and maintain overall slope 

stability. These erosion-control measures may include vegetative and structural techniques to 

ensure the area’s long-term stability. The risk from road construction and reconstruction activities 

can be managed by using the appropriate techniques from the following list adapted as needed to 

local site conditions.

Implementation: Enforcement of the techniques is the responsibility of the inspector and 

contracting officer’s representative for public works contracts, the inspector and engineering 

representative for timber sale roads, and the permit administrator for roads constructed or 

reconstructed under administrative operations (that is, Road Use Permit, Special Use Permit, and 

so forth). If roads are constructed or reconstructed by force account crews, the project manager 

and foreman are responsible for adherence to project drawings, specifications, and erosion 

control plan. 

1. Implement the approved erosion control plan that covers all disturbed areas, including 

borrow areas and stockpiles used during road management activities (see BMP 2.13- 

Erosion Control Plan). Include the forest’s wet weather operations standards (WWOS). 

2. Maintain erosion-control measures to function effectively throughout the project area 

during road construction and reconstruction, and in accordance with the approved erosion 

control plan (see BMP 2.13- Erosion Control Plan).

3. Set the minimum construction limits needed for the project and confine disturbance to 

that area.

4. Locate and designate waste areas before operations begin. 

a. Deposit and stabilize excess and unsuitable materials only is designated sites.

b. Do not place such materials on slopes with a high risk of mass failure, in areas 

subject to overland flow (for example, convergent areas subject to saturation overland 

flow), or within the SMZ. 

c. Provide adequate surface drainage and erosion protection at disposal sites. 
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12.21 Exhibit 03 -- Continued

 BMP 2.3 - Road Construction and Reconstruction 

d. Comply with BMP 2.5 - Water Source Development and Utilization.

5. Comply with BMP 2.11 - Equipment Refueling and Servicing.

6. Do not permit sidecasting within the SMZ. Prevent excavated materials from entering 

water ways or SMZs. 

7. Develop and follow blasting plans to move materials when necessary. 

a. To the extent possible, restrict blasting in sensitive areas and those sites with high 

landslide potential. 

b. Restrict blasting after intense storms when soils are saturated. 

c. Prevent damage from fly rock and overshot by not overloading shots, installing 

blasting mats, or avoiding setting charges through variable rock strata.

8. Schedule operations when rain, runoff, wet soils, snowmelt or frost melt are less 

likely. Follow seasonal restrictions of the forest’s WWOS, and notification protocols, as 

outlined in an approved erosion control plan.

a. Optimally, schedule construction during dry periods, while still adhering to other 

seasonal restrictions (wildlife breeding, spawning, fire activity levels, and so forth), 

consistent with local ordinances.

b. Stabilize project area during normal operating season when the National Weather 

Service predicts a 30 percent or greater chance of precipitation, such as localized 

thunderstorm or approaching frontal system.

c. Keep erosion-control measures sufficiently effective during ground disturbance to 

allow rapid closure when weather conditions deteriorate.

d. Complete all necessary stabilization measures prior to predicted precipitation that 

could result in surface runoff. 

9. To the extent possible, construct new stream crossings when streams are dry or when 

stream flow is at its lowest. Install sediment controls.

10. Comply with BMP 2.8- Stream Crossings.
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12.21 Exhibit 03 -- Continued

 BMP 2.3 - Road Construction and Reconstruction 

11. Limit operation of equipment when ground conditions could result in excessive 

rutting, soil compaction (except on the road prism or other surface to be compacted), or 

runoff of sediments directly to streams.

12. On slopes greater than 40 percent, the organic layer of the soil shall be removed prior 

to fill placement, according to project specifications.

13. Waste organic material, such as uprooted stumps, cull logs, accumulations of limbs 

and branches, and unmerchantable trees, shall not be buried in logging road or landing 

fills. Dispose of waste organic material according to project specifications, in locations 

designated for waste disposal. Assure compliance with the project erosion control plan.

14. Construct fills and keyways according to design drawings and specifications, not 

exceeding specified lift thickness and moisture content. Ensure uncompacted materials 

are prevented from leaving disturbance limits.

15. Stabilize all disturbed areas with mulch, erosion fabric, vegetation, rock, large 

organic materials, engineered structures, or other stabilization measures according to the 

Erosion Control Plan, and project specifications and drawings for permanent controls 

(that is, crib walls, gabions, riprap placement, and so forth).

16. Scatter construction-generated slash on disturbed areas to help control erosion.

a. Ensure ground contact between slash and disturbed slopes.

b. Windrow slash at the base of fill slopes to reduce sedimentation.

c. Ensure that windrows are placed along the contour and that there is ground contact 

between slash and disturbed slope.

17. Remove large limbs and cull logs to designated sites outside the SMZ or relocate 

within the SMZ to meet aquatic resource management objectives.

18. Monitor contractor’s plans and operations to assure contractor does not open up more 

ground than can be substantially completed before expected winter shutdowns, unless 

erosion-control measures are implemented.

19. If snow/rainy season operations are proposed, specifications for snow/ice depth or 

soil operability conditions must be described. Include these specifications in the erosion 

control plan (see BMP 2.13- Erosion Control Plans).
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12.21 Exhibit 03 -- Continued

 BMP 2.3 - Road Construction and Reconstruction 

20. Install erosion-control measures on incomplete roads prior to precipitation events or 

the start of the winter period (November 16 through March 31) and in accordance with 

the approved erosion control plan:

a. Remove ineffective temporary culverts, culvert plugs, diversion dams, or elevated 

stream crossings, leaving a channel at least as wide as before construction and as 

close to the original grade as possible.

b. Install temporary culverts, side drains, cross drains, diversion ditches, energy 

dissipaters, dips, sediment basins, berms, dikes, debris racks, pipe risers, or other 

facilities needed to control erosion.

c. Remove debris, obstructions, and spoil material from channels, floodplains, and 

riparian areas.

d. Do not leave project areas for the winter with remedial measures incomplete.

e. Plant vegetation, mulch, and amendments, or provide other protective cover for 

exposed soil surfaces.

21. When pioneer roads are necessary:

a. Confine construction of pioneer roads to the planned roadway limits unless 

otherwise specified or approved.

b. Locate and construct pioneering roads to prevent undercutting of the designated 

final cut slope.

c. Avoid deposition of materials outside the designated roadway limits.

d. Dewater live streams where crossed by pioneer roads with appropriate diversion 

devices.

e. Accommodate drainage with adequate temporary crossings.
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12.21 Exhibit 04

 BMP 2.4 - Road Maintenance and Operations

Objective: To ensure water-quality protection by providing adequate and appropriate 

maintenance and by controlling road use and operations. 

Explanation: Appropriate maintenance and control of road use and operations can protect 

water quality, aquatic and riparian resources, and capital investments. Maintenance needs and 

operational controls are informed by periodic inventory and assessment that determine road 

condition and the potential impacts the road has on water quality. 

Properly designed and maintained road surfaces and drainage systems can reduce adverse 

effects to water resources by facilitating natural hydrologic function. Roads and drainage 

systems normally deteriorate because of traffic, weather, and effects of maintenance. In addition, 

roads occasionally become saturated by new groundwater springs and seeps after a wildfire or 

unusually wet periods. Many such conditions can be corrected by timely maintenance. However, 

while routine maintenance may be needed to ensure the road performs as designed, it can also 

be a source of soil disturbance and therefore, sediment production. In particular, the grading 

of inside ditches and road surfaces can significantly increase sediment production rates. Less 

aggressive maintenance may be desired to minimize disturbance of stable sites.

Road management objectives include the level and type of maintenance that a road is expected 

to receive. Assigned road maintenance levels vary from 1 to 5, and are directly linked to the 

operational objectives for the road. Maintenance Level 1 is assigned to roads closed to all 

motorized vehicles for a year or more; they should be left in a stable condition, and by definition, 

require less maintenance. Maintenance Levels 4 and 5 are assigned to roads that are typically 

double-lane, aggregate-surfaced or paved, and passenger vehicle traffic is “encouraged.” They 

are well maintained to provide a moderate to high degree of user comfort and convenience. 

Operational objectives and activities are also defined by the road management objectives, and 

depend upon the amount of maintenance a road is expected to receive. Road operations also 

include permit, contract, and agreement administration, control of seasonal use, sustaining roads 

in closed status and revising maintenance levels and seasonal closures, as needed. Road closures 

and restrictions are necessary because many forest roads are designed for dry-season use. Most 

local roads are not surfaced, while others have some surfacing or spot stabilization. Roads 

without stabilized surfaces or adequate base can be damaged by use during wet periods or by 

loads heavier than the road was designed to convey. 

Road maintenance plans are implemented through contract, cooperators, force account, and 

active timber sale or other authorized activities. Contract, timber sale, and other authorized 

or permitted operations are bound by specifications and drawings. BMPs are incorporated as 

specifications, contract or sale clauses, operating plan requirements, permit clauses, and are often 
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12.21 Exhibit 04 -- Continued

 BMP 2.4 - Road Maintenance and Operations

shown in the drawings. The contracting officer’s representative is responsible for assuring 

compliance by contractors; engineering representative, TSA, or FSR assures compliance by 

cooperator, purchaser or permitted operator. Project manager and crew supervisor assures 

compliance for force account work. Optimally, the forest hydrologist works with the forest 

quality assurance personnel to determine if approved maintenance tasks are completed with 

minimal resource impacts. Adjustments to future maintenance plans and methods are considered 

when previous methods do not provide the needed protection to water quality.

Risk from road maintenance activities can be managed by using the appropriate techniques from 

the following list adapted as needed to local site conditions.

Implementation

Inspection:

1. Periodically inspect system travel routes to assess condition and linkage to water 

quality. This information assists in setting maintenance and improvement priorities.

a. Provide training to the engineering personnel performing condition surveys to 

successfully identify and assess linkage to water quality.

b. Conduct condition surveys jointly with engineering and hydrology personnel, to 

more accurately assess potential of road to impact water quality.

c. Prioritize inspections to roads at high risk of failure, followed by road segments 

that are hydrologically connected to the stream network, to reduce risk of diversions 

and cascading failures.

d. Identify diversion potential on roads, and prioritize for treatment.

2. Inspect drainage structures and runoff patterns after major storm events and snowmelt, 

and perform any necessary maintenance. Major storm events include all storm events for 

which the National Weather Service issues a local flood watch, advisory, or warning.

a. Determine the extent of hydrologic connectivity during and/or just after major 

storm events, including the connectivity of disturbed areas directly adjacent to the 

road network. Use this information to prioritize and plan improvements to road 

drainage.

b. Immediately clean out, repair or reconstruct waterbars, inside ditches, culverts, and 

other features that are not functioning in order to hydrologically disconnect roads 
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12.21 Exhibit 04 -- Continued

 BMP 2.4 - Road Maintenance and Operations

from surface waters and prevent discharges of sediment andother pollutants to water 

bodies.

3. Regularly inspect roads during all operations.

4. Keep roads closed to public use, but open for administrative use, in hydrologically 

functional condition. If waterbars are breached, forest personnel will promptly repair 

them.

5. Encourage field personnel of all disciplines to observe road deterioration or damage 

commensurate with travel to field activities, and report to engineering, for immediate 

action, if necessary.

a. Restrict operations if impact or imminent threat of impact to water quality is 

occurring.

b. Consider restricting operations if road damage such as surface displacement or 

active rutting is occurring.

Maintenance Planning:

1. Incorporate the forest’s Wet Weather Operations Standards and notification protocols 

in maintenance and operations.

2. Develop and implement an erosion control plan commensurate with the complexity 

and scale, and duration of the activity. See BMP 2.13.

3. Develop and implement annual maintenance plans that prioritize road maintenance 

work for the forest or district.

a. Include roads identified as needing maintenance from field condition surveys, and 

roads identified through roads analysis and travel analysis that negatively impact 

water quality.

b. Determine method of accomplishment (contract, force account, permit, and 

cooperative) and define responsibilities and maintenance timing in the plan.

4. Planning for emergency interim/temporary erosion controls to protect water quality is 

considered for roads that may require immediate maintenance, but are beyond capability 

of annual maintenance plan.
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12.21 Exhibit 04 -- Continued

 BMP 2.4 - Road Maintenance and Operations

5. Identify roads with potential to improve water quality by modifying road prism and 

drainage patterns through maintenance operations.

a. Analyze roads in an interdisciplinary manner to identify other impacts that may 

occur due to changes in road prism or drainage patterns. Consider local conditions 

and site characteristics.

b. Implement diversion potential method per Forest Service Publication 

9777.1814P-SDTDC Diversion Potential at Road-Stream Crossings.

c. Consider user safety and protection of other forest resources.

d. Provide training and reference materials for forest road managers, road 

maintenance operators, and road maintenance contract preparation personnel to work 

with hydrologists in identifying appropriate roads for revised maintenance procedures.

6. Evaluate road management objectives when an inspection indicates road design is 

not meeting current transportation and/or resource needs. Road management objectives 

support forest LRMP prescriptions. 

Maintenance Activities:

1. Maintain road surfaces to dissipate intercepted water in a uniform manner along the 

road by outsloping with rolling dips, insloping with drains, or crowning with drains. 

Where feasible and consistent with protecting public safety, utilize outsloping and rolling 

the grade (rolling dips) as the primary drainage technique.

2. Adjust surface drainage structures to minimize hydrologic connectivity by:

a. Discharging road runoff to areas of high infiltration and high surface roughness.

b. Armoring drainage facility outlet as energy dissipater and to prevent gully initiation. 

c. Increasing the number drainage facilities with SMZs.

3. Clean ditches and drainage structure inlets only as often as needed to keep them 

functioning. Prevent unnecessary or excessive vegetation disturbance and removal on 

features such as swales, ditches, shoulders, and cut and fill slopes.

4. Minimize diversion potential by installing diversion prevention dips that can 

accommodate overtopping runoff.
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12.21 Exhibit 04 -- Continued

 BMP 2.4 - Road Maintenance and Operations

a. Place diversion prevention dips downslope of crossing, rather than directly over 

the crossing fill, and in a location that minimizes fill loss in the event of overtopping.

b. Armor diversion prevention dips when the expected volume of fill loss is 

significant.

5. Address risk and consequence of future failure at the site when repairing road failures. 

Use vegetation, rock, and other native materials to help stabilize failure zones.

6. Maintain road surface drainage by removing berms, unless specifically designated 

otherwise.

7. Install and preserve markers to identify and protect drainage structures that can be 

damaged during maintenance activities (that is, culverts, subdrains, and so forth)

8. When grading roads or cleaning drainage structure inlets and ditches, avoid 

undercutting the toe of the cut slope.

9. Grade road surfaces in accordance with road management objectives and assigned 

maintenance level. Grade only as needed to maintain a stable running surface and 

adequate surface drainage.

10. Accompany grading of hydrologically connected road surfaces and inside ditches 

with erosion and sediment control installation.

11. Identify additional road maintenance measures to protect and maintain water; aquatic, 

and riparian resources including: surfacing and resurfacing, outsloping, dips and cross drains, 

armoring of ditches, spot rocking, replacing culverts, and installing new drainage features.

12. Effectively maintain roads in storage to eliminate all motorized vehicle use. Maintain 

physical closure devices, if present, to be safe and effective. For roads where physical 

closure methods are not feasible, install signing to inform of road closure.

13. Enforce pre-haul maintenance, maintenance during haul, and post haul maintenance 

(putting the road back in storage) specifications when maintenance level 1 roads are 

opened for use on commercial resource management projects. Require the commercial 

operator to leave roads in a satisfactory condition when project is completed.

14. Opened for use on commercial resource management projects. Require the 

commercial operator to leave roads in a satisfactory condition when project is completed.
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12.21 Exhibit 04 -- Continued

 BMP 2.4 - Road Maintenance and Operations

Operations:

1. Restrict or prohibit road use during periods when such use would likely damage the 

roadway surface or road drainage features are identified through Travel Analysis and 

Travel Management, and implement through enforcement of motor vehicle use map. 

Changes in road management are supported by appropriate analysis. Follow the forest’s 

WWOS. See BMP 2.13.

2. Require users to obtain permit(s) when proposed operations involve use of roads by 

vehicles larger than the design vehicle, or beyond typical operation period or season of 

use (that is, timber purchasers, mining operations, oversize vehicle movement, and so 

forth. Conditions of the permitted use may require:

a. Strengthening the road surface by adding rock, dust palliatives, pavement, or 

armor, particularly in areas where surfaces are vulnerable to movement such as 

corners and steep sections.

b. Considering short-term road surface stabilization by dust abatement methods, such 

as watering.

c. Upgrading drainage structures.

d. Restricting use to low-ground-pressure vehicles or frozen ground conditions.

e. Strengthening the road base if roads are tending to rut.

f. Using a base course of rock and/or geotextile fabric to provide subsurface stability.

g. Intensifying maintenance to handle the traffic without creating excessive erosion 

and damage to the road surface.

h. Repairing damage to road and forest resources associated with use by permittee.

i. Restoring the road to original standard of features, such as restoring waterbars.

3. To the extent possible, ensure drainage features are fully capable of preventing 

pollutant discharges to surface waters before the start of the local winter season (such as 

November 16 to March 31) or before the start of runoff-inducing precipitation events.
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4. Permits to oversize or overweight loads require that damage by such loads be repaired 

by the permit holder. Damage includes impacts to water quality.

5. Cooperative maintenance agreements follow Forest Service direction for use, 

maintenance, repairs, and responsibilities.

6. Roads under easement are subject to terms of conditions for operation and 

maintenance.
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12.21 Exhibit 05

BMP 2.5 - Water Source Development and Utilization 

Objective: To supply water for road construction, maintenance, dust abatement, fire protection, 

and other management activities, while protecting and maintaining water quality.

Explanation: Water source development is needed to supply water for road construction and 

maintenance, dust control, and fire control. In-stream water drafting can substantially affect water 

flow and/or configuration of the bed, bank, or channel of streams. Aquatic species present could 

be at risk due to rapid changes or sustained reductions in flow, reduced dissolved oxygen, and/or 

increased water temperature. Exposed surfaces of water holes or other developments could erode 

and discharge sediment back into the waterway. In addition to direct hydrogeomorphic (forming 

and shaping landform by water) disruption to the channel and subsequent impacts to aquatic 

species, water-quality impacts can occur from road approaches that access the water drafting 

site. Many water drafting sites have steep approaches and in the absence of adequate drainage or 

surfacing, these approaches can become chronic sources of sediment and runoff to the channel. 

Water trucks often leak oil, and sometimes fuel, onto drafting pads, becoming a source of 

petroleum product contamination to surface waters.

Regular monitoring of water supply developments, during construction and use, and enforcement 

of contract and sale clauses, specifications, and restrictions is the responsibility of inspectors, 

contracting officer representatives, engineering representatives, sale administrators, and force 

account crew foreman.

Implementation

Location and Development:

Critical to the effectiveness of this practice is the coordination of engineering representatives, 

hydrologists, fishery biologists, and permit and sale administrators. Locate existing 

developments, or proposed streams, and evaluate for feasibility of use; determine scope and 

scale of environmental risks; select techniques for mitigating disturbance to water quality; and 

compare with the economics of development and use:

1. Water sources designed for permanent installation, such as piped diversions to off-site 

storage, are preferred over temporary, short-term-use developments.

2. If off-site storage is not an option then the following locations shall be considered.

a. Locations where flowing side channels rather than the main thread of the channel 

can be used for drafting.

b. Areas with existing pools that can be partially blocked, rather than in-channel 

excavation are preferred.
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12.21 Exhibit 05 -- Continued

BMP 2.5 - Water Source Development and Utilization 

c. Sites where road approaches can be hydrologically disconnected from streams.

d. Sites where the drafting pad can be placed above the bankfull elevation of the 

channel with little or no excavation and/or fill placement.

3. Develop and implement Erosion Control Plan for water supply site construction and use.

4. Follow the forest’s wet weather operations standards and guidelines. See BMP 2.13.

5. Excavation of streambed or bank materials for approaches, drafting pads, and 

water drafting intakes are subject to local or regional restrictions on ground-disturbing 

activities.

a. Excavations should not occur during peak runoff season.

b. Federally listed threatened and endangered species, sensitive (including Statelisted) species, management Indicator species, and aquatic organisms of interest may 

impose further restrictions.

c. Other restrictions such as spawning season may be applicable

6. Basins shall not be constructed at culvert inlets for the purpose of developing a 

waterhole, as these can exacerbate plugging of the culvert.

7. Access approaches are located as close to perpendicular as possible to prevent stream 

bank excavation.

8. Access approaches are stabilized with appropriate materials, depending on expected 

life and use frequency of the developed water source.

9. Fish-bearing streams that are temporarily dammed to create a drafting pool shall 

provide fish passage for all life stages of fish.

10. Temporary dams shall be removed when operations are complete.

11. Removal shall be done gradually so that released impoundments do not discharge 

sediment into the streamflow.

12. When diverting water from streams, bypass flows shall be maintained that ensure 

continuous surface flow in downstream reaches, and keep habitat in downstream reaches 

in good condition.
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12.21 Exhibit 05 -- Continued

BMP 2.5 - Water Source Development and Utilization

Drafting Operations:

1. For fish-bearing streams, the water drafting rate should not exceed 350 gallons per 

minute for streamflow greater than or equal to 4.0 cubic feet per second (cfs).

2. Below 4.0 cfs, drafting rates should not exceed 20 percent of surface flows.

3. Water drafting should cease when bypass surface flows drop below 1.5 cfs.

4. For non-fish-bearing streams, the water drafting rate should not exceed 350 gallons 

per minute for stream flow greater than or equal to 2.0 cfs.

5. Drafting rate should not exceed 50 percent of surface flow for non-fish-bearing 

streams.

6. Water drafting should cease from non-fish-bearing streams when bypass surface flow 

drops below 10 gallons per minute.

7. Intakes, for trucks and tanks, shall be placed parallel to the flow of water and screened, 

with opening size consistent with the protection of aquatic species of interest.

8. Drafting from gravity-fed storage tanks shall utilize the following

9. Water storage tanks shall be fitted with properly sized pipes designed to cleanly return 

the tank overflow to the source stream.

10. Outflow pipes shall be sized to fully contain the tank overflow and prevent it from 

overflowing onto the drafting pad or road surface.

11. Water storage tank return pipes at the water outfall area shall be armored to prevent 

erosion of the streambed, bank, or channel.

12. At the end of drafting operations, intake screens shall be removed and drafting pipes 

plugged, capped, or otherwise blocked or removed from the active channel to terminate 

water drafting during the winter season.

13. Trucks directly drafting from the channel shall utilize the following practices.

14. Water drafting by more than one truck shall not occur simultaneously 
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12.21 Exhibit 05 -- Continued

BMP 2.5 - Water Source Development and Utilization

Approaches and Drafting Pads:

1. Road approaches and drafting pads shall be treated to prevent sediment production and 

delivery to a watercourse or waterhole.

2. Road approaches shall be armored as necessary from the end of the approach nearest 

a stream for a minimum of 50 feet, or to the nearest drainage structure (for example, 

waterbar or rolling dip) or point where road drainage does not drain toward the stream.

3. Areas subject to high flood events shall be armored to prevent erosion and sediment 

delivery to water courses.

4. Where overflow runoff from water trucks or storage tanks may enter the stream, 

effective erosion control devices shall be installed (for example, gravel berms or 

waterbars).

5. All water-drafting vehicles shall be checked daily and shall be repaired as necessary to 

prevent leaks of petroleum products from entering SMZs.

6. Water-drafting vehicles shall contain petroleum-absorbent pads, which are placed 

under vehicles before drafting.

7. Water-drafting vehicles shall contain petroleum spill kits. Dispose of absorbent pads 

according to the Hazardous Response Plan.
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12.21 Exhibit 06

BMP 2.6 - Road Storage

Objective: Ensure that roads placed in storage are maintained to so that drainage facilities and 

runoff patterns function properly, and damage to adjacent resources is prevented. Stored roads 

are managed to be returned to service, at various intervals. 

Explanation: Road maintenance needs on NFS lands typically exceed maintenance budgets. As 

a result, many low-standard, closed roads receive no maintenance and may go years without 

being inspected for maintenance needs. Plans for and design of such roads should reflect long 

intervals between maintenance activities, but provide protection to resources and investments. 

This approach reduces the risk of adverse impacts to water, aquatic, and riparian resources and 

reduces long-term maintenance costs. 

Road storage is not an alternative to road decommissioning (BMP 2.7). As described in BMP 

2.1, each national forest will designate its minimum road network. Roads not included in the 

minimum road network will eventually be decommissioned. Only roads that are needed in the 

future will be considered for storage. 

A primary reason for putting roads into Intermittent Stored Service is to reduce maintenance 

needs while limiting the risk of adverse effects to hydrologic function from stream crossing 

failures, fill failures, surface water routing, and modified drainage patterns. Roads placed in 

Intermittent Stored Service have the roadway retained to the extent practicable while meeting the 

watershed objectives of reducing sediment delivery and restoring natural flow patterns. These are 

achieved by reducing sediment delivery from the road surface and fills, and reducing the risk of 

crossing failure and stream diversion. 

The risk from roads in Intermittent Stored Service condition can be managed by using the 

appropriate techniques from the following list adapted as needed to local site conditions. Project 

crew leaders and supervisors are responsible for ensuring that force account projects meet road 

closure procedures standards. Contracted projects are implemented by the contractor, or operator. 

Compliance with plans, specifications, and operating plans is ensured by the contracting officer’s 

representative, engineering representative, or Forest Service representative. Permitted use of 

stored roads requires restoring the road to its previous stable condition after use by the permittee, 

as enforced by the permit administrator. 

Implementation:

1. Roads that are placed in storage, but open as trails, motorized and non-motorized, will 

need to provide for the safety of the intended users. As such, pulling culverts may not be 

warranted.
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12.21 Exhibit 06 -- Continued

BMP 2.6 - Road Storage

2. In an interdisciplinary manner, prepare and implement an erosion and sediment 

control plan for roads to be placed in storage.

3. The forest watershed staff will work with the forest engineering staff to identify which 

culverts pose a threat to water quality and must be removed before a road is placed in 

storage.

4. Road-stream crossings deemed safe to leave in stored roads will be treated to remove 

the potential for streamflow diversions in the event of a crossing failure or blockage, and 

will have rock armor added to downstream crossing fill where needed to prevent erosion.

5. Existing crossings in low-risk situations where the culvert is sized appropriately, is 

stable, and does not impede aquatic passage remain in place. Prior to storing, ensure that 

the road, culvert, and all hydrologically connected drainage structures are cleaned, and 

sediment and erosion controls are intact and functioning.

6. Only structures that have a long planned storage period and present a significant risk 

to stream channels are removed, due to increased disturbance and exposure. The removal 

of drainage structures is tied to the length of period of storage, as well as the ability to 

access structures that are not removed.

7. The risk of increased sedimentation from ground disturbance and exposed surfaces 

associated with drainage structure removal is weighed carefully against the benefits of 

restoring long-term hydrologic functionality.

8. Lay back the streambanks at the crossing-site at a width and angle that allows flows 

from infrequent events to pass without scouring or puddling.

9. Armor the crossing-site, if needed to prevent scour and erosion.

10. Maintain the same size and gradient at the crossing-site as the channel above and 

below the removed crossing-site.

11. Angle the banks such that undercutting and slumping is not expected, and 

revegetation has a strong chance of success.

12. Avoid concentrated flow in ditches by outsloping or using frequent waterbars or other 

means of cross draining the road.
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12.21 Exhibit 06 -- Continued

BMP 2.6 - Road Storage

13. Outslope the road template where appropriate to disperse runoff, prevent 

concentrated flow, and avoid overly steep fills.

14. Remove unstable material at unstable sites, seeps, slumps or where fills are failing. 

Place removed materials in stable locations where the stored material will not present a 

future risk to water, aquatic, or riparian resources.

15. Depending on the extent of anticipated closure period, the following are performed in 

direct proportion to that time period:

a. Scarify or de-compact the road surface to promote vegetation growth and/or 

infiltration of runoff and intercepted flow.

b. Consider re-contouring highly unstable portions of road.

c. Re-vegetate disturbed areas, particularly at or near stream crossings. Coordinate 

type and species of vegetation, along with any amendments, with the forest botanist.

16. Closure method at the entrance to the stored road is commensurate with the terrain, 

alternate uses, and extent of time road is expected to be stored. Stored roads are not 

shown on the motor vehicle use map, thereby prohibiting motor vehicle use. Use gates or 

barriers as appropriate for the site. Sign the closure as necessary to inform the public.

17. Regularly perform condition surveys to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the 

closure measures. 
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12.21 Exhibit 07

BMP 2.7 - Road Decommissioning

Objective: Stabilize, restore, and vegetate unneeded roads to a more natural state as necessary 

to protect and enhance NFS lands, resources, and water quality. The end result is that the 

decommissioned road will not represent a significant impact to water quality by:

1. Reducing erosion from road surfaces and slopes and related sedimentation of streams;

2. Reducing risk of mass failures and subsequent impact on water quality;

3. Restoring natural surface and subsurface drainage patterns;

4. Restoring stream channels at road crossings and where roads run adjacent to channels.

Explanation: Roads no longer needed are identified during transportation planning activities 

(see description of Travel Management subpart A in BMP 2.1) at the forest, watershed or 

project level. The unneeded road may be decommissioned, or converted to a trail or other use 

as appropriate. Temporary roads constructed for a specific short-term purpose (for example, ski 

area development, minerals exploration, or vegetation extraction) are decommissioned at the 

completion of their intended use, and vegetation reestablished within 10 years. 

Road decommissioning terminates the use of the road as a road, and as such, treatments 

can range from simply blocking the road entrance, to totally eliminating the road prism and 

structures, and restoring the land to original contours. Treatment method is carefully chosen 

to minimize negative impacts to water quality, reestablish vegetation, and restore ecological 

processes. More aggressive techniques may include greater and longer term risks to water quality 

through exposure of larger disrupted soil surfaces. Road decommissioning can be accomplished 

by using the appropriate techniques from the following list adapted as needed to local site 

conditions. 

Implementation: 

1. Engineering and hydrology personnel conduct field review of road selected for 

decommissioning to determine site characteristics: aspect, soil type(s), topography, 

surrounding vegetation, proximity to water sources, and so forth.

2. Optimize treatments that will achieve long-term watershed protection goals on 

individual roads to stretch the available funds for road decommissioning over as many 

miles as practicable.
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12.21 Exhibit 07 -- Continued

BMP 2.7 - Road Decommissioning

3. Weigh benefits and costs of treatments against alternative of placing road in storage 

and costs for continuing to maintain for hydrologic functionality. See BMP 2.1.

4. Prepare and implement an approved erosion and sediment control plan for both 

temporary and long-term recovery of the site as specified.

5. Outslope road by pulling back unstable or perched fill. Remove berms.
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12.21 Exhibit 07

BMP 2.7 - Road Decommissioning

1. Restore stream courses and floodplains where feasible, to natural grade and 

configuration.

2. Remove drainage structures determined as necessary to protect water quality:

3. Re-contour disturbed fill material, and compact minimally to allow filtration.

4. Re-contour the road surface cut and fill slopes to restore natural hillslope topography 

where specified.

5. De-compact areas with stable fill but reduced infiltration and productivity.

6. Haul excess fill to stable disposal areas outside of the SMZ.

7. Provide effective soil cover (such as mulch, woody debris, rock, vegetation, blankets) 

to exposed soil surfaces for both short- and long-term recovery.

8. Revegetate disturbed areas, particularly at or near stream crossings.

9. Block vehicle access to prevent motorized traffic, in conjunction with signing, 

publication, and enforcement of the forest’s motor vehicle use map. 
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12.21 Exhibit 08

BMP 2.8 - Stream Crossings

Objective: Minimize water, aquatic, and riparian resource disturbances and related sediment 

production when constructing, reconstructing, or maintaining temporary and permanent water 

crossings.

Explanation: Stream crossings present the highest risk to water quality associated with roads. 

Forest management activities often occur in areas that require surface waters to be crossed. 

Depending on the activity type and duration, crossings may be needed permanently or 

temporarily. Permanent crossings are designed to meet applicable standards while also protecting 

water, aquatic, and riparian resources.

Examples of crossings include culverts, bridges, arched pipes, low water crossings, fords, vented 

fords, and permeable fills. Crossing materials and construction will vary, based on the type 

of access required and volume of use expected. Optimally, crossings should be designed and 

installed to provide passage for the flow of water plus anticipated sediment and debris, provide 

for desired aquatic organism passage, and minimize disturbance to the surface and shallow 

groundwater resources. Sizing is based on a weighed balance between providing for larger storm 

events, and cost feasibility, while still meeting other resource objectives. 

