5. Water Quality Management.pdf

United States Department of Agriculture

Pacific Southwest Region

September 2000

Photo Illustration: Rachel Driver, Plumas National Forest

WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT

FOR NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM LANDS IN CALIFORNIA

BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

September 2000

Table of Contents

10.1 Authority

10.2 Objectives

10.3 Policy

10.4 Responsibility

10.5 Definitions

10.51 List of Acronyms

10.52 Glossary of Terms

11 Introduction

11.1 NEPA and The Interdisciplinary Approach

11.2 Application of BMPs

11.3 Environmental Variability and Management

Practices

12 Management Practice Documentation

12.1 Synopsis for Timber Management

12.11 Index For Timber Practices

12.12 Timber Best Management Practices

12.2 Synopsis for Road and Building Site Construction

12.21 Index For Road and Building Site Construction

Practices

12.22 Road and Building Site Best Management

Practices

12.3 Synopsis for Mining

12.31 Index For Mining Practices

12.32 Mining Best Management Practices

12.4 Synopsis for Recreation

12.41 Index for Recreation Practices

12.42 Recreation Best Management Practices

12.5 Synopsis for Vegetative Manipulation

12.51 Index For Vegetative Manipulation Practices

12.52 Vegetative Manipulation Best Management

Practices

12.6 Synopsis for Fire Suppression and Fuels

Management

12.61 Index For Fire Suppression and Fuels

Management

12.62 Fire Suppression and Fuels Management Best

Management Practices

12.7 Synopsis for Watershed Management

12.71 Index For Watershed Management Practices

Table of Contents

12.72 Watershed Best Management Practices

12.8 Synopsis for Range Management

12.81 Index For Range Management Practices

12.82 Range Best Management Practices

13 Best Management Practices References

14 Management Agency Agreement Between the

State Water Resource Control Board, State of California and the Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture

15 Best Management Practice Effectiveness

Evaluation Process

This guidance documents the practices and procedures, which are the structure of the water quality management program for the Pacific Southwest Region. It describes each Best Management Practices (BMP) used for water quality management on National Forest System (NFS) lands within the State of California. It represents a portion of the State of California's Nonpoint Source Management Plan.

The practices, procedures and program are in conformance with, and comply with the provisions and requirements of Sections 208 and 319 of the Federal Clean Water Act (PL 92-

500) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (g) guidance for the Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendment. They are also within the guidelines of the Water Quality Control Board (Basin Plans) developed by the nine RWQCB in the State.

Pursuant to Section 208 of the Clean Water Act, all agencies responsible for carrying out any portion of a State Water Quality Management Plan must be designated as a Water Quality Management Agency (WQMA). Through the execution of a formal Management Agency Agreement (MAA) with the Forest Service in 1981, the SWRCB designated the Forest Service (USFS) as the WQMA for NFS lands in California (See Section 14).

The Pacific Southwest Region shall maintain its status as the designated WQMA for NFS lands in California. It is through the proper installation, operation and maintenance of these State certified and EPA approved practices and procedures that the Forest Service will meet its obligations for compliance with water quality standards and fulfill its obligation as a designated

WQMA.

10.1 Authority

As a Federal agency, the Forest Service is bound by Federal Laws, Executive Orders, and Department of Agriculture directives, which are the basis for governing Forest Service programs and operations. Federal Laws and Executive Orders of direct and specific application include the following:

1. Organic Administration Act of June 4, 1987. This Act emphasized that the National

Forests were created to improve and protect the forests; to secure favorable conditions of water flows; and to furnish a continuous supply of timber for the use and necessities of the citizens of the United States.

2. Multiple Use Sustained-Yield Act of June 12, 1960, and the Wilderness Act of

September 3, 1964. These Acts stated that the National Forests are established and will be administered for outdoor recreation, range, timber, watershed, wildlife and fish, and wilderness purposes. The multi-resource management responsibility of the Forest Service is amplified through these laws.

3. National Environmental Policy Act of January 1, 1969. The Act promotes efforts, which will prevent or eliminate damage to the environment and develop an understanding of the inter-relationships of all components of the natural environment and the management of the various natural resources.

