Until recently, grazing has not been managed to address water quality. In 1994, Plum Creek adopted a set of Grazing BMPs for Montana and Idaho. Although riparian conditions seem to be improving, little data exist to support that contention. Additional research and monitoring should be undertaken to verify trends. Supporting Technical Information Grazing presents unique environmental management and protection challenges when compared to forestry.
Grazing is historically an annual occurrence, while timber harvest is periodic.
Cattle graze to the stream edge unless the area is fenced or limited to cows because of topography, while timber harvest activities are controlled through use of protective buffers. In 1991, Plum Creek adopted a set of Environmental Principles to govern resource management activities. One of these principles directs Plum Creek to employ BMPs on their lands for water quality and aquatic resource protection. Also in the early 1990s, the Montana Streamside Management Zone Act and Regulations mandated stream buffers for timber harvest, but not for cattle grazing. Plum Creek felt that grazing caused water quality impacts, and adopted their own set of Grazing BMPs in 1995 to address water quality concerns.