Construction, reconstruction, and maintenance of a water crossing usually requires heavy 

equipment to be in and near streams, lakes, and other aquatic habitats to install or remove 

culverts, fords and bridges and their associated fills, abutments, piles, and cribbing. Such 

disturbance near the waterbody can increase the potential for accelerated erosion and 

sedimentation from destabilization of streambanks or shorelines, vegetation and ground cover 

removal, and soil exposure or compaction. In addition, heavy equipment has potential for 

contamination of the surface water from vehicle fluids. 

Permits may be required for in-stream work associated with stream crossing construction and 

maintenance projects. There are specific requirements for such projects under the Clean Water 

Act and implementing regulations. State and local entities may also provide guidance and 

regulations.

The risk from construction, reconstruction or maintenance of stream crossings can be managed 

by using the appropriate techniques from the following list adapted as needed to local site 

conditions.

Implementation: 

Enforcement of the techniques is the responsibility of the inspector and contracting officer’s 

representative for public works contracts, the inspector and engineering representative for timber 
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12.21 Exhibit 08 -- Continued

BMP 2.8 - Stream Crossings

sale roads, and the permit administrator for stream crossings constructed or reconstructed 

under administrative operations (for example, Road Use Permit, Special Use Permit). If stream 

crossings are constructed, reconstructed, or maintained by force account crews, the project 

manager and foreman are responsible for adherence to project drawings, specifications, and 

Erosion Control Plan. The forest hydrologist works in conjunction with engineering and 

administrative personnel to provide additional monitoring and evaluation during implementation, 

as needed.

Location and Design:

1. Locate roads in an interdisciplinary manner with a hydrologist, soils scientist, and 

geologist if necessary.

2. Plan and locate surface water crossings to limit the number and extent required to 

service the activity.

3. Design the stream crossing to pass the 100-year flood flow plus associated sediment 

and debris; armor to withstand design flows and to provide desired passage of fish and 

other aquatic organisms.

4. Locate and design crossings to minimize disturbance to the waterbody.

5. Use structures appropriate to the site conditions and traffic levels:

a. Favor bridges, bottomless arches, or buried pipe-arches for those streams with 

identifiable floodplains and elevated road prisms, instead of pipe culverts.

b. Place bridge and arch footings below the scour depth for the 100-year flood flow 

plus the appropriate factor of safety.

c. Favor armored fords for those streams where vehicle traffic is either seasonal or 

temporary, or the ford design maintains the channel pattern, profile and dimension.

d. For perennial streams, use vented fords, so that the crossing can pass low flows.

6. See BMP BMP 2.2: General Guidelines for the Location and Design of Roads, for 

further guidance.
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12.21 Exhibit 08 -- Continued

BMP 2.8 - Stream Crossings

Construction and reconstruction - permanent and temporary crossings:

1. Implement the approved erosion control plan that covers all disturbed areas, including 

borrow areas, stockpiles, stream diversions, etc. used during stream crossing construction 

or reconstruction (see BMP 2.13- Erosion Control Plan).

a. Use temporary filters, berms, barriers, conveyances or other materials to collect 

sediment and prevent it from entering surface waters.

b. Set the minimum construction limits needed for the project and confine disturbance 

to within this area. 

2. Accurately establish and preserve vertical control through design invert and outlet 

elevations on site for each crossing, to assure that the constructed stream-crossing 

structure will perform as intended, and promote effective drainage without damage or 

impact to water, aquatic, or riparian resources.

3. Accurately establish and preserve horizontal alignment for each stream-crossing 

structure, to assure that flows do not erode stream banks or shoreline.

4. Install stream crossings according to project design specifications and drawings. 

Design should sustain bankfull dimensions of width, depth and slope, and maintain 

streambed and bank resiliency.

5. Minimize streambank and riparian area excavation during construction:

a. Stabilize adjacent areas disturbed during construction using surface cover (mulch), 

retaining structures, and or mechanical stabilization materials.

b. Keep excavated materials out of channels, floodplains, wetlands, and lakes.

c. Install silt fences or other sediment- and debris-retention barriers between the 

water body and construction material stockpiles and wastes.

6. Bypass roads for use during construction are considered temporary roads, and are 

subject to the all relevant BMPs. Decommissioning and stabilization of the bypass roads 

are inherent in the project plan.

7. Ensure imported fill materials meet project specifications, and are free of toxins and 

invasive aquatic or riparian species.
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12.21 Exhibit 08 -- Continued

BMP 2.8 - Stream Crossings

8. To the extent possible, conduct operations during the least critical periods for water 

and aquatic resources: when streams are dry; during low-water conditions; in compliance 

with spawning and breeding season restrictions.

9. Divert or dewater stream flow for all live streams or standing waterbodies during 

crossing installation and invasive maintenance:

a. Return clean flows to channel or water body downstream of the activity.

b. Restore flows to their natural stream course as soon as possible after construction 

or prior to seasonal closures.

c. Install downstream collection basins, retention facilities, or filtering systems as 

needed to capture and retain turbid water.

d. Remove collected sediment as needed to maintain their design capacity during the 

life of the project. 

10. Construct diversion prevention dips to accommodate overtopping of runoff if diversion 

potential exists, when shown on project drawings and specifications. Locate diversion 

prevention dips downslope of the crossing rather than directly over crossing fill; if 

designed, armor diversion prevention dips based on soil characteristics and potential risk.

11. Install cross drains (for example, rolling dips; waterbars) to hydrologically 

disconnect the road above the crossing and to dissipate concentrated flows.

12. Remove all project debris from the water body in a manner that will cause the least 

disturbance.

13. Dispose of unsuitable material in approved waste areas outside of the SMZ.

14. Clean equipment used for instream work prior to entering the water body:

a. Remove external oil, grease, dirt and mud from the equipment and repair leaks 

prior to arriving at the project site.

b. Inspect all equipment before unloading at site.

c. Inspect equipment daily for leaks or accumulations of grease, and correct identified 

problems before entering streams or areas that drain directly to waterbodies.
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12.21 Exhibit 08 -- Continued

BMP 2.8 - Stream Crossings

d. Remove all dirt and plant parts to ensure that noxious weeds and aquatic invasive 

species are not brought to the site.

15. Fuel and service equipment used for in-stream or riparian work (including chainsaws 

and other hand power tools) only in designated areas (see BMP 2.10).

16. Fully suspend logs, pipes, posts and other transported materials when crossing 

waterbodies and SMZs.

17. Restore the original surface of the streambed, lake bottom, or wetland upon 

completing the crossing construction or maintenance. Construct the surface of the 

streambed according to project specifications and drawings for aquatic passage projects. 

Stockpile materials by strata or as indicated by specified design criteria when extensive 

dredging or excavation of these substrates is required.

18. Stabilize streambanks, shorelines, cut and fill slopes, turnouts, and other disturbed 

areas adjacent to the water resource following crossing installation or maintenance:

a. Use riprap or rock, wood, vegetation, and other native materials as appropriate.

b. Install riprap or other slope protection to prevent erosion from water movement.

c. Size rock slope protection for the 100-year flood flow.

d. Use appropriate construction techniques (keying in riprap) and underlayments 

(filter blankets or other geotextile) to prevent undermining.

e. Ensure stone used for riprap is free of weakly structured rock, soil, organic 

material, and other material not resistant to erosive water action.

f. Place stable materials below drainage outlets on erodible soils to dissipate energy.

19. Provide effective soil cover (mulch, woody debris, rock, vegetation, blankets) on 

exposed soil surfaces for both short- and long-term recovery.

20. Revegetate disturbed areas.

21. Stabilize temporary crossings that must remain in place during high-runoff seasons.

22. Remove temporary crossings and restore the waterbody profile and substrate when 

the need for the crossing no longer exists.
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12.21 Exhibit 08 -- Continued

BMP 2.8 - Stream Crossings

Maintenance:

1. Implement the approved erosion control plan that covers all disturbed areas, including 

borrow areas, stockpiles, stream diversions used during stream-crossing maintenance and 

culvert cleaning (see BMP 2.13- Erosion Control Plan). Use temporary filters, berms, 

2. barriers, conveyances, or other materials to collect sediment and prevent it from 

entering surface waters.

3. Remove all project debris from the stream or creek in a manner that will cause the 

least disturbance.

4. Dispose of unsuitable material in approved waste areas outside of the SMZ.

5. Clean equipment used for instream work prior to entering the stream/creek.

a. Remove external oil, grease, dirt and mud from the equipment, and repair leaks 

prior to arriving at the project site.

b. Inspect all equipment before unloading at site.

c. Inspect equipment daily for leaks or accumulations of grease, and correct identified 

problems before entering streams or areas that drain directly to waterbodies.

d. Remove all dirt and plant parts to ensure that noxious weeds and aquatic invasive 

species are not brought to the site.

6. Fuel and service equipment used for in-stream or riparian work (including chainsaws 

and other hand power tools) only in designated areas (see BMP 2.10).

7. Maintain and remove buildup of sediment and debris in diversion prevention dips, 

rolling dips, and waterbars to ensure they are functioning properly, and do not contribute 

to the hydrological connectivity of the road.

8. Ensure that inside ditches are maintained properly, and are relieved at regular intervals 

to eliminate hydrological connectivity. See BMP 2.4, Road Maintenance and Operations.
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12.21 Exhibit 09

BMP 2.9 - Snow Removal and Storage 

Objective: Prevent or reduce erosion, sedimentation, and chemical pollution that may result from 

snow removal and storage activities.

Explanation: Forest roads and parking areas are sometimes used in areas that receive snow. 

Snow removal from these facilities may adversely affect water; aquatic, and riparian resources in 

several ways. Plowing may physically displace native or engineered surfaces on roads, damage 

drainage structures, or alter drainage patterns. Plowing may also remove protective soil cover 

(for example, vegetation and mulch). These changes can result in concentrated flow, increased 

erosion, and a greater risk of sediment delivery to waterbodies. 

Snow piled in large heaps or in sensitive areas may contribute to increased run-off, hill slope 

erosion, mass slope instability, and in-channel erosion from snowmelt. Snow stored in riparian 

areas and floodplains may compact soils, break or stunt vegetation, or channel runoff in 

undesirable patterns, thereby weakening the buffering capacity of areas. Additionally, both snow 

removal and storage may result in additions of nutrients or fine aggregates used for de-icing or 

traction control directly to surface water and indirectly to both surface water and groundwater 

during runoff. 

Sale administrators, contracting officer’s representatives, engineering representatives, inspectors, 

permit administrators, and force account crew supervisors are responsible for implementing 

snow removal and storage operations. The line officer is responsible for approving and assuring 

implementation of the snow removal plan, and the winter road maintenance plan. The risk 

from snow removal and storage can be managed by using the appropriate techniques from the 

following list adapted as needed to local site conditions.

Implementation:

1. Review the forest’s wet weather operations standards. See BMP 2.13.

2. Prepare a winter road maintenance plan for roads and parking facilities routinely 

subject to snow removal operations. Include an erosion and sediment control component 

to address the following, particularly when no other alternatives exist:

a. Snow storage areas that could impact water bodies, riparian areas, wetlands, 

floodplains, and streams.

b. Fill slopes subject to erosion.

c. Snow storage locations whose runoff could overwhelm drainage features.

d. Winter logging operations.
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12.21 Exhibit 09 --Continued

BMP 2.9 - Snow Removal and Storage 

e. Traditional snow play and winter recreation areas, including those under permit.

f. Snow-park locations.

g. Administrative access.

h. Store snow in pre-approved areas where snowmelt will not cause erosion or 

deposit snow, road de-icers, or traction enhancing materials directly into surface 

waters.

i. Plan as though snowmelt from snow storage is the equivalent of an intense 

localized rainfall.

j. Mark drainage structures to avoid damage during plowing. 

3. Move snow in a manner that will prevent disturbance of road surfaces and drainage 

structures, while protecting adjacent water; aquatic and riparian resources.

4. Control areas where snow removal equipment can operate to prevent damage to 

riparian areas, floodplains, and stream channels.

5. Install snow berms where such placement will preclude concentration of snowmelt 

runoff and will serve to rapidly dissipate melt water. Provide frequent drainage through 

snow berms to avoid hydrologic connectivity with surface waters, concentration of 

snowmelt runoff on fillslopes and other erosive areas, to dissipate melt water, and to 

prevent sediment delivery to waterbodies.

6. Limit use of approved deicing and traction-control materials, but do not compromise 

in areas where safety is critical (intersections and approaches, steep segments, corners).

a. Do not over-apply these materials, and limit spray distribution, when near surface 

waters.

b. Design paved roads and parking lots to facilitate sand removal (with curbs or 

paved ditches). 

7. Conduct frequent inspections at the earliest possible opportunity to ensure road 

drainage is not adversely affecting soil or water resources.

8. Where feasible, discontinue road use and snow removal when sediment delivery, or 

threat thereof, is occurring.
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12.21 Exhibit 09 --Continued

BMP 2.9 - Snow Removal and Storage 

9. Replace lost road surface materials with similar quality material and repair structures 

damaged in snow removal operations as soon as practicable and as funding allows.

10. Develop a snow removal plan for roads with winter-logging operations, or roads 

plowed for recreation, administrative or other access, either by force account or contract, 

to provide written guidelines on how to implement these techniques, and to provide a 

map that includes:

a. Locations of drainage structures

b. Locations of streams

c. Control areas for equipment

d. Pre-approved snow storage areas

e. Locations to avoid 

11. Federal Land Policy and Management Act easements shall include best management 

practices for snow removal for roads where snow removal and storage affects NFS land, 

providing access to non-forest users (residential areas).

12. Modify snow removal procedures as necessary to meet water-quality concerns. 
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12.21 Exhibit 10

BMP 2.10 - Parking and Staging Areas

Objective: Construct, install, and maintain an appropriate level of drainage and runoff treatment 

for parking and staging areas to protect water, aquatic, and riparian resources.

Explanation: Designated parking and staging areas on NFS lands may be permanent or 

temporary and are associated with a variety of uses including administrative buildings, developed 

recreation sites, trailheads, off-highway vehicle (OHV) areas, and management projects. These 

parking facilities sometimes constitute large areas with little or no infiltration capacity. Runoff 

from these areas can create rills or gullies, and carry sediment, nutrients, and other pollutants 

to nearby surface waters. The risk from parking and staging areas can be managed by using the 

appropriate techniques from the following list adapted as needed to local site conditions.

Implementation:

1. Design and locate parking and staging areas of appropriate size and configuration 

to accommodate expected vehicles and prevent damage to adjacent water; aquatic, and 

riparian resources.

a. Avoid sensitive areas such as riparian areas, wetlands, meadows, bogs, fens, inner 

gorges, overly steep slopes, and unstable landforms to the extent practicable.

b. For staging areas, designate specific locations for fueling so that water-quality 

impacts are minimized.

2. Consider the number and type of vehicles to determine parking or staging area size.

a. Calculate the expected runoff generated using the appropriate design storm to 

determine necessary drainage based on the size of the parking or staging area.

b. Consider run-on from any contributing areas.

3. Provide signage to designate parking, staging, and refueling areas, and to minimize 

impacts to sensitive areas.

4. Use permeable pavements where possible, and integrate vegetative islands to trap and 

filter runoff.

5. Infiltrate as much of the runoff as possible using permeable surfaces and infiltration 

ditches or basins in areas where groundwater contamination risk is low.
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12.21 Exhibit 10 -- Continued

BMP 2.10 - Parking and Staging Areas

6. Pave parking areas that experience heavy use and those that are used during wet 

periods. 

7. Install curbs and gutters to direct and capture surface flow from these paved surfaces. 

8. Install and maintain oil and grease separators in larger parking lots with high use and 

where drainage discharges directly to streams.

9. Plan for necessary clean out and disposal of material collected in these vaults.

10. Connect drainage system to existing stormwater conveyance systems where available 

and desirable.

11. Conduct maintenance activities commensurate with parking or staging area surfacing 

and drainage requirements as well as precipitation timing, intensity, and duration.

12. Limit the size and extent of temporary parking or staging areas.

13. Take advantage of existing openings, sites away from waterbodies, and areas that are 

apt to be more easily restored.

14. Rehabilitate temporary parking or staging areas immediately following use.

15. Effectively prevent access to the area once site restoration activities have been 

completed.

16. Consider the need to upgrade roads that access parking areas such as OHV parking 

areas or snow play areas. 
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12.21 Exhibit 11 

BMP 2.11 - Equipment Refueling and Servicing

Objective: Prevent fuels, lubricants, cleaners, and other harmful materials from discharging into 

nearby surface waters or infiltrating through soils to contaminate groundwater resources.

Explanation: Many activities require the use and maintenance of petroleum-powered equipment 

in the field: vegetation harvest and regeneration; road, trail, and facility construction, 

reconstruction, and maintenance. The activities often employ equipment that uses or contains 

gasoline, diesel, oil, grease, hydraulic fluids, antifreeze, coolants, cleaning agents, and/

or pesticides. These petroleum and chemical products may pose a risk to surface water and 

groundwater during refueling and servicing the equipment.

Sale administrators, contracting officer’s representatives, engineering representatives, inspectors, 

permit administrators, and force account crew supervisors are responsible for enforcing 

requirements of equipment fueling and servicing activities. They can manage the risk from fuel 

and chemical spills during equipment refueling or servicing by using the appropriate techniques 

from the following list adapted as needed to local site conditions. 

Implementation:

1. Plan for appropriate equipment refueling and servicing sites during project planning 

and design.

2. Allow temporary refueling and servicing only at approved locations, which are well 

away from water or riparian resources.

3. Develop or use existing fuel and chemical management plans (for example, spill 

prevention control and countermeasures (SPCC), spill response plan, emergency response 

plan) when developing the management prescription for refueling and servicing sites.

4. Locate, design, construct, and maintain petroleum and chemical delivery and storage 

facilities consistent with local, State and Federal regulations.

5. Install contour berms and trenches around vehicle service and refueling areas, 

chemical storage and use areas, and waste dumps to fully contain spills.

6. Use liners as needed to prevent seepage to groundwater.

7. Provide training for all personnel handling fuels and chemicals in their proper use, 

handling, storage, and disposal.

8. Avoid spilling fuels, lubricants, cleaners, and other chemicals during handling and 

transporting.
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12.21 Exhibit 11 -- Continued

BMP 2.11 - Equipment Refueling and Servicing

9. Prohibit excess chemicals or wastes from being stored or accumulated in the project 

area. 

10. Remove service residues, waste oil, and other materials from NFS land and properly 

dispose them following completion of the project.

11. Clean up and dispose of spilled materials according to specified requirements in the 

appropriate guiding document.

12. Report spills and initiate appropriate clean-up action in accordance with applicable 

State and Federal laws, rules and regulations. The forest hazardous materials 

coordinator’s name and phone number shall be available to Forest Service personnel who 

administer or manage activities utilizing petroleum-powered equipment.

13. Remove contaminated soil and other material from NFS lands and dispose of this 

material in a manner according to controlling regulations.

14. Prepare a certified SPCC Plan for each facility, including mobile and portable 

facilities that have oil storage capacity of at least 1,320 gallons in containers 55 gallons or 

greater. 

a. Install or construct the containment features or countermeasures called for in the 

SPCC Plan to ensure that spilled oil does not reach groundwater or surface water.

b. Ensure that each SPCC Plan includes a spill contingency plan at each facility that 

is unable to provide secondary spill containment.

c. Ensure that clean-up of spills and leaking tanks complies with Federal, State and 

local regulations and requirements.

15. Prepare a contingency plan when quantities of petroleum products are capable of 

violating Basin Plan water-quality objectives.

16. Section H clauses for Public Works Construction include a standard clause for Spill 

Plan when project or activity includes oil or oil products storage exceeding 1,320 gallons, 

or a single container exceeding 660 gallons. Section H clauses also require designation 

of contractor’s key personnel, including authorized on-site representative and phone 

number(s).
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12.21 Exhibit 12

BMP 2.12 - Aggregate Borrow Areas

Objective: Minimize disturbance to water, aquatic, and riparian resources when developing and 

using aggregate borrow sites. 

Explanation: Materials deposited along channels and in floodplains during high flows and storm 

runoff can provide a source of aggregates such as gravels, cobbles, and boulders for some 

management activities. Many of these aggregate deposits also include finer materials such as 

sand, silt, clay, and organic debris that can be mobilized during or following desired materialextraction operations. Additionally, the location of these deposits may require equipment to pass 

over or through water courses or riparian areas, increasing the potential for bed, bank, riparian, 

and aquatic habitat disturbance.

Adequate planning is necessary to minimize adverse impacts on water, aquatic, and riparian 

resources; natural geomorphic processes; and existing infrastructure while removing aggregate 

deposits. The size and location of the deposit, as well as the amount and duration of need 

for materials, are commonly the key factors to consider when evaluating and designing an 

appropriate strategy to remove the materials and stabilize the site following extraction. Project 

crew leaders and supervisors are responsible for implementing force account projects; contracted 

projects are implemented by the contractor or equipment operator, and compliance is ensured 

by Forest Service engineering representative, contracting officer’s representative, inspector, or 

Forest Service representative. They can manage the risk to water-quality impacts from aggregate 

borrow activities by using the appropriate techniques from the following list adapted as needed 

to local site conditions.

Implementation: 

1. Determine the limits of disturbance for extraction such that water and adjacent waterdependent resources are protected.

2. Determine safe periods of use and limit extraction to those periods.

3. Install temporary barriers between the extraction area and surface waters to prevent 

sedimentation.

4. Provide for appropriate soil and stream crossings, as necessary, while working in the 

SMZ and waterbodies.

5. Develop detailed mitigation measures to stabilize and restore the borrow area to 

desired conditions for the site.

6. Ensure that areas restored within active channels and floodplains will be stable and 

function as expected under higher flows.
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12.21 Exhibit 12--Continued

BMP 2.12 - Aggregate Borrow Areas

Special use permits issued for gravel bar excavation will follow the above techniques, and will 

require an approved operating plan and reclamation plan. District Ranger or permit administrator 

is responsible for ensuring compliance.
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12.21 Exhibit 13

BMP 2.13 - Erosion Control Plan

Objective: Effectively limit and mitigate erosion and sedimentation from any ground-disturbing 

activities, through planning prior to commencement of project activity, and through project 

management and administration during project implementation. 

1. Provide seamless transition between planning-level (NEPA) mitigation descriptions 

and on-the-ground implementation of erosion-control measures tailored to site conditions. 

2. Ensure that all disturbance-related mitigation requirements and provisions for field 

revisions or modifications are accurately captured in one comprehensive document for 

each project or activity.

3. Activities include, but are not limited to: timber sale harvest; facility site, road, 

bridge, trail and appurtenance construction, reconstruction, and maintenance; watershed 

improvement; road and trail decommissioning; legacy site restoration, administratively 

permitted activities; and vegetation and fuels management activities.

4. Comply with overarching area plans, such as Northwest Forest Plan and Sierra 

Nevada Framework Plan Amendment. 

Explanation: Ground-disturbing activities can result in erosion and sedimentation. By effectively 

planning for erosion control, sedimentation can be controlled or prevented. Engineering and 

hydrology personnel jointly develop mitigation recommendations and preliminary BMPs 

using an interdisciplinary team during the project planning process and environmental analysis 

phase. Erosion control plans are not be confused with design features whose primary objective 

is to provide or improve water quality, such as a bridge; reinforced earth retaining wall; or 

landscaping. The long-term mitigation objectives are typically described in the NEPA document 

for the project, and then refined in project drawings and specifications as design features. Shortterm mitigation measures to prevent erosion and sedimentation are described in detail in the 

project’s erosion control plan. 

Project mitigations are conceptually described in NEPA analyses but are typically generic. 

Detailed mitigation measures are based on site-specific surveys, conditions, and characteristics, 

and are developed in the project design phase. They are ultimately displayed in the project 

document’s design documents (specifications and drawings) based on site-specific surveys, 

conditions, and characteristics. Furthermore, field personnel have the responsibility to make 

refinements or additional recommendations to adjust to actual current and predicted future 

conditions. 
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12.21 Exhibit 13 -- Continued

BMP 2.13 - Erosion Control Plan

This flexibility is a necessary and desirable component of project implementation, but must 

ultimately result in implementation of requirements to protect soil and water quality. To ensure 

that all required and relevant mitigation measures are documented and implemented, an 

environmental control plan will be prepared to complement design (design addresses required 

mitigations specified in NEPA documents), site-specific prescriptions, and amended to include 

changes made in the field. Detailed and accurate environmental control plan will allow Forest 

Service and Water Board staff to conduct efficient, meaningful inspections of ground-disturbing 

projects, and will provide a needed check to ensure that mitigation measures for addressing 

impacts from the activities are accurately communicated to field staff.

Implementation: Ground-disturbing activities will be exempt from the requirement to prepare an 

erosion control plan under any of the four exemption categories below:

1. Area-based - less than 50 square feet in riparian area; less than 10,000 square feet in a 

non-riparian area;

2. Activity-based - activities conducted under a categorical exclusion with no wheeled or 

tracked equipment, or included under North Coast Regional or State waiver Category A;

3. Site-condition criteria - project locations that are: outside of riparian areas and on 

soils with high infiltration rates (more than 2 inches per hour) and on slopes less than 15 

percent.

4. Flexibility criteria - any activity approved by the forest hydrologist with 

documentation explaining the rationale for the exemption.

BMP checklists will be prepared for all projects (see section 16) even if an erosion control plan is 

not necessary.

Erosion control plans for any ground-disturbing activity not meeting the exemption categories 

above will be reviewed and recommended by the forest hydrologist, and approved and signed by 

the District Ranger. The hydrologist’s recommendation and signature indicates that all mitigation 

measures prescribed in environmental documents and project plans, or resource specialist’s 

recommendations are included on the environmental control plan. The Forest Supervisor will 

approve and sign the environmental control plan for forestwide ground-disturbing activities, such 

as annual road maintenance.

All forests shall develop wet weather operations standards (WWOS). The purpose of the WWOS 

is to provide guidance with the end result of preventing significant adverse impacts to water 

quality from wet weather operations on NFTS roads and trails. Such operations may include 
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12.21 Exhibit 13 -- Continued

BMP 2.13 - Erosion Control Plan

winter hauling, fuelwood gathering, public access for hunting or Christmas tree cutting, 

administrative access on closed roads for springtime burning of slash piles, reforestation 

activities, snow plowing, or other ground disturbance outside normal operating season. WWOS 

must include notification protocols for informing resource specialists (hydrologists, biologists, 

soil scientists) as well as line officers prior to initiation or continuation of a project or activity 

into wet weather season.

Project field operations cannot begin until the District Ranger approves and signs the plan. The 

erosion control plan will be kept on site during project activity and made available for review 

upon request of a representative of the Water Board or any local storm water management 

agency which receives the storm water discharge. The erosion control plan shall be amended 

if there is a change in control practices, site conditions, or BMPs that may result in less waterquality protection than specified in the project’s environmental document, project plan, accepted 

erosion control plan, or permit/waiver. The amendment must include: name of person requesting 

the change; a description of the change, including revised BMPs or control practices to mitigate 

the effects of the change; and why the change is needed. 

Even the best erosion and sediment control plan cannot cover the specifics of each situation 

that will arise on a site during the life of a project. All parties involved in the project have a role 

and responsibility to ensure the activity complies with the goals or intent of the erosion control 

plan at all times. All temporary erosion and sediment control practices must be maintained and 

repaired as needed to assure continued performance of their intended function. 

Erosion Control Plan Contents

1. Erosion and Sediment Control shall include:

a. List of anticipated ground-disturbing actions associated with the project (for 

example, stream diversion; exposed cut slopes; stripped and stockpiled topsoil; water 

source development or use)

b. Checklist which includes mitigation measures required by project NEPA, and 

in some cases CEQA documents, requirements to meet BMPs, project plans, 

specifications, and permits, if any. The selection of erosion and sedimentation control 

measures shall be based on assessments of site conditions and how storm events may 

contribute to erosion. Control measures will be selected from the references provided 

in the On-Line Library at the end of section 12, or will be of equivalent effectiveness 

as the measures described in those references.
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12.21 Exhibit 13 -- Continued

BMP 2.13 - Erosion Control Plan

c. Illustrations of control practices designed to prevent erosion and sedimentation. 

Illustrations must show construction and installation details for control practices, 

and must be included in the erosion control plan. (for example, California 

Stormwater Quality Association BMP standard specifications CASQA at http://www.

cabmphandbooks.com, or Caltrans Stormwater and Water Pollution Control guides at 

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/construc/stormwater/stormwater1.htm)

d. Map/drawing(s) showing soil or water buffer zones, RCAs, RCHAs, SMZs or 

other soil or water protection areas to be protected from project activities. Project 

boundary extends beyond disturbance limits. 

e. A description of the color and/or pattern of flagging or marking for soil or water 

buffer zones, RCAs, RCHAs, SMZs or other soil or water protection areas for each 

unit. 

f. Relevant sections from the forest’s WWOS that apply to activity/activities. The 

WWOS will provide guidance to prevent significant adverse impacts to water quality 

from wet weather operations on NFTS roads and trails.

i. Forest motor vehicle use map will be used to determine seasonal closures for all 

NFTS routes that are not under permit or for administrative use only.

(1) A storm preparedness plan that describes additional control practices to be 

implemented when the National Weather Service predicts a 50 percent or greater 

chance of precipitation. 

(2) A winterization plan that describes additional control practices to be implemented 

to stabilize the site during periods of seasonal inactivity. The dates vary by locality, 

and may be determined by the individual RWQCB (for example, October 15 through 

May 1). “Winterized” means that the site is stabilized to prevent soil movement 

permanently if project activities are complete, or temporarily in a manner which will 

remain effective until end of the stabilization period. 

(3) If winter activity, including over-snow operation is proposed, specifications for 

snow/ice depth or soil operability conditions must be described.

g. Control practices to reduce the tracking of sediment onto paved roads. These roads 

will be inspected and cleaned as necessary.
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12.21 Exhibit 13 -- Continued

BMP 2.13 - Erosion Control Plan

h. Control practices to reduce wind erosion and control dust.

i. A proposed sequential schedule to implement erosion and sediment control 

measures, in addition to the general construction schedule. 

j. Location information, including directions to access the project area. Include a 

scaled map, with road names/numbers.

k. Contact information of project personnel, including name and cell phone number 

(that is, sale administrator, contracting officer’s representative, project manager, 

project supervisor, contractor, site superintendent, hydrologist, permit administrator 

and so forth)

2. Maps requirements: Maps must be clear, legible, and of a scale such that depicted 

features are readily discernable. For example, sale area maps may be used to satisfy the 

mapping requirements outlined in b.ii, below, if they meet this intent.

a. As a means of determining BMPs and erosion control measures, a topographic 

map should be in the project file. The map should extend beyond the boundaries of 

the project site, showing the project site boundaries, and surface and subsurface water 

bodies (ephemeral and intermittent waters, springs, wells, and wetlands) that could 

be at risk of water-quality impacts from project activities.

b. For timber harvest activities, unit-specific map(s) shall be scaled no smaller than 

1 inch equals 1,000 feet (1:12,000). For all other activities, maps shall be scaled to 

provide legible interpretation of requirements shown above. All maps shall include:

(1) Specific locations of storm water structures and controls used during project 

activities. 

(2) Erosion hazard ratings for each unit, specified down to 20 acres if different EHRs 

exist within each unit.

(3) Locations of existing and proposed haul roads, watercourse crossings, skid trails, 

and landings. 

(4) Locations of post-project storm water structures and controls.

(5) Equipment access, storage, and service areas. 
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12.21 Exhibit 13 -- Continued

BMP 2.13 - Erosion Control Plan

3. Diversion of Live Streams: If the project involves stream diversions for crossing 

construction, the erosion control plan must include detailed plans for these activities, 

including storm contingencies. See BMP 2.8 - Stream Crossings.

4. Non-Storm Water Management:The erosion control plan shall include provisions 

which eliminate or reduce the discharge of materials other than storm water to the storm 

sewer system and/or receiving waters. Such provisions shall ensure that discharged 

materials shall not have an adverse effect on receiving waters. Materials other than 

storm water that are discharged shall be listed, along with the estimated quantity of the 

discharged material.

5. Waste Management and Disposal: The erosion control plan shall describe waste 

management and disposal practices to be used at the project site. All wastes (including 

equipment and maintenance waste) removed from the site for disposal shall be disposed 

of in a manner that is in compliance with Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and 

ordinances. Include plan for project-specific activities that produce waste products, such 

as concrete truck/chute/pump washout, equipment servicing, equipment washing, and 

so forth.

6. Maintenance, Inspection, and Repair: The erosion control plan shall include 

inspection, maintenance and repair procedures to ensure that all pollution-control devices 

identified in the erosion control plan are maintained in good and effective condition and 

are promptly repaired or restored. A qualified person shall be assigned the responsibility 

to conduct inspections. The name and telephone number of that person shall be listed 

in the erosion control plan. A tracking and follow-up procedure shall be described to 

ensure that all inspections are done by trained personnel and that adequate response 

and corrective actions have been taken in response to the inspection. This procedure 

may be in the form of a written checklist, with inspections signed and dated. Photo 

documentation is encouraged.