4. Environmental Quality Improvement Act of April 13, 1970. This Act describes a National policy for the environment, which provides for the enhancement of environmental quality

5. Clean Water Act of 1972, as amended. This Act establishes goals, policies and procedures for the maintenance and improvement of the Nation's waters. It addresses both point and nonpoint sources of pollution and establishes or requires programs for the control of both sources of pollution. Section 208 required area-wide waste treatment management plans and water quality management plans for nonpoint sources of pollution. The Act established specific roles for Federal, state and local authorities in the regulation, enforcement, planning, control and management of water pollution. More directly, Section 319 addresses nonpoint source pollution and also requires development of water quality management plans.

6. The Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of August 17, 1974.

This Act provides for systematic, long-range planning in managing renewable resources.

The plans are based on a National assessment conducted every ten years. The plans are updated every five years and submitted to Congress.

7. National Forest Management Act of October 22, 1976. This Act amended RPA, emphasizing interdisciplinary involvement in the preparation of land and resource management plans. The Act emphasized the concept of multiple use management and added requirements for resource protection.

8. Executive Order 12088 of October 13, 1978. This order requires Federal agency compliance with environmental laws to be consistent with requirements that apply to a private person. Compliance will be in line with authorities and responsibilities of other Federal agencies, State, interstate, and local authorities as specified and granted in each of the various environmental laws.

10.2 Objectives

The objectives of this handbook are:

1. To consolidate direction applicable to BMP application on NFS lands in California for the protection of water-related beneficial uses from nonpoint source contaminants.

2. To establish a uniform process of BMP implementation that will meet the intent of the

Federal and State water quality Laws, Executive Orders, and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) directives.

3. To incorporate water quality protection and improvement considerations that will result in clean water into the site-specific project planning process.

10.3 Policy

The Forest Service will be responsive, in an ongoing manner, to the environmental intent, goals and objectives provided by the Clean Water Act, as amended.

Regional policy will comply with the objectives, policy and procedures of agency directives, handbooks and manuals to include, but not be limited to, those required in Forest Service Manual (FSM) 2532. It is also Regional policy to conduct water quality management actions in a manner that is consistent and compatible with the intent and provisions of the 1981 MAA between the USFS and the SWRCB, (See Section 14).

The following actions will be used to carry out water quality management:

1. Correct Water Quality Problems on the National Forests

NFS lands exhibit conditions that are, or have the potential to be, a source of nonpoint pollution. These conditions exist as a result of past management actions by the Forest Service, or other landowners, and as the result of natural occurrences such as fires and floods.

These existing and potential nonpoint sources will be evaluated to determine the need for and type of treatments necessary. Those lands found to be in need of watershed improvement work will be scheduled for treatment as part of the ongoing work planning and budgeting process. Watershed improvement funds will be used to restore deteriorated watershed land when no other funding sources e.g. roads, grazing, Knutsen-Vandenberh (KV) is available to correct the problem.

Accomplishment is dependent on funding and personnel availability, and work priority relative to other management goals and objectives.

Where a resource management action, due to design, administration, implementation, or other oversight, results in an impact to water quality, the impacting USFS resource function is responsible for providing the financing to mitigate the impact.

Appropriate specialists will assess each specific impact and prescribe actions to correct the problem. These actions are integrated into the forest work planning and budgeting process for accomplishment.

2. Perpetually Implement Best Management Practices

The perpetual implementation of BMPs involves three facets: training, keeping BMPs current, and BMP monitoring and evaluation.

a. Training. Forest Supervisors will conduct water quality planning and BMP application training at the forest and district level as often as needed to orient new employees, to keep all employees updated and informed as to what is working and what needs work, and to maintain the most recent state-of-the-art knowledge and capability in water quality protection.

b. Keeping BMPs Current. The text and references for each BMP will be updated as needed to reflect the most recent state-of-the-art methods and techniques of BMP implementation and changes in Forest Service policy and direction. Revisions and amendments to Forest Service direction at the Regional and Forest levels will be reviewed to identify changes in the direction upon which a BMP is based.

c. BMP Monitoring and Evaluation. The control of nonpoint source pollution using

BMPs is an iterative process of site-specific treatment and control needs identification, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and feedback (See Figure 1).

