Details of this study were reported in the Winter 1995 issue of Branching Out. A section of Sugarloaf Mountain, Frederick County, is demonstrating the feasibility and effectiveness of BMPs to control water pollutants from forestry activities. The DNR-Forest Service is conducting the study at Sugarloaf in cooperation with Stronghold, Inc., with funding from an Environmental Protection Agency grant. A second objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of Maryland's existing BMPs for forest harvest operations, using a paired watershed approach. Two watersheds, similar in size, cover type, geology, etc., are used to measure the differences in specific water quality characteristics.
Water quality is monitored in both watersheds before, during, and after timber harvesting.
Study Progress Monitoring of water quality characteristics began in October 1995. In fall 1996, several haul roads and landings were installed, streamside management zones were marked, and BMPs were implemented in the treatment watershed. A timber harvest was completed this past March and an additional 25 acres are being logged this year. RREA is the mainstay for Extension education in forestry, wildlife, and wetlands. It supports Branching Out, the Coverts program, and forest stewardship workshops.