7. Other Plans: This erosion control plan may incorporate, by reference, the appropriate 

elements of other plans required by local, State, or Federal agencies. A copy of any 

requirements incorporated by reference shall be kept in the project file.

8. Post-Project Storm Water Management: The erosion control plan shall describe the 

storm water control structures and management practices that will be implemented to 

minimize pollutants in storm water discharges after project activity phases have been 

completed at the site. It shall also specify controls to be removed from the activity site(s) 

and methods for their removal. The discharger must consider site-specific factors and 
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12.21 Exhibit 13 -- Continued

BMP 2.13 - Erosion Control Plan

seasonal conditions when designing the control practices that will function after the 

project is complete.

9. Preparer: The erosion control plan shall include the title and signature of the person 

responsible for preparation of the erosion control plan, the date of initial preparation, and 

the person and date responsible for any amendments to the erosion control plan.

10. Template: The Forest Service will develop sample templates for erosion control 

plans based on activity type. Complexity of the template will be commensurate with the 

degree of risk to impact water quality by the activity.
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12.3 - Mining

Mineral exploration and extraction activities on NFS land including oil, gas, and geothermal 

resources, fall into the following categories:

1. Locatable Mineral Activities - Administered under the U.S. Mining Laws, Act of May 

10, 1872, as amended. This Law applies to most hard rock and placer mineral deposits 

on NFS lands reserved from the public domain. The Law generally allows “...that all 

valuable mineral deposits in lands belonging to the United States...are free and open to 

exploration and purchase...by citizens of the United States...”

2. Leasable Mineral Activities - Minerals such as coal, oil and gas, phosphate, potash, 

sodium, geothermal steam, and other minerals that will be acquired under the Mineral 

Leasing Act of 1920, as amended. This also applies to all minerals on lands the Forest 

Service acquires under authority of the Weeks Act.

3. Saleable Mineral Activities - Administered under the Materials Act of July 31, 

1947, as amended. Common varieties of sand, stone, gravel, pumice, cinders, and 

clay located on NFS land may be disposed of by sale, or given free to other units of 

government and non-profit entities when consistent with good public land management 

and the public interest.

12.31- Mining BMPs

3.1 Water Resource Protection on Locatable Mineral Operations

3.2 Administering Terms of Bureau of Land Management (BLM)- issued Permits or Leases 

for Mineral Exploration and Extraction on NFS Lands

3.3 Administering Common Variety Mineral-removal Permits

The following BMPs are for the control of nonpoint source pollution associated with mining 

activities. Each BMP synthesizes the referenced administrative directives into a process to be 

followed by the Forest Service to permit and administer mining activity on NFS land.

The line officer on each administrative subunit will be responsible for fully implementing the 

directives that provide water-quality protection and improvement during mining activities. The 

directives referenced in Section 13, provide details on methods to incorporate water-quality 

controls into each phase of mining activities.

Trained and qualified earth scientists, and other professional employees, are available to assist 

the minerals program management work force with technical assistance to identify beneficial 

uses, the most recent state-of-the-art water-quality control methods and techniques, and help 

evaluate results.
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Mining operations usually involve activities such as site clearing, road construction, and use 

of heavy equipment. The BMPs for those types of activities are described in other sections of 

this guidance, and though applicable to mining related actions, they are not repeated here. The 

appropriate BMP for other activities associated with mining must also be implemented along 

with the following BMP.
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12.31 Exhibit 01

BMP 3.1 - Water Resources Protection on Locatable Mineral Operations

Objective: To protect water quality from degradation by physical and chemical constituents 

resulting from locatable mineral operations, including exploration, development, production, and 

associated activities, on National Forest System (NFS) lands.

To ensure that all mineral operations and associated activities are conducted in an 

environmentally sound manner and in compliance with applicable Federal and State water 

quality standards and requirements and that the operator reclaims the NFS lands disturbed by the 

mineral operations and associated activities by taking such measures to restore the NFS lands 

and to prevent or control damage to NFS lands including, but not limited to, control of erosion, 

landslides, and water runoff. 

Explanation: The occupancy and use of surface resources of NFS lands in connection with 

mining operations authorized by the United States 1872 Mining Law (30 USC §§ 21.54 et seq.), 

as amended, is subject to Forest Service regulation under the Organic Act (16 U.S.C. §§ 478 

and 551). Forest Service regulations at 36 CFR Part 228, subpart A require the operator and the 

Forest Service to minimize adverse environmental impacts to the surface resources, including 

water quality, of NFS lands from mining operations and associated activities. See, 36 CFR 

228.1.

Implementation: Seven instruments are used in the process of determining adverse 

environmental impacts to surface resources, including water quality, from mining operations 

and associated activities and the measures, controls, and requirements to minimize any adverse 

environmental impacts. It is seldom necessary to use all of these in every case. The seven 

instruments are listed below:

1. Notice of Intent to Operate

A Notice of Intent (NOI) is required from persons proposing to conduct mining 

operations which might cause significant disturbance of surface resources, including 

water quality, of NFS lands. The NOI must include sufficient information concerning 

the proposed mining operations and associated activities to allow the authorized officer 

determine whether the operator may proceed under the NOI or whether the operator must 

submit a proposed Plan of Operations for Forest Service approval before the mining 

operations and associated activities may be conducted. 

2. Plan of Operations
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12.31 Exhibit 01 -- Continued

BMP 3.1 - Water Resources Protection on Locatable Mineral Operations

Operators are required to submit a Plan of Operations if the proposed operations will 

likely cause, or are causing, a significant disturbance of surface resources, including 

surface waters. The authorized officer may determine that mining operations are causing 

or will likely cause significant disturbance of surface resources and require a Plan of 

Operations. When a Plan of 

Operations is required, operators are required to submit a proposed Plan of Operations to 

the Forest Service. The Forest Service must approve the Plan of Operations before the 

operator can conduct mining operations or associated activities. The Forest Service’s 

approved Plan of Operations will incorporate the mitigation measures, controls and other 

requirements identified in the environmental document.

When a operator is discharging, or proposes to discharge, waste, as that term is defined 

in Cal. Water Code §13050, in connection with mining operations or associated activities 

that could affect the quality of the waters of the state of California, the operator is 

required to file a report of waste discharge (ROWD) with the appropriate Regional Water 

Quality Control Board (Regional Board). When an operator is discharging, or proposes 

to discharge, pollutants to the navigable waters of the United States within California 

or is discharging, or proposes to discharge, dredged or fill material into the navigable 

waters of the United States within California, the operator must file a ROWD with the 

appropriate Regional Board. The Regional Board will determine whether the operator 

must obtain waste discharge requirements (WDRs) and/or a NPDES permit for the 

mining operations and associated activities. Additionally, when an operator proposes 

to discharge dredged or fill material into the navigable waters of the United States, the 

Army Corps of Engineers will determine whether the operator must obtain a 404 permit 

for the mining operations and associated activities. If the Forest Service determines that 

the mining operations and associated activities under the Plan of Operations may result 

in a discharge into navigable waters, for example when a NPDES permit or 404 permit is 

required, the operator must provide the Forest Service certification from the appropriate 

Regional Board that any discharge from the mining operations and/or associated activities 

is in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Clean Water Act, or has been 

waived as provided for in 42 U.S.C. §1341(1), before the Forest Service can approve 

the Plan of Operations. This certification is commonly known as “401 certification” 

(42 U.S.C. §1341 is also referred to as Section 401 of the Clean Water Act). The Forest 

Service shall include the substantive provisions of the WDRs and/or NPDES permit as 

terms and conditions in the Plan of Operations, which the Forest Service 
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12.31 Exhibit 01 -- Continued

BMP 3.1 - Water Resources Protection on Locatable Mineral Operations

approves and administers. The Forest Service ensures that the operator complies with all 

terms and conditions of the approved Plan of Operations. 

If the Regional Board does not require WDRs and/or a NPDES permit but the Regional 

Board provides comments, the comments will be considered during the authorized 

officer’s evaluation of the adequacy of the proposed project’s water-quality protection 

mitigation measures to be included in the Plan of Operations.

Operators must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations 

when conducting mining operations and associated activities on NFS lands.

3. Environmental Document

The procedural requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and 

its implementing regulations (43 C.F.R. Parts 1500-1508) must be followed in the 

environmental evaluation of a proposed Plan of Operations. The appropriate authorized 

officer will convene an interdisciplinary team to assess the impacts of the proposed 

mining operations and associated activities on the environment, formulate alternatives, 

and prescribe mitigation measures, controls, and other requirements. The environmental 

document will identify mitigation measures, controls, and other requirements for the 

proposed mining operations and associated activities. The Forest Service shall include 

the mitigation measures, controls, and requirement identified in the environmental 

document as terms and conditions in the Plan of Operations, which the Forest Service 

approves and administers. The Forest Service ensures that the operator complies with all 

terms and conditions of the approved Plan of Operations. 

4. Reclamation Bond

If the operator is required to file a Plan of Operations, the Forest Service may require 

the operator to furnish a bond or other financial guarantee to cover the estimated 

costs of reclamation, including stabilizing, rehabilitating, and reclaiming the area of 

operations. When a bond or other financial guarantee is required, the operator must 

furnish the required bond or other financial guarantee to the Forest Service prior to 

the Forest Service’s approval of a Plan of Operations. Hence, mining operations and 

associated activities cannot be approved until the Forest Service receives the required 

reclamation bond. 
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12.31 Exhibit 01 -- Continued

BMP 3.1 - Water Resources Protection on Locatable Mineral Operations

5. Special Use Permit 

Special use permits may be required for associated activities, such as water diversion, 

transmission facilities, and power lines. These permits may be authorized and issued by 

the Forest Service in conjunction with the approval of a Plan of Operations, when a Plan 

of Operations is required.

6. Road use permit

Road use permits may be required for commercial use of certain NFS roads. In this case, 

the appropriate BMP in Section 12.2 will apply. These permits may be authorized and 

issued by the Forest Service in conjunction with the approval of a Plan of Operations, 

when a Plan of Operations is required.

7. Notice of noncompliance

When an operator fails to comply with Forest Service regulations at 36 C.F.R. Part 228, 

Subpart A or an approved Plan of Operations, and the noncompliance is causing injury, 

loss or damage to surface resource, including water quality, the authorized officer 

will issue the operator a “Notice of Noncompliance.” This notice will describe the 

noncompliance, specify the actions to comply, and time frames within which to comply 

(generally not to exceed 30 days). In addition to a notice of noncompliance, civil and/or 

criminal enforcement actions are additional remedies that the Forest Service may pursue. 
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12.31 Exhibit 02

BMP 3.2 - Administering Terms of Bureau of Land Management (BLM)-Issued Permits or 

Leases for Mineral Exploration and Extraction on NFS Lands

Objective: To ensure that other resource values, including water quality, are protected during 

mineral exploration and extraction processing, and that reclamation activities carried out are 

under the terms of prospecting permits and mineral leases on NFS land.

Explanation: The Department of the Interior has the major role in issuing and supervising 

operations on mineral licenses, permits, and leases. The Forest Service coordinates with the 

Department of Interior agencies to ensure that Forest Service resource management goals and 

objectives are achieved, that impacts to the land surface resources are minimized, and that the 

affected land is promptly rehabilitated.

Through the NEPA process, the Forest Service and BLM determine whether a prospecting permit 

or lease will be issued to an applicant. The decision is based primarily on whether the mineral 

operation, including the construction and maintenance of access roads and other associated 

facilities, can be done in a manner which adequately protects other resource values. The Forest 

Service and BLM develop the lease stipulations needed to protect water quality and other 

resources.

All prospecting permits and leases require that an operating plan be prepared by the applicant 

and approved by the Forest Service prior to any ground-disturbing activities.

Implementation: An interdisciplinary team will develop detailed mitigation that will be written 

into the special stipulations section of prospecting permits and leases. These special stipulations 

are also required in the Operating Plan. On-the-ground checks for compliance with the 

stipulations of the lease, or operating plan will be the responsibility of the Forest Service official 

designated “Authorized Officer” who is usually the District Ranger, or Forest Supervisor.

The BLM is primarily responsible for activities taking place on a lease site. By interdepartmental 

agreement, all applications to lease lands under Forest Service jurisdiction are referred to the 

Forest Service for review, recommendation, and development of special stipulations to prevent 

adverse impacts on the surface resources.
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12.31 Exhibit 03

BMP 3.3 - Administering Common Variety Mineral-removal Permits

Objective: To ensure that resource values, including water quality, are protected to the maximum 

extent possible.

Explanation: Mineral materials such as sand, stone, gravel, pumice, cinders, and clay will be sold 

when consistent with good public land management and when the sale is in the public interest. 

Permits and mineral material sale contracts will include reasonable erosion control measures, 

reclamation of the surface to a predetermined productive second use of the land, and revegetation. 

Material sales will be approved if adequate measures can be implemented to minimize erosion 

and stream pollution, and if satisfactory arrangements can be made for restoration. If a choice of 

mineral deposit locations exists, extraction will be directed to those where the adverse effects of 

removal can be most readily controlled, or minimized (see also BMP 2.18).

Implementation: Removal is authorized by a Forest Service-issued mineral material permit 

or contract. Project location and detailed mitigation to prevent adverse effects to land surface 

resources will be developed through the environmental documentation process using an 

interdisciplinary team. These mitigations are then incorporated into the permit.

Projects are implemented by the permittee following approval of an operating plan and 

reclamation plan, if warranted, and issuance of a mineral material permit. the The District Ranger 

or their representative will ensure compliance with terms of the permit .
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12.4 - Recreation

Recreation on NFS lands occurs in developed sites, as well as dispersed areas such as trails, on 

rivers or lakes, and in wilderness and general forest areas.

Developed recreation sites are those that have been designed and built to provide facilities for 

the user and commonly require a fee payment for use. An example is a constructed campground 

where tables, fireplaces, and toilets are provided. Developed recreation sites also include 

recreation residences, resorts, ski areas and similar facilities. 

Dispersed sites are not specifically designed and constructed. However, some structures or 

facilities will be installed in dispersed recreation areas for the health and safety of the users, to 

protect resources, and to enhance the quality of visitor experience.

Access roads and parking areas at recreation sites are addressed through appropriate road BMPs 

(2.1 to 2.13).

12.41 - Recreation BMPs

4.1 Sampling, Surveillance, and Sanitary Surveys of Primary Contact Recreation Waters

4.2 Providing Safe Drinking Water Supplies

4.3 Documenting Water Quality Data

4.4 Control of Sanitation Facilities

4.5 Control of Solid Waste Disposal

4.6 Assuring that Organizational Camps Have Proper Sanitation and Water Supply 

Facilities

4.7.1 to 4.7.9 Best Management Practices for Off-Highway Vehicle Facilities and Use

4.8 Sanitation at Hydrants and Water Faucets within Developed Recreation Sites

4.9 Protecting Water Quality within Developed and Dispersed Recreation Areas

4.10 Location of Pack and Riding Stock Facilities and Use Areas in Wilderness, Primitive, and 

Wilderness Study Areas

The following BMPs are for the control of nonpoint source pollution associated with recreation 

activities. The BMPs were formulated to reflect the administrative directives that guide and direct 

the Forest Service’s development and administration of recreation resources on NFS land.

The line officer on each administrative unit is responsible for fully implementing the 

directives that provide for water-quality protection and improvement during recreation 

management activities. The Forest Service Manual, Handbook, and directives provide 

details on methods to incorporate water-quality controls into each phase of the recreation 

management program.
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Trained and qualified earth scientists, and other professional employees are available to assist the 

recreation management work force with technical assistance in identifying beneficial uses, the 

most recent state-of-the-art water-quality control methods and techniques, and to help evaluate 

results of BMP implementation.
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12.41 Exhibit 01

BMP 4.1 - Sampling, Surveillance, and Sanitary Surveys of Primary Contact Recreation 

Waters

Objective: To ensure the health and safety of recreationists in primary contact waters, (e.g., hot 

springs, designated NFS swimming sites).

Explanation: Sampling and testing for bacterial water quality (fecal coliform), pH, and clarity 

will be conducted at all developed, designated primary contact recreation water sites. A 

prescribed minimum number of tests for fecal coliform, pH, and clarity will be made during the 

site-use season. Tests for other biological pollutants and for chemical and physical character of 

the water will be made when there is reason to believe that water quality is not satisfactory for 

primary contact.

Adjacent areas and the aquatic environment are surveyed to detect potential or existing hazards 

which may, or may not be demonstrated through water sample analysis from a single sample 

or short series of samples. The survey provides information needed in defining the cause(s) of 

contamination of primary contact recreation waters.

Fecal coliform is used as the indicator for the potential presence of pathogens in the water 

because of the relative ease of detection and measurement. Analysis values are tested against 

standards for primary-contact recreation as stated by the County Health Departments, California 

RWQCB, and EPA (“Water Quality Criteria”) swimming water-quality standards.

Implementation: Each forest with designated primary contact recreation water sites will develop 

a water-quality monitoring plan for that site. This plan will identify water monitoring locations, 

data requirements, monitoring frequency, procedures, data analysis and interpretations, and 

reporting. If standards are exceeded, the area will be closed to all contact-recreation use until the 

cause, or causes have been identified and remedied. The Forest Supervisor will be responsible 

for closure.

A sanitary survey will be made prior to the development of plans for each new primary-contact 

recreation facility. All areas where contact is specifically encouraged or permitted should have a 

sanitary survey conducted as soon as practical prior to use. Subsequent surveys will be repeated 

periodically in accordance with a prescribed schedule, usually annually, prior to the use season 

or following a change in the watershed condition; fire, flood, and so forth. All sanitary surveys 

must be conducted by a person trained in environmental sanitation and experienced in making 

such surveys. Results of the surveys are documented and provided to the Forest Supervisor and 

District Ranger for evaluation and action as appropriate. 
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12.41 Exhibit 02

BMP 4.2 - Providing Safe Drinking Water Supplies

Objective: To provide safe drinking water to Forest Service facilities such as campgrounds, 

picnic grounds, trailheads, visitor centers, winter sport areas, and developed roadside facilities. 

Explanation: Administrative guidelines for water source location and development; testing 

frequency and maximum contaminant levels for bacteriological, chemical, and physical 

contaminants; performance of sanitary surveys; closing, correction, and reopening of defective 

water systems; and documentation of data are provided in the EPA Drinking Water Standards, 

and State and local health department standards. The strictest standards will be followed for each 

individual item.

When test results indicate that prescribed limits are exceeded, the water supply will be closed 

until the problem is corrected and satisfactory results are obtained. Seasonal systems will be 

tested and proven to be satisfactory prior to opening.

Preventive measures will be taken in the location, construction, operation, and maintenance of 

water supply systems to minimize possibilities of contamination.

Implementation: Location, design, sampling, and sanitary surveys will be performed by qualified 

individuals who are familiar with drinking water supply systems and guidelines. Coordination 

and cooperation will be pursued with State or local health department representatives in all 

phases of drinking water system management.

Sampling and testing frequencies vary depending on the water source, the number and type of 

user, and the type of test. Use State-certified laboratories if State, or local health departments do 

not perform water sample analyses.
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12.41 Exhibit 03

BMP 4.3 - Documenting Water Quality Data

Objective: To assure water-quality data and related information is available for making waterquality management analysis and interpretations.

Explanation: An inventory of the location of all designated potable water supplies and primarycontact recreation water sites will document pertinent site information such as times, dates, and 

results of all water-quality tests and surveys. This is an administrative record-keeping practice to 

establish a record of cause and effect to aid in identifying any sources of contamination.

Implementation: The EPA STORET system will be the repository for water-quality data collected 

to monitor designated primary contact recreation water sites. Forests will use the computerbased “potable Water Supply Inventory” for site documentation of potable water supplies. 

Bacteriological test data will also be placed in a Forest Service computer for storage and review. 

Each forest will retain all laboratory test results for a minimum of 5 years (see also BMP 7.6).
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12.41 Exhibit 04

BMP 4.4 - Control of Sanitation Facilities

Objective: To protect surface and subsurface water from bacteria, nutrients, and chemical 

pollutants resulting from the collection, transmission, treatment, and disposal of sewage at Forest 

Service sites.

Explanation: Toilet facilities are provided at developed recreation sites. The type and number 

depends on the capacity of a given site. Sanitation facilities (which may vary from a portable 

toilet to a sophisticated treatment plant) will be planned, located, designed, constructed, 

operated, inspected, and maintained to minimize the possibility of water contamination. Toilet 

facilities may also be made available at dispersed sites with the same goal of preventing water 

contamination.

Implementation: The appropriate disciplines will perform field investigations to evaluate soil, 

geological, vegetative, climatic, and hydrological conditions. The location, design, inspection, 

operation, and maintenance must be performed, or controlled by qualified trained personnel 

familiar with the sanitation system and operational guidelines. Proximity of toilets to open water 

and other sensitive areas will follow guidelines.

State and local authorities will be consulted prior to the installation of new sanitation facilities 

or modification of existing facilities to assure compliance with all applicable State and local 

regulations. All phases of sanitation management (planning, design, inspection, operation, 

and maintenance) will be coordinated with State and local health departments and RWQCB 

representatives.
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12.41 Exhibit 05

BMP 4.5 - Control of Solid Waste Disposal

Objective: To protect water from nutrients, bacteria, and chemicals associated with solid waste 

disposal.

Explanation: Encourage the users of NFS recreation facilities to cooperate in the proper disposal 

of solid waste, and to burn their combustible trash in fireplaces or stoves. Receptacles are 

provided for unburnables at most developed sites. Garbage and trash must be “packed out” by 

those who use dispersed sites and wilderness areas where receptacles are not available.

Final disposal of collected garbage will be at a properly designed and operated county, or 

State sanitary landfill. Each landfill site will be located where groundwater and surface waters 

are at a safe depth and distance from the site, as prescribed in the provisions of the California 

Administrative Code, Title 23, chapter 3, Subchapter 15, and the State, or local regulations.

Implementation: A public education effort to control refuse disposal will be a continuing process 

accomplished by using signs, printed information, mass media, and personal contact. Public 

cooperation is vital.

Solid waste disposal plans, which define and describe collection, removal, and final disposal 

methods, will be maintained on each forest. Garbage containers will be placed in areas that 

are easily maintained and convenient for recreationists . Authorized Forest Officers may issue 

citations to violators.
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12.41 Exhibit 06

BMP 4.6 - Assuring That Organizational Camps Have Proper Sanitation and Water 

Supply Facilities

Objective: To protect the quality of water that is consumed by, and discharged from 

organizational camps under special use permit.

Explanation: Organizational camps are required to comply with local public health and sanitation 

ordinances. Camp buildings and grounds must be supplied with at least the minimum sanitary 

facilities required by local codes. Water systems must provide an adequate volume of acceptably 

clean water for drinking, cooking, and general sanitation. Structures designed with toilets, 

showers, and washbasins will be planned and constructed to serve the camps’ needs and meet 

sanitation and water-quality requirements.

Implementation: Management requirements and controls to protect water quality through 

installation and maintenance of proper sanitation and water supply facilities must be incorporated 

into the special use permit for each organizational camp. Permittees are required to inspect their 

facilities and test their drinking water according to local codes and regulations to ensure a safe 

water supply and proper sanitation. Reports of these test results must be provided periodically to 

the Forest Service.

Periodic inspection and monitoring of the camp by the authorized Forest Officer and county and 

State health officers are necessary to assure compliance.
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12.41 Exhibit 07

BMP 4.7 - Best Management Practices for Off-Highway Vehicle Facilities and Use 

(BMPs 4.7.1 to 4.7.9)

Over the past few decades, the availability and capability of off-highway vehicles (OHV) have 

increased tremendously, as has the intensity of OHV use on NFS lands. While these vehicles 

have provided new recreational opportunities and access to otherwise remote locations, this 

increase in OHV use has the potential to impact water resources.

1. OHV use near water bodies, particularly at stream crossings, has the potential to:

a. Deliver sediment, particularly during storm events

b. Cause vertical and lateral erosion of stream channels

c. Destroy or weaken riparian vegetation, compromising stream-bank stability and 

increasing water temperature

d. Pollute waters with petroleum and chemical products and other organic and 

inorganic waste, including human pathogens

2. Careful and wise management of OHV use can mitigate these impacts. The purpose of 

this set of BMPs is to control nonpoint source pollution that may occur because of OHV 

recreation activities on NFS lands. The types of OHV activities that could directly or 

indirectly affect water quality include:

a. Trail planning

b. Trail location and design

c. Trail construction and reconstruction

d. Operations and maintenance

e. Monitoring

f. Restoration of OHV-damaged areas.
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12.41 Exhibit 07--Continued

BMP 4.7 - Best Management Practices for Off-Highway Vehicle Facilities and Use 

(BMPs 4.7.1 to 4.7.9)

3. This set of BMPs applies to OHV trails, with the exception of BMP 4.9, which is 

specific to concentrated-use area management. For the purpose of this set of BMPs, the 

term “OHV Trail” means trails managed for OHV use. The three types of OHV trails are:

a. Single-track trails - 12 to 24 inches in width, used by off-highway motorcycles

b. Double-track trails - 50 inches or less in width, used by off-road motorcycles and 

all-terrain vehicles

c. Four-wheel drive or high-clearance trails - 50 inches or greater in width, used by 

off-road motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, side-by side utility terrain vehicles, and 

high-clearance four-wheel drive vehicles. 

Best management practices for roads utilized by OHVs, such as high-clearance vehicle roads 

(Maintenance Level - 2), are covered under the set of roads BMPs. It is important to recognize 

the distinction between OHV trails and OHV routes on roads, because their design, construction, 

management, and potential impacts to water quality are quite different. This distinction is with 

the full acknowledgement that a large percentage of OHV use occurs on Maintenance Level - 2 

roads, and that many OHV trails have evolved from old roads or firebreaks.

Sediment is by far the primary pollutant associated with OHV activity, although human waste 

and petroleum products from concentrated use areas can be pollutants locally. Discharges of 

sediment into California’s waters that are associated with OHV activity are caused by accelerated 

soil erosion. 

Trails are linear features that concentrate runoff. When runoff concentrated on a trail flows 

directly to a watercourse or water body, the trail becomes part of the drainage network, and 

creates hydrologic connectivity. OHV trails located near watercourses and water bodies have a 

high potential for hydrologic connectivity. Consequently, watercourse crossings and OHV trails 

located near them have the greatest risk for sediment delivery from off-highway vehicle activity.

Trails can also alter natural drainage patterns by intercepting, diverting, blocking, and 

concentrating surface and subsurface flows. Proper off-highway vehicle management, including 

trail location, design, construction, and maintenance, can reduce the impact to natural hydrologic 

functions and water resources.
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12.41 Exhibit 07--Continued

BMP 4.7 - Best Management Practices for Off-Highway Vehicle Facilities and Use 

(BMPs 4.7.1 to 4.7.9)

Drainage treatments such as out-sloping, inside ditches, and crowned prisms are effective on 

roads, but are not typically effective on OHV trails. OHV trails typically occur in native soil 

material that easily erodes. This is in contrast to roads, which are constructed from deeper sub-soil 

or regolith. Roads are also typically wider, have larger cut and fill slope, a more compacted prism, 

and generally have gradients that are less steep than OHV trails. Watercourse crossings on OHV 

trails are not designed and constructed the same way watercourse crossings for roads are. Because 

of these differences, the potential for sediment delivery from OHV trails is not the same as for 

OHV routes on roads, and BMPs developed for OHV trails differ from those developed for roads.

Additional site-specific practices may be needed for water bodies listed pursuant to Clean Water 

Act section 303(d) as being impaired by sediment, siltation, or turbidity; and for key watersheds 

in the areas covered by the Northwest Forest Plan and the Sierra Nevada Framework.

Authorities 

The Travel Management Rule (36 CFR, Parts 212, 251, and 261) adopted in 2005, and the Forest 

Service Manual and Forest Service Handbook provide the framework for managing OHV use on 

NFS lands. These resources contain the mandate for the Forest Service to designate routes for 

motor vehicle use by vehicle type, and if applicable by time of year, and to identify the route 

designations and seasonal restrictions on a motor vehicle use map. 

Both the Northwest Forest Plan and the Sierra Nevada Framework incorporate Aquatic 

Conservation Strategies that encourage identification of key watersheds on NFS lands where 

protection of aquatic and riparian resources is a priority.

The Forest Service receives grant funding from the California State Parks Off-Highway Motor 

Vehicle Recreation Division grant program to help manage, operate, maintain, and develop 

OHV use on NFS lands. Where applicable, the Forest Service will use these BMPs to achieve 

the California State Parks, 2008 Soil Conservation Standard associated with receiving monies 

from the California OHV Trust fund. The soil standard specifically requires management of OHV 

activities to avoid impacts to both on-site and off-site resources, including water quality.

This Water Quality Management Handbook provides specific practices to protect and restore 

water quality while providing opportunities for OHV recreation.
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12.41 Exhibit 08

BMP 4.7.1 - Planning 

Objective: To use the travel management planning processes, including travel analysis, to 

develop measures to avoid, minimize, and mitigate adverse impacts to water, aquatic, and 

riparian resources during OHV management activities, and to identify restoration for OHVdamaged areas and trails not designated for use.

Explanation: The amount, type, and location of OHV trails are determined through various 

planning processes. OHV trail planning includes travel analysis as well as trail management at 

the project level. Planning occurs at scales that can range from forestwide assessments and plans, 

to watershed-scale analyses, to project-level trail activities. During planning, potential effects 

on water, and on aquatic and riparian resources are identified, and protection and mitigation 

measures are proposed.

Trail management objectives are developed to define the type of recreation experience each trail 

is designed to provide, and to provide direction on management of the trail. In addition to guiding 

trail management at the site-specific scale, TMOs also document Forest-wide trail maintenance 

needs and identify the potential for environmental effects and conflicts with other resources.

The risk from OHV trail management activities can be reduced by using the appropriate 

techniques from the following list, adapted as needed to local site conditions.

Implementation: 

1. Conduct travel analysis to determine the appropriate trail system for the recreational 

objective.

Plan trails to:

a. Minimize the number of stream crossings

b. Avoid locations near wetlands (for example, seeps, springs, marshes, and wet 

meadows)

c. Favor existing trails over new construction when less damage to water quality will 

occur

2. To the degree feasible, locate new construction on natural benches, flatter slopes, and 

stable soils. Avoid locating new trails on:
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12.41 Exhibit 08--Continued

BMP 4.7.1 - Planning 

a. Areas prone to mass wasting

b. Slopes steeper than 55 percent

c. Slopes steeper than 45 percent where the erosion potential is high or extreme

Limit steep pitches to less than 200 feet where possible.

3. Identify trail segments causing adverse impacts to water resources and prioritize 

mitigation measures such as:

a. Relocate existing trails or trail segments that are in high-risk locations, including 

SMZs, riparian areas, and meadows, to restore surface and subsurface hydrologic 

function

b. Reconstruct trails to improve, modify, or restore effective drainage

c. Upgrade stream crossings

d. Develop or update a trail management objective for each trail:

e. Define the recreation experience and level of difficulty the trail is designed to 

provide.

f. Identify current and future needs and uses of each authorized trail in the trail 

management objective.

g. Determine whether existing trail design standards are adequate to support the 

defined recreational experience, and whether impacts to water, aquatic, and riparian 

resources are likely to result from not following trail management objectives.

h. Identify trails that are managed differently and/or are serving purposes other than 

those identified in trail management objectives. Modify the objective to match the 

intended use and management of the trail.

i. Operate the trail as intended by the trail management objectives until they are 

revised and/or the trail is reconstructed to accommodate different uses.
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12.41 Exhibit 09

BMP 4.7.2 - Location and design

Objective: To reduce the risk that sediment originating from designated OHV trails and 

OHV areas will enter watercourses and water bodies by locating OHV trails to minimize 

hydrologic connectivity, and by incorporating drainage structures into trail design to disperse 

concentrated runoff.

Explanation: Proper on-site location and design of OHV trails are essential, particularly at stream 

crossings (see BMP 4.3).

The amount of sediment delivered to a water body from an OHV trail is affected by runoff 

concentration and hydrologic connectivity. Properly located and designed drainage structures 

disperse concentrated runoff. Typically, runoff as overland flow will not penetrate a buffer strip, 

but runoff concentrated in rills or gullies will.

1. The potential to deliver sediment originating from OHV trails and OHV areas to 

watercourses and water bodies is a function of the:

a. number, location, and design of watercourse crossings

b. volume and energy of concentrated flow leaving the trail or area

c. ability of the intervening terrain to absorb or disperse concentrated flow, including 

slope gradient and surface cover

d. distance between the trail and the receiving water body

e. inherent erodibility of the soil

The first four of these five factors determine the hydrologic connectivity between the trail and the 

watercourse or water body. Watercourses are so important in managing the effects of OHV use 

on water quality that they have a BMP of their own (BMP 4.3).