Continued tracking of BMP implementation and effectiveness are key in initiating corrections and adjustments of BMP design and specification criteria and/or water quality standards. As warranted Research and/or administrative studies will be initiated to validate criteria and/or assumptions used in applying BMPs. Three types of monitoring are applicable to BMPs: implementation, effectiveness, and validation monitoring (See Figure 2).

Implementation and effectiveness monitoring will be accomplished using the Best Management Practice Effectiveness Evaluation Process (BMPEP), developed for the Region (See Section 15). Individual BMPs will be evaluated on-site where they are installed, the composite set of BMPs for a given project will be evaluated applying an in-channel assessment. Validation monitoring will be initiated where implemented practices are found to be non-effective, and revised criteria, or specifications are required to improve effectiveness. Field data will be collected, stored in computer systems and analyzed at the Regional and Forest level.

Page 8 �

Select BMP (IDT) – Site Specific Design Water Quality RX

Application of BMP (Project Administration)

Monitor and Evaluate BMP (Project Administrator) Using R5 BMPEP

Decision Are practices being implemented and are they effective?

YES

NO

Cease the activity

Land Use Activity

Figure 1: Iterative Process of Non–Point Pollution Control

Soil and Water Conservation

STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 3

STEP 4

Refine for Next Application

• Improve Method of Application

• Improve Practice •Refine Water Quality Standards •Take Corrective Action/Mitigate •Adjust Mitigation Measures

1) Implementation Monitoring – Will be used to determine whether or not BMP have been implemented as prescribed.

Field evaluations will be made which assess the in-place practices as applied against those prescribed in the project documentation. Evaluations will be conducted by the Forest Service official responsible for project administration and quality control. Existing evaluation procedures will be used to the extent practicable to obtain implementation data (for example, timber sale inspection and administration trips, activity reviews and functional assistance trips).

2) Effectiveness Monitoring – Will be used to determine if the applied practices met the desired objective(s); did they work as planned?

As with implementation monitoring, field evaluations will be made by responsible Forest Service officials. Effectiveness of individual BMPs are determined by assessing the extent to which the individual BMPs objective—for example, minimize erosion—was attained at the on-site place where implemented. The effectiveness of an entire set of BMPs for a given project will be determined by in-channel evaluation and documentation of the extent to which the water quality standards (physical, biological, numeric, narrative and beneficial uses) were attained.

Where implementation monitoring indicates that BMPs have been fully implemented, but effectiveness monitoring indicates that water quality objectives were not met, corrective action will include the following minimum process:

a) Assess the BMP itself. Is it technically sound? Is it really the best, or is there a better practice which is technically sound, economically feasible, and within USFS authority to implement?

b) Assess the degree of BMP implementation. Were the BMPs fully implemented? Were personnel, equipment, funds, or training adequate to fully implement the BMP as intended by the project documents?

c) Assess the numeric and/or narrative water quality standard set forth in any applicable Basin Plan at the point of beneficial uses. Is the standard appropriate for the beneficial use?

Standards are established to protect beneficial uses of water. They are criteria which, when exceeded, may have detrimental impacts on beneficial uses. To assess the applicability of the standards USFS personnel will consider the following types of questions:

• Are the standards satisfactorily protecting the beneficial uses?

Soil and Water Conservation

Effectiveness

•Did BMP prescription achieve its objective?

•Were beneficial water uses protected?

• Is BMP technically sound?

• Is water quality standard correct?

•Does BMP need improvement?

Validation

•Are assumptions valid?

•Are coefficients and thresholds valid?

•Are models accurate?

•Are studies needed to improve analysis?

•Were BMPs correctly selected?

•Were beneficial water uses identified?

Implementation

•Was BMP prescription implemented as prescribed?

•Were BMPs from EA included in project plan?

•Did project plan follow prescription?

•Does implementation need refinement, or adjustment?

