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2532 - WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT 

2532.01 – Authorities

See FSM 2501 for authorities related to Water Quality Management. 

In addition to the authorities listed in FSM 2501, Water Quality Management is guided by the 

following regulation: 

Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, section 219.8 (a)(4) (36 CFR 219.8 (a)(4)). The Land 

Management Planning regulation requires the Chief of the Forest Service to establish 

requirements for National Best Management Practices for water quality in the Forest Service 

Directive System. 

2532.02 - Objective 

The objective of Water Quality Management is to protect and improve the physical, chemical, 

biological, and aesthetic quality of the water resource, where needed. It is consistent with the 

purposes of the National forests and National water quality goals.NationalNational 

The specific objectives of Water Quality Management are as follows: 

1. To produce water of a quality suitable for the beneficial uses identified in the Land 

and Resource Management Planning Process (FSM 1920). 

2. To ensure safe drinking water for public use on National forests, whether the source is 

a natural or developed water supply (FSM 7420). Observe the EPA water quality criteria 

where State standards do not exist. 

3. To ensure safe water quality for designated primary contact recreation areas. Observe 

the EPA water quality criteria where State standards do not exist,. 

2532.03 - Policy 

1. Establish and apply the National Best Management Practices (BMPs) Program to all land and 

resource management activities. This will be the method of control for non-point sources of 

water pollution to achieve established Federal, State, Tribal, or local water quality goals. 

2. Consider water quality needs of local, Regional, and National public interests both on and off 

the National forest to help determine appropriate water quality management activities. 
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3. Establish objectives to manage the quality of the water resource in land and resource 

management plans (FSM 1920). 

4. Include a water quality evaluation for all environmental analyses (FSM 1950). Identify the 

water quality implications of proposed and alternative land management practices. 

5. Evaluate the data collection activities of other agencies before undertaking additional water 

quality inventories or monitoring efforts. 

6. Conduct water quality data collection activities within the guidelines of an inventory or 

monitoring plan approved by a Line Officer. 

7. Specify the accuracy, precision, and threshold limits of detection for water quality analytical 

laboratories to utilize when measuring parameters or conducting tests. 

8. All water quality testing laboratories owned or used by the Forest Service must be certified by 

the State and/or EPA for potable water (FSM 7420). 

9. Use the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Storage and Retrieval (STORET) system 

as the primary depository for stream and lake water quality data. Ensure all water quality data 

placed in the STORET system is (1) collected and analyzed by standardized methods and 

procedures or (2) entered with descriptive qualifiers which specify the method of collection or 

analysis. 

10. Monitor all water provided for public domestic purposes and primary contact water sports to 

ensure public health and safety. Design monitoring systems consistent with applicable State or 

Federal regulations for the specific water use. Policies for monitoring potable water supplies are 

contained in FSM 7420. 

2532.04 - Responsibility 

See FSM 2504 and FSM 2530.4 for responsibilities regarding water quality management. 

In addition to the water quality management responsibilities listed in FSM 2504 and 

FSM 2530.4, the following responsibilities apply to the National BMP Program: 

2532.04a – Washington Office, Director, Watershed, Fish, Wildlife, Air and Rare 

Plants (WFWARP) staff 

The Director has the responsibility to: 

1. Establish and maintain the National Core BMPs (http://www.fs.fed.us/biology/ 

resources/pubs/watershed/FS_National_Core_BMPs_April2012.pdf) for water quality 

management. 
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a. Review the National Core BMPs at least every 5 years 

b. Update the National Core BMPs as necessary. 

c. Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders and partners. 

2. Establish and maintain the National Core BMP monitoring protocols 

a. Review the National Core BMP monitoring protocols at least every 5 years. 

 

b. Update the National Core BMP monitoring protocols as necessary. 

c. Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders and partners. 

3. Establish and maintain the National BMP data management system within the 

corporate data management structure. 

4. Establish and manage a process to evaluate the National BMP Program, including 

appropriate performance targets to monitor implementation and effectiveness, 

corresponding data management, and modify the program as needed. 

a. Determine the National reporting period to evaluate and report National BMP 

monitoring results. 

b. Complete an evaluation of the National BMP monitoring results every established 

reporting period and develop a standardized monitoring report. 

2532.04b - Washington Office, Director, Environmental Sciences Research staff 

The Director has the responsibility to establish a program within Research and Development 

(R&D) to identify new BMPs, new or improved ways to monitor BMPs, and to evaluate and 

validate existing BMPs, in cooperation with the WFWARP Director. 

2532.04c - Regional Foresters 

Regional Foresters have the responsibility to: 

1. Implement a sound and consistent program for water quality management practices 

and monitor procedures on each National forest and grassland to achieve water quality 

goals. 