Techniques included in this BMP are intended to improve drainage and reduce or eliminate the 

hydrologic connectivity of trails and watercourses. The risk from OHV use can be managed 

by using the appropriate techniques from the following list, adapted as needed to local site 

conditions.

2. Implementation Techniques:
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12.41 Exhibit 09 -- Continued

BMP 4.7.2 - Location and design

Trail Location

a. Locate trails and drainage structures to minimize hydrologic connectivity.

b. Limit the number of watercourse crossings to those needed to meet the recreational 

objective.

c. Maximize the filter distance between the trail and the water body.

d. Locate drainage structures where dispersion or absorption of runoff is effective.

e. Avoid sensitive areas such as riparian areas, wetlands, meadows, bogs, fens, inner 

gorges, and unstable landforms.

f. Avoid the capture, diversion, and/or concentration of runoff from slopes adjacent to 

OHV trails.

g. Locate steep trail segments on well-armored locations than can sustain traffic 

without accelerated erosion.

3. Trail Design to Reduce Potential for Discharge of Pollutants to Surface Waters

a. Design and space trail drainage structures to remove storm runoff from the trail 

surface before it concentrates enough to initiate rilling.

b. Design trails to dissipate intercepted water by rolling the grade.

c. Where trails cannot be effectively drained by rolling the grade or using reverse 

grades, provide trail drainage using OHV rolling dips as specified in Rolling Dips 

for Drainage of OHV Trails, USDA-Forest Service, Pacific SW Region, January, 

2006.

d. Wherever possible, incorporate sediment basins at OHV rolling dip outlets instead 

of lead off ditches.

e. Where sediment basins cannot be installed, provide energy dissipaters at OHV 

rolling dip outlets.

f. Design trails to be no wider than necessary to provide the recreation experience 

defined in the trail management objective.
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12.41 Exhibit 09 -- Continued

BMP 4.7.2 - Location and design

g. Incorporate design elements that discourage off-route use (for example, taking 

shortcuts, cutting new lines).

h. Extend drainage outlets beyond the toe of fill or side-cast.

i. Install aggregate, paver blocks, or other surfacing treatment on tread segments that 

are steep, erodible, or heavily traveled.
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12.41 Exhibit 10 

BMP 4.7.3 - Watercourse Crossings

Objective: To prevent or minimize the discharge of sediment into water bodies when locating, 

designing, constructing, reconstructing, and maintaining watercourse crossings.

Explanation: The importance of watercourse crossings in managing the effects of OHV use on 

water quality cannot be overemphasized. Of the pollutants generated by OHV use, sediment has 

by far the greatest volume. The greatest potential for sediment delivery is at and near watercourse 

crossings where the potential for hydrologic connectivity is high. The approaches to watercourse 

crossings are typically constructed in native soils that can erode and deliver sediment to channels.

Typical OHV watercourse crossings include low-water crossings, fords, bridges, arched pipes, 

culverts, and permeable fills. Crossing materials and construction vary based on the type of trail 

and kind of use. To minimize impacts to water quality, design new crossings to provide for the 

unimpeded flow of water, bed-load, large woody debris, and aquatic organisms. Watercourse 

crossings must be constructed with minimal disturbance to the streambed and to surface and 

shallow groundwater resources.

The approaches to watercourse crossings and fill-slopes are especially important. All sediment 

resulting from erosion on these surfaces is delivered directly into the watercourse. 

Construction, reconstruction, and maintenance of watercourse crossings often require equipment 

to be in and near streams, lakes, and other aquatic habitats. Such disturbance can increase the 

potential for accelerated erosion and sedimentation by destabilizing stream banks or shorelines, 

removing vegetation and ground cover, and by exposing and compacting the soil. Permits, 

including Section 404 permits administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Section 

401 Water Quality Certifications administered by Regional Water Quality Control Boards may be 

required for in-stream work associated with stream-crossing construction and maintenance projects.

The risk of sediment delivery at watercourse crossings can be managed by using the appropriate 

techniques from the following list, adapted as needed to local site conditions. Location, 

construction, and maintenance of watercourse crossings, and assessment of watercourse crossing 

condition, require consultation with qualified personnel.

1. Implementation:

Crossing Location--
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12.41 Exhibit 10--Continued

BMP 4.7.3 - Watercourse Crossings

a. Locate new OHV trails to limit the number of watercourse crossings to those 

necessary to meet planned activity objectives (see also BMP 4.1).

b. Avoid long, steep OHV trail segments on approaches to watercourse crossings.

c. Orient stream crossings perpendicular to the channel in straight and resilient 

stream reaches. 

2. Trail Approaches to Watercourse Crossings—

a. Where possible, make crossing approaches short and level, or reverse the grade if 

possible.

b. Install cross drainage (cut-off waterbreaks) at crossings to prevent water and 

sediment from being channeled directly into watercourses.

c. Locate cut-off waterbreaks as close to the crossing as possible without being 

hydrologically connected to the watercourse.

d. Armor steep crossing approaches with stable aggregate or trail-hardening 

materials.

e. Where possible (for example, at bridges or arch culverts), reverse the grade of the 

crossing approaches so runoff drains away from the watercourse.

3. Design of Watercourse Crossings--

a. Design crossing approaches and nearby drainage structures to minimize hydrologic 

connectivity.

b. Design watercourse crossings to avoid diversion of flow down the trail should the 

crossing fail.

c. Rocked diversion potential prevention dips and rock armoring of downstream 

crossing fill will be used to minimize potential for failure of trail-stream crossings.

d. Design watercourse crossings for a 100-year storm event, to allow for 

unobstructed flow including bed-load and organic debris, and to provide for passage 

of desired aquatic and terrestrial organisms.

e. Harden crossing approaches as needed to minimize soil displacement by traffic.
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12.41 Exhibit 10--Continued

BMP 4.7.3 - Watercourse Crossings

f. Place stable materials below the outlets of cut-off waterbreaks to dissipate energy.

g. Set crossing bottoms at natural levels of channel beds.

h. Harden fords with gravel or cobble of sufficient size and depth to prevent 

movement by traffic.

i. Construct watercourse crossings to sustain bankfull dimensions of width, depth and 

slope, and to maintain streambed and bank resiliency.

j. Instead of pipe culverts, use bridges, bottomless arches, or buried pipe-arches for 

watercourses with identifiable floodplains and elevated trail prisms.

k. Cross wet areas with naturally high water tables with permeable fills, perched 

culverts, and/or culvert arrays to maintain hydrologic function.

l. Use Forest Service design specifications for bridges.

4. Construction of Watercourse Crossings--

a. Conduct construction operations during the least critical periods for water and 

aquatic resources (usually during low-water conditions and non-spawning/breeding 

seasons).

b. Disturb as little area as possible when crossing watercourses.

c. Minimize excavation of stream banks and riparian areas during construction.

d. Keep excavated materials out of channels, floodplains, wetlands, and lakes.

e. Stabilize adjacent areas disturbed during construction.
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12.41 Exhibit 11

BMP 4.7.4 - Construction, reconstruction

Objective: To prevent or minimize the discharge of sediment into water bodies during 

construction, reconstruction, and realignment of OHV trails.

Explanation: Vegetation and ground cover is removed during trail construction and 

reconstruction, exposing the surface and subsurface soil to erosion. Temporary and long-term 

erosion control measures are necessary to minimize erosion and sediment delivery. The risk 

of erosion and sediment delivery from trail construction and reconstruction activities can be 

managed by using the appropriate techniques from the following list, adapted as needed to local 

site conditions.

Implementation:

Develop and implement an erosion and sediment control plan that describes:

1. Amount of vegetative clearing and amount of soil material to be moved

2. Proposed erosion control measures to prevent soil detachment and mobilization

3. Proposed sediment control measures to capture mobilized sediment

4. Proposed sequence of implementation for erosion and sediment control treatments

Maintain erosion and sediment control measures to function effectively to prevent discharges 

of pollutants to surface waters throughout the project area during trail construction and 

reconstruction.

Keep erosion and sediment control measures sufficiently effective during ground disturbance 

to allow rapid closure and site stabilization if weather conditions deteriorate. For each project, 

specify a rainfall probability threshold (generally 30 to 50 percent, based on National Weather 

Service local forecasts) at which wet-weather sediment control measures will be installed.

Complete all necessary stabilization measures prior to predicted precipitation that could result in 

surface runoff.

Complete erosion and sediment control treatments before leaving project areas for the winter or 

rainy season.

Do not operate equipment when ground conditions could result in excessive rutting, or runoff, 

that could deliver sediment directly to watercourses or water bodies.
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12.41 Exhibit 11--Continued

BMP 4.7.4 - Construction, reconstruction

When constructing trails near SMZs, do not permit side casting of soil into the SMZ. 

Windrow slash and organic litter at the base of fill slopes to trap sediment.

Construct OHV rolling dips when soil moisture is sufficient to allow adequate compaction of 

OHV rolling dip drainage structures.

Close newly constructed trails for one season to allow consolidation of soils in treads and 

drainage structures, so treads and structures can better withstand OHV traffic.
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12.41 Exhibit 12

BMP 4.7.5 - Monitoring

Objective: To reduce the risk of sediment delivery to water, aquatic, and riparian resources by 

identifying watercourse crossings and OHV trail segments in need of maintenance, by setting 

priorities for maintenance, and by identifying OHV areas and trails that require closure and 

restoration.

Explanation: The Forest Service will schedule systematic monitoring of OHV trails, activities 

and effects to detect existing and probable impacts to water quality, aquatic and riparian 

resources. If adverse water-quality effects are occurring, or there is a potential for substantial 

adverse impacts to water quality, the Forest Service will take immediate corrective action. 

Corrective actions may include, but are not limited to:

1. Temporary or permanent erosion and sediment control treatments

2. Barriers and signing to redistribute use

3. Temporary closure of trails or areas until completion of corrective action

4. Partial or total closure and restoration of trails or areas

5. Reduction in the amount, type, or season of OHV use

Implementation:

Monitoring specific to OHV trails is included here and in chapter ### of this Water Quality 

Management Handbook.

Conduct G-Y-R Trail Condition Monitoring as described in Revised OHV Trail Monitoring Form 

(GYR Form) and Training Guide, USDA-Forest Service, Pacific SW Region, July 30, 2004, to 

identify trails and watercourse crossings in need of maintenance and to prioritize maintenance 

activities.

Evaluate all watercourse crossings rated “red” during the G-Y-R Trail Condition Monitoring in 

consultation with a qualified watershed specialist.

Schedule G-Y-R Trail Condition Monitoring so high-risk and high-maintenance trails are 

monitored annually; schedule the monitoring of stable trails less frequently, but not less than 

every 3 years.
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12.41 Exhibit 12--Continued

BMP 4.7.5 - Monitoring

Monitor a 2.percent sample of trails each year using the Trail Assessment and Condition Survey 

(TRACS) protocol.

Monitor the effectiveness of the OHV BMPs using the established the Pacific Southwest Region 

BMP effectiveness monitoring program.

During routine inspections of OHV trails and while conducting photo point monitoring, use 

a standardized form to document and report newly created unauthorized OHV use, and trail 

segments with potential water-quality impacts.

Temporarily close trails that pose immediate significant threats to water quality. As a minimum, 

install temporary erosion and sediment control treatments prior to the winter season.

Permanently close and restore trails that cannot sustain OHV use without causing adverse effects 

to the beneficial uses of water per Water Quality Management Handbook objective 2 (page 8).
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12.41 Exhibit 13

BMP 4.7.6 - Maintenance and Operations

Objective: To prevent or minimize discharges of sediment into watercourses and water bodies by 

maintaining OHV trails and associated drainage structures.

Explanation: OHV trails are linear features constructed in native soil that concentrate runoff. 

Except for occasional hardened segments, trails are not typically surfaced with aggregate. In 

addition, normal OHV traffic tends to create an outside berm along the tread. Due to the presence 

of this berm, and to gradients typically steeper than roads, runoff from trails cannot be readily 

drained by crowning or out-sloping as it can for roads. Drainage and erosion control facilities 

cease to function if they are worn down by continued traffic. These factors make periodic 

maintenance and field inspection critically important in minimizing the impacts of OHV use on 

water quality.

Trail drainage systems may further increase hydrologic connectivity if they deteriorate because 

of use, weather, or inadequate maintenance. Trail drainage facilities may become inadequate after 

wildfires or extreme precipitation events due to increased surface runoff, loss of vegetative cover, 

and stream bulking. New springs and seeps occasionally saturate trails after the occurrence of a 

wildfire or following unusually wet periods. Timely maintenance can correct these conditions.

Drainage structures constructed with mechanized equipment last longer than hand-constructed 

drainage. However, trail maintenance with mechanized equipment such as SWECO-type trail 

tractors and mini-excavators can disturb soil, making it susceptible to erosion. Less aggressive 

maintenance is often necessary to minimize disturbance of stable sites.

The construction of OHV rolling dips is from native soil material. For these structures to hold 

up under traffic they need to be well compacted. This requires moist soils and the scheduling of 

maintenance to exploit the narrow window of time when soil moisture is optimal for compaction.

Obstructions to traffic such as fallen logs and potholes can lead to trail braiding, puddles, and 

off-trail traffic. Prior to opening trails for use—or periodically for trails open year-round—

clearing trails of obstructions can reduce the need for repair and restoration. Volunteers do much 

of this work.

Trail management objectives define the designed use, type of recreation experience, and the 

level of difficulty that a trail is designed to provide. It is important to maintain trails to the 

defined maintenance rotation, designed use and level of difficulty. The deterioration of trails to a 

more challenging difficulty level due to a lack of maintenance can affect water resources. More 

challenging trails often produce more sediment.
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12.41 Exhibit 13--Continued

BMP 4.7.6 - Maintenance and Operations

The effects of trail maintenance activities on water quality are managed by using the appropriate 

techniques from the following list, adapted as needed to local site conditions.

Implementation:

1. Maintenance Planning

Develop and implement annual maintenance plans based on the results of the G-Y-R and 

TRACS trail condition surveys and other periodic inspections (see BMP 4.7.5).

Schedule maintenance to maximize the time period when soils are at optimal moisture 

levels for soil compaction. 

2. Inspection

Periodically inspect, monitor, and assess trail condition to assist in setting maintenance 

priorities (see BMP 4.7.5).

Identify the need for additional drainage structures, spot rocking, or trail hardening to 

protect and maintain water, aquatic, and riparian resources.

3. After major storm events, to the extent staffing allows, inspect potential problem trails, 

drainage structures, and runoff patterns and, as needed:

a. Clean out, repair, or reconstruct drainage structures that are not functioning

b. Clear the tread of obstructions to traffic that could lead to trail braiding or off-site 

impacts

4. Maintenance Activities

As per Regional Forester’s direction dated November 8, 2002, follow the maintenance 

standards and guidelines in A Field Evaluation of the Use of Small Trail Tractors to Maintain 

and Construct OHV Trails on National Forests in California, USDA-Forest Service Pacific 

SW Region, August 22, 2001. Specifically, these standards and guidelines are:

a. Use certified operators, or persons under their direct supervision, to operate trail 

tractors and mini-excavators.

b. Construct new trails using R-5 design standards.
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12.41 Exhibit 13--Continued

BMP 4.7.6 - Maintenance and Operations

c. Close newly constructed trails to all use for one season.

d. Construct OHV rolling dips using design standards

e. Before moving equipment in, examine trails to determine the need for maintenance 

with mechanical equipment.

f. Lift the blade and walk equipment across sections of trail that need no 

maintenance.

g. Examine drainage structures, and the tread between them, for evidence of tread 

loss before starting maintenance.

h. At failed drainage structures, determine the cause of failure before starting repairs.

i. Recycle soil collected in rolling dip outlets into rolling dip structures or back into 

the trail tread.

j. Do not blade outside berms off the trail as side-cast; work berms back into the trail 

tread.

k. Repair rills and gullies in treads with soil reclaimed from rolling dip outlets or 

from outside berms, not with soil bladed from the trail tread.

l. Blade soil sloughed from cutbanks, or from sideslopes above trails, only as needed 

to maintain a safe trail; do not undercut or blade into cutbanks.

m. Repair “stutterbumps” by ripping, blading, and compacting the trail tread when 

soil is moist (except for non-cohesive soils).

n. Move the smallest amount of soil necessary to meet the maintenance objective.

o. Defer maintenance on drainage structures, or do hand maintenance, where soil is 

too dry or too wet for compaction.

p. Maintain trail surfaces to dissipate intercepted water in a uniform manner along 

the trail by the use of OHV rolling dips. 

q. Groom trails as needed with a rock rake to keep drainage outlets open.
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12.41 Exhibit 13--Continued

BMP 4.7.6 - Maintenance and Operations

5. Operations

Restrict OHV travel to designated trails or designated motor vehicle use areas.Prior to 

opening trails for use, clear obstructions to traffic to avoid braiding.

Close trails or restrict OHV use when the potential for sediment delivery is high or during 

periods when such use would likely damage the tread or drainage features (also see BMP

4.7.7).
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12.41 Exhibit 14

BMP 4.7.7 - Wet-weather operations

Objective: To prevent or minimize the discharge of sediment into water bodies by closing OHV 

trails to traffic when soil strength is low and trail treads and drainage structures are susceptible to 

damage.

Explanation: Soil strength decreases as moisture increases. When soil strength is low, OHV 

traffic can lead to tread failure and damage to drainage structures, including OHV rolling dips. 

Damage to trail drainage structures increases the risk of sediment delivery to watercourses and 

water bodies. Soil is easily displaced when soil strength is low. Under these conditions OHV 

traffic near watercourses and on crossing approaches can result in direct delivery of sediment.

The susceptibility of OHV trails to damage when soil strength is low varies with soil type, 

amount of traffic, and type of vehicle. Each OHV area has a unique combination of soil types 

and precipitation patterns that determine the appropriate implementation techniques to minimize 

impacts to water resources during wet weather.

Implementation: To manage the potential for sediment delivery from OHV use when soils are 

wet, the Forest Service will use its authority under 36 CFR Section 261 to close designated OHV

trails and areas to vehicular travel. This must be done seasonally by a given date, or be based on 

local conditions such as precipitation, or measurements of soil trafficability. Use the following 

techniques, as appropriate for local conditions, to manage OHV trail systems under wet weather 

conditions:

1. Develop a wet-weather management plan.

2. Close trails seasonally for the months when soil moisture is typically high and 

sedimentation is likely to occur; or

3. Close trails for a core period when soil moisture is expected to be high, and extend the 

closure period as needed, based on precipitation or soil trafficability, or

4. Determine the levels of soil strength and moisture at which OHV trail damage begins 

to occur for typical traffic, and close trails when measurements of soil strength predict a 

high risk of damage to drainage structures and trail treads.

Identify benchmark locations where measurements of precipitation or soil trafficability will be 

taken to determine when trails will be closed.

Identify trails, or loops of trails, with similar conditions that can be selectively closed.

Identify and reroute or reconstruct trail segments that cause entire trail systems to be closed 

because they retain moisture longer than is typical for the trail system.
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12.41 Exhibit 15

BMP 4.7.8 - Restoration of off-highway vehicle-damaged areas

Objective: To prevent or minimize the discharge of sediment into watercourses and water bodies 

by permanently restoring OHV-damaged areas, watercourse crossings, and OHV trails no longer 

designated for use.

Explanation: Loss of surface duff, litter, and vegetation leaves soils exposed and easily eroded. 

Ruts and tracks created by OHV traffic are unnatural channels that concentrate surface runoff and 

increase its erosive power. OHV traffic can also compact soils, causing increased surface runoff.

OHV traffic in wet meadows and marshes damages the root network that stabilizes sensitive 

soils. This can cause stream incision, which lowers the water table and results in a loss of 

meadow and riparian vegetation.

OHV-damaged areas, and OHV trails no longer available for use, are identified during the route 

designation process at the forest and watershed level and during trail condition surveys and 

monitoring (see BMP 4.5). Identify additional trail segments for restoration when rerouting trails.

Restoration of OHV-damaged areas and closed trails includes activities that stabilize and restore 

the landscape to a more natural state. Treatments can range from simply scattering slash or 

raking in duff and litter, to watercourse or meadow restoration, to using heavy equipment to 

break up compaction, fill in incised trails, reshape the area to its natural contour, and install 

drainage structures. Planting native vegetation helps stabilize slopes by absorbing the impacts of 

rainfall and overland flow. 

Effective closure from OHV traffic is essential to allow restored sites to recover.

Accomplish restoration of OHV-damaged landscapes by using the appropriate techniques from 

the following list, adapted as needed to local site conditions.

1. Implementation:

Restoration of Trails and OHV-damaged Areas

When planning the restoration of OHV-damaged trails and areas, consider the following 

steps taken from Restoration of OHV-damaged Areas - A Ten-Step Checklist, USDAForest Service, Pacific SW Region, May 31, 2006:
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12.41 Exhibit 15--Continued

BMP 4.7.8 - Restoration of off-highway vehicle-damaged areas

a. Identify the source of the problem

b. Effectively close the area to OHV traffic

c. Reshape the land surface to its original contour

d. Disperse concentrated runoff

e. Prepare the seedbed

f. Planting or seeding

g. Stabilize the surface

h. Signing

i. Enforcement and monitoring

j. Remove signs and barriers

Few sites will require all ten steps. A more complete description of each step is included 

in the report. Additional information on restoring OHV-damaged areas can be found in 

Restoration of Off-Highway Degraded Landscapes (in press) USDA-Forest Service, San 

Dimas Technology and Development Center 2010.

2. Restoration of Watercourse Crossings

Restoration of watercourse crossings should be done under the direction of—or after 

consulting—a qualified watershed specialist. A permit may be required if in-channel work 

is necessary.

When restoring OHV watercourse crossings, follow these general guidelines as 

appropriate:

a. Remove all trail-hardening materials and fill, and restore the channel bottom to its 

natural gradient and width.

b. If necessary, replace hardening material in the channel with cobble similar in size 

to the native bed-load.
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12.41 Exhibit 15--Continued

BMP 4.7.8 - Restoration of off-highway vehicle-damaged areas

c. Restore crossing approaches to ensure that surface runoff does not reach the 

watercourse.

d. If necessary to divert runoff from crossing approaches, install cutoff waterbreaks 

as close to the crossing as feasible without creating hydrologic connectivity.

e. To the extent possible, reshape the streambanks to their former natural contour.

f. Stabilize and revegetate the streambanks.
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12.41 Exhibit 16

BMP 4.7.9 - Concentrated-use area management

Objective: To prevent or minimize the discharge of sediment, petroleum, and chemical products, 

or human waste into water bodies—and the contamination of groundwater by infiltration through 

soils—by planning, constructing, installing and maintaining drainage and runoff treatments at 

OHV staging areas, and by managing the risk of pollution at high-use and high-risk OHV areas.

Explanation: Petroleum products and chemicals from spills during refueling, leaking, damaged 

or overturned vehicles, and from improper disposal practices can be a source of water 

contamination. Small amounts can be absorbed by the soil and broken down, but the risk of water 

contamination is often high in concentrated use areas located near watercourses and water bodies.

Where sanitation facilities are not available or are inadequate, fecal matter and pathogens can 

enter water bodies. The risk of contamination from fecal matter and pathogens is highest in areas 

near water bodies with concentrated use. OHV staging areas sometimes constitute large areas 

with little or no infiltration capacity. Runoff from these areas is high and can transport sediment, 

nutrients, microbes, and other pollutants to any nearby watercourses or surface waters.

OHV staging areas are sometimes used for winter recreation. Snow removal from these facilities 

may adversely affect water, aquatic, and riparian resources. Plowing can physically displace 

native or engineered surfaces, damage drainage structures, or alter drainage patterns. Snow 

plowing may also remove protective soil cover such as vegetation and mulch. These changes can 

result in concentrated flow, increased erosion, and a risk of sediment delivery.

The risk of delivering sediment, petroleum and chemical products, and human pathogens to 

water bodies at concentrated use areas can be reduced by using the appropriate techniques from 

the following list, adapted as needed to local site conditions.

Implementation:

Staging Areas--

Locate new staging to avoid the potential for hydrologic connectivity with water bodies and 

watercourses.

Design OHV staging areas to accommodate the amount of use expected.

To determine necessary drainage, calculate the expected runoff using the appropriate design 

storm. 

Include any run-on from adjacent areas in the calculation. 
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12.41 Exhibit 16 -- Continued

BMP 4.7.9 - Concentrated-use area management

Armor new and existing high-use areas with protective materials appropriate for the site.

Except where the risk of groundwater contamination is high, armor with permeable pavements 

and/or integrate vegetative islands to trap and filter runoff.

Infiltrate as much of the runoff as possible in areas where the risk of groundwater contamination 

is low.

Where existing staging areas are located near watercourses or water bodies, and the potential for 

hydrologic connectivity is high, install a contour berm or trench around the perimeter to contain 

sediment and potential spills.

Provide permanent or temporary sanitation facilities as appropriate for the level of recreation use.

Adopt and implement a substance spill prevention, containment, and countermeasures (SPCC) 

plan.

Report hazardous spills and initiate appropriate clean-up action in accordance with applicable 

State and Federal laws, rules and regulations.

High Risk Areas and Events--

Develop and implement a fuel and chemical management plan (for example. SPCC, spill 

response plan, emergency response plan) for permitted special events and at locations where the 

risk of overturned vehicles is high. For example, for extreme (highly technical) 4x4 trails and 

rock-crawling areas.

Clean up and dispose of spilled materials according to specified requirements in the event permit 

and plan.

Report hazardous spills and initiate appropriate clean-up action in accordance with applicable 

State and Federal laws, rules and regulations.

Provide temporary or permanent sanitation facilities as appropriate for the level of use.

Camping Areas

Provide permanent or temporary sanitation facilities at high-use areas, especially at campsites 

and day-use areas near water bodies, watercourses, and riparian areas and meadows.
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12.41 Exhibit 16 -- Continued

BMP 4.7.9 - Concentrated-use area management

As necessary and feasible, provide sanitation facilities at commonly used camping and resting 

sites and at other areas of concentrated use.

Provide education and training on the principles of backcountry sanitation, pack-it-in and packit-out.
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12.41 Exhibit 17

BMP 4. 8 - Sanitation at Hydrants and Water Faucets within Developed Recreation 

Sites 

Objective: To maintain high water-quality standards around hydrants and faucets, which provide 

water for consumptive use in developed recreation site.

Explanation: Regulations prohibit the cleaning, or washing of any personal property, fish, 

animal, or food at a hydrant or at a water faucet not provided for that purpose. The public must 

be informed of their responsibilities concerning sanitary regulations. Acceptable designated 

cleaning areas are located away from consumptive water sources and where effluent from the 

washing operation can be disposed of properly.

Implementation: The forest officer authorized to administer developed recreation site regulations 

will inform the public of their sanitary responsibilities by posting signs on recreation site bulletin 

boards and at hydrants or faucets, by notices in newspapers, and by personal contact. Authorized 

forest officers may issue citations to violators.
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12.41 Exhibit 18

BMP 4.9 - Protection of Water Quality within Developed and Dispersed Recreation Areas 

Objective: To protect water quality by regulating the discharge and disposal of potential 

pollutants.

Explanation: This practice prohibits placing in, or near a stream, lake, or other water body, 

substances, which may degrade water quality. This includes, but is not limited to, human and 

animal waste, petroleum products, other hazardous substances, and sediment eroded from the 

site. Areas will be closed to restrict use or until the problem is mitigated.

Implementation: Encourage the public through the use of signs, pamphlets, and public contact 

to conduct their activities in a manner that will not degrade water quality. Forest officers may 

accept and act on violations observed and reported by private citizens. Forest officers may issue 

citations to violators.
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12.41 Exhibit 19

BMP 4. 10 - Location of Pack and Riding Stock Facilities and Use Areas in Wilderness, 

Primitive, and Wilderness Study Areas 

Objective: To avoid degradation of water quality from pack, riding stock facilities, and heavy-use 

areas.

Explanation: This practice directs the location of pack and riding stock facilities to locations 

away from springs, streams, lakes, wet meadows, and other surface waters where pollution 

is likely to occur. This includes large camp sites and trails repeatedly used by customers of 

commercial stock operators and other recreational uses.

Implementation: Forest Supervisors may authorize the construction and installation of simple 

temporary facilities when approved in the wilderness implementation plan, including corrals in 

connection with pack stock operation. Forest Supervisors may authorize the locations and use 

of large campsites for pack stock users and recreational users. If approved, facilities will not be 

located immediately adjacent to streams or lakes, and should generally be in place for no more 

than one season of use.

The wilderness patrol will check the temporary livestock facilities authorized by the Forest 

Supervisor for compliance with the terms of the authorization.
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12.5 - Vegetation Manipulation

Vegetation manipulation on NFS lands is conducted in the course of reforestation, brushland 

treatment for hazard reduction, brushland conversion to forest, fire or fuels treatment, forest 

health and range land improvement, and wildlife habitat improvement. The most common means 

of treatment are chemical, mechanical, burning, and biological (such as grazing). Program 

environmental impact statements covering these activities are the “Vegetation Management 

for Reforestation” and “Brushland Management” documents. Individual projects are, however, 

evaluated by an interdisciplinary team through the environmental analysis process.

The environmental analysis process is the mechanism whereby applicable Federal, State, and 

local water-quality laws are considered, as well as national, Regional, Forest, and District goals, 

objectives, management requirements, and management direction. The document specifies 

where, when, and in most cases, how management practices will be applied to meet project, 

administrative, and environmental objectives.

12.51 - Vegetation manipulation BMPs

5.1 Soil-disturbing Treatments on the Contour

5.2 Slope Limitations Mechanical Equipment Operation

5.3 Tractor Operation Limitation in Wetlands and Meadows

5.4 Revegetation of Surface-disturbed Areas

5.5 Disposal of Organic Debris

5.6 Soil Moisture Limitations for Tractor Operations

5.7 Pesticide Use Planning Process

5.8 Pesticide Application According to Label Directions and Applicable Legal Requirements

5.9 Pesticide Application Monitoring and Evaluation

5.10 Pesticide Spill Contingency Planning

5.11 Cleaning and Disposal of Pesticide Containers and Equipment

5.12 Streamside Wet Area Protection During Pesticide Spraying

5.13 Controlling Pesticide Drift During Spray Application

The following BMPs are for the control of nonpoint source pollution associated with vegetation 

manipulation activities. Each BMP was formulated based on the administrative directives that 

guide and direct the Forest Service to plan and implement vegetation management activities on 

NFS land.

The line officer on each administrative unit is responsible for fully implementing the Forest 

Service Manual, Handbooks, and directives that require water-quality protection and 

improvement during vegetation-manipulation activities. The directives provide details on methods 

to incorporate water-quality controls into each phase of the vegetation-manipulation program.
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Trained and qualified personnel will be available to assist the vegetation-manipulation work 

force to identify beneficial uses and the most recent state-of-the-art water-quality control 

methods and techniques, and to help evaluate results of BMP application.

Vegetation manipulation can involve activities such as road construction and use of heavy 

equipment. The BMPs for those types of activities are described in other sections of this text and 

are not repeated here. The appropriate BMPs for those activities must be implemented along with 

the following vegetation-manipulation BMPs.
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12.51 Exhibit 01

BMP 5.1 - Soil-disturbing Treatments on the Contour

Objective: To decrease sediment production and stream turbidity, while mechanically treating 

slopes.

Explanation: This is a preventive measure that limits surface-disturbance activities, such as, 

but not limited to, disking, seed drilling, and windrowing, to preclude water from concentrating 

by providing means of adequate infiltration and by decreasing the velocity of surface runoff so 

infiltration is enhanced. Due to mechanical limitation of the equipment, slopes greater than 30 

percent are usually not considered for this type of treatment.

Factors evaluated are slope, infiltration rate, permeability, and water-holding capacity of the 

soil. Trained and qualified personnel make field evaluations of these factorsas input to project 

planning. Implementation: Following NEPA procedures and using interdisciplinary team input, 

project planners will be responsible for formulating the appropriate contract provisions and/or 

mitigation measures for the contract, or project plans.

The project leader will be responsible for enforcing management requirements and mitigation 

measures that deal with soil-disturbing treatments through force account projects.

The contracting officer’s representative will be responsible for enforcing provisions of the 

contract.
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12.51 Exhibit 02

BMP 5.2 - Slope Limitations for Mechanical Equipment Operation

Objective: To reduce gully and sheet erosion and associated sediment production by limiting 

tractor use.

Explanation: This is a preventive measure that limits excessive surface disturbance and keeps 

surface water from concentrating. This measure facilitates making allowances for proper 

drainage of disturbed areas by limiting tractor operation to slopes where corrective measures 

such as water bars can be effectively installed.