Site Specific Water Quality Controls

BMP Water Quality Prescription

Figure 2: Essentials of BMP Monitoring

• Are they over-protecting the uses?

• Do the parameters for which standards are evaluated establish the correct indices to indicate protection of uses?

• Have the correct beneficial uses for the water body been identified?

Where the problem is determined to be an inappropriate standard or beneficial use designation, USFS personnel may contact the appropriate RWQCB, and through dialogue identify appropriate corrective or responsive actions.

Where it is determined that the reason for the problem is a deficiency in the BMP itself, USFS personnel will initiate action to improve the management practice by correcting the deficiency. Where this is the case, cease the activity until appropriate corrective action has been taken onsite.

Validation Monitoring will be used where needed to determine whether the assumptions, coefficients and specifications used to apply BMPs are valid.

USFS staff will initiate administrative and/or research studies as warranted to verify coefficients and assumptions used in the design and selection of the BMP. This monitoring, usually coordinated with research, is data-intensive, using techniques such as permanent plots. Data is commonly used to establish norms for water quality properties, beneficial uses, and economic efficiency in order to:

a) Detect and define changes over time and space.

b) Establish range of variation or coefficients for predictive and analytical models.

c) Define cause and effect relationships.

3. Carry Out Identified Processes for Improving, or Developing Best Management

Practices

As a result of management practice monitoring and evaluation, practices will be identified as needing improvement, or development. The final major action is to refine those practices that need improvement and those that need development into BMPs.

The Regional Forester will assign responsibility for the development and improvement action, and will direct staffing needs to carry out the action. The Forest Service intends to test the results of development and improvement studies, and associated conclusions reached, before final adoption of the products as BMPs. Once adopted, implementation of the BMP shall follow the agency policy and direction cited as references for each BMP (See Section 13).

10.4 Responsibility

See FSM 2504 and 2530.4 for the water quality management responsibilities for the Regional Forester, Forest Supervisors and District Rangers.

1. Regional Forester

The Regional Forester will:

a. Conduct Forest Service activities in accordance with the MAA with the SWRCB signed March 17, 1981 (See Section 14).

2. Regional Staff Director

The Regional Staff Director will:

b. Review the reference section of the BMP handbooks needed to verify that the directives cited as references for BMPs are still valid source documents. In most cases this will involve the review of multiple BMP reference sets.

c. Continue to refine and update existing BMPs to keep pace with state-of-the-art knowledge and to develop new practices where voids exist or as needs arise.

3. Forest Supervisor

The Forest Supervisors shall:

a. Apply BMPs for water quality protection and improvement in day-to-day management activities.

b. Evaluate attainment of water quality management goals through formal and informal reviews of project planning, and through monitoring using BMPEP protocols.

c. Conduct BMP training annually on an as needed basis, before each field season for new employees, new line officers, and new resource personnel. Training of a new resource person shall include practical instruction in the application of BMPs for planning and administration of various management activities.

10.5 Definitions

10.51 List of Acronyms

These acronyms are frequently used in the text, with a definition at the point of first use.

This list is provided as a ready reference for the reader.

AASHTO American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials

ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials

BMP(s) Best Management Practice(s)

BMPEP Best Management Practice Evaluation Program

CDFG California Department of Fish and Game

CI Construction Inspector

COR Contracting Officer’s Representative

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

EHR Erosion Hazard Rating

EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency

ER Engineering Representative

FERC Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

FSH Forest Service Handbook

FSM Forest Service Manual

FSR Forest Service Representative

IDT Interdisciplinary Team

KV Knutsen-Vandenberg

LRMP Forest Land and Resource Management Plan

MAA Management Agency Agreement

NEPA National Environmental Policy Act

NFMA National Forest Management Act

NFS National Forest System

NOI Notice of Intent to Operate

NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Permit System

OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration

PL Public Law

R - 5 Region 5 (Pacific Southwest Region) of the U.S. Forest Service

RPA Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act, August

17, 1974

RWQCB Regional Water Quality Control Board

SA Sale Administrator

SAI Plan Sale Area Improvement Plan

SAM Sale Area Map

SMZ Streamside Management Zone

SPCC Spill Prevention, Containment and Counter Measures

STORET A storage and retrieval computer system administered by EPA.