2. Coordinate Regional implementation of the National BMP Program. 
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a. Establish and maintain the Regional supplement to the National Core BMPs, as 

needed. 

1) Review the Regional supplement at least every 5 years to remain current with 

best available science and BMP monitoring results, and adjust existing BMPs or 

develop new BMPs where improvements are needed. 

2) Update the Regional supplement as necessary. 

 

b. Provide training to Regional office and forest or grassland employees on Regional 

implementation of the National BMP Program. 

c. Assign performance targets to administrative units to monitor National BMP 

Program implementation and effectiveness and corresponding data management. 

d. Provide consistent a regular report of the BMP implementation and effectiveness 

monitoring data via the National database. 

e. Use the National Core BMP monitoring results to help assess the water quality 

management goal attainment in the Region. Identify and implement program 

changes in the Region, as needed. 

3. Coordinate with the appropriate Federal, State, Tribal, and local agencies involved in 

BMPs, water quality regulation, management of water-related beneficial uses, and 

watershed management. Develop interagency agreements as needed. 

2532.04d Station Directors

Station Directors have the responsibility to: 

1. Incorporate sound and consistent water quality management practices and monitoring 

procedures at facilities and research sites managed and maintained by R&D. This 

includes research sites such as natural areas and experimental forests, to achieve 

water quality goals. 

2. Implement the National BMP Program for research activities conducted or approved 

by R&D. 

a. Identify or develop site-specific BMP prescriptions consistent with the 

National Core BMPs (http://www.fs.fed.us/biology/resources/pubs/ 

watershed/FS_National_Core_BMPs_April2012.pdf) for water quality 

protection and improvement in research activities, project planning and 

implementation. 
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b. Monitor the implementation and effectiveness of BMPs using the National 

Core BMP monitoring protocols. 

c. Report results of BMP implementation and effectiveness monitoring in the 

National BMP data management system. 

2532.04e Forest and Grassland Supervisors 

Forest and Grassland Supervisors have the responsibility to: 

1. Incorporate water quality management practices and procedures, including the 

National BMP Program, into land and resource management activities on the forest or 

grassland. 

a. Include plan components that implement BMPs at the time of development or 

revision of land management plans (36 CFR 219.8 (a)(4)). 

b. Identify or develop site-specific BMP prescriptions consistent with the 

National Core BMPs (http://www.fs.fed.us/biology/resources/pubs/watershed/ 

FS_National_Core_BMPs_April2012.pdf) for water quality management in land 

and resource management activities and project planning and implementation. 

Use applicable State, Tribal and local BMPs, Forest Service Regional guidance 

and land management plans, and other organization guidance to develop 

appropriate site-specific prescriptions tailored to local conditions and water 

quality goals. 

c. Monitor the implementation and effectiveness of BMPs using National Core 

BMP monitoring protocols. 

d. Report monitoring results of BMP implementation and effectiveness in the 

National BMP data management system. 

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

informal reviews of project plans, monitoring, and reports using the National Core 

BMP monitoring protocols. 

a. Implement changes in land and resource management activities through the 

use of established procedures where applicable. 

b. Adjust local BMPs as needed. 
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3. Establish a process for the identification, implementation, and tracking of 

corrective action(s) where water quality problems associated with land and resource 

management activities are identified. 

4. Make BMP and water quality management training available for forest or 

grassland personnel. 

5. In cooperation with the Regional office, coordinate with appropriate Federal, 

State, Tribal and local agencies involved in water quality regulation, management of 

water-related beneficial uses, watershed management, and BMPs. 

2532.04f District Rangers

The District Rangers have the responsibility to: 

1. Design, apply, and document site-specific BMP prescriptions consistent with the 

National Core BMPs (http://www.fs.fed.us/biology/resources/ pubs/watershed/FS_ 

National_Core_BMPs_April2012.pdf) for water quality protection and improvement 

in plans, implementation, and administration of land and resource management 

activities on the district. 

2. Participate in project-level reviews of implementation and effectiveness 

monitoring. 

3. Take corrective actions for identified water quality or BMP problems associated 

with land and resource management activities. Use established procedures to address 

the issues as soon as practical. 

2532.05 - Definitions 

1. Best Management Practices for Water Quality (BMPs). Methods, measures, or practices 

selected by an agency to meet its nonpoint source control needs. BMPs include, but are not 

limited to, structural and nonstructural controls, operations, and maintenance procedures. BMPs 

can be applied before, during, and after pollution-producing activities to reduce or eliminate the 

introduction of pollutants to receiving waters (36 CFR 219.19). 