Criteria used to determine slope restrictions are onsite evaluations of soil stability, mass stability 

and geology, climate conditions, and soil water-holding capacity. These field determinations will 

be made as part of the environmental documentation process during project planning.

Implementation: Project planners will be responsible for ensuring that appropriate tractor 

operation provisions are included in the decision and activity-controlling documents. This 

practice will be implemented on vegetation-manipulation projects where determined to be 

appropriate by the interdisciplinary team.

The project leader will be responsible for applying management requirements and mitigation 

measures on site-specific areas, with the assistance of selected interdisciplinary team members.

The contracting officer’s representative will be responsible for ensuring implementation of the 

contract provisions that pertain to tractor operation on steep slopes.
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12.51 Exhibit 03

BMP 5.3 - Tractor Operation Limitation in Wetlands and Meadows

Objective: To limit turbidity and sediment production resulting from compaction, rutting, runoff 

concentration, and subsequent erosion by excluding the use of mechanical equipment in wetland 

and meadows except for the purpose of restoring wetland and meadow function.

Explanation: This is a preventative practice designed to preclude the concentration of surface 

runoff and soil compaction, which can lead to rill and gully erosion with associated turbidity 

and sedimentation. This measure precludes, or reduces the need to take corrective measures to 

dissipate concentrated surface water runoff.

Target areas will be protected from mechanical operations except when trained and qualified 

interdisciplinary team personnel identify the areas for treatment. Specific protection measures will 

be established for each area that could incur adverse water-quality impacts (see also BMP 1.18).

Implementation: The application of this BMP will be mandatory on all vegetation-manipulation 

projects as prescribed in the environmental documentation.

Project planners will be responsible for including appropriate contract specifications and 

identifying management requirements and mitigation measures in the project decision and 

implementation documents.

The project leader will be responsible for identifying wet area and meadows not previously 

identified by the project planner during the implementation of Forest Service force account 

projects. The project leader will also be responsible for following project management 

requirements pertaining to wet areas and meadows.

On contracted projects, the contracting officer’s representative will be responsible for identifying 

additional wet areas and meadows not previously identified by the project planners.
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12.51 Exhibit 04

BMP 5.4 - Revegetation of Surface-disturbed Areas

Objective: To protect water quality by minimizing soil erosion through the stabilizing influence 

of vegetation foliage and root network.

Explanation: This is a corrective practice to stabilize an otherwise unstable soil surface during 

vegetation-manipulation projects. The plant species selected will be a mix best suited for 

site conditions and attainment of multiple management objectives for the area. Native plant 

species will be used to the fullest extent feasible. Soil amendments and irrigation, along 

with application of mulch with tackifier, jute netting, or other supplement treatments may be 

necessary to ensure revegetation.

Grass or browse species will be seeded between previously planted trees where deemed 

appropriate for control of overland runoff, and to meet wildlife needs. The onsite factors 

evaluated include soil productivity, topography, EHR, soil water-holding capacity, target species, 

environmentally associated species, and climatic variables. Evaluation includes the collection of 

onsite data, and office interpretation by the interdisciplinary team (see also BMP 1.15).

Implementation: During the environmental documentation process, trained and qualified employees 

will assess the need for treatment, and prescribe the vegetative species mix for each project.

The project leader will implement the BMP on the project, under supervision of the responsible 

line officer.
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12.51 Exhibit 05

BMP 5.5 - Disposal of Organic Debris

Objective: To prevent gully and surface erosion with associated reduction in sediment production 

and turbidity during and after treatment.

Explanation: This is a preventive practice to reduce excessive volumes and velocities of overland 

flow, promote infiltration, and prevent wildfires from consuming excessive amounts of surface 

and soil organic matter and creating hydrophobic soil conditions.

The interdisciplinary team will identify project controls and mitigation measures after evaluating 

such onsite factors as soil water-holding capacity, EHR, slope and topographic limitations, 

the quantity of debris: density and ratio of rearranged debris, residual ground cover density 

objectives, climatic variables, and the probability of creating water-repellant soils.

Implementation: The District Ranger will be responsible for debris treatment following timber 

sales and other projects such as chaparral manipulation.

Project planners will be responsible for determining the method(s) of debris disposal and/

or placement of debris after treatment. Methods of disposal include, but are not limited to: 

prescribed burning, chipping and mulching, lop and scatter, and mechanical harvesting and 

collection.

The contracting officer’s representative will be responsible for enforcing the contract clauses that 

provide for debris disposal in contracted projects.

The project leader will implement the water-quality protection measures either through the 

contract provisions, or by use of force account crews.
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12.51 Exhibit 06

BMP 5.6 - Soil Moisture Limitations for Mechanical Equipment Operations

Objective: To prevent compaction, rutting, and gullying, with resultant sediment production and 

turbidity.

Explanation: This is a preventive practice that reduces surface disturbance during wet soil 

conditions, which would result in compaction, rutting, and gullying. Soil moisture guidelines will 

be developed for each site, based on the characteristics of the soil. 

The project should then be conducted as guided by soil erodibility, climate factors, soil and water 

relationships, and mass stability hazards identified by trained and qualified earth scientists (see 

also BMP 1.5).

Implementation: Soil conditions will be evaluated during the environmental documentation 

process and the interdisciplinary team will develop operating limitations as the alternatives 

are formulated. Project planners will also be responsible for including appropriate contract 

provisions and management requirements in project work plans and environmental 

documentation.

For force account projects, the project leader will be responsible for determining when the soil 

surface is unstable and susceptible to damage, and for terminating operations.

The contracting officer’s representative will determine when optimum soil conditions exist, and 

administer the operation to prevent adverse soil effects, in addition to suspending, or terminating 

operations for contracted projects as soil moisture conditions warrant.
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12.51 Exhibit 07

BMP 5.7 - Pesticide Use Planning Process

Objective: To introduce water quality and hydrologic considerations into the pesticide use 

planning process.

Explanation: The pesticide use planning process is the framework for incorporating waterquality protection requirements contained in BMPs 5.8 through 5.14 into project design and 

management. The project environmental document will incorporate these considerations in 

discussion of environmental effects and mitigation measures.

Implementation: The interdisciplinary team will evaluate the project in terms of site response, 

social and environmental impacts, and the intensity of monitoring needed.

The responsible line officer will prepare environmental documentation, project plan, and the 

safety plan. Project plans and safety plans will specify management direction.

Approval for proposed pesticide projects will proceed according to direction established in 

Pacific Southwest Region supplement No. 2100-95.1 to 2150.
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12.51 Exhibit 08

BMP 5.8 - Pesticide Application According to Label Directions 

and Applicable Legal Requirements

Objective: To avoid water contamination by complying with all label instructions and restrictions 

for use. 

Explanation: Directions on the label of each pesticide are detailed and specific, and include legal 

requirements for use.

Implementation: Constraints identified on the label and other legal requirements of application 

must be incorporated into project plans and contracts.

For force account projects, the Forest Service project supervisor (who will have a Qualified 

Applicator Certificate) is responsible for ensuring that label directions and other applicable legal 

requirements are followed.

For contracted projects, the contracting officer, or the contracting officer’s representative will 

be responsible for ensuring that label directions and other applicable legal requirements are 

followed.
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12.51 Exhibit 09

BMP 5.9 - Pesticide Application Monitoring and Evaluation

1. Objective: 

a. To determine whether pesticides have been applied safely, were restricted to 

intended target areas, and have not resulted in unexpected non-target effects.

b. To document and provide early warning of hazardous conditions resulting from 

possible pesticide contamination of water or other non-target areas.

c. To determine the extent, severity, and duration of any potential hazard that might 

exist.

Explanation: This practice documents the accuracy of application, amount applied, and any 

water-quality effects so as to reduce, or eliminate hazards to non-target species. Monitoring 

methods include spray cards, dye tracing (fluorometry), and direct measurement of particles in, or 

near water. Type of pesticide, type of equipment, application difficulty, public concern, beneficial 

uses, monitoring difficulty, availability of laboratory analysis, and applicable Federal, State, and 

local laws and regulations are all factors considered when developing the monitoring plan.

Implementation: The need for a monitoring plan will be identified during the pesticide use 

planning process as part of the project environmental evaluation and documentation.

2. The water-quality monitoring plan will specify:

a. Who will be involved and their roles and responsibilities;

b. What parameters will be monitored and analyzed;

c. When and where monitoring will take place;

d. What methodologies will be used for sampling and analysis, and the rationale 

behind each of the preceding specifications.

A water-quality specialist and the project leader will evaluate and interpret the water-quality 

monitoring results in terms of compliance with and adequacy of project specifications.
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12.51 Exhibit 10

BMP 5.10 - Pesticide Spill Contingency Planning

Objective: To reduce contamination of water by accidental pesticide spills.

Explanation: This is a preventative and corrective practice. The pesticide spill contingency 

plan prepared by each forest consists of predetermined actions to be implemented in the event 

of a pesticide spill. The plan lists who will notify whom and how, time requirements for the 

notification, guidelines for spill containment, and who will be responsible for cleanup.

Site-specific planning will be included in the project safety plan.

Implementation: Pesticide spill contingency planning will be incorporated into the project 

safety plan.

The site-specific environmental evaluation and resulting documentation will include public and 

other agency involvement in plan preparation. The plan will list the responsible authorities.
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12.51 Exhibit 11

BMP 5.11 - Cleaning and Disposal of Pesticide Containers and Equipment

Objective: To prevent water contamination resulting from cleaning, or disposal of pesticide 

containers.

Explanation: The cleaning and disposal of pesticide containers must be done in accordance 

with Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and directives. Specific procedures for the 

cleaning and disposal of pesticide containers are documented in the Forest Service Pesticide Use 

Management and Coordination Handbook (FSH 2109.114), and State and local laws.

Implementation: The forest, or district Pesticide Use Coordinator (Qualified Applicator) will 

approve proper rinsing procedures in accordance with State and local laws and regulations, and 

arrange for disposal of pesticide containers when Forest Service personnel apply the pesticide.

When a contractor applies the pesticide, the contractor will be responsible for proper container 

rinsing and disposal in accordance with label directions and Federal, State, and local laws.
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12.51 Exhibit 12

BMP 5.12 - Streamside Wet Area Protection during Pesticide Spraying

Objective: To minimize the risk of pesticides inadvertently entering waters, or unintentionally 

altering the riparian area, SMZ, or wetland.

Explanation: When spraying pesticides for the purpose of meeting non-riparian area land 

management objectives, an untreated strip of land and vegetation will be left alongside 

surface waters, wetlands, riparian areas, or SMZ. The interdisciplinary team will establish 

strip width and, when county permits are required, in consultation with the county agricultural 

commissioner. When spraying pesticides for purposes of meeting riparian-area land management 

objectives, localized buffers around target species will be established and only hand application 

will be used.

Factors considered in establishing buffer strip widths are beneficial water uses, adjacent land 

uses, rainfall, wind speed, wind direction, terrain, slope, soils, and geology. The persistence, 

mobility, acute toxicity, bio-accumulation, and formulation of the pesticide are also considered. 

Equipment used, spray pattern, droplet size, and application height and past experience are other 

important factors.

Implementation: The interdisciplinary team will identify the perennial and intermittent surface 

waters, wetlands, riparian areas, and SMZ from onsite observation, and map them during project 

planning.

When included as part of the environmental evaluation and documentation, the project 

work plan, the protection of surface waters, wetlands, riparian areas, or the SMZ will be 

the responsibility of the project supervisor for force account projects, and the COR will be 

responsible on contracted projects.

The certified applicators must be briefed about the location of surface waters, wetlands, riparian 

areas, or SMZ. Buffer strip boundaries will be flagged, or otherwise marked, when necessary, to 

aid identification from the air.
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12.51 Exhibit 13

BMP 5.13 - Controlling Pesticide Drift during Spray Application

Objective: To minimize the risk of pesticide falling directly into water, or non-target areas.

Explanation: The spray application of pesticide is accomplished according to prescription which 

accounts for terrain and specifies the following: spray exclusion areas; buffer areas; and factors 

such as formulation, equipment, droplet size, spray height, application pattern, and flow rate; and 

the limiting factors of wind speed and direction, temperature, and relative humidity.

Implementation: An interdisciplinary team will prepare the prescription, working with the Forest 

or District Pesticide Use Coordinator during project planning.

For force account projects, the Forest Service project supervisor will be responsible for ensuring 

that the prescription is followed during application and for closing down application when 

specifications are exceeded.

On contracted projects, the contracting officer, or the contracting officer’s representative will be 

responsible for ensuring that the prescription is followed during application and for closing down 

application when specifications are exceeded.
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12.6 - Fire Suppression and Fuels Management

Emergency fire suppression rehabilitation activities on NFS lands are conducted to reduce 

erosion and the loss of soil productivity, degradation of water quality, and threats to life 

and property both onsite, and off site. Suppression activities include fireline construction, 

construction of temporary access roads, back-firing operations, and aerial or ground application 

of short-term and long-term fire retardants.

Water quality objectives are weighed along with the need for rapid suppression during the 

development of fire attack plans. Objectives of the fire-suppression program are to preclude 

catastrophic watershed damage and rehabilitate suppression-related damage.

An interdisciplinary team will conduct a burned area rehabilitation survey on all fires 

exceeding 300 acres to assess actual fire damages. The District Ranger may request that an 

interdisciplinary team perform a survey for smaller fires where significant resource damage has, 

or could occur.

An emergency rehabilitation proposal must be submitted to the Regional Office, Ecosystem 

Conservation Staff for approval and funding, no later than 3 days after the fire is controlled. 

Rehabilitation work is accomplished both by the Forest Service force account crews and 

through contracts.

Fuels management activities are intended to reduce the size, cost, and damage from wildfire. Fuel 

biomass is altered by changing fuel type, creating fuel breaks, or by reducing or altering fuels 

over extensive areas.

Fuels management is also concerned with controlling dead biomass such as cull logs and slash. 

These materials will be rearranged, removed, or burned to reduce fuel loading.

12.61 - Fire Suppression and Fuels Management BMPs

6.1 Fire and Fuels Management Activities

6.2 Consideration of Water Quality in Formulating Fire prescriptions

6.3 Protection of Water Quality from Prescribed Burning Effects

6.4 Minimizing Watershed Damage from Fire-suppression Efforts

6.5 Repair or Stabilization of Fire-suppression-related Watershed Damage

6.6 Emergency Rehabilitation of Watersheds Following Wildfires

The following BMPs are for the control of nonpoint source pollution associated with fire 

suppression and fuels management activities. Each BMP is based on the administrative directives 

that guide and direct the Forest Service permitting and administering fire suppression and fuels 

management activities on NFS land.
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The line officer on each administrative subunit is responsible for fully implementing the 

directives that require water-quality protection and improvement during fire suppression and 

fuels management activities. The directives provide details on methods and techniques to 

effectively incorporate water-quality controls into each phase of the fire suppression and fuels 

management program.

Trained and qualified earth scientists, and other professional employees, are available to assist 

the fire suppression and fuels management work force identify beneficial uses and the most 

recent state-of-the-art water-quality control methods and techniques, and to help evaluate results.
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12.61 Exhibit 01

BMP 6.1 - Fire and Fuels Management Activities

Objective: To reduce public and private losses and environmental impacts which result from 

wildfires and/or subsequent flooding and erosion by reducing or managing the frequency, 

intensity, and extent of wildfire.

Explanation: These administrative, corrective, and preventive measures include the use of 

prescribed fire or mechanical methods to achieve:

1. Defensive fuel profile zones,

2. Type conversions,

3. Greenbelt establishment to separate urban areas from wildlands,

4. Fuel reduction units,

5. Access roads and trails for rapid ingress and egress,

5. Fire-suppression activities,

7. Fuel utilization and modification programs, and

8. Public information and education programs.

Implementation: Fuel management will be implemented through normal program planning and 

budgeting and NEPA processes, predominantly, but not exclusively, by personnel in the Forest 

Service fire management organization.

Other resource managers, such as timber, range; watershed, and wildlife may initiate fuelmodification projects that also benefit fire management. Fuel-management projects will be 

evaluated by the interdisciplinary team. Management requirements, mitigation measures, and 

multiple resource-protection prescriptions are documented in the project-specific decision and 

implementation documents.

The project planners and supervisor are responsible for applying mitigation measures and 

prescriptions.
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12.61 Exhibit 02

BMP 6.2 - Consideration of Water Quality in Formulating Fire Prescriptions

Objective: To provide for water-quality protection while achieving the management objectives 

through the use of prescribed fire. 

Explanation: Prescription elements will include, but not be limited to, such factors as fire 

weather, slope, aspect, soil moisture, and fuel moisture. These elements influence the fire 

intensity and thus have a direct effect on whether a desired ground cover remains after burning, 

and whether a water-repellent layer is formed. The prescription will include at the watershedand subwatershed-scale the optimum and maximum burn block size, aggregate burned area, 

acceptable disturbance for contiguous and aggregate length for the riparian/SMZ; and expected 

fire return intervals and maximum expected area covered by water-repellant soils.

Implementation: Field investigations will be conducted as required to identify site-specific 

conditions, which may affect the prescription. Both the optimum and allowable limits for the 

burn to ensure water-quality protection will be established prior to preparation of the burn plan. 

An interdisciplinary team will assess the prescription elements and the optimum and maximum 

acceptable disturbance, and the fire management officer or fuel management specialist will 

prepare the fire prescription. The fire prescription will be reviewed by the interdisciplinary team 

and approved by the appropriate line officer.
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12.61 Exhibit 03

BMP 6.3 - Protection of Water Quality from Prescribed Burning Effects

Objective: To maintain soil productivity; minimize erosion; and minimize ash, sediment, 

nutrients, and debris from entering water bodies.

Explanation: Some of the techniques used to prevent water-quality degradation are:

1. Constructing water bars in fire lines,

2. Reducing fuel loading in drainage channels,

3. Maintaining the integrity of the SMZ within the limits of the burn plan,

4. Planning prescribed fires for burn intensities so that when water-repellant soils are 

formed, they are within the limits and at locations described in the burn plan, and

5. Retaining or re-establishing ground cover as needed to keep erosion of the burned site 

within the limits of the burn plan.

Implementation: Forest Service and other crews will be used to prepare the units for burning. 

This will include, but not be limited to, water barring firelines, reducing fuel concentrations, and 

moving fuel to designated disposal and burning areas.

The interdisciplinary team will identify the SMZ and soils with high risk of becoming waterrepellant as part of project planning.
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12.61 Exhibit 04

BMP 6.4 - Minimizing Watershed Damage from Fire-suppression Efforts

Objective: To avoid watershed damage in excess of that already caused by the wildfire.

Explanation: Avoid heavy equipment operation on fragile soils and steep slopes whenever 

possible.

Major project fires will utilize a Resource Advisor to assist the Incident Commander in protecting 

resource values during the suppression effort. National fire management policies provide in part 

that a wildland fire situation analysis will be prepared for all fires where containment of the fire 

is not expected prior to the second burning period. The analysis will be prepared by a line officer 

with Incident Management Team input. Watershed considerations must be part of the analysis.

Implementation: A Resource Advisor will be assigned by the Forest Supervisor and work for the 

Incident Management Team, specifically for the Planning Section chief.

An earth scientist will be available to identify fragile soils and unstable areas, and will be 

assigned to the fire as a Resource Advisor.
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12.61 Exhibit 05

BMP 6.5 - Repair or Stabilization of Fire-suppression-related Watershed Damage

Objective: To stabilize all areas that have had their erosion potential significantly increased, or 

their drainage pattern altered by suppression-related activities.

Explanation: Treatments for fire-suppression damages include, but are not limited to, installing 

water bars and other drainage diversions in fire roads, firelines, and other cleared areas; seeding, 

planting and fertilizing to provide vegetative cover; spreading slash, or mulch to protect bare 

soil; repairing damaged road drainage facilities; clearing stream channels or structures and 

removing debris deposited by suppression activities which can have adverse life, property, and 

environmental impacts.

Implementation: This work will be done by the fire fighting forces either as a part of the 

suppression effort, or before personnel and equipment are released from the fire lines. The 

incident commander will be responsible, under the direction of the local line officer, for repair of 

suppression-related resource damage.
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12.61 Exhibit 06

BMP 6.6 - Emergency Rehabilitation of Watersheds Following Wildfires

1. Objective: To minimize as far as practicable:

a. Loss of soil and onsite productivity;

b. Overland flow, channel obstruction, and instability; and

c. Threats to life and property, both on-site and off-site.

Explanation: Emergency rehabilitation is a corrective measure that involves a variety of 

treatments. 

2. Treatments may include, but are not limited to:

a. Providing a protective soil cover, prior to the rainy season, such as seeding, 

mulching, or installing log erosion barriers;

b. Installing log or straw bale check dams;

c. Clearing hazardous debris from stream channels; and

d. Constructing trash racks, channel-stabilization structures, and debris-retention 

structures.

Treatments are selected on the basis of onsite values, downstream values, probability of 

successful implementation, social, and environmental considerations, and cost as compared to 

benefits.

Implementation: Burned-area surveys will be made promptly on all burned over areas to 

determine if watershed emergency rehabilitation treatment is needed. Burned-area surveys of 

all class E (300 acres) and larger fires will be conducted by an interdisciplinary team. Team 

members normally include a hydrologist, a soil scientist, and representatives of other disciplines, 

as needed.

The burned-area survey and proposed rehabilitation treatment measures will be transmitted 

to the Regional Office, within 3 days of control of the fire for approval. Upon approval of 

the rehabilitation project, a project supervisor and restoration team will begin work with the 

objective of project completion before damaging storms occur.
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12.61 Exhibit 06--Continued

BMP 6.6 - Emergency Rehabilitation of Watersheds Following Wildfires

Rehabilitation projects will be evaluated following major storms and runoff events, and at least 

annually until the watershed is stabilized. The evaluation will determine the effectiveness of the 

rehabilitation measures and indicate if follow-up actions are warranted.
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12.7 - Watershed Management

Watershed management is the art and science of protecting, maintaining, and enhancing soil, 

water, and geologic resources.

Management is oriented toward maintaining, or improving watershed conditions for optimum 

water yield and timing, water quality, and soil productivity. It also includes the rehabilitation 

and restoration of NFS lands damaged by catastrophic events (for example, fire, flood, or 

earthquake), or degraded by past use.

12.71 - Watershed management BMPs

7.1 Watershed Restoration

7.2 Conduct Floodplain Hazard Analysis and Evaluation

7.3 Protection of Wetlands

7.4 Forest Hazardous Substance Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures Plan

7.5 Control of Activities under Special Use Permit

7.6 Water Quality Monitoring

7.7 Management by Closure to Use (Seasonal, Temporary, and Permanent)

7.8 Cumulative Off-site Watershed Effects

The following BMPs are for the control of nonpoint source pollution associated with watershed 

management activities. Each BMP is based on administrative directives that guide and direct the 

Forest Service management of the watershed resources on NFS lands.

The line officer on each administrative subunit is responsible for fully implementing the 

directives that require water-quality protection and improvement during watershed management 

activities. The directives provide details on methods and techniques to incorporate water-quality 

controls into each phase of the watershed management program.

Trained and qualified earth scientists and other professional employees are available to provide 

technical assistance and identify beneficial uses, the most recent state-of-the-art water-quality 

control methods and techniques, and help evaluate results.

The full implementation of BMPs in watershed management activities may require the 

application of other BMPs as well as those listed in this section. The BMPs listed in this section 

may also be applicable to many other resource management activities. Coordination of these 

BMPs with other resource issues and concerns is an essential part of project planning.
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12.71 Exhibit 01

BMP 7.1 - Watershed Restoration

Objective: To repair degraded watershed conditions, and improve water quality and soil stability.

Explanation: Watershed restoration is a corrective measure to:

1. Improve ground cover density;

2. Improve infiltration;

3. Prevent excessive overland runoff and conserve the soil resource;

4. Stabilize stream banks and stream channels;

5. Improve soil productivity;

6. Reduce flood occurrence and flood damage;

7. Enhance economic, social and/or aesthetic values of the watershed; and

8. Improve overall watershed function.

The following factors will be considered during development of restoration projects: predicted 

changes in water quality and any direct or indirect impacts on the beneficial uses of water, 

downstream values, site productivity, and threats to life and property. 

Watershed restoration measures will reflect the state-of-the-art and must be chosen to custom 

fit the unique hydrological, physical, biological, and climatic characteristics of each watershed. 

Examples of watershed-restoration measures are check dam installation, streambank and channel 

stabilization structures, soil scarification, and seeding and planting.

Implementation: This management practice is implemented through the development of a 

Watershed Improvement Needs (WIN) inventory, identification of projects, preparation and 

approval of restoration plans and related environmental documentation, and the funding and 

implementation of the restoration actions.

The Forest Supervisor ensures that a WIN inventory is completed and identified restoration 

projects prioritized (the current USFS data base for documenting watershed improvement 

projects is the USFS NRM WIT data base)..
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12.71 Exhibit 01--Continued

BMP 7.1 - Watershed Restoration

Planning will be through an interdisciplinary team effort. Multifunctional funding of projects will 

be pursued where improvement of watershed conditions will benefit multiple resource areas and/

or where causal actions of deteriorated conditions can be identified.

The actual work will be done by force account or through contract. Effectiveness of the restoration 

measures used will be monitored by project proponents. Physical, hydrological, biological, or 

aquatic indicators of deteriorated conditions will be the focus of the monitoring effort.
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12.71 Exhibit 02

BMP 7.2 - Conduct Floodplain Hazard Analysis and Evaluation

Objective: To avoid, where possible, the long- and short-term adverse impacts to water quality 

associated with the occupancy and modification of floodplains.

Explanation: Floodplain analysis and evaluation are part of the environmental documentation 

process. Analysis must be performed prior to acquisition or exchange of land within floodplains 

and when sites within floodplains are being considered for structures or developments.

Environmental quality, ecological effects, and individual safety and health must be considered as 

well as flood frequencies, watershed conditions, climatic and environmental factors associated 

with past flood events, flood flow quantities and specific flood boundaries.

1. Implementation: The Regional Forester will be responsible for ensuring consideration 

of floodplain hazards and values in all NEPA environmental analysis.

a. Ensure that flood hazards, floodplain and wetland values, and all alternatives that 

affect floodplain or that involves new construction in wetlands are fully considered in 

the Forest Service planning and decision-making process.

b. Coordinate activities and interchange of floodplain and wetlands information with 

other concerned Federal and State agencies.

c. Ensure that cooperative technical and financial assistance programs include an 

evaluation of floodplain and wetland values.

d. Ensure that all documents conveying interest in or authorizing use of floodplains 

and wetlands on NFS lands contain disclosure of and/or restrictions as warranted 

which will reduce the risk of loss and preserve the national and beneficial values 

served by floodplains and wetlands.

2. The Forest Supervisor, through use of earth scientists, will:

a. Analyze proposed actions affecting floodplains or involving new construction in 

wetlands to access the specific flood hazards, quantify floodplain or wetland values 

of the areas; determine the impacts of the proposal on those hazards and values; 

formulate and evaluate land and resource management options; develop practicable 

alternative actions or locations for evaluation and decision making.

b. In actions where an alternative affecting the floodplain or new construction in a 

wetland is not practicable, modify plans, activities, and designs to minimize impacts 
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12.71 Exhibit 02 -- Continued

BMP 7.2 - Conduct Floodplain Hazard Analysis and Evaluation

of the action and mitigate its effects on the national and beneficial values of the 

floodplain or wetland. 

c. Ensure that all practicable and necessary mitigation measures are incorporated in 

specifications for the proposed action, and that the implementation of the selected 

action is accomplished in a manner that to the extent practicable restores and 

preserves the 

d. natural and beneficial values served by the floodplains and preserves and enhances 

the natural and beneficial values of wetlands.

e. Require flood hazard and wetland evaluations prior to issuing licenses, permits, 

loans, or grants-in-aid. Provide assistance to applicants in obtaining help to make 

such evaluations in their proposals.

f. Ensure that design, construction or rehabilitation of Forest Service real property 

is in accordance with standards and criteria outlined in the National Flood Insurance 

Program (42 U.S.C. 4001 and following) using flood-proofing measures and structural 

elevation where practicable.

g. Provide for the placement of appropriate signs to enhance public awareness and 

knowledge of flood hazards.

h. Establish specific management standards and guidelines for floodplains and 

wetlands as part of forest planning actions.

i. Cooperate with State and county governments in developing and implementing 

appropriate early flood warning and evacuation plans.
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12.71 Exhibit 03

BMP 7.3 - Protection of Wetlands

Objective: To avoid adverse water-quality impacts associated with destruction, disturbance, or 

modification of wetlands.

Explanation: The Forest Service will not permit the implementation of activities and new 

construction in wetlands when there is a practical alternative. Factors relevant to the effect of 

the proposal on the survival and quality of the wetlands will be considered when evaluating 

proposed actions in wetlands. Factors to be evaluated include, but are not limited to, water 

supply, water quality, recharge areas, functioning of the wetland during flood and storm events, 

flora and fauna, habitat diversity and stability, and hydrologic function of riparian areas.

Implementation: The Regional Forester will be responsible for ensuring that wetland values are 

considered and documented as an integral part of all planning processes.

The Forest Supervisor, through the use of earth scientists, will determine whether proposed 

actions will be located in wetlands and, if so, whether there is a viable alternative. Replacement 

in kind of lost wetlands should be evaluated to apply a “no net loss” perspective to wetland 

preservation. During project planning, the Forest Supervisor will establish communications 

with other agencies legislatively responsible for protecting wetlands, Corps of Engineers and 

EPA at the minimum, to ensure that local requirements are identified and incorporated into the 

project plan.

The Forest Supervisor must ensure that all mitigating measures are incorporated into project 

plans and designs, and that the actions maintain the hydrologic and biologic function of the 

wetlands. All potentially impacted wetlands will be identified on maps as part of project 

development.

Identification and mapping of wetlands will be a part of the LRMP data inventory process.
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12.71 Exhibit 04

BMP 7.4 - Forest and Hazardous Substance Spill Prevention Control 

and Countermeasure Plan

Objective: To prevent contamination of waters from accidental spills.

Explanation: This is a preventive and corrective practice. The forest substance spill prevention 

control and countermeasure (SPCC) plan is a document designed to guide the emergency 

response to spills, or discovery of hazardous materials (HazMat) within the boundaries of 

each national forest. Spills are defined as either an intentional or accidental release, known or 

unknown substance; or the incidental discovery of a known or unknown substance. Each forest 

SPCC Plan must be compatible with appropriate county SPCC Plans that also guide emergency 

responses to spills and discoveries of HazMat. Forest SPCC Plans are prepared according to 

references and county SPCC Plans are prepared according to State guidelines.

The composite of forest and county SPCC Plans provide a process to coordinate the various 

local, State and Federal agencies that have emergency response capabilities, into a unified force 

that can effectively react to actual or threatened releases or HazMat within the forest boundary. 

Factors considered for each spill include, but are not limited to, the specific substance spilled, the 

quantity, its toxicity, proximity of the spill to waters, and the hazard to life and property.

An SPCC Plan must be prepared if the total oil products on site in above-ground storage 

exceed 1,320 gallons, or if a single container exceeds a capacity of 660 gallons. Other HazMat 

(pesticides, raw sewage, road oils) also have specific criteria that determine when a SPCC Plan 

must be prepared and implemented.

Implementation: Each Forest Supervisor will be responsible for designating emergency spill 

response coordinators and documenting names with telephone numbers of agencies to call 

regarding response to emergency incidents. Individual forests should maintain an inventory 

of materials to use during the emergency response phase of HazMat within their capability. 

Disposal methods and sites must be coordinated with EPA, State, and local officials responsible 

for safe disposal.

All forests will maintain a SPCC plan, which meets the criteria of the referenced directives 

in Section 13, and require appropriate special use permittees, timber sale operators, other 

contractors, and forest users to develop companion SPCC Plans before operating within 

the national forest boundary. Forest SPCC Plans and forest users’ SPCC Plans must be 

approved by the Forest Supervisor. Timber sale SPCC Plans must be approved by a licensed 

professional engineer.
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12.71 Exhibit 05

BMP 7.5 - Control of Activities under Special Use Permit

Objective: To protect surface and subsurface water quality from physical, chemical, and 

biological pollutants resulting from activities that are under special use permit.

Explanation: Some activities and uses by others take place on NFS lands, which are not directly 

related to Forest Service management activities (for example, electronic sites; highway, road, and 

railroad rights-of-way; waste water treatment and disposal; and power transmission lines).

There are also uses by others on NFS land, which are related to NFS management activities. 

(Examples of these types of uses are organization camps, recreation residence tracts, and ski 

areas.) Both the related and non-related uses of NFS lands by others are administered through 

permits issued by the Forest Service to public or private agencies, a group, or an individual.