SWRCB State Water Resources Control Board

TSA Handbook Timber Sale Administration Handbook

TSC Timber Sale Contract

TSPP Timber Sale Planning Process

USC United States Code

USDA United States Department of Agriculture

USFS United States Forest Service

VIS Visitor Information Service

WQIO Environmental Quality Improvement Act of April 3, 1970.

WQMA Water Quality Management Agency

10.52 Glossary of Terms

Amendment: Revised sections of the FSM and the Forest Service Handbook (FSH) system to keep the text updated.

Apron: A reinforcement mechanism that protects soil from erosional and gravitational displacement.

Armoring: Protective coverings, or structures used to dissipate the erosive energy of water.

Aprons and rip-rap are types of armoring.

Beneficial Use: A use of the waters of the state to be protected against quality degradation, including but not necessarily limited to domestic, municipal, agricultural, industrial supply, power generation, recreation, esthetic enjoyment, navigation, conservation and enhancement of fish, wildlife, and aquatic resources.

Best Management Practice: A practice, or a combination of practices, that is determined by the State (or designated area-wide planning agency) after problem assessment, examination of alternative practices, and appropriate public participation to be the most effective, practicable (including technological, economic, and institutional considerations) means of preventing, or reducing the amount of pollution generated by nonpoint sources to a level compatible with water quality goals.

Best Management Practice Evaluation Program: The field evaluation process developed and used by Region 5, to systematically evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of BMP.

Cross Drain: A ditch constructed to intercept surface water runoff and divert it before the runoff concentrates to erosive volumes and velocities.

Crowning: Forming a convex road surface, which allows runoff to drain from the running surface to either side of the road prism.

Designated Stream: A stream or portion of a stream identified as warranting special consideration in management decisions and project activities. See also Stream, or Streamcourse.

Designated Swimming Waters: Those waters in which swimming, wading, dabbling, diving, and other forms of primary water-contact recreation are specifically encouraged by signs, or public notice.

Earth Scientist: Air resource specialists, geologists, hydrologists, and soil scientists working for the Forest Service in the field of natural sciences. These personnel, with knowledge and skills in the fields of soil-precipitation-runoff relationships, are primarily concerned with on-site productivity and protection of water quality.

Erosion Hazard Rating (EHR): A relative rating of the potential for soil erosion on a given site.

Commonly used to estimate the erosion response expected from a given land management activity. Ratings are the result of a composite analysis of the following factors: soil, topography, climate, soil cover.

Extremely Unstable Lands: Land areas exhibiting one, or more of the following characteristics:

1. Active landslides.

2. EHR is greater than a score of "29" on the R-5 rating scale.

3. Inner gorges.

4. Portions of shear zones and dormant landslides having slope gradients that are typically steeper than 60 to 65%.

5. Unconsolidated deposits with slope gradients at, or steeper than the stable angle of repose.

6. Lands with slope gradients at, or steeper than the mechanical strength of the underlying soil and rock materials.

Floodplain: The areas adjoining inland streams and standing bodies of water and coastal waters, including debris cones and flood-prone areas of offshore islands, including at a minimum, that area subject to a 1% chance of flooding in any given year.

Ground Cover: Material on the soil surface that impedes raindrop impact and overland flow of water. Material may include duff and organic matter such as needles, sticks, limbs, etc., and exposed roots, stumps, surface gravels and living vegetation

Hazardous Substances: Any of a wide variety of materials, solid liquid, or gas, which require specific cautionary handling and procedures to permit their safe use. (Health and Safety Code 6709.11, Chapter 9)

Horizontal Drains: Horizontal pipes installed in road cut slopes and fills to drain subsurface water and guard against landslides. Includes perforated metal, or plastic pipes in horizontal drill holes in water-bearing formation.

Inner Gorge: A geomorphic feature that consists of the area of channel side slope situated immediately adjacent to the stream channel, and below the first break in slope above the stream channel. Debris sliding and avalanching are the dominant mass wasting processes associated with the inner gorge.

Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP): A forest-wide document that provides direction for managing NFS lands within the forest boundaries, with the goal to fully integrate a mix of management actions that provide for multiple use and protection of forest resources, satisfy guiding legislation, and address local regional and national issues for the plan period. Also frequently referred to as LMP.

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Permit System: The system for issuing, conditioning, and denying permits for the discharge of pollutants from point sources, by State water quality regulatory authorities, or the EPA. The program is administered by the RWQCBs of California.

Nonpoint Source: Diffuse sources of water pollution that originate at indefinable sources, such as from silvicultural and recreational activities. Practically, nonpoint sources do not discharge at a specific, single location such a conveyance pipe.

Outsloping: Shaping a road prism without an inside drainage ditch to direct runoff to the outside shoulder, as opposed to insloping which directs runoff to an inside ditch. Emphasis is on maintaining flow at an angle across the road to avoid buildup of an erosive flow of water.

Permittee: Individual, or entity that uses NFS resources by permit from the Forest Service.

Pesticide: A general term applied to a variety of chemical pest controls, including insecticides for insects, herbicides for plants, fungicides for fungi, and rodenticides for rodents.

Pipe Underdrains: A perforated pipe, or fabric at the bottom of a narrow trench backfilled with filter material. This kind of installation is used where there is a need to lower the water table adjacent to the roadbed, or other structure.

Pitting. Making shallow pits, or basins of adequate capacity and distribution to retain water from snowmelt and rainfall to enhance infiltration, augment soil moisture, and retard runoff.

Point Source: Water pollution originating from a discrete identifiable source, or conveyance.

Sale Area Improvement Plan (SAI Plan): A plan of work for post sale enhancement and improvement of the sale project area. The plan addresses development, protection, and maintenance actions for the future production of renewable resources.

Sale Area Map (SAM): A map of suitable scale and detail to be legible which is part of a timber sale contract. The map identifies sale area boundaries and contract requirements specific to the sale.

Sale Plan: The document used to identify the approved locations for timber harvest and transportation improvements in a given sale, including a description of project results to be accomplished. The sale plan also includes required mitigation measures that were identified in the environmental documentation process.

Specified Road: A forest development transportation-system road identified (specified) in a timber sale contract.

Stabilization Trenches: These are wide trenches with sloping sides having a blanket of filter material approximately three feet thick on the bottom and sides. Perforated drainpipes are installed on the bottom of the trench to transmit the collected water. Stabilization trenches are placed in swales or ravines and under side hill fills, to stabilize fill foundation areas that are saturated.

Standard Specifications: Standards and design requirements, from the current version of "Engineering Management (EM) 7720-100", Forest Service Standard specifications for construction of roads and bridges, which direct Forest Service construction activities.

Stream Classification: The ordering of streams in a manner that reflects (1) flow characteristics,

(2) present and foreseeable downstream values of the water, and (3) physical characteristics of the stream environment—as evaluation criteria. Class I is the highest value stream, Class IV is the lowest value stream.

Streamside Management Zone (SMZ): An administratively designated zone adjacent to ephemeral, intermittent and perennial channels and around standing bodies of water, wetlands, springs, seeps and other wet or marshland areas. SMZ is also ment to include other naming conventions for streamside buffering areas such as; stream protection zone, riparian reserves, riparian habitat conservation areas and so forth. SMZ are designed and delineated for the application of special management controls aimed at the maintenance and/or improvement of water quality. SMZ delineation may include floodplains and riparian areas when present. SMZ delineation can have synergistic benefits to other resources such as maintenance and improvement of riparian area dependent resources, visual and aesthetic quality, wildlife habitat and recreation opportunities.

Suitable Forest Land: Land that is subject to being managed for timber production on a sustained scheduled basis. Some of the determinants of land suitability for harvesting are reforestation potential, timber growth rate, economics, and land stability. Also included are forest lands where the land and resource management plan recognized an emphasis for achieving other key resource objectives, such as recreation, visual, wildlife, water and so forth in addition to timber management.