2. National Core BMPs. The Nationally standardized set of BMPs for the broad range of 

activities that occur on National Forest System lands as specified in the National Core BMP 

Technical Guide (http://www.fs.fed.us/biology/resources/pubs/watershed/FS_National_Core_ 

BMPs_April2012.pdf). 
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3. National Core BMP Monitoring Protocols. The Nationally standardized set of procedures for 

monitoring the implementation and effectiveness of the National Core BMPs as specified in the 

National Core BMP Monitoring Technical Guide. 

4. Reporting period. The period of time, not to exceed three years, determined by the WO 

Director of Watershed, Fish, Wildlife, Air, and Rare Plants as the base monitoring period in 

which a valid set of BMP monitoring data will be collected and reported at the National scale. 

5. Water Quality. The physical, chemical, radiological, and biological (including 

microbiological), characteristics of the water resource. 

6. Water Quality Inventory. The characterization of the quality of a water resource (FSM 

2531.11). 

7. Water Quality Monitoring. The systematic evaluation of water quality specifically designed 

to answer management questions relative to management goals, objectives, or targets. 

8. Water Quality Sampling. The collection of water quality data using accepted statistical 

techniques. 

2532.06 - References 

USDA Forest Service. 2012. National Best Management Practices for Water Quality 

Management on National Forest System Lands. Volume 1: National Core BMP Technical 

Guide. Washington, DC: USDA Forest Service. (http://www.fs.fed.us/biology/resources/pubs/ 

watershed/FS_National_Core_BMPs_April2012.pdf ) 

2532.1 - Water Quality Inventory 

Inventory water quality on all National Forest System lands, as needed, to manage all National 

forest resources. Inventory water quality characteristics when land and resource management 

plans are being developed. Develop statistical sampling design based on the analysis procedures 

that provide the desired water quality interpretations. 

Display the results of inventories and characterize water quality using maps, data-bases, or other 

appropriate documentation. Inventories should be analyzed and interpreted to help establish 

management objectives. Water quality inventories must provide specific information sufficient 

to address issues and concerns identified in land and resource planning and management 

activities (see FSM 2531.1). 

2532.2 - Analysis and Interpretation of Water Quality Data 
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Analyze and interpret water quality inventory data to predict the effect of proposed land 

management practices on present and future water quality. Use this information, along with 

watershed condition and other soil and water resource data, to develop improved design of 

management practices, provide a comparison of outputs under alternative management practices, 

and establish a basis for use in defining water resource management objectives. The analysis 

must be rigorous enough to make definitive statements related to the anticipated water quality 

response. Apply a risk analysis to selected alternatives similar to that discussed in chapter 10, 

FSH 2509.15. 

2532.3 - Water Quality Standards 

Each State is required to review its water quality standards at least once every 3 years and revise 

them as necessary. Participate in review of State standards and work toward change where 

consideration is not given to the following factors: 

1. Standards should reflect National as well as local water quality objectives, be related 

to beneficial uses, and recognize natural background and variability. 

2. The National BMP Program should normally comply with water quality standards. 

Practices should be based upon site-specific conditions, including consideration of social, 

economic, and technical feasibility. 

3. Water quality standards that reflect nonpoint source conditions should be used to 

measure the effectiveness of best management practices. 

4. Certain water quality concerns should be given consideration for evaluation, such as 

sediment, by observing a surrogate such as channel condition. 

5. Antidegradation policy should include a consideration of both time and space and 

should not be based on change at a single point. 

2532.4 – National BMP Program 

The National BMP Program is a nationally standardized adaptive management approach for 

water quality management consistent with the Federal Clean Water Act (CWA), State, and Tribal 

water quality programs. This approach incorporates BMP use, BMP implementation, 

effectiveness monitoring, and corresponding management adjustments to achieve and document 

nonpoint source pollution control and water quality protection. The National BMP Program is 

intended to complement State and Tribal CWA programs; and improve CWA compliance and 

water quality stewardship on National Forest System (NFS) lands. 

The National BMP Program , as specified in the National BMP Program Handbook (FSH 

2509.19), includes this directive, the Handbook, the National Core BMPs (http://www.fs.fed. 

us/biology/resources/pubs/watershed/FS_National_Core_BMPs_April2012.pdf), the National 
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Core BMP monitoring protocols, and the corresponding data management system. 

Implementation of the program is required on all NFS lands. 