Activities on lands withdrawn under authority of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 

(FERC) will be exempt from Forest Service administrative control through the NFS permit 

system. When a FERC permit is issued, or renewed, the Forest Service makes a complete study 

of water quality and quantity needs, and provides FERC with recommended requirements and 

mitigation measures under which the permittee should operate to protect natural resources.

Implementation: The Forest Service official responsible for permit issuance and administration 

will include in the special use permit under which the permittee must operate, details of the 

conditions that must be met including management requirements and mitigation measures 

necessary to protect water quality. The permittee will be required to conform to all applicable 

State and local regulations governing water quality and sanitation. 

State water quality law may require that the permittee obtain a waste discharge requirement from 

a RWQCB. Failure on the part of the permittee to meet the conditions of the special use permit 

may result in the permit being revoked.
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12.71 Exhibit 06

BMP 7.6 - Water Quality Monitoring

Objective: To collect representative water data to determine base line conditions for 

comparison to established water-quality standards that are related to beneficial uses for that 

particular watershed.

Explanation: Water quality monitoring is a mechanism which evaluates the implementation and 

effectiveness of a management prescription in protecting water quality (beneficial uses identified 

in the environmental analysis.) A water quality monitoring plan will be part of an environmental 

document, a management plan, or a special use permit, or it will be developed in response to 

other needs.

Implementation: A water quality monitoring plan will be written, or reviewed by a hydrologist and 

will be implemented by the hydrologist, or by other qualified forest personnel. The actual analysis 

of the data will be performed by the hydrologist, State-certified laboratory, or other trained forest 

personnel, or combinations of these as appropriate. (See also BMP 4.2 and BMP 4.3.)

Interpretation of the data and any reporting will be accomplished by the hydrologist, or trained 

personnel. The EPA STORET system will be used for computer storage of all data collected.
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12.71 Exhibit 07

BMP 7.7 - Management by Closure to Use (Seasonal, Temporary, and Permanent)

Objective: To exclude activities that could result in damages to either resources or improvements, 

such as roads and trails, resulting in impaired water quality.

Explanation: A watershed may be in such a sensitive condition that any use during a given 

portion of the year, usually the rainy season, could result in soil and/or land stability problems 

and associated adverse effects to water quality. In other cases, water quality may already be 

impaired, and improvement may not be considered practical without substantially reducing or 

eliminating further use.

These conditions could have resulted from past land use or natural disasters. Closure to use will 

be used when the condition of the watershed must be protected to preclude adverse water-quality 

effects. (See also BMP 1.5 and BMP 2.9.)

Implementation: Closures will be made when the Forest Supervisor, District Ranger, or Forest 

Service officer responsible for resource protection determines that a particular resource or 

improvement needs protection from use. An interdisciplinary team or resource specialist 

normally recommends closure. The decision will be made to close an area after an evaluation of 

alternative methods of protection dictates that closure is a required action. This is usually a laststep protective measure.
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12.71 Exhibit 08

BMP 7.8 - Cumulative Off-site Watershed Effects 

Objective: To protect the identified beneficial uses of water from the combined effects of 

multiple management activities which individually may not create unacceptable effects, but 

collectively may result in degraded water-quality conditions.

Explanation: Cumulative off-site watershed effects (CWE) include all effects on beneficial uses 

that occur away from the sites of actual land use activities and which are transmitted through the 

drainage system. Effects can be either beneficial or adverse and result from the synergistic or 

additive effects of multiple management activities within a watershed.

Professional judgment is used to evaluate CWE susceptibility, on a watershed basis, as part of the 

decision-making process. These assessments are made using known information about beneficial 

uses, climate, watershed characteristics, land use history, and present and reasonably foreseeable 

future land use activities. Initial evaluation of CWE susceptibility is based on what is known 

about the study watershed and other watersheds with similar physical and climatic characteristics. 

Comparison of land-disturbance history and resulting impacts to beneficial uses in these 

watersheds results in an estimate of the upper limit of watershed tolerance to land disturbance.

Implementation: CWE susceptibility evaluations and development of mitigative measures are 

accomplished through the environmental documentation process, using an interdisciplinary 

approach, guided by the Regional methodology. Forests having similar climatic, watershed, 

and land-use characteristics will work together to refine CWE assessments to be responsive to 

local conditions. Each forest will monitor to determine the effectiveness of CWE analysis in 

reducing the risk of adverse effects and obtaining desired results from mitigation measures and 

management requirements. Monitoring results will also be used to refine the analysis and, where 

necessary, modify the analysis process. 
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12.8 - Range Management

Lands that are now part of the National Forest System (NFS) were, for the most part, being used 

by domestic livestock prior to establishment of the national forests in California. Grazing is a 

recognized and compatible use of public lands. Grazing can be a means of managing vegetation 

to meet other resource management objectives, such as fuels management, and reducing 

competing vegetation in plantations.

Many years ago, grazing use was often uncontrolled and much heavier than it is today. Through 

the application of improved grazing systems, improved forage management technology, and 

adjustments of animal numbers to better fit the range capacity, grazing use has been adjusted to a 

level more compatible with resource capability. Range use includes grazing by cattle, sheep and 

goats, and horses and saddle stock used to manage the range.

Designated grazing allotments are managed to accommodate livestock grazing and are typically 

4 to 40 square miles in size. Livestock owned by local ranchers graze on NFS land, authorized 

by both term and temporary permits administered by the Forest Service.

Range management involves range analysis, allotment management planning and improvement, 

and the grazing permit system. It includes controlling overall livestock numbers and season of 

use, livestock distribution, structural and non-structural improvements, providing for other uses, 

and restoration of deteriorated range land.

Pacific Southwest Region national forests address water quality on grazed allotments following 

the procedures described below.

1. Plans that guide range management activities with respect to water quality

a. Forest Land and Resource Management Plans (LRMPs)

(1) Set standards and guidelines for range management.

(2) Set goals and objectives for water quality.

b. Northwest Forest Plan Aquatic Conservation Strategy (ACS)

Directive to “maintain and restore” water quality with all actions.

c. Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment (SNFPA) Riparian Conservation Objectives

Strategy for aquatic management provides broad goals which are endpoints toward 

which management moves watershed processes and maintain and restore water 

quality to meet goals.

d. Southern California Forest Plans
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2. Allotment NEPA

The Rescissions Act of 1995, Public Law 104.19 (Pub. L. 104.19) became law on 

July 27, 1995. Section 504 addresses allotment analysis, grazing permit issuance, and 

compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other environmental 

laws. Term grazing permits which expire or are waived before the NEPA analysis and 

decision is completed shall be issued on the same terms and conditions and for the full 

term of the waived or expired permits. Upon completion of the scheduled NEPA analysis 

and decision for the allotment, the terms and conditions of existing grazing permits may 

be modified or re-issued, if necessary to conform to such NEPA analysis.

The 2004 Interior Appropriations Act, Public Law 108.108 (Pub. L. 108.108), Section 

325 provides that the Forest Service has the discretion to periodically update the 

allotment NEPA schedules and reprioritize which allotments will be done, based on 

emerging environmental issues and available funding for allotment NEPA analyses. 

NEPA for range allotments may be either environmental assessments or environmental 

impact statements. Except as authorized under section 504(a) of the Rescissions Act 

of 1995 (Pub. L. 104.19) or the 2004 Omnibus Appropriations Resolution (Pub. L. 

108.108, Nov. 10, 2003), the project-level NEPA-based decision to authorize grazing 

on one or more allotments is made by the authorized officer upon completion of sitespecific environmental analysis. The decision to authorize grazing is made in the NEPAbased decision document whose major focus is on maintaining or achieving the desired 

land condition. The grazing permit, accompanying allotment management plan AMP) 

(sec. 94.1) as appropriate, and annual operating instructions (sec. 94.3) all serve to 

implement the project-level decision to authorize grazing (sec. 96). The AMP becomes 

a part of the grazing permit. If an AMP currently exists, it should be revised to reflect 

new information from the most recent project-level decision. The grazing permit is then 

modified to include the revised AMP. Subsequent modifications to grazing or related 

management activities may be made as long as those changes are within the scope of the 

project-level decision.

3. Permit administration

The Region 5 Grazing Permit Administration Handbook (FSH 2209.13 chapter 10) sets 

procedures for administering permits and handling non-compliance issues. Grazing 

permits with term status, also known as “term grazing permits” authorize the use of 

NFS lands and lands under Forest Service control for commercial livestock production 

purposes. Objectives and policy for issuing grazing permits with term status are set forth 

in FSM 2230.2 and 2230.3.
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Permits are issued to a permittee to authorize grazing of owned livestock on designated 

lands administered by the Forest Service. Permits include a description of the range 

including a map of the grazing allotment(s) and specify the number, kind, and class of 

livestock, period of use, and grazing allotment on which the livestock are permitted to 

graze. At most, a permit is for a renewable 10-year term.

Part 3 of term grazing permits contains terms and conditions which outline permittee 

responsibilities for constructing and maintaining structural improvements or for range 

rehabilitation. Part 3 is also where the authorized officer includes standards, guidelines, 

and other provisions that specify requirements related to the management of vegetation, 

soil, water, and other resources affected by livestock grazing that may be found in 

forest and grassland land management plans, allotment management plans, and annual 

operating instructions. 

In managing permitted livestock use over time, changes in the term grazing permit 

terms and conditions are based on changes in laws, regulations, policies, Endangered 

Species Act consultation requirements, and LRMPs, as well as decisions from Federal 

courts. In addition, analysis of monitoring results as described below and in chapter 6 

constantly provides information to the authorized officer regarding status of management 

in terms of meeting or moving toward established objectives and points out the need for 

the adjustment in livestock grazing to achieve the objectives. These types of changes 

to the grazing authorization can be made administratively through modification of the 

term grazing permit (FSH 2209.13 Ch 10 sec. 16). Examples of actions that can be 

taken administratively through modification of the term grazing permit include annual 

adjustments of numbers and dates for grazing, and changes in grazing system or livestock 

numbers based on evaluation of monitoring results. These types of changes do not require 

analysis and disclosure through the NEPA process, but they may be appealed by the 

permittee under provisions of 36 CFR 251.81.

If changes are based on current or previous-year monitoring results, Part 2 Clause 8(c) of 

the term grazing permit states the authorized officer may require the permittee to defer 

placing livestock on the allotment at the beginning of the use season or may require early 

removal if available forage has been consumed. In these two cases, the decision of the 

authorizing officer cannot be appealed.

Grazing permits are subject to administrative actions such as partial or total suspension 

or cancellation for violations of terms and conditions of the permit, which are found in 

Parts 1, 2 and 3 of the grazing permit with term status and set forth at 36 CFR. 222.4. 

Suspensions are the temporary withholding of some or all of a permit holder’s grazing 

privileges. Cancellations are the permanent invalidation of some or all of a permit 

holder’s grazing privileges. Suspensions and cancellations can apply to permitted 

livestock numbers, seasons of use, or grazing allotments. Forests must follow the 
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Suspension and Cancellation Guidelines included in FSH 2209.13. An allotment may 

be “vacant” with no current permit, or “active” with a current permit to graze held 

by a permittee. An active allotment may be in “non-use” in any given year for either 

the permittee’s “personal convenience” or for “resource protection” reasons, and the 

allotment will be either not grazed, or grazed with reduced numbers of animals.

In response to concerns with bacterial contamination of surface waters used for 

recreation, the Forest Service is including as part of this Water Quality Management 

Handbook an in-stream bacterial monitoring program linked to field evaluations and 

potential permit actions under the authorities and following the procedures described 

above. Monitoring (described in chapter ###) will focus on sites in or downstream 

of range allotments where public water contact recreation or use of surface water for 

drinking is frequent. The Forest Service will concentrate its efforts to control livestock 

access to surface waters in and upstream of these high-use areas, and if persistent 

problems are detected through monitoring, the Forest Service will take actions to reduce 

livestock access to streams through water-source development, fencing, active herding, 

reduced stocking rates, or reduced seasons of use following the established guidelines for 

permit administration described above. 

4. Allotment Management Plans 

AMPs contain the pertinent livestock management direction from the project-level 

NEPA-based decision (sec. 92.23, para. 2). AMPs also refine direction in the projectlevel NEPA-based decision deemed necessary by the authorized officer to implement 

that decision. The plans should be developed concurrently with the completion of the 

site-specific analysis and project-level decision. Each plan becomes a part of Part 3 of the 

grazing permit. 

5. Annual Operating Instructions 

The annual operating instructions (AOI) specify those annual actions that are needed to 

implement the management direction set forth in the project-level NEPA-based decision. 

Actions in the AOIs must be within the scope of the project-level decision, and, as such, 

are not required to undergo any additional site-specific environmental analysis. 

6. The AOIs set forth:

a. The maximum permissible grazing use authorized on the allotment for the current 

grazing season (should specify numbers and timing and duration of use).

b. The planned sequence of grazing on the allotment, or the management 

prescriptions and monitoring that will be used to make changes.
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c. Structural and non-structural improvements to be constructed, reconstructed, or 

maintained, and who is responsible for these activities.

d. Allowable use or other standards to be applied and followed by the permittee to 

properly manage livestock.

e. Monitoring for the current season that may include, among other things, 

documentation demonstrating compliance with the terms and conditions in the grazing 

permit, AMP (sec. 94.1), and AOI. Where adaptive management prescriptions are being 

followed, this section of the AOI must provide details about those monitoring items and 

decision points needed to determine when a change is necessary and to guide the direction 

that those changes take (sec. 95). See description of compliance and effectiveness 

monitoring below and chapter 6 of this Water Quality Management Handbook. 

7. Compliance and effectiveness monitoring

a. Allotment inspections: performed periodically to ensure compliance with stocking 

rates, season of use, allotment boundaries, and range improvement.

b. Utilization monitoring: performed at a minimum at the end of grazing season to 

ensure compliance with forage utilization limits and other requirements included in 

the terms and conditions of the permit.

c. Riparian (greenline) monitoring: performed once every 5 years on selected sites 

and allotments in key areas to track the ecological trend of riparian vegetation and 

streambank stability. The Regional long-term goal is to identify additional sites as 

funding and resources allow, based on identified needs.

d. Rooted frequency monitoring or other assessment of rangeland condition and 

trend: performed once every 5 years on selected allotments in key areas to track the 

ecological trend of upland and meadow vegetation. Currently, over 900 permanent 

monitoring locations are established on 17 national forests in California.

e. BMP evaluation program: performed annually at one or more, randomly selected 

site on each forest to assess implementation and effectiveness of best management 

practices identified in Water Quality Management for Forest System Lands in 

California, Best Management Practices (USFS, Pacific Southwest Region 2000) and 

fulfills requirements of the Management Agency Agreement with the California State 

Water Resources Control Board. This monitoring assesses whether site-specific BMPs 

have been developed and implemented, as well as vegetation and riparian condition.

f. Regional monitoring of fecal coliform bacteria in representative range allotments: 

this program is described in chapter ###.
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8. Examples of practices used to comply with the Aquatic Conservation Strategy, Forest 

LRMP, and Allotment NEPA

a. Management of livestock numbers and season of use.

b. Use of drift fencing, fence enclosures, salt blocks or other supplementation, water 

developments, and herding to manage livestock distribution and forage utilization.

c. Prohibition on the use of salt blocks closer than 1⁄4 mile from water.

d. Locating new and relocating existing animal handling structures (corrals) outside 

of riparian reserves if existing facilities pose a risk to riparian objectives.

e. Use of spring developments and pipelines to reduce impacts to sensitive and 

impaired wetlands.

f. Other forest activities also address vegetation and watershed management 

(prescribed fire, fuels management, noxious weed control, habitat management, 

timber harvest, road management), with planning that includes the analysis of the 

cumulative effects of multiple activities.

12.81 - Range Management BMPs

8.1 Range Analysis and Planning

8.2 Grazing Permit Administration

8.3 Rangeland improvements

The purpose of this set of BMPs is to protect water quality and aquatic and riparian resources 

that may be affected by rangeland management activities. Rangeland management involves 

range analysis of multiple resources, allotment management planning and improvement, and 

the grazing permit system. Administration of the program includes controlling overall livestock 

numbers and season of use, controlling livestock distribution, implementation and maintenance 

of structural and non-structural improvements, and improvement of deteriorated rangeland soil 

and water resources.

Livestock grazing is recognized as an appropriate and compatible use of NFS lands when 

properly managed. A primary purpose of the rangeland management program is to provide 

forage for commercial livestock operations. Grazing can also be a means of managing vegetation 

to meet other resource management objectives, such as fuels management and reduction of 

competing vegetation in plantations. 

Historically, grazing use was often uncontrolled and much heavier than it is now. In many 

allotments, grazing use has been adjusted to a level more compatible with resource capability by 

applying improved grazing systems and forage management technology, eliminating grazing in 
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unsuitable land types, and adjusting animal numbers. Rangeland use includes grazing by cattle, 

sheep and goats, and horses and saddle stock used to manage the range. On some national forests 

there is also grazing use by transportation or recreational stock. The Forest Service administers 

both term and temporary livestock grazing permits that define criteria for privately owned stock 

to graze within defined areas (allotments) on NFS lands.

Trained and qualified watershed and other specialists are available to work with range 

management specialists in planning and administration. Tasks include identifying beneficial 

water uses, developing and applying state-of-the-art water-quality control methods and 

techniques, and assisting in evaluating management and monitoring results.

The Forest Supervisor or delegated District Ranger approves the AMPs. AMPs, including 

numbers permitted and seasons of use, are revised at any time during the term of the permit. 

Reasons for revisions include resource conditions, or the need to conform to changes brought 

about by law, regulation, Executive order, or land management planning. 

The line officer on each administrative subunit is responsible for implementing the Forest 

Service administrative directives that require water-quality protection and improvement during 

livestock grazing activities. The directives referenced in this section provide details on methods 

to incorporate water-quality controls into each phase of the range management program.

The full implementation of BMPs in livestock grazing activities may require application of 

other BMPs as well as those listed in this section. For example, if burning is a means of range 

improvement, appropriate BMPs for wildland fire management will be implemented. Similarly, if 

system roads are involved, appropriate BMPs for road management will be implemented. Often 

improvements to stream channels and riparian areas are implemented as watershed improvement 

projects (aquatic ecosystem activities) and are not the responsibility of the permittee as outlined 

in BMP 8.3.

The BMPs that follow are to be applied as needed for the control of nonpoint source pollution 

associated with livestock grazing activities on NFS land. Each BMP is based on administrative 

directives that guide and direct the Forest Service planning and permitting of livestock grazing 

activities on NFS land.
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12.81 Exhibit 01

BMP 8.1 - Rangeland Management Planning

Objective: Use the allotment management planning process to develop measures to avoid, 

minimize, mitigate and/or restore adverse impacts to water and aquatic and riparian resources 

during rangeland management activities.

Explanation: Analysis of existing rangeland conditions and other resource values is conducted 

for each allotment in the development of an AMP. The AMP is the primary document that 

guides implementation of forest plan direction for rangeland resources at the allotment (project) 

level. It is included as part of the grazing permit and provides special management provisions, 

instructions, and terms and conditions for that permit. The risk from livestock grazing can be 

managed in the planning process by using the appropriate techniques from the following list 

adapted as needed to local site conditions.

1. Implementation:

a. Determine potential grazing suitability.

b. Determine rangeland condition as part of rangeland analysis and planning process.

c. Assess the current functionality in relation to compliance with water-quality 

objectives and protection of the beneficial uses of water of rangeland and riparian 

areas using proper functioning condition protocols.

d. Identify sites at risk of degradation using proper functioning condition protocols.

e. Assess long-term trends of rangeland sites within riparian allotments using 

accepted protocols (the rooted frequency protocol).

f. Establish desired conditions for rangelands that consider linkages to riparian and 

aquatic systems.

g. Establish desired conditions for riparian and aquatic systems that reflect their 

ecological potential.

h. Review past management within the allotment.

i. Identify potential management strategies.

j. Identify improvement needs.
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12.81 Exhibit 01 -- Continued

BMP 8.1 - Rangeland Management Planning

k. Include management objectives for livestock grazing and all resources including 

compliance with water-quality objectives and protection of the beneficial uses of 

water affected by livestock grazing in AMP, Grazing Permit and Annual Operating 

Instructions (AOI). The objectives are derived from management direction in the 

forest plan, biological opinions, or other binding direction.

l. Establish management requirements such as the season of use; number, kind, 

class of livestock; and the grazing system to be used in the AMP. Management 

requirements should maintain or move resources in the allotment toward desired 

conditions.

m. Establish annual endpoint indicators of use related to the desired conditions and 

triggers (thresholds) for management actions, including modification of livestock 

intensity; frequency, duration and timing of livestock use (better distribution of 

stock); change in animal months and/or season of use; and livestock exclusion.

n. Set the indicator thresholds at levels that protect or improve condition of riparian 

areas and aquatic ecosystems.

o. Include schedules in the AMP for: 

(1) rehabilitating rangelands that do not meet forest plan objectives;

(2) initiating range improvements; and

(3) maintaining existing improvements (see BMP 8.3).

p. Include monitoring requirements in the allotment management plan to evaluate:

(1) compliance with triggers and annual endpoint indicators of use (for example, 

utilization, stubble height, stream alteration) and other forest plan standards as 

appropriate; and

(2) indicators of management effectiveness, such as greenline vegetation stability, 

bank stability, greenline-to-greenline width, and shrub height.
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12.81 Exhibit 02

BMP 8.2 - Rangeland Permit Administration

Objective: Manage rangeland vegetation and grazing to protect water and aquatic and riparian 

resources through administration and monitoring of grazing permits and annual operating 

instructions. 

Explanation: Improper grazing can adversely affect watershed condition in several ways. Loss 

of effective ground cover in the uplands leads to increases in overland flow and peak runoff. Soil 

compaction and loss of ground cover and plant vigor in riparian areas decrease the ability of the 

riparian area to filter pollutants and function as a floodplain. Streambank trampling increases 

stream channel width/depth ratio, resulting in a change in stream type and a lowering of the 

water table. Wider and shallower streams have higher stream temperatures and lower dissolved 

oxygen content. Introduction of sediment, nutrients, and pathogens from grazing can lower 

water quality. The potential for these impacts can be limited by managing livestock numbers, 

distribution, timing and season of use.

A temporary or term grazing permit authorizes livestock grazing on NFS lands. The permit 

delineates the area to be grazed and defines the number, kind, and class of livestock to be grazed, 

and the season of use. The permit includes both general and special terms and conditions. 

Required management practices are included under the special terms and conditions. These 

practices contain standards designed to protect water quality and other resource values. Standards 

included in the permit may be derived from the forest plan, applicable biological opinions, or 

site-specific measures developed during range analysis. The permit also includes the location and 

type of monitoring to be conducted to assess compliance with standards, and determine trend in 

range condition. 

When an AMP is in place, AOIs are issued to the grazing permit permittee. The instructions 

specify those annual actions needed to implement the management direction set forth in the 

project-level NEPA-based decision. Actions in the instructions must be within the scope 

of the project-level decision, and as such, are not required to undergo any additional sitespecific environmental analysis. The AOIs identify the obligations of the permittee and the 

Forest Service, and clearly articulate annual grazing management requirements, standards, and 

monitoring necessary to document compliance.

The Forest Supervisor or District Ranger will approve grazing permits and annual operating 

instructions; the permittee carries out the terms and conditions of the permit under the immediate 

direction and supervision of the District Ranger.

The risk from livestock grazing can be managed by using the appropriate techniques from the 

following list adapted as needed to local site conditions.
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12.81 Exhibit 02--Continued

BMP 8.2 - Rangeland Permit Administration

Implementation: 

Monitoring--

1. Make field checks and measurements at least annually as described below (by Forest 

Service or permittee with quality control provided by the Forest Service).

2. Emphasize monitoring that determines permittee compliance with permit provisions. 

3. Include indicators of annual use that relate to water quality, riparian and aquatic 

ecosystem protection in compliance monitoring, such as forage utilization, streambank 

alteration, or utilization of woody riparian vegetation.

4. Use monitoring results as an adaptive management feedback loop to revise the AOIs 

to account for current allotment conditions and trends. Figure 2 illustrates the adaptive 

management process used in managing range allotments.

5. Monitor indicators of management effectiveness and trends that affect water quality, 

as well as habitat or other beneficial uses as necessary (for example, 303.listed streams 

and terms of biological opinions).
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12.81 Exhibit 03

Adaptive management process for managing range allotments

Outline Description

Title: Adaptive 

management 

process for 

managing range 

allotments

1. Was the annual 

Indicator / standard 

achieved? (Stubble 

height, etc.) If yes 

then 2, if no then 4.

2. Continue current 

management and 

monitoring (short 

and long term) to 

determine if desired 

condition is being 

achieved. Then 3.

3. Change or modify 

annual indicator and 

/ or management 

as appropriate. 

Then 1.

4. Review current 

versus desired 

condition and trend. 

Need for adaptive 

management 

change? If Yes then 

5, if no then 2.

5. Assign adaptive 

action. Was 

the action 

implemented? If yes 

then 1, if no then 6.

6. Is failure the 

result of a design 

problem or changed 

condition outside 

of the control of 

permittee? If yes 

then 1, if no then 7.

7. Is an administrative 

action warranted? 

If yes then 8, if no 

then 5.

8. Implement 

Administrative 

Action.

1. Livestock Number and Distribution—

a. Use results of annual compliance monitoring and periodic trend monitoring, 

as well as forage utilization by wildlife, to determine allowable annual amount of 

livestock use to meet rangeland desired conditions.

b. Document allowable use, the planned sequence of grazing on the allotment, and 

any other operational changes in the AOIs issued to the permittee each year.

c. Alter livestock distribution when monitoring and periodic assessments indicate 

consistent non-compliance with permit provisions.

d. Manage livestock use through control of time/timing, intensity, and duration/

frequency of use in riparian areas and wetlands to maintain or improve long-term 

functional stream condition, and allow for riparian hardwood growth extension and/

or other stabilizers (herbaceous plants) and reproduction where the riparian plant 

community is below its desired condition and livestock are a key contributing factor.
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12.81 Exhibit 03--Continued

Adaptive management process for managing range allotments

e. Manage livestock to prevent further degradation of riparian areas and wetlands that 

are not meeting or moving toward desired condition objectives.

f. Exclude livestock if monitoring information shows continued livestock grazing 

would prevent attainment of those objectives.

g. Locate stock tanks, salt supplements, and similar features to distribute cattle 

evenly over the allotment and prevent concentrations of cattle in SMZs and wetlands.

h. Keep stock driveways out of riparian areas except to cross at designated points.

i. Establish triggers for livestock trampling and riparian vegetation utilization on or 

immediately adjacent to stream banks for timing livestock moves between units.

j. Manage livestock herds to avoid concentrating in riparian areas and wetlands 

during the hot season (mid-to-late summer). 

2. Season of Use--

a. Adjust livestock numbers and/or season of use when monitoring and periodic 

assessments show consistent non-compliance with permit provisions.

b. Manage to avoid livestock grazing through an entire growing season in pastures 

that contain riparian areas and wetlands.

c. Apply short-duration grazing as practicable (generally less than 20 days) to 

minimize re-grazing of individual plants, to provide greater opportunity for regrowth, 

and to manage utilization of woody species and reduce soil compaction. 

3. Permit Administration--

a. Use permit authorities to change operations to protect water and aquatic and 

riparian resources when special circumstances (such as drought) occur.

b. Take corrective actions if monitoring and periodic assessments show consistent 

non-compliance with permit provisions. Actions might include:

(1) adjusting livestock numbers and/or season of use

(2) altering livestock distribution
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12.81 Exhibit 03--Continued

Adaptive management process for managing range allotments

(3) installing fences and water developments. And

(4) rest, placing the allotment (or unit of concern) in non-use status for a period of 

time that allows for natural recovery of resource condition where potential exists.

c. Apply suspension and cancellation guidelines in cases of intentional 

noncompliance with the terms and conditions of the permit.

d. Modify, cancel or suspend the permit in whole or in part as needed where it has 

been determined to be necessary to ensure proper use of the rangeland resource and 

protection of other resources, such as water quality.
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12.81 Exhibit 04

BMP 8.3 - Rangeland Improvements

Objective: Implement range improvements to protect, maintain or improve water and aquatic and 

riparian resources and associated beneficial uses.

Explanation: Rangeland improvements targeted at water and aquatic and riparian resources are 

designed to protect or improve conditions of sensitive areas such as streams, riparian areas, 

and wetlands or upland areas in danger of crossing a threshold to a less desirable condition and 

move these resources toward desired conditions. Improvements should emphasize protecting the 

beneficial uses in these areas. Improvements may supplement administrative actions such as rest 

or changes in annual use levels, seasonal use, distribution, and number.

Either the permittee or the Forest Service can be responsible for developing and maintaining 

rangeland. The District Ranger will ensure that the permittee is involved as a cooperator in 

rangeland improvements. And, as appropriate, the permittee may participate in the construction 

and/or maintenance of improvements under Forest Service direction. Implementation may also 

be done by Forest Service crews, or contractors.

Use the appropriate techniques from the following list adapted as needed to local site conditions 

to implement rangeland improvements.

Implementation: 

1. Identify range improvement needs during watershed analysis, watershed condition 

assessment, AMPs, or other assessment efforts.

2. Evaluate improvement needs in the AMP.

3. Include and schedule improvement actions as appropriate in the AMP and grazing 

permit.

4. Design improvements to sustain forage production for livestock and provide 

protection to the other resources.

5. Consider the following when evaluating need for improvements:

a. Fencing

b. Soil and stream rehabilitation

c. Off-site water development

d. Seeding and planting
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13 - ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

One of the objectives of this Water Quality Management Handbook is “to enhance Forest 

Service performance as a water-quality management agency, and increase and improve its 

responsibility, transparency and accountability in its relationships with the Water Boards.” 

This chapter describes Forest Service administrative processes that are intended to meet this 

objective by providing formal and systematic processes to ensure that measures for water-quality 

protection and improvement are incorporated into all activities on National Forest System lands 

in California. 

The Forest Service Best Management Practices Evaluation Program (BMPEP) monitoring report 

for 2003 to 2007 (USFS 2009) showed that 86 percent of the evaluated BMPs were properly 

implemented, and of these, 93 percent were effective in protecting water quality. A major 

conclusion of this report was that “improved implementation of BMPs is the single most useful 

step that can be taken to improve water-quality protection on National Forests in California.” 

The changes to administrative practices described in this chapter and the adaptive management 

system described in chapter 4 constitute an effort to put this recommendation into practice.

13.1 - General Procedures

Responsibility, transparency, and accountability depend on Water Board and public access 

to Forest Service information and decisions and opportunities to exchange information and 

viewpoints with diverse stakeholders. The Water Quality Management Handbook includes the 

following steps to enhance overall information exchange and accountability:

1. Beginning in 2011, the Forest Service will track the condition of all 6th-field 

hydrologic units on NFS lands using protocols developed by the Washington Office 

headquarters staff at intervals of approximately 3 years. Watersheds will be classified into 

1 of 3 condition classes representing high, moderate, and low geomorphic, hydrologic, 

and biotic integrity in relation to natural potential conditions. Changes in conditions will 

be related to Forest Service resource management actions and compared to assigned 

targets as a basis for funding allocations, and will be considered in performance 

appraisals of Forest Service staff.

2. The Forest Service will create a publically accessible Internet site where information 

related to water-quality protection and improvement and current activities on NFS 

lands that may affect water quality will be posted or made available through links. 

Documents available on this site will include our current Water Quality Management 

Handbook, including all BMPs; the current Users Guide for the Best Management 

Practices Evaluation Program; the Stream Condition Inventory protocol; and Regional 

and National Forest BMPEP reports. Links will be provided to relevant supporting 

information, including Forest Service directives (FSM, FSH) and plans (Northwest Forest 

Plan, Sierra Nevada Framework Planning Amendment, individual national forest LRMPs 
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and Schedules of Proposed Actions (SOPAs), project documents, including NEPA 

documents and contracts, current wildfire and prescribed fire information (InciWeb), 

current weather (National Weather Service), and streamflow (U.S. Geological Survey). 

Following the conversion of the BMPEP data base to a new server, expected in 2011, 

the Forest Service will develop methods to provide data from BMPEP and in-channel 

monitoring via the Internet. Until such methods are developed, these data can be obtained 

by request to the appropriate national forest.

3. Interagency (Forest Service-Water Board) training sessions will be held annually 

on BMP development, implementation, and monitoring. Each annual training session 

will focus on specific issues and topics of current importance, and will cover any 

changes made to BMPs or evaluation protocols in the preceding year. Training will 

generally be held in late fall or early winter, and training locations will be rotated. 

Training for the Forest Service will not be required annually, but all permanent 

full-time (GS-9 level and above) Forest Service watershed, timber, fire and fuels, 

engineering, range, and recreation staff will attend an introductory training within 

3 years of the implementation of this Water Quality Management Handbook (or 

within 3 years of being hired as new employees), and will attend refresher training at 

least once every 5 years. Water Board staff will be invited. Web-based training will 

be developed to reduce travel costs. The Forest Service Regional Hydrologist will 

coordinate the training.