Timber Sale Contract (TSC) Provisions: Often referred to by the section of the TSC in which they occur.

• B Provisions - Standard provisions for Forest Service timber sale contracts, located in section "b" of the contract.

• C Provisions - Special provisions needed to tailor the timber sale contract to meet specific management objectives in R-5, located in section "c" of the contract.

Unsuitable Forest Land: Forest land that is not currently suitable for timber production. Some reasons for classifying land as unsuitable include: potential soil productivity loss and potential, irreversible damage to soil which cannot be prevented using current technology, mineral withdrawals, low volume growth rates, and inadequate assurance that the land can be restocked within 5 years after harvest.

Wetlands: Those areas that are inundated by surface, or groundwater with a frequency sufficient to support a prevalence of vegetation, or aquatic life that requires saturated, or seasonally saturated soil conditions for growth and reproduction. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas such as sloughs, potholes, springs, seeps, wet meadows, river overflows, mud flats and natural ponds.

11 Introduction

Water quality and associated beneficial uses are most effectively and efficiently protected from degradation due to nonpoint sources of pollution by the application of BMPs. This guidance documents the regions' water quality management program for controlling and preventing nonpoint source water pollution. It documents an iterative process of site-specific practice identification, implementation, monitoring and feedback.

It also describes the BMPs themselves, the process for development of site-specific methods and techniques for applying BMPs, and lists the references for each BMP. The directives, policies, laws, and other source documents listed in these references are regular reference materials for persons involved in project evaluation, design, implementation and quality control.

The text documents the working relationship with the SWRCB, the Forest Service water quality management performance standards and regulatory agency expectations as required by the

1981 MAA.

11.1 NEPA and Interdisciplinary Approach.

The NEPA process is crucial for the development of site-specific methods and techniques for applying BMPs to fit individual project needs. Direction for environmental evaluations and preparation of environmental documents to comply with NEPA are contained in established NFS policy and procedures found in FSM 1900, FSM 1950 and FSH 1909.15. These references also contain direction to incorporate the interdisciplinary process into planning and decision making.

The BMPs documented herein have been considered in the development of Forest Land and Resource Management Plans and incorporated by reference. During the Forest Plan Implementation phase, this text will be used by the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) to develop applications of the BMPs to protect and improve water quality. Inter-relationships between Forest Planning and Forest Plan Implementation are described in FSM 1922 and FSH 1909.12.

Under NEPA, interdisciplinary involvement is required to evaluate projects that may influence water quality and to develop the appropriate BMP applications for maintenance and improvement of water quality. The line officer responsible for a project selects and convenes an IDT to evaluate a proposed activity, and assigns them the task of formulating and evaluating alternatives. A major part of the IDT evaluation is an analysis of environmental consequences.

Alternatives that cannot fully protect water quality and associated beneficial uses with full application of BMP will not be considered viable alternatives.

An IDT is comprised of individuals representing two, or more areas of professional knowledge and skills. They are not a fixed set of professionals. Each team is a unique combination of skills that the line officer selects according to the identified issues, concerns, and opportunities associated with each project proposal. The IDT does not make decisions, but provides the line officer with alternatives, evaluations and recommended mitigation and protection measures needed to make a reasoned decision and protect the environment. The final decision authority lies with the line officer.

1. IDT development of BMPs

The BMPs are water quality protection measures that must be considered in formulating a resource management plan, program, or project. Their purpose is to directly or indirectly protect water quality and mitigate adverse watershed impacts while meeting other resource goals and objectives. They are action-initiating mechanisms that lead to the development of detailed protection measures to be applied during project development and onsite implementation.

The IDT will identify the methods and techniques for applying BMPs for specific sites during the project planning process following onsite evaluation of the project area. In this manner the methods and techniques can be custom fitted to the specific environment, as well as the proposed project activities.

As a result of interaction between team members the appropriate mix of implementation methods and techniques are selected. The final combination of practices are selected which will control nonpoint pollution, and also meet other resource needs. Site-specific applications utilize innovations and refinements that have developed through monitoring and feedback.