The National Core BMPs do not supersede or replace existing and currently used Regional, 

State, Tribal, National forest or grassland BMPs; rather, the National Core BMPs are intended to 

provide a structure for Agency consistency, and accountability, during the implementation and 

monitoring of the National BMP Program. The National Core BMPs provide general, nonprescriptive direction for protecting water quality while carrying out land and resource 

management activities that commonly occur on all NFS lands. The National Core BMPs require 

the utilization of site-specific prescriptions to achieve water quality protection. State, Tribal, 

local BMPs, Forest Service Regional guidance, and land management plans provide more 

specific direction tailored to local conditions and water quality goals. This information should 

be used to develop site-specific BMP prescriptions to meet the objective of each National Core 

BMP, if applicable, along with BMP monitoring results, best available science, and professional 

judgment, 

2532.5 - Water Quality Planning 

Consider the quality of National forest water resources and establish goals and objectives for 

water quality management in the land and resource planning process (FSM 1920). Inventory and 

analyze the characteristics of the water resource to provide background information to determine 

water quality management goals and objectives. 

When establishing water quality management objectives, consider: 

1. The needs and concerns of non-National forest interests, as well as National forest 

users. 

2. The long-term and short-term natural water quality characteristics. 

 3. The cumulative effects of pollution sources on and off National Forest System lands. 

Emphasize preventive conservation practices in all water quality management programs. Tailor 

such practices to individual site characteristics. Include definition of practices, application of 

practices, and evaluation to ensure that prescriptions achieve water quality goals. 

Coordinate Forest Service land management planning with water quality management planning 

by State and local agencies pursuant to Sections 208 of the Clean Water Act, as amended (FSM 

2500). 

2532.51 - Contingency Plans 
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Prepare a contingency plan for all Forest Management activities where an accidental discharge of 

toxic or hazardous material could result in pollution of surface or ground water (FSM 7443). 

2532.6 - Water Quality Monitoring 

Overall objective, policy, and direction for watershed and soil and water resource monitoring are 

in FSM 2525. Specific responsibilities are in FSM 2504. 

Water quality monitoring is an evaluation of the success of meeting water quality goals, 

objectives, and targets identified in forest plans. The forest plan provides guidelines for 

establishing a monitoring program. Include criteria in these guidelines for identifying specific 

activities to monitor expected precision, accuracy, and reliability of results and for determining 

an appropriate balance between long-term and short-term monitoring. Consider utilizing 

surrogates for evaluation of water quality impacts. For example, evaluate channel condition in 

place of sediment sampling. 

2532.61 - Plans of Operation 

Water quality monitoring requires systematic sample design, data collection, analysis, and 

reporting processes. Design these systematic processes to meet monitoring requirements 

specified in the forest plan or Regional guide and establish them in an approved monitoring plan 

of operation prepared prior to start of monitoring activities (FSM 2525.1). The monitoring plan 

of operation must include: 

1. Monitoring Objective. The objective for sampling or collecting data must be directly 

tied to identified management needs. Design sampling to answer specific questions. 

Collect only data identified as necessary in the plan. 

2. Duration. Specify the total period of time for the monitoring activity. Consider shortterm and long-term monitoring needs when establishing the total period of time. 

3. Monitoring Location. Specify the location of or the criteria and process used to select 

the monitoring location. If the location is known, include a map of suitable scale that 

identifies the specific points at which monitoring activities are to be carried out. 

4. Data Requirements. Provide list of data parameters to be collected. 

5. Monitoring Frequency. State the sampling frequency for water quality parameters or 

data collection. Monitoring frequency, as determined by sampling design, must be 

sufficient to answer management question(s) to an appropriate level of accuracy and 

precision. 

6. Procedures. Specify the field and analytical procedures used in carrying out the 

monitoring activities. Identify responsibilities for data collection, sampling techniques, 
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sampling equipment, and sample preservation and transportation requirements. Identify 

the type of analyses to be made, analytical standards and techniques, and location of 

laboratory facilities to be used. 

7. Data Analysis and Interpretation. Outline procedures for data analysis, interpretation, 

and presentation. Analysis procedures must correlate closely with statistical sampling 

design. Interpretation should specify a given level of statistical confidence and 

probability of occurrence. Identify final storage facilities. 

8. Reporting. Specify time requirements and recipients for reporting monitoring results. 

9. Quality Control. Specify quality control procedures for sampling, sample analysis, 

and data analysis. 

10. Monitoring Cost. Estimate cost to complete monitoring effort, including a final 

report. 

2532.62 - Quality Control 

Incorporate quality control procedures in all monitoring activities, including, but not limited to: 

1. Sample equipment calibration, field instrument records, and flow measurement 

devices. 

2. The selection of appropriate standardized methodologies used to sample, store, 

transport, and analyze samples. 

3. The use of an interlaboratory quality control program that approaches EPA laboratory 

certification or equivalent quality assurances of on-Forest laboratory methods. 

4. The establishment of a systematic data storage, retrieval, and analysis system.