4. Each national forest will continue to coordinate with their appropriate Regional 

Board(s) regarding monitoring, restoration, and other issues on an annual basis. This may 

involve meetings, reports, field visits, or other methods of communication.

5. An interagency coordination meeting will be held annually between the Forest Service 

Regional Office and the State Board. The purpose of these meetings is to present and 

discuss monitoring results, approve or reject recommended changes to BMPs, and 

evaluate progress on restoration of legacy sites. The Forest Service Regional Hydrologist 

will coordinate this meeting.

6. A public stakeholder and tribal advisory group will be established and will meet 

annually with the Forest Service Regional Office and the State Board to discuss any 

issues of concern related to water quality on NFS land. The stakeholder and tribal 

advisory group will be provided with all monitoring plans and reports, and the group will 

participate in field reviews of selected Forest Service activities on an annual basis. The 

stakeholder and tribal advisory group will select the activities to be reviewed. This group, 

its meetings, and the field reviews will be arranged and coordinated by the Forest Service 

Regional Hydrologist with assistance from the Regional Forester’s RepresentativeLiaison 

Officer and Public Affairs staff.
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7. Actual or potential water-quality problems observed on NFS lands can be reported 

by email to national_forest_water_quality@fs.fed.us.or telephone to the Forest Service 

Regional Hydrologist. The current email address for the regional hydrologist is bhill@

fs.fed.us, and the current telephone number for the regional hydrologist is (707) 562.8968. 

A response will be provided to all observations as soon as possible, which will normally 

be within 1 to 5 business days. The regional hydrologist’s email and voicemail will be 

updated to provide alternative contact information during periods of travel or leave.

8. Each national forest will designate an emergency response team of Forest Service 

employees available year-round and trained to respond to non-hazardous pollutant 

discharges (any discharges that appear likely to result in immediate violations of basin 

plan objectives). Examples of discharges that would be controlled by a national forest 

emergency response team include blockage and diversions at road-stream crossings. 

Potential actions that the teams might take include removal of debris blocking culvert 

inlets and modifications of road drainage to prevent diversions and erosion. The 

emergency response teams may include permanent full-time firefighters; recreation, 

range, and forestry technicians; and engineering staff. Adjacent or nearby forests may 

“pool” staff for emergency response teams if necessary. Hazardous materials will be 

handled by Forest Service Hazardous Materials Coordinators and trained contractors 

only.

9. “Tailgate” water-quality discussions will be held during project implementation, 

and will involve Forest Service project and watershed staff, contracting officer’s 

representatives, contractors, and operators.

13.2 - National Environmental Policy Act Procedures

Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), all ground-disturbing activities on 

NFS lands are required to be analyzed for environmental impacts prior to implementation. All 

NEPA analyses result in a documented decision by the appropriate Forest Service line officer, 

usually a district ranger or forest supervisor, and all NEPA decisions incorporate site-specific 

best management practices for protecting water quality. Most low-impact activities that do not 

involve “extraordinary circumstances” such as impacts to floodplains, wetlands, municipal 

watersheds, cultural resources, wilderness, or listed species, may be categorically excluded 

from the requirement to fully analyze environmental impacts in an environmental assessment or 

environmental impact statement. Decisions to use categorical exclusions are documented with 

decision memos signed by line officers. Environmental assessments normally require two or 

more alternatives and are used for activities that may involve “extraordinary circumstances,” but 

pose a low risk of significant adverse environmental impacts. A decision to select an alternative 

with an environmental assessment is documented in a decision notice and accompanied by 

a finding of no significant impact. Activities that may include significant adverse effects 

require an environmental impact statement, which includes a broader range of alternatives. 
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A decision to select an alternative in an environmental impact statement is documented in 

a record of decision. Although an alternative selected in a record of decision may include 

adverse environmental effects, all alternatives must comply with the Federal Clean Water Act, 

the Porter-Cologne Act, and all other applicable laws. Similarly, all decisions made using an 

environmental assessment or categorical exclusion must comply with the Clean Water Act and 

the Porter-Cologne Act.

The Forest Service will incorporate the following practices for NEPA analyses and decisions:

1. National forest schedules of proposed actions will continue to be updated via the 

Internet quarterly, in March, June, September, and December each year.

2. NEPA analyses for timber harvest, fuels, vegetation management, engineering, 

and recreation activities that include ground-disturbing activities will include an 

inventory of controllable sediment discharge sources and other legacy sites that may 

affect water quality within project boundaries and along appurtenant Forest Service 

roads. Inventories of legacy sites will not be required for range allotments, routine 

road maintenance, hazard-tree removals, or other activities that are not restricted to a 

discrete project area. Legacy sites will be restored as described in chapter 5, either on a 

watershed or project basis.

3. Maps will be provided at scales of 1:24,000 or larger when needed to show road and 

project details or proposed alternatives.

4. For projects that require discretionary actions by state regulatory agencies, national 

forests will coordinate their NEPA analyses with CEQA analyses by state agencies to the 

extent possible.

13.3 - Project Implementation

Projects on NFS lands are implemented through contracts of various types, permits, and 

using Forest Service (force account) staff. Protection of water quality depends on a complete 

and accurate transfer of the site-specific BMPs described in NEPA decision documents into 

contracts, permits, and force-account job specifications. The procedures described below are 

specific to the various types of project documents used by the Forest Service. Common to all 

projects involving ground disturbance is the requirement for the development and completion of 

BMP checklists before ground disturbance begins and as needed, based on weather conditions 

and project activities.

Timber Sales, Stewardship, and Service Contracts--Site-specific BMPs will be included in 

timber sales, stewardship, and service contracts using standard regional C-clauses that include 

“fill in the blank” tables to allow development of site-specific measures similar to standard 

Regional clause R5 C6.6. If necessary, special non-recurring C clauses will be used when 
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standard Regional C clauses do not apply. BMP checklists (see chapter 6) will be completed for 

timber sales and all other activities. Copies of timber sales and other contracts will be provided 

upon request.

Stewardship and Service Contracts--BMPs will be added directly as requirements in stewardship 

and service contracts.

Engineering Contracts--Implementation of BMPs will be required in contracts through 

drawings and plans, specifications, submittals, and pertinent clauses from Federal Acquisitions 

Regulations. Lack of compliance to the contract requirements can result in actions ranging from 

reduced payment, termination of contract due to default, and potential for fiscal liability of fines, 

depending on the severity of water-quality impact by a contractor’s operations or negligence.

Erosion control plans (see BMP 2.13 12.2) will be included as part of the project record for all 

projects involving ground disturbance and with a risk of adverse impacts to water quality.

Force-Account (Forest Service staff) Projects--Although the work done with in-house agency 

personnel does not require written binding direction between staffs to carry out the Forest 

Service mission, force account projects and activities with potential to adversely affect water 

quality will incorporate BMPs through planning, design; drawings; and carefully selected 

methods and procedures, equipment, and materials, in addition to development, implementation, 

and monitoring of an approved project erosion control plan. 

Road-Use Permits and Agreements--BMPs will be included in road-use permits, annual 

operating plans, reconstruction plans and specifications, and maintenance requirements.

Rangeland Grazing Permits--Range allotment grazing permits are managed under Allotment 

Management Plans (AMPs) and Annual Operating Instructions (AOIs). AMPs and AOIs can 

be modified based on a NEPA decision for permit renewal. BMPs will be added to AMPs and 

AOIs when permits are analyzed through NEPA. Range NEPA will include analysis of legacy 

problems within range allotments. Specific measures for monitoring and controlling bacterial 

contamination are described in 12.2 and 12.6

14 - ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT

14.1 - Purpose and Scope

Adaptive management is “an approach to managing complex natural systems that builds on 

learning - based on common sense, experience, experimenting, and monitoring - by adjusting 

practices based on what was learned” (Bormann et al. 1999). An adaptive approach is necessary 

for water-quality management, given that the conceptual models underlying most resource 

management decisions rely on an imperfect understanding of the cause-and-effect relationships 

between land use activities and water-quality response. This imperfect knowledge can increase 

the risk of a management activity on the resource of concern, and can potentially result in 
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unintended consequences to these resources. Adaptive management is considered an effective 

process for dealing with this type of uncertainty and risk (Ralph and Poole 2002). 

1. The purpose of this adaptive management system (AMS) is to provide the information 

needed for the Forest Service, the State and Regional Water Boards, and stakeholders 

and tribes to ensure that the implementation of activities on the National Forest System 

lands of California occur in a manner that protects, maintains, and restores water quality 

and the beneficial uses of water, and complies with Federal water-quality statutes and 

regulations (for example, the Clean Water Act), in addition to California water-quality 

requirements (for example, the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act). The primary 

mechanism for achieving this goal is through the implementation of BMPs. Explicit 

in the Water Quality Management Handbook is the acknowledgement that there is still 

uncertainty regarding how well BMPs are implemented, and how effective BMPs are 

in achieving objectives across time and space. As such, the handbook recognizes that 

an adaptive approach is necessary to optimize the implementation and effectiveness of 

BMPs on National Forest System lands. 

2. By designing and implementing an adaptive management system developed 

cooperatively between the Forest Service and the State and Regional Water Boards, the 

process can achieve the following desirable outcomes:

a. Land use activities are addressed in a manner that prevents or minimizes nonpoint 

source pollution and protects, maintains, and restores water quality and the beneficial 

uses of water on National Forest System lands

b. Sufficient feedback mechanisms are in place so that the Forest Service, State Water 

Board, stakeholders and tribes can determine whether the program is achieving its 

stated objectives

c. Predictability in the process of change so that Forest Service, State and Regional 

Water Boards, stakeholders, tribes, and members of the public can prepare for this change

d. Application of quality controls to scientific study design, project execution, and 

interpretation of results

e. A hierarchical (nested) approach to monitoring that can elucidate “patterns and 

process across spatial scales and link to the scale at which outcomes of management 

decisions are expressed” (Ralph and Poole 2002). For the purposes of the Water 

Quality Management Handbook, this involves implementing monitoring at the 

programmatic, project, and watershed scale.

f. Increased clarity, transparency, and accountability in management and decisionmaking processes.
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3. Adaptive management uses a multi-stage process for improving management 

actions. Most adaptive management processes describe explicit variations of the 

various steps to be taken following a basic Plan-Do-Check-Act model common in 

most environmental management systems, and based on the ISO 14001 international 

standards for environmental management systems. This document describes the explicit 

steps to be taken as part of this adaptive management process under these basic four 

categories of actions.

14.1 Exhibit 01

Outline Description

Title: Four basic categories of actions. 

Circular flowchart

1. Plan

2. Do

3. Check

4. Act

Plan - Identify roles and responsibilities of program participants, identif identify the goals 

and objectives to be achieved, define how potential management actions relate to the 

goal, identify risks and uncertainty, define areas of uncertainty to investigate, develop and 

document key monitoring questions, and choose and develop monitoring protocols.

Do - Implement Water Quality Management Handbook, including implementation of 

BMPs and restoration of legacy sites.

Check -Track, monitor, and evaluate the results of implemented actions. Synthesize 

research and monitoring results useful for managers, planners, and policy makers. 

Evaluate adequacy of monitoring protocols.

Act - Adjust activities based on performance of planned actions. Adapt future actions 

in light of reduced uncertainty and increased learning. Potentially revise monitoring 

questions or adopt new ones, based on new information.

The Plan-Do-Check-Act adaptive management approach will be applied over at least two 

distinct temporal and spatial scales, the project level and the programmatic level. 

4. Project-level application is intended to do the following:

a. Improve the speed and certainty with which problems and threatened problems 

caused by a project are identified and corrected, so as to minimize water-quality 

impacts that may have already begun, and to prevent future impacts.
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b. Shorten the institutional feedback loop whereby field personnel and their 

supervisors learn from their own experience and that of others what has worked 

well, what has not, and why, so that knowledge can be immediately applied to future 

projects.

5. Programmatic-level application is intended to do the following: 

a. Identify the degree to which BMPs are being properly implemented and are 

effective in protecting the quality and beneficial uses of water, so that needed 

statewide programmatic changes can be made in the BMPs and/or the processes by 

which they are administered.

b. Identify the knowledge gaps where more rigorous scientific studies are needed.

Where it is beneficial to do so and resources permit, the Plan-Do-Check-Act approach 

will also be applied in selected priority watersheds to evaluate causal linkages between 

off-stream management activities and instream conditions, or to evaluate cumulative 

watershed effects.

14.2 - PLAN

14.21 - Roles and responsibilities

Forest Service roles and responsibilities under this AMS are described below. The Forest Service 

will conduct the monitoring program and reporting, and seek non-regulatory review and input 

from State and Regional Water Board staff in interpretation of results, and recommendations for 

adapting either management actions or the monitoring approach. The process for Forest Service 

and Water Board staff collaboration will be described in the revised State management agency 

agreement. The Forest Service monitoring and reporting program will occur at both the project 

and programmatic scale. Project-scale monitoring refers to project-specific implementation 

monitoring. Project implementation information is used by Forest Service staff to make 

immediate adjustments to Forest Service management as needed during project implementation 

to protect soil and water resources. Programmatic monitoring refers to larger scale monitoring 

that is not tied to a particular project, but data is collected strategically at a larger scale to 

determine whether BMPs are successful at the Regional, Forest, or watershed scale in protecting 

soil and water resources The illustration below shows the Forest Service organization related to 

these two scales of monitoring and reporting.

Stakeholders and tribes will provide review and perspective or input to design of AMS, monitoring 

strategies, monitoring reports, and management recommendations. Stakeholders and tribes can 

also submit data and observations related to their own project or watershed-scale monitoring, 

according to the process described in Section VIII of this chapter. Stakeholders and tribal input 

will be solicited and received at staff level, but can also be submitted to executive level. 
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Exhibit 3 illustrates the two-way lines of communication between different levels of Forest 

Service staff for both the programmatic scale project scale feedback loop of information. The 

text following the figure further describes the lines of communication.
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14.21 Exhibit 01

Lines of communication feedback loop within Forest Service organization
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14.21 Exhibit 01--Continued

Lines of communication feedback loop within Forest Service organization

1. Programmatic Scale:

a. Regional Forester--Provide direction to Forest Supervisors on funding, 

expectations, and requirements regarding implementation of the Water Quality 

Management Handbook and adaptive management system.

b. Regional Forest Service Technical Team--This team will consist of a variety of 

Region 5 and forest hydrology, soils, and fisheries staff. The specific make-up of this 

team will be determined as part of implementation of this program.

(1) Coordinate ongoing collaboration between Forest Service and Water Board staff at 

State level.

(2) Coordinate ongoing communication between Forest Service and stakeholders 

including tribal representatives and non-government organizations.

(3) Coordinate with Forest Service research and external researchers to identify key 

research questions related to Forest Service BMPs and management activities related 

to soil and water resources.

(4) Conduct synthesis of monitoring information collected and reported at the Forest 

level, to develop annual regional reporting of Forest Service monitoring results.

(5) Coordinate annual training and workshop on monitoring techniques and results. 

This will include a field trip component to look at actual projects and BMPs, both 

successes and deficiencies. Water board staff, tribal representatives, and other 

stakeholders will be invited to participate in the training and workshops.

(6) Coordinate periodic comprehensive review and reporting of monitoring, 

assessment, and research results to inform and recommend modifications to 

either technical guidance documents (BMP manuals), or the AMS monitoring and 

research program. For comprehensive reporting, include integration of analysis and 

information developed outside the State Water Quality Management Handbook that 

provides additional information regarding the condition of Forest Service watersheds 

and streams, and potential effects of forest management activities. This would include 

efforts available through external research and other related regional or national 

agency efforts (for example, CalEPA Wetlands Inventory and Assessment program 

and Forest Service Watershed Condition Assessment Program). This effort will be 

conducted the year prior to the cyclical 5.year waiver renewal process, and presented 

as a 5.year status and trends report of BMP performance, watershed/water-quality 
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Exhibit 01--Continued

Lines of communication feedback loop within Forest Service organization

health, and monitoring program performance. This would also include 

recommendations for management change.

2. Project Scale:

a. Forest Supervisors and District Rangers:

(1) Provide internal resources to support agencies’ roles and responsibilities under 

the Water Quality Management Handbook and management system as directed by 

Regional Forester.

(2) Implement direct actions and decisions based on recommendations provided in 

monitoring reports produced by forest staff and/or by the Regional Forest Service 

Technical Team.

b. Forest and District Watershed Specialists and Staff Officers:

(1) Watershed specialists can include any resource staff with qualifications and 

training to be able to conduct monitoring, analysis, and provide recommendations. 

This can include hydrologists, soil scientists, fisheries biologists, ecologists, and 

foresters.

(2) Implement Forest-level monitoring as described in the Water Quality Management 

Handbook. Use monitoring data collected during the project to immediately 

inform and adapt project implementation to correct and mitigate deficiencies, and 

prevent harm to soil and water resources and beneficial uses. This information 

is communicated directly to Forest Service staff directly responsible for project 

implementation to include contracting officer representatives, sale administrators, and 

project managers.

(3) Report monitoring data and analysis results to the Regional Forest Service 

Technical Team. Use annual reporting to share lessons learned, and recommend 

to line officers modifications to project-specific design features or BMPs, and 

administrative processes at the forest level to improve planning, contracting, and 

implementation of forest-management activities to improve the effectiveness of 

BMPs and restoration efforts.

(4) Report monitoring data and analysis results as required or requested, to affected 

Regional Water Board staff.
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c. Contracting officer’s representative, sale administrator, and project--Through 

either contracting (if project implemented through contracts) or supervisory authority 

(if implemented by Forest Service staff), direct contractors and/or forest staff to 

implement any needed corrective actions as a result of project-scale monitoring.

The Forest Service Technical Team and Forest staff will actively coordinate with Water 

Board staff and other stakeholders and tribes as part of implementation of the Water Quality 

Management Handbook. This will occur at both the project and programmatic scale. The 

purpose of this coordination is to provide timely reporting of monitoring results and management 

responses to monitoring results, as well as to consider and integrate input received from Water 

Board staff and stakeholders and tribes relative to adjustments to the adaptive management 

program including monitoring strategies, monitoring reports, and management recommendations.

14.22 - Identify risk and uncertainty

An important step in planning an adaptive management process is to identify current risk and 

uncertainty as they relate to ecological processes and current management practices. This 

should include an evaluation of past administrative processes used in the program. As part of 

the development of this Water Quality Management Handbook and the Forest Service existing 

adaptive management of this program, evaluation of BMPs and the BMPEP has occurred. 

Changes to both the BMP handbook and the BMPEP manual have been made as a result. 

However, we recognize that more will need to done, so the following describes how to move 

forward from where we are now. Because there are already-established monitoring programs 

in place that the Forest Service and State Water Board would like to continue using, additional 

evaluation of risk and uncertainties will take place as part of the ACT phase of the proposed 

program. The following actions are recommended for this step:

1. Synthesize existing research to identify risk and uncertainties related to the current 

condition of resources, and the effects of forest management on, soil, water, and aquatic 

resources.

2. Continue to investigate the performance of the Forest Service Region 5 BMP and 

BMPEP program and identify its strengths and weaknesses and need for change. 

Implement an independent evaluation of the BMPEP to assess the reliability and 

statistical robustness of results obtained using the current program.

3. Investigate the performance of the current Stream Condition Inventory (SCI) 

program, and identify its strengths and weaknesses. Conduct synthesis and BMPEP 

reliability evaluation in consultation with stakeholders and tribes, and collaboration 

with research professionals from outside institutions. Frame the discussion of risks and 

uncertainties in a statewide context, as well as Forest-specific context. Because of the 

differences in current resource conditions, past and proposed application of management 
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practices and specific resource concerns, important risks and uncertainties relevant to 

each Forest (or ecoregions within a Forest) will likely differ. Monitoring should focus 

on areas that present the highest risk and/or the highest level of uncertainty (based on 

current science).

14.23 - Conceptual model and key monitoring questions

The conceptual model shown in Exhibit XX illustrates the information needed to determine 

whether we are achieving the goals and objectives described in this Water Quality Management 

Handbook. From this conceptual model, the following describes the key questions for evaluation 

by the monitoring program described in section XX, to provide the information needed to 

determine whether we are meeting the Water Quality Management Handbook general objectives:

1. Are Forest Service practices adequate for protecting water quality at the project scale 

(BMPEP effectiveness monitoring and retrospective BMPEP) monitoring?

2. Are Basin Plan water-quality objectives being met on NFS lands (in channel 

monitoring)?

3. Are Forest Service practices adequate for protecting beneficial uses (in channel 

monitoring and “nested” BMPEP monitoring—note that results can help determine the 

need for new BMPs as well as effectiveness of existing BMPs)?

4. Are water-quality conditions trending upward or downward on NFS lands (in channel 

monitoring)?

5. Does the Forest Service follow its management practices (BMP implementation 

checklists, BMPEP implementation monitoring)?

6. Are key areas with high recreational use protected from bacterial contamination 

(rangeland in-channel fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) monitoring)?

A description of the methods used to evaluate attainment of specific monitoring objectives and 

targets is presented in section XX of this handbook.
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Outline Description

Title: Conceptual model for identifying key monitoring questions

1. Predict impact of land use on watershed processes and functions

2. Prescribe and / or refine BMPs to prevent / minimize impacts

3. Implement BMPs

4. Collect BMP implementation data. Are BMPs adequately implemented? If Yes then 5, if 

no then 3.

5. Collect BMP effectiveness data. Are BMPs effective? If yes then 6, if no then 1 and or 2.

6. Collect watershed scale validation monitoring data.

7. Are implementation and / or effectiveness performance targets sufficient to meet water 

quality objectives?

Are performance targets consistent with the protection, maintenance, and restoration of 

beneficial uses? If Yes then 2, if no then 8.

8. Explore other alternatives (e.g., TMDL; modify water quality objectives; etc)

14.23 Exhibit 01.

Conceptual model for identifying key monitoring questions
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14.3 - DO—Implement the BMPs and Water Quality Management Handbook

This work will involve implementing the BMPs and other prescribed water-quality protection 

practices during all project planning and implementation activities, including the restoration of 

legacy sites as described in chapter 5 of the Water Quality Management Handbook. Methods 

used will be the current practices and procedures as prescribed in current BMPs, Forest Plan 

Standards and Guidelines, and other relevant documents (see list of on-line references at the end 

of chapter 2). 

14.4 - CHECK—Implementation, effectiveness, and validation monitoring strategy

A comprehensive and regionally consistent water-quality monitoring program is needed to 

guide water-quality protection programs on national forests in Region 5 of the Forest Service. 

The monitoring program is described in chapter 6 of this handbook. The program described 

in chapter 6 is intended to meet the needs of the Region as well as the State and Regional 

Water Water Resources Control Boards and the Regional Water Quality Control Boards for 

water-quality information. The program includes procedures for evaluating if the practices for 

protecting water quality were implemented as prescribed, often described as implementation 

or compliance monitoring. The program also assesses whether current practices are effective 

and whether the performance targets are adequate for accomplishing the intended water-quality 

goal. The program will also include regular evaluation of the performance of the monitoring 

program itself.

The adaptive management component of the Water Quality Management Handbook 

program involves the regular analysis, synthesis, and reporting of the data collected through 

the monitoring program. This will include the following three tiers of reporting, with 

management recommendations.

1. Development of annual forest monitoring reports presenting and summarizing results 

from BMP monitoring (BMPEP and Implementation Checklists). Use annual reporting 

to share lessons learned, and recommend to line officers modifications to project-specific 

design features and BMPs, and administrative processes at the forest level to improve 

planning, contracting, and implementation of forest management activities.

2. Development of annual Regional report that presents a synthesis of monitoring 

information collected and reported at the Forest level. In addition to raw results, 

provide some analysis of trends in successes and deficiencies, including identification 

of causes. Also identify short-term corrections, if needed, to BMP monitoring protocols 

or analysis tools.

3. Development of periodic reports, which presents a comprehensive review of 

monitoring, assessment, and research results to inform and recommend modifications 

to either technical guidance documents (for example, BMP manuals), or the AMS 
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monitoring and research program. For comprehensive reporting, include integration 

of analysis and information developed outside the State Water Quality Management 

Handbook, which provides additional information regarding condition of Forest Service 

watersheds and streams, and potential effects of forest management activities. This would 

include efforts available through external research and other related regional/national 

agency efforts (for example, CalEPA Wetlands Inventory and Assessment program, 

Forest Service Watershed Condition Assessment Program). This effort will be conducted 

the year prior to the cyclical 5.year waiver renewal process, and presented as a 5.year 

status and trends report of BMP performance, watershed and water-quality health, and 

monitoring program performance. The report will also include recommendations for 

management change.

Evaluation of Monitoring Program

As part of the discussion included in each annual forest monitoring report, identification of 

problems encountered in implementing the monitoring program will be included. This will 

include problems encountered with using existing data collection and analysis protocols, 

accuracy of results, and sufficiency in training and funding received. Results presented will 

include identification of any caveats or uncertainties related to the accuracy of the results 

presented. Forest input will be synthesized in Forest Service Region 5 reports. 

In addition, identification of observed deficiencies or difficulties in implementing the monitoring 

program, will be a key component of the annual BMPEP training and workshop, organized by 

the Regional Forest Service Hydrologist. The workshop will also identify recommendations for 

improvements in the monitoring approach. Results from the workshop will be included in Forest 

Service statewide Regional reporting. 

Independent peer review of protocols and analysis may be solicited from the science 

community, including the Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station, as 

recommended by the Regional Forest Service Technical Team. Testing and piloting efforts of 

revised techniques and protocols may also be recommended by the Regional Forest Service 

Technical Team.

Further discussion regarding how monitoring data will be used and reported to initiate a 

management response is described below. 

14.5 - ACT—Short-term corrective actions, reporting, and recommendations or 

decisions for programmatic change

Adaptive management as used in this plan means adjusting preventive and restorative methods to 

improve water-quality protection based on monitoring results. The general approach is to:

1. Identify problems through systematic monitoring and research synthesis. Include input 

provided by Water Board staff, stakeholders and tribes.
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2. Describe measurement and data variability, and any uncertainties associated with 

monitoring.

3. Identify current risks and uncertainties through synthesis of existing monitoring and 

research.

4. Identify appropriate corrective actions.

5. Verify implementation of corrective actions.

6. Document implementation of corrective actions; and

7. Report discrepancies and corrective actions in annual reports to State and Regional 

Boards.

14.51 - Response procedures for monitoring program components

1. Annual BMP implementation checklist discrepancies. Discrepancies are instances 

when BMPs implemented on the ground do not match what was stated in project 

planning, contract, or permitting documents. District and forest hydrologists will:

a. Check with project administrator to verify discrepancies.

b. Identify corrective actions in cooperation with project administrator.

c. Conduct follow-up inspections to verify corrective actions.

d. Document corrective actions in project file.

e. Describe discrepancies and corrective actions in annual reports.

2. Annual random BMPEP monitoring implementation failures. District and forest 

hydrologists will:

a. Discuss failure with project administrator.

b. Identify corrective actions.

c. Conduct follow-up inspections to verify corrective actions.

d. Document corrective actions in project file.

e. Describe discrepancies and corrective actions in annual reports.
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3. Annual random BMPEP effectiveness failures. District and forest hydrologists will:

a. Evaluate hydrologic conditions at the time of failure.

b. Conduct field visit to determine causes of failure.

c. Identify corrective actions.

d. Verify implementation of corrective actions during the following year.

e. Recommend measures to improve BMP effectiveness to the regional hydrologist.

f. Document findings in project file and in annual report.

4. Retrospective BMPEP effectiveness failures. District and forest hydrologists will:

a. Evaluate hydrologic conditions most likely to have contributed to failure.

b. Determine whether the BMPs selected were appropriate for the specific local 

application based on local conditions (soils, hydrology, etc.)? Was the BMP selected 

appropriate for the nature and scale of the anticipated resource impact? Were there 

pre-existing conditions or cumulative effects involved, and were these adequately 

addressed as part of BMP selection. Conduct field visit to determine causes of failure.

c. Identify corrective actions.

d. Verify implementation of corrective actions during the following year, and 

document benefits and failures of corrective actions.

e. Recommend measures to improve BMP effectiveness to the regional hydrologist.

f. Document findings in project file and in annual report.

5. In-channel monitoring (SCI):

a. Annual results will be reviewed by the forest hydrologist to identify any 

current conditions or trends that indicate potential cumulative watershed effects, 

including identification of pre-existing legacy issues and suspected causes and 

sources of effects.

b. Forest watershed staff will identify preventive or restoration actions needed to 

improve channel conditions, and observations or monitoring results of benefits and 

failures of corrective actions.
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c. Results of monitoring and a description of corrective actions will be included in 

annual reports.

6. Field observations independent of systematic monitoring programs

a. All Forest Service staff will report observations of existing or potential waterquality impairments immediately to the local line officer and forest hydrologist.

b. Line officers will determine appropriate corrective actions.

c. Forest hydrologists will report violations of basin plans to regional board staff.

d. All water-quality impairments requiring corrective actions will be documented in 

annual reports.

7. Storm patrols

a. Forest Service staff assigned to storm patrol duties will be qualified to use the 

necessary tools to make emergency repairs to road drainage facilities and other BMP 

failures that can be safely addressed with hand tools.

b. Road patrol teams will document locations of problems with GPS units and 

provide information on problem locations to the district or forest hydrologist.

c. District and forest hydrologists will work with engineering staff to prevent future 

recurrences.

8. Rangeland FIB monitoring for high-use recreational sites:

a. Forest Service range management staff will investigate all monitoring results for 

either FIB or other indicators that indicate excedance of basin plan objectives.

b. If terms and conditions of the grazing permit are not being met, the Forest Service 

will take immediate corrective actions as described in chapter 2.

14.52 - Reporting

Annual reports will include information on the funding used to support monitoring on each 

national forest each year.

Project Implementation Monitoring:

Implementation monitoring results are formally reported to Water Boards within 90 days of 

project completion. These are reported through implementation checklists for all projects 
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implemented through a NEPA decision. These monitoring requirements are described in the 

Water Board permit documents. Informal reporting of project implementation monitoring is 

ongoing throughout the project on an as-needed basis between monitoring staff and contracting 

officers’ representatives/sale administrators/project leaders and regulatory staff. Implementation 

checklists are developed by Forest Service staff specific to each project, and they are to be 

reviewed and approved by Water Board staff if requested, prior to project initiation.

BMPEP and Watershed Monitoring:

Each national forest will submit an annual draft monitoring report to the State Water Board and 

the appropriate Regional Boards and make it available to the public. The Forest Service Regional 

Office will submit a draft annual summary of monitoring results to the State Water Board, 

appropriate Regional Boards, and make it available to the public for all forests in the Pacific 

Southwest Region, and will compile a draft report containing a more detailed analysis and 

synthesis of monitoring results every 3 years. 

After submission of draft annual reports, the Forest Service and Water Board staffs will be 

invited to meet each year, both at the forest level and the regional level (for example, the 

Joint Forest Service / Water Board Science team), to review annual findings and finalize any 

recommendations for immediate change in the final report. Recommendations will include both 

those related to management activities as well as the monitoring program. It is expected that the 

scale of recommended change would be fairly limited during the annual reporting cycle, and 

primarily address change at the Forest level.

The 3.year report will consist of a much more in-depth and detailed analysis and synthesis 

of findings to identify trends and causes for repeated BMP implementation and effectiveness 

deficiencies, and trends in stream channel conditions. Upon meeting with Water Board staff, 

this final 3.year report is when a more in-depth analysis of results would be used to develop a 

larger scope of recommendations related to changes in management direction or the monitoring 

program would occur. Any new findings from available relevant research would also be 

integrated into this 3.year synthesis report.

Draft reports will be made available for stakeholders and tribes to review, to also provide 

comment and input in preparation of the final report, for both the annual and periodic 

comprehensive reports. Reports will be posted online.

The finalized annual report, as well as the periodic comprehensive report, will then be submitted 

to the executive staff for both the Forest Service and the Water Board for the consideration of 

management decisions as described in below.

Field Reviews:

Annually complete a field review to visit and discuss implementation and effectiveness 

monitoring results. Forest Service and Water Board staffs should organize this event and 
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locations should change each year. Stakeholders and tribes should be invited and may be asked 

to help select the sites for field visits. Results of BMPEP evaluations should be discussed at these 

events. Areas of non-compliance or ineffective BMPs should be included on the field visits.

Executive Management Decisions 

A synthesis of findings and management recommendations from annual reports and the 

comprehensive reports will be presented to appropriate executive staff within the Forest Service. 

