Utilizing Forestry Best Management Practices to Protect Maine's Water Quality

Transcription

1 Utilizing Forestry Best Management Practices to Protect Maine's Water Quality Karl Honkonen Forest Watershed Specialist US Forest Service Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry Keith Kanoti Water Resources Forester Maine Forest Service Department of Agriculture Conservation and Forestry

2 Presentation Overview Watershed Forestry 101 Maine Forest Service BMPs Q&A

3 Watershed Forestry 101

4 US Forest Service Northeast Area

5 1. Intercept rainfall, protect soils, provide shade 2. Transpiration, nutrient storage, trap air pollutants. 3. Filter sediment and other chemicals. 4. Infiltration, water and nutrient storage 5. reduce runoff of harmful chemicals

6 The roots of the Forest Service are in Watershed Management Around 1900 America s settlers cleared forests at the rate of 13 square miles per day

7 Wildfire commonly consumed 20 million acres annually.

8 Key Point #1 Water/watershed issues will be critically important in next decade and beyond

9 Forests, Water and People Identified private forests that are most important for drinking water supply and most in need of protection from development pressure

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11 Key Point #2 Water and forests are linked but we must better define and communicate this

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13 The water we drink is our most direct and immediate connection to the environment. Our challenge is to ensure that people understand that the faucet is connected to the forest.

14 Key Point #3 Water is a common ground that can broaden our audience, our partnerships, and our support in a positive way.

15 Maine is home to a World renowned cold water fishery

16 Our work with water suppliers is critically important

17 Managing our liquid assets

18 Key Point #4 Need to integrate forests in State water programs and watershed objectives through our cooperative forestry programs

19 Work with foresters & loggers to implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) to protect water quality

20 Maine Forest Service BMPs

21 Voluntary BMPs developed in cooperation with Forest Industry BMP and topic specific trainings Monitoring of BMP use and effectiveness Technical assistance Regulatory safety net

22 The Seven BMP Principles 1. Define objectives and responsibilities 2. Pre-harvest planning 3. Anticipate site conditions 4. Control water flow 5. Minimize and stabilize exposed soil 6. Protect integrity of water bodies 7. Handle hazardous materials safely

23 Major partners Training SFI Implementation Committee Professional logging training and certification programs 5 Modules Available BMP importance erosion 101 In Woods BMPs Haul Road BMPs Stream Crossings levels 1 and 2 Topic specific trainings as needed

24 Monitoring

25 Monitoring Based on measurable evidence and evaluation overall BMP effectiveness If you come up with an idea that works it is a BMP!

26 Protocol components Stream crossings and approaches Riparian buffer Chemical pollution Wetland Crossings Haul road, log landing, rutted mineral soil in buffer/filter strip

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29 Allows Progress to be Tracked

30 Fish Passage Example Fish Passage BMP added in 2004 BMP monitoring and other data showed progress but still a problem area New training developed 2010

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32 Q & A? Richard Wing and Sons Logging Standish, Maine Photo: Ken Canfield

33 Visit us at Contact Karl Honkonen at US Forest Service Northeast Area/State & Private Forestry Durham Field Office 271 Mast Road Durham, NH Visit us at olicy_management/water_resources /index.html Contact Keith Kanoti at Maine Forest Service 22 State House Station Augusta, ME