Achieving Cleaner Waters Across America Supporting Effective Programs to Prevent Water Polllution from Forestry Operations Forests are Key to Clean Water Covering about one-third of the Nation's land area, forests are the starting point for 80 percent of our Nation's freshwater resources. Forested lands help to absorb rain, reduce flooding, and slow storm water runoff. In addition, forests help to refill underground aquifers, cool and cleanse water, and provide critical habitat for fish and wildlife.
Forests also improve our quality of life by providing abundant recreational opportunities.
Sound Forest Management Can Prevent Water Pollution Implementation of properly designed forest management plans can result in logging activities that are both profitable and protective of water quality. In many parts of the country, federal agencies, states, and professional forest managers are implementing effective forest management plans using a range of tools including education, financial assistance, and regulatory requirements. Can Cause Water Pollution Problems Despite these public and private forest management efforts, sediments, excess nutrients, and other pollutants from forestry operations that are not being properly managed have caused and are still causing water quality problems' preventing waters from being used for fishing, swimming, or as a source of drinking water. Due to data limitations, these numbers underestimate the amount of waters impaired by forestry operations. Many states have been successful in addressing water pollution from forestry activities through voluntary programs, and other states have adopted regulatory requirements that support these voluntary efforts.