Based on this synthesis, executive staff will initiate actions and appropriate decision documents 

following their respective agency processes to implement changes to either individual Forest 

practices (including the BMP and BMPEP program), or the State Water Quality Management 

Handbook, or the State management agency agreement. These actions and decisions will 

be broadly communicated to Water Board staff, tribal leaders, and stakeholders. Executive 

management decisions should be made early enough so that actions undertaken or being 

considered can be reported for State Water Board consideration during an upcoming waiverrenewal process. This should be done at least a few months before the CEQA process for waiver 

renewal is to begin. More time may be needed if decisions made are controversial.

Decisions and the rationale for the decisions will be described and documented in a decision 

briefing. The decision briefing will be made available to all interested parties and is intended to 

inform Water Board staff, tribal governments, and stakeholders, regarding the factors that drive 

management decisions.

One possible decision the Forest Service would implement if consistent failure to meet basinplan objectives was discovered, is to voluntarily request termination of waiver coverage and file 

a report of waste discharge for the project or stop the project. Consistent failure for a type of 

activity on an individual forest would result in the forest disenrolling the activity from the waiver 

and either seeking alternate permit coverage through ROWD or ending the activity.

Sources of information used to determine failure would include all of our own monitoring programs 

and information from external observers, including Regional Boards. Based on this information, the 

Forest Service would make a determination as to whether we actually had a consistent failure for an 

individual project or an activity that resulted in violation of Basin Plan standards.

Stakeholder and Tribal ReviewConsultation

The role of a stakeholder and tribal review panel advisory group is described in section 13 of this 

handbook.

Information System

A web-based system for providing and receiving information related to water-quality 

management on NFS lands is described in section 13. Monitoring results will be entered into 

appropriate USFS electronic data bases (BMPEP, NRM AQS).
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15 - WATERSHED PRIORITIZATION FOR RESTORATION

The Forest Service Watershed Improvement Program (WIP) is a nationwide Forest Service 

program of assessment and restoration on a watershed scale. The WIP is complimentary 

to the BMPs described in section 12. The BMPs provide protection from current and new 

activities, while the WIP addresses adverse effects of past land uses. Both programs are integral 

components of this Water Quality Management Handbook. The term “restoration” as used here 

conforms to the definition provided by FSM 2020:

“The process of assisting the recovery of resilience and adaptive capacity of ecosystems that 

have been degraded, damaged, or destroyed. Restoration focuses on establishing the composition, 

structure, pattern, hydrologic function and ecological processes necessary to make terrestrial and 

aquatic ecosystems sustainable, resilient, and healthy under current and future conditions.” 

Restoration has also been defined as “an intentional activity that initiates or accelerates the 

recovery of an ecosystem with respect to its health, integrity and sustainability.” (Society for 

Ecological Restoration) 

Adverse impacts resulting from past land uses are often termed “legacy” problems. This term 

is used here to distinguish between impacts that can be prevented by application of BMPs to 

current projects and impacts related to past land uses that require additional action to control.

The Forest Service approach to watershed improvement and restoration follows the principle 

of conservation biology to “protect the best, restore the rest.” This approach is likely to be 

strongly supported in the future by the Forest Service national headquarters. This philosophical 

approach means that the Forest Service focuses on watersheds with critical aquatic habitat 

needed to support threatened and endangered species. These watersheds are generally, 

although not always, in relatively good geomorphic, hydrologic, and biologic condition. 

Restoration efforts in these watersheds are likely to be more cost-effective than restoration 

of badly damaged watersheds. This approach differs from the Total Maximum Daily Load 

approach used by USEPA and the Water Boards to restore impaired watersheds. However, 

critical aquatic refugia and impaired watersheds are not completely mutually exclusive, and 

opportunities exist to restore watersheds that act as critical aquatic refugia and are listed as 

impaired water bodies.

In accordance with the WIP, each national forest identifies the priority watersheds for restoration, 

and the essential projects that will bring about improvement in watershed condition. The 

intent of the program is to focus watershed restoration activities in priority watersheds and 

progress through the priority watersheds in a stepwise manner, eventually providing assessment 

and restoration for all watersheds. As described in more detail below, priority watersheds 

receive heightened water-quality protection under Forest Service guidance and are integral for 

maintaining sanctuary habitats for threatened and endangered species and unique plant and 

animal communities. 
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Watershed restoration projects are not limited to priority watersheds. However, national forests 

are expected to concentrate their available resources for watershed improvement in priority 

watersheds. 

The primary components of the WIP are: 

1. Priority Watershed Selection

2. Watershed Condition Assessments

3. Watershed Improvement Needs Inventories

4. Essential Project Identification

5. Watershed Restoration Plans

6. Annual Watershed Improvement Accomplishments Reporting 

15.1 - Priority Watershed Selection

The Forest Service has adopted a “priority watershed” approach in its watershed restoration 

program. In 2001, each forest in the Pacific Southwest Region identified priority watersheds 

where watershed improvement work would be focused. In 2001, priority watersheds were 

defined at the 5th-field hydrologic unit code (HUC) scale (40,000 to 250,000 acres). Priority 

watersheds under the current Watershed Condition Framework Implementation Guide (2010) are 

defined at the 6th-field HUC scale (10,000 to 40,000 acres).

In 2001, priorities were defined based on (1) existing watershed conditions, (2) values, and 

(3) opportunities. Existing watershed conditions at the 5th-field scale served as the primary 

criterion in priority setting. Values were typically tangible assets of importance to people and 

included: sources of domestic water, rare ecosystems, unique recreation areas, threatened and 

endangered species, rural communities, and soil productivity. Opportunity was defined by factors 

that enhance the likelihood that the desired outcome is achievable and could include: available 

infrastructure, ownership patterns, policy direction, partnerships, and sufficient financial and 

political support. In other words, 

Condition + Values + Opportunity = Priority.

Based on the Watershed Condition Framework Implementation Guide, national forests 

will identify an appropriate number of watersheds for improvement that correspond to a 

reasonable and achievable program of work over the next 5 years (the “planning cycle”) 

within current budget levels. These watersheds will be the new “priority watersheds.” The 

number of priority watersheds will vary by forest but it is expected to range from 1 to 5, given 

current funding levels.
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Each forest will identify priority watersheds using an interdisciplinary process that includes 

representatives from soil, water, range, wildlife and fish, roads and trails, vegetation, planning, 

fuels, and others as appropriate. In cases, where one or more forests share watersheds, the 

affected Forests/Regions will need to work together to assure that the selection of priority 

watersheds is coordinated.

Information provided by the State and Regional Boards and other partners (local, State, 

tribal, other Federal agencies or interest groups) will be considered in the priority watershed 

identification process. The public will be given opportunities to provide suggestions for selecting 

priority watersheds during the development of forest plans. 

While the task of identifying priority watersheds is largely left to the discretion of the national 

forests, three factors, along with local issues, needs, and opportunities must be considered:

1. A rapid assessment of resource value

2. A rapid assessment of the estimated cost effectiveness, and

3. National and Regional watershed condition policy, direction, and guidance.

15.2 - Watershed Condition Assessment

The Forest Service has recently developed a new watershed condition assessment tool. The 

“Implementation Guide for Assessing and Tracking Changes to Watershed Condition” was 

completed in 2010. The assessment strategy includes the following 12 indicators:

1. Water Quality Condition

2. Water Quantity Condition

3. Stream and Habitat Condition

4. Aquatic Biota Condition

5. Riparian Vegetation Condition

6. Road and Trail Condition

7. Soil Condition

8. Fire Effects and Regime Condition

9. Forest Cover Condition

10. Rangeland, Grasslands, and Open Area Condition
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11. Terrestrial Non-native Invasive Species Condition

12. Forest Health Condition

The assessment tool is implemented at the 6th-field HUC scale. This scale is equivalent to 

10,000- to 40,000-acre subwatersheds. 

15.3 - Watershed Improvement Needs Inventories

The Forest Service Watershed Improvement Program includes as a component a forest-level 

inventory of watershed improvement needs (WIN). This is an ongoing process that is integrated 

with the forest program of work and subject to available funding. The degree of progress in these 

inventories varies considerably by forest, depending on available resources and capabilities. 

Significant progress is being made in inventories of road-related watershed improvement needs 

following procedures outlined by Napper (2008).

The existing WIN inventories are in a combination of forms including hardcopy files of field 

inventory forms, local spreadsheet and/or GIS data, and in a national database (Watershed 

Improvement Tracking database or WIT). Few forests in the Region have yet transitioned to the 

WIT database, but national training in the database is currently being provided. 

15.4 - Essential Project Identification

Identification of “essential projects” is introduced as a new component of the Watershed 

Improvement Program in the draft Implementation Guide. Essential projects are being defined 

as projects that “prevent or remedy a problem that impairs the physical, chemical or biologic 

function of the watershed and, when implemented, sustain or move a watershed to a better 

condition class.” 

Essential projects may be individual projects or a group of projects which cumulatively require 

work or action to maintain or improve watershed condition class. A watershed may have only 

one essential project (for example, head cut stabilization) or a suite of essential projects (for 

example, decommission 5 roads, upgrade 15 culverts, change a grazing system, remove 3 

check dams, remove hazardous fuels from 30 acres of riparian area, and restore native riparian 

vegetation). In most cases, integrated suites of projects would need to be implemented.

Essential projects will address all resources and may be funded from many budget accounts. 

While emphasizing on-the-ground work, essential projects can also include planning aspects. 

National forest personnel, as part of an interdisciplinary team, identify essential projects which 

the appropriate line officer agrees to, as needed, to sustain or improve watershed condition.

Work or actions that are not necessary to improve physical, chemical, or biological conditions 

at a watershed scale are considered “non-essential.” The determination of whether a project or 

group of projects is considered essential vs. non-essential will be made at a local level. Examples 
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of non-essential projects include eradication of non-native fish, vegetation manipulation that does 

not improve or reduce risk to watershed condition, or replacement of a culvert in a stream where 

the crossing is stable and aquatic passage is not a concern.

A description of techniques for site-specific watershed improvement projects is beyond the scope 

of this Water Quality Management Handbook. The Forest Service has successfully completed 

many road decommissioning, stormproofing, meadow restoration, abandoned mine reclamation 

and other projects in the past several decades. Methods for these types of projects are described 

in NEPA project documents.

15.5 - Watershed Restoration Plans 

For each of the priority watersheds, national forests will identify the specific projects necessary 

to improve watershed condition class and develop a Watershed Action Plan. The action plan will 

be based on a detailed assessment of each priority watershed. The assessment should document 

specific problems affecting ecological conditions; identify appropriate projects that address 

these problems; propose an implementation schedule, project sequencing, potential partners, and 

funding sources. 

Acceptable watershed assessment methods must be used to analyze watershed condition and 

make general recommendations for any needed improvement. Examples of accepted methods 

include: Ecosystem Analysis at the Watershed Scale (EWAS), Hydrologic Condition Analysis 

(HCA), Total Maximum Daily Load assessments (TMDLs), Watershed Improvement Needs 

(WIN) inventories and large-scale NEPA. National forests may use other accepted methods, 

provided their assessment method has sufficient information about watershed function and 

processes to determine specific problems, current and desired watershed condition, and provides 

information that can be used to identify restoration objectives.

The watershed condition assessment should result in development of a Watershed Action Plan 

(also known as a restoration plan or strategy) that synthesizes problems, actions and timelines. 

These plans provide details on maintenance and restoration objectives for the watershed. 

Potential partners and funding sources may also be listed. The goal of these assessments is to 

identify essential projects.

15.6 - Annual Watershed Improvements Accomplishments Reporting

Each national forest annually reports its accomplishments for watershed improvements to the 

Regional Office. Accomplishments are reported in acres improved or linear feet of channel 

restored. Accomplishments are compared to annual targets assigned by the Regional Office to 

the national forests to assess performance and allocate funding. The Forest Service is shifting 

nationally to targets based on improvements in overall watershed condition. This change was 

implemented in Fiscal Year 2011.
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Implementation and effectiveness of restoration projects will be monitored as described in NEPA 

documents. In addition, programmatic monitoring of road decommissioning and stormproofing 

projects will be conducted under the Legacy Roads program by the Rocky Mountain Forest and 

Range Experiment Station.

15.7 - Project Level Restoration 

The Forest Service has current authority and direction to assess restoration needs and conduct 

restoration of legacy problems within the boundaries of timber sales (FSH 2409.19, FSM 

2522.22), although restoration is limited by available funds generated by the sale of forest 

products or external grant funding. 

Ecological restoration has recently been identified as a responsibility for all Forest Service 

resource management programs (FSM 2020.3). The watershed-scale restoration approach 

described above provides an effective approach for addressing legacy problems. However, not all 

watersheds will have watershed restoration plans in effect immediately. Therefore, most projects 

conducted in watersheds without established watershed restoration plans will restore legacy 

problems within project boundaries. Projects that cover large areas, such as hazard tree removals, 

routine road maintenance, and range allotments, will not include restoration of legacy sites. 

16 - MONITORING

A monitoring program is a critical component of the Water Quality Management Handbook. The 

monitoring program assesses Forest Service success in protecting and improving water quality, 

identifies program elements that can be made more effective through adaptive management 

(section 14), and evaluates trends in water-quality conditions resulting from natural and 

anthropogenic factors. Results of the monitoring program will be used to inform and modify 

Forest Service project management as described in detail in section 14.

16.1 - Objectives

The objectives of the monitoring program are:

1. Early detection of actual or potential water-quality problems associated with current 

management activities.

2. Documentation and correction of known deficiencies in BMP implementation.

3. Assessment of long-term (3 to 5 years) effectiveness of water-quality protection 

measures.

4. Evaluation of linkages between resource management activities, including BMP 

implementation and watershed restoration programs, and cumulative watershed effects.
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5. Calibration of thresholds of concern for cumulative watershed effects analyses.

6. Evaluation of water-quality trends affecting beneficial uses in receiving waters 

downstream of forest management activities, including waters listed as impaired under 

section 303(d).

7. Assessments of water quality in reference streams for comparison with listed and 

potentially listed impaired waters.

16.2 - Program Management

1. The monitoring program will be a regional program coordinated by the Regional 

Office and conducted by the national forest staffs.

2. Regional monitoring targets (numbers of evaluations) will be based on available funds 

and determined by the Regional Office. Annual targets for all monitoring activities at 

the national forest level will be set by the Regional Office. Targets will be changed as 

necessary to reflect changes in water-quality protection priorities, funding, and staffing.

3. Funding to support monitoring will be allocated based on assigned targets.

4. Watershed staff will be used to conduct monitoring to the extent possible, but 

monitoring may also be conducted by other Forest Service personnel trained in waterquality monitoring.

5. The Forest Service Regional Office will prepare a Quality Assurance Project Plan for 

the monitoring program within one year of adoption of this Water Quality Management 

Handbook.

6. Relevant data provided by other agencies and organizations that meets Quality 

Assurance Project Plan criteria will be used as part of the monitoring program.

16.3 - Monitoring Protocols

This plan will rely on existing well-documented monitoring methods. Hillslope monitoring 

for current management activities will use the Best Management Practice Evaluation Program 

(BMPEP, U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region 2002) protocols. In-channel monitoring 

will follow Stream Condition Inventory (SCI, U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region 

2005) protocols.

The monitoring program will follow the incentive-based approach adopted by the North Coast 

Regional Board waiver approved on June 10, 2010. Under this incentive-based approach, each 

national forest will establish a network of baseline in-channel and hillslope monitoring sites at 

the watershed (5th-field HUC) scale (described below). This network fulfills most monitoring 
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requirements and eliminates the need for project-level monitoring within the monitored 

watersheds, with the exception of the BMP checklists described below. Projects in watersheds 

that do not have baseline monitoring sites will be required to conduct project-level monitoring 

(described below).

Both baseline and project-level monitoring offer some advantages for understanding the 

effectiveness of Forest Service BMPs and watershed improvement projects in protecting water 

quality. Baseline monitoring is useful for evaluating cumulative effects, as well as conditions 

and trends. Project-level monitoring allows linking the results of BMP monitoring to in-channel 

monitoring results. In practice, most national forests are likely to use a combination of baseline 

and project-level monitoring based on the relative costs of the two programs under the incentivebased approach. 

16.31 - Monitoring common to all projects and activities

1. Hillslope monitoring of current management activities and corrective actions:

a. All projects with potential to adversely affect water quality will have BMP 

implementation monitoring using a “checklist” approach. BMP implementation 

checklists will document whether, and when, the site-specific BMPs specified in 

NEPA analyses were implemented. These checklists will be the primary systematic 

means for early detection of potential water-quality problems, and will be completed 

early enough to allow corrective actions to be taken, if needed, prior to any significant 

rainfall or snowmelt throughout the duration of the project. Checklists will be 

completed several times during the life of most projects, including prior to grounddisturbing activities, prior to winter periods, and at the completion of the project. 

Forest Service watershed staff will develop the checklists based on BMPs identified in 

NEPA documents. Forest Service project staff (timber, range, recreation, engineering, 

etc.) will complete the checklists and forest hydrologists will coordinate and review 

the checklists to ensure that any deficiencies are corrected effectively.

b. The BMPEP, with random site selection, will continue to be the primary means 

of assessing the effectiveness of water-quality protection for current projects on NFS 

lands at the hillslope scale. Random effectiveness monitoring for BMPEP protocols 

that have consistently scored 95 percent or higher for 5 consecutive years at the 

Regional level will be reduced to allow staff resources to be used for retrospective 

BMP evaluations and in-channel monitoring.

c. National forests will conduct road patrols to the extent allowed by weather, safety, 

and road conditions during and after major storms to detect and correct road drainage 

problems that could affect water quality. Road patrols will be conducted along NFTS 

roads before and after major storms to prevent and repair damage to roads that may 
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adversely affect water quality. Each national forest will develop a road patrol plan. 

Road patrol plans will describe conditions under which road patrols are appropriate, 

safety precautions, and monitoring, corrective actions,, and reporting procedures. 

Corrective actions may include debris removal from culverts, repair of water bars, 

and cleaning of inboard ditches. Reports will be prepared for each storm or series 

of storms that involves a road-patrol response. Reports will be posted to the Forest 

Service water-quality web site described in section 13.

d. Forests will conduct G-Y-R Trail Condition Monitoring as described in Revised 

OHV Trail Monitoring Form (GYR Form) and Training Guide, USDA-Forest Service, 

Pacific SW Region, July 30, 2004, to identify trails and watercourse crossings in need 

of maintenance and to prioritize maintenance activities.

e. Forests will evaluate all watercourse crossings rated “red” during the G-Y-R Trail 

Condition Monitoring in consultation with a qualified watershed specialist.

f. Forests will schedule G-Y-R Trail Condition Monitoring so high-risk and highmaintenance trails are monitored annually; schedule the monitoring of stable trails 

less frequently, but not less than every 3 years.

g. Forests will monitor a 2 percent sample of trails each year using the Trail 

Assessment and Condition Survey (TRACS) protocol.

h. Forests will monitor the effectiveness of the OHV BMPs using the established 

Pacific Southwest Region BMP effectiveness monitoring program.

i. During routine inspections of OHV trails and while conducting photo point 

monitoring, use a standardized form to document and report newly created 

unauthorized OHV use, and trail segments with potential water-quality impacts.

2. Retrospective hillslope monitoring of past management activities:

a. Follow-up BMPEP monitoring for sites that were evaluated and rated as “not 

implemented” or “not effective” the previous year will be conducted to determine if 

corrective actions have been taken.

b. Sample pools will be developed annually for BMPs evaluated in the previous 3 to 

5 years that were rated as effective, and sites will be selected randomly from this pool 

for retrospective BMPEP effectiveness evaluations.

c. Retrospective BMPEP evaluations will follow the standard BMPEP protocols. If 

protocols change between the time of the original evaluation and the retrospective 

evaluation, the current protocol will be used.
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d. Results of retrospective monitoring will be compared to original BMPEP 

effectiveness scores to determine if BMPs remained effective over a period of 3 to 5 

years.

e. The recurrence interval for the highest rainfall (based on design storm criteria) 

during the period between the original and retrospective evaluations will be estimated 

for the stream nearest the site of the evaluation. Recurrence interval estimates will be 

compared to long-term effectiveness in national forest and regional BMPEP reports.

16.32 - Baseline In-Channel Monitoring

The monitoring program will follow the incentive-based approach adopted by the North Coast 

Regional Board waiver approved on June 10, 2010. Under this incentive-based approach, 

each national forest will establish a network of baseline in-channel monitoring sites at the 

watershed (5th-field HUC) scale (described below). This network fulfills in-channel monitoring 

requirements and eliminates the need for project-level in-channel monitoring within the baseline 

watersheds. Projects in watersheds that do not have baseline monitoring sites and that are at or 

above thresholds of concern for cumulative watershed effects will be required to conduct projectlevel monitoring (described below).

Both baseline and project-level monitoring offer some advantages for understanding the 

effectiveness of Forest Service BMPs and watershed improvement projects in protecting water 

quality. Baseline monitoring is useful for evaluating cumulative effects, as well as conditions 

and trends. Project-level monitoring allows linking the results of BMP monitoring to in-channel 

monitoring results. In practice, most national forests are likely to use a combination of baseline 

and project-level monitoring based on the relative costs of the two programs under the incentivebased approach.

The purpose of in-channel monitoring is to determine whether Forest Service BMPs and 

restoration activities collectively are effective in protecting and improving water quality at the 

watershed scale. Effectiveness will be assessed by monitoring trends in channel characteristics 

that affect beneficial uses and by comparing measures of central tendency for channel 

characteristics of streams downstream of actively managed areas with those in pristine or nearly 

pristine reference watersheds. Reference watersheds will be defined using the State Board 

Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP) criteria (Ode 2009). Actively managed 

watersheds are those that do not meet criteria for reference watersheds, and may include 

watersheds with 303(d)-listed waters.

Representative in-channel monitoring sites will be selected for 5th-field hydrologic units 

(watersheds), which are generally between 20 and 200 square miles in area. Each watershed in 

the baseline monitoring network will have one site representative of reference conditions and 

one site representative of actively managed conditions. Relating downstream channel changes to 

upstream activities is problematic in large watersheds (MacDonald and Coe 2006), so monitoring 
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sites will be located on relatively small headwaters streams (6th- and 7th-field hydrologic units). 

Monitoring sites will be selected to have similar valley segment and stream reach characteristics 

(Bisson and others 2006). 

1. Fixed long-term locations for SCI surveys will be selected by national forest aquatic 

specialists and the Regional Office in cooperation with the State and Regional Board 

staffs. These locations will remain in the monitoring pool unless removed by consensus 

of the national forest, Regional Office, and Regional and State Boards.

2. SCI surveys will be conducted annually, with the goal of monitoring each 5th-field 

watershed at least once every 5 years and as soon as possible following major (RI greater 

than 10 year) floods. Roughly 20 percent of the watersheds will be surveyed each year, 

on average. Survey locations will be rotated among all 5th-field watersheds within each 

4th-field sub-basin. For repeat surveys, the recurrence interval of the highest peak flow 

between consecutive surveys will be estimated and reported.

3. For watersheds 303(d) listed for pollutants other than sediment, additional parameters 

will be monitored to assess progress in reducing loads. Examples include stream 

temperature, nutrients, and bacteria. Monitoring frequency and protocols for this 

additional monitoring will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

16.33 - Rangeland water-quality monitoring

1. Streams will be monitored for fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) in selected representative 

high-use recreation sites that are within or downstream of range allotments. In addition, 

the USFS will conduct annual and long-term monitoring of key riparian areas within 

range allotments. Fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) monitoring in high-use recreation areas in 

or downstream of active range allotments will be conducted in the following manner:

a. The USFS and the Regional Water Board staff will collaborate to identify and 

prioritize designated high-use water-contact recreation sites that are within or 

immediately downstream of active grazing allotments with recently developed BMPs.

b. A minimum of one such site will be monitored annually.

c. Suitable sites may be substituted from year to year as agreed upon by the National 

Forests and Regional Water Board.

d. At each FIB monitoring site, USFS will collect samples for fecal indicator bacteria 

analyses within the high-use recreation area water during the grazing season at 

intervals sufficient to determine compliance with basin plan objectives. Standard 

sampling methods and commercial labs will be used.
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e. If Basin Plan Objectives are exceeded, USFS will collect additional samples 

upstream and downstream of the high-use recreation area to isolate influences of 

humans, livestock, and other possible sources.

f. The results will be reported at least annually to the Regional Water Board.

g. In addition, FIB monitoring will be conducted on one “best” USFS grazing 

allotment in the state to verify the “best-case” performance of the USFS BMPs and 

their implementation.

h. The FIB monitoring results will be compared with results of USFS annual 

vegetative monitoring of range allotments to see if there is a good correlation that 

would allow extrapolation of vegetative monitoring to estimate FIB concentrations 

within allotments that are not monitored for FIB.

2. The following monitoring activities will be conducted as described in BMP 8.2:

a. Assessments of rangeland condition and trend shall be performed once every 

five years on selected allotments in key areas to track the ecological trend of upland 

and meadow vegetation. Assessments will include monitoring of rooted frequency, 

riparian greenline width, and streambank stability.

b. Allotment inspections shall be performed to ensure stocking rates, season of 

use, allotment boundaries, and range improvement terms are within the terms and 

conditions of grazing permits.

c. Utilization monitoring shall be performed at a minimum at the end of the grazing 

season to ensure compliance with forage utilization limits and other requirements 

included in the terms and conditions of the permit.

d. BMPEP shall be performed annually for randomly selected allotments to assess 

implementation and effectiveness of BMPs identified in Water Quality Management 

for Forest System Lands in California, Best Management Practices (USFS, Pacific 

Southwest Region, 2000 or as updated and amended). This monitoring will assess 

whether site-specific BMPs have been developed and implemented, as well as 

vegetation and riparian condition. 

16.34 - Project-Level Monitoring for Projects in Watersheds without Baseline 

Monitoring that are at or above thresholds of concern for cumulative watershed 

effects

1. Hillslope monitoring of current management activities and corrective actions:
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a. Projects will have non-random BMPEP effectiveness monitoring for all high-risk 

activities. High-risk activities include road construction or reconstruction, stream 

crossings, grazing, and all ground-disturbing activities within designated riparian 

buffers, including riparian reserves, riparian conservation areas, riparian habitat 

conservation areas, and streamside management zones.

b. Follow-up BMPEP monitoring for sites that were evaluated and rated as “not 

implemented” or “not effective” the previous year will be conducted to determine if 

corrective actions have been taken.

2. Project-level in-channel monitoring

a. Project-level in-channel monitoring will be conducted for any project within a 

watershed at or above its Threshold of Concern as determined from an analysis of 

cumulative watershed effects.

b. SCI surveys will be made at the nearest suitable reach downstream of the project 

area before any ground-disturbing activities and after project completion.

c. For repeat surveys, the recurrence interval of the highest peak flow between 

consecutive surveys will be estimated and reported.

d. SCI survey results will be compared to BMPEP results to evaluate relations 

between BMP effectiveness and stream-channel responses.

16.4 - Reporting

All monitoring results, including project-level monitoring, will be reported annually by each 

national forest to the appropriate Regional Board(s). A summary of results for all national forests 

in the Pacific Southwest Region will be provided to the State Board annually. Detailed reports 

summarizing results, including hydrologic conditions, will be prepared and provided to the State 

Board at intervals of 3 to 5 years. Corrective actions required to address water-quality problems 

detected by monitoring are described in Chapter 4 of this Handbook.

17 - TOTAL MAXIMUM DAILY LOAD IMPLEMENTATION

Although the quality of waters on NFS lands is generally good, many water bodies that originate 

on or flow through national forests have been listed as impaired on the State’s 303(d) list. 

These listings include water bodies containing pollutants that are linked to forest management 

activities, such as sediment and stream temperature, and other pollutants that are not related to 

forest land uses, for example, mercury contamination resulting from historic gold mining.

The Forest Service is committed to working with the State to improve the condition of all 

impaired waters on the National Forest System. Effective management to restore impaired water 
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bodies involves minimizing adverse effects of current activities, repairing damage caused by 

past activities, and monitoring loads of the listed pollutant(s) to determine compliance with load 

allocations. 

17.1 - Minimizing Adverse Effects of Current Activities

The Forest Service will evaluate potential adverse water-quality effects of all proposed projects 

in watersheds with total maximum daily loads (TMDL) through NEPA. No alternatives that 

have potentially significant long-term adverse effects on water quality will be selected in 

NEPA decisions.

BMPs will be implemented for all activities in watersheds with TMDLs. The BMPs described 

in section 12 are designed to minimize adverse effects to water quality under all circumstances. 

As described in sections 13 and 14, BMPs are intended to be dynamic. The Forest Service 

will work with the SWRCB and Regional Boards to continually adjust BMPs to improve their 

effectiveness when monitoring results indicate that their effectiveness, when implemented, is 

less than 90 percent.

Additional protective measures may be needed for some impaired waters. For example, 

watersheds with listings for nutrients, sediment, and water temperature can be further impaired 

by wildfires and road-related erosion. The Forest Service will prioritize treatments to reduce 

hazardous fuels and improve road drainage in these watersheds.

17.2 - Repairing Damage from Past Activities

Effective restoration of impaired waters will depend on cooperation between Regional Boards 

to prioritize among TMDLs statewide. The Forest Service will work with the State and Regional 

Boards to prioritize watersheds with impaired water bodies for restoration using the procedures 

described in section 15. Resources for restoration will be based on this statewide prioritization. 

For some pollutants, new and innovative restoration techniques may be required. For example, 

common Forest Service restoration projects such as road decommissioning and meadow 

restoration will do little to reduce concentrations of interstitial mercury in alluvial gravels. In this 

and similar situations, cooperation between the State and Regional Boards and the Forest Service 

will be needed to ensure that appropriate methods are applied for water-quality improvement.

17.3 - Monitoring

BMPEP monitoring targets will be adjusted so that more intensive monitoring is conducted 

in watersheds with TMDL s. This shift will require that less monitoring will be conducted in 

watersheds without TMDLs.

The standard Forest Service in-channel monitoring program described in section 16 focuses 

primarily on those aspects of water quality that are most likely to be affected by forestry 

activities, including sediment and water temperature. The Forest Service water-quality 
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monitoring program will be augmented in impaired waters when necessary to document changes 

in loads of pollutants other than sediment and temperature. Examples include mercury or fecal 

coliform concentrations in streams.

18 - NEEDED FUTURE ACTIONS

This Water Quality Management Handbook is not intended to remain static. Continual 

improvements and adjustments are needed to realize the desired level of water-quality protection. 

Additional work is needed to adjust and improve administrative practices; review, revise, and add 

BMPs to the handbook; develop additional guidelines for restoration; and refine the monitoring 

program. All of these adjustments to the handbook will conform to the procedures described in 

section 14, Adaptive Management.

18.1 - Administrative Practices

The Forest Service Regional Office will develop new standard Regional C clauses that can be 

used to include site-specific BMPs in timber sale contracts.

The changes to the BMPs in this Water Quality Management Handbook will require revised and 

additional BMPEP evaluation forms and changes to the electronic database used to store BMPEP 

results. The BMPEP forms in need of revision include E08 through E20 and G24. Additional 

forms will be needed to evaluate the new OHV BMPs (4.7.1 though 4.7.9. The data entry forms 

for the revised road BMPs will need to be revised and new forms will to be created in the data 

base for all new BMPs.

Another needed future action is the entry of in-channel monitoring results, watershed 

improvement inventories, and watershed improvement accomplishments into centralized Forest 

Service geospatial data bases. These efforts are currently underway.

Development of a web site for distributing information related to water quality on national 

forests in California will be a high priority for 2012. Options for using a web site to report waterquality problems on NFS lands will be explored during web site development.

Training will be critical for appropriate implementation and monitoring of new and revised 

BMPs. The Forest Service Regional Office will coordinate annual training sessions at national 

forests around the region during 2012. State and Regional Water Board staff will be invited to 

these training sessions.

18.2 - BMPs

The highest priority for BMP revisions in 2011 will be fire and fuels BMPs. A need for a BMP 

for fire operations during fire suppression has been identified. A BMP specific to fuels treatments 

in riparian zones is also needed. Based on BMPEP monitoring results, BMPs for recreation will 

also be a high priority for review and revision.
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18.3- Restoration

The 2011 reassessment of watershed conditions for all 6th-field subwatersheds on NFS lands 

provides a baseline for evaluating overall changes in watershed condition. As additional results 

become available, they will provide a means of evaluating the overall effectiveness of the Forest 

Service watershed improvement program. Results will be used in conjunction with monitoring 

results from other programs, such as the State Board SWAMP and WRAMP programs, the 

USFS-BLM AREMP program, and the Forest Service monitoring of legacy road projects.

18.4 - Monitoring

The Forest Service Regional Office will prepare a Quality Assurance Project Plan for the 

monitoring program. In 2012, each national forest will determine its baseline monitoring 

network for in-channel monitoring. Each forest will also develop sample pools for retrospective 

BMPEP evaluations.