Commonly, the methods and techniques for water quality protection that apply to a project site are a composite package of multiple BMPs with site-specific applications developed by the IDT. The appropriate BMPs and the methods and techniques of implementing the BMP are included in the environmental documentation, permit, contract, or other controlling document used to conduct and administer the project. The BMPs will be incorporated into these documents in various ways such as, design specifications, contract clauses, or management requirements and mitigation measures.

This assures that they are part of the project work to be accomplished.

2. Implementation of BMPs

There are various methods and techniques available to implement a BMP, and not all are applicable to every site.

For example, BMP 2-7 “Control of Road Drainage” dictates that roads will be correctly drained to disperse water runoff to minimize the erosive effects of concentrated water flow. Some methods and techniques for draining a road are: out slope the road prism, install water bars, or inslope the road to a ditch line and install culverts. It is during the onsite evaluation of a specific road project that the appropriate method or combination of methods—to correctly drain the road—are identified. The methods are thereby custom fitted to the physical and biological environment of the project area.

The BMPs are presented under eight different resource categories in this handbook.

The sequence in which these resource categories are presented has no intended significance.

Further, because a particular BMP is located within a given category of BMPs does not imply that it has no applicability in another resource area.

For example, consider a situation of tree removal within a developed campground for safety (hazard tree removal), or campground expansion, or insect infestation eradication purposes. Even though BMP 1-11, "Suspended Log Yarding In Timber Harvest", and BMP 1-12, "Log Landing Location", reside in the Timber Management category of BMPs, they are also applicable to tree removal in the developed campground area, even where the tree removal does not fall into the formal definition of a timber sale. It is appropriate that yarded logs in the recreation area be suspended when necessary to preclude excessive soil disturbance, or to maintain the integrity of the SMZ. It is also appropriate that any log landings be located to avoid creating hazardous watershed conditions and water quality.

The same is true for the "Road And Building Site Construction" BMP whether the road is for timber harvesting, mining, recreation access, or some other purpose; the road and building site BMPs are applicable.

This multi-resource, cross-resource utility is true for all BMPs in this guidance whenever applicable. The site of BMP documentation will be different (e.g. the recreation development plan may apply in place of the timber sale plan), and the person responsible for BMP implementation and monitoring will be different (e.g. recreation staff officer in place of the timber sale administrator), but the intent and application of the BMPs to protect and improve water quality is constant, and not necessarily vested with a given resource functional area.

11.2 Application of BMPs

After the BMP are identified, and the site-specific protective measures documented, they will be implemented along with any other mitigation measures, requirements and controls that are designated for the project and site-specific area.

1. Project application of BMP: The application of the BMPs is achieved by the Forest

Service Official responsible for project implementation. Each of these personnel uses the BMP source documents as technical guidelines e.g. TSC, Timber Sale Administration (TSA) Handbook, FSM, FSH and Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

2. Feedback to Line Officers: The effectiveness of the selected BMP is evaluated by the

Forest Service officials responsible for the project and if required, qualified earth scientists. The evaluation includes a comparison of the actual results realized, to that, which was predicted in the environmental document. The reporting of monitoring and evaluation results by Forest Service personnel provides feedback to line officers for consideration in adapting future similar projects.

3. Technical assistance and training in the effective application of BMPs: One role of the earth scientist in BMP application is to provide technical assistance and training for resource project leaders, to:

a. Ensure the effective application of the BMPs on the ground.

b. Update and refine BMP as a result of knowledge gained from monitoring and evaluating previous applications.

c. Conduct training for personnel as needed to maintain the most recent state-of-the-art knowledge and capability in water quality protection.

Training personnel in the attributes of water quality management and the effective application of BMPs is a critical link in the water quality management process. With more intensive land management and a wider variety of beneficial uses dependent on the quality of water, an ever expanding skill base in the fields of land and watershed management becomes mandatory.

A training and information program is essential to ensure consistent application and continued effectiveness of the practices. All Forest Service personnel will be trained on a periodic, recurring basis to ensure new and transferred employees receive the training, and as a refresher course for others.

Training

Training programs will focus on both water quality protection through BMP application and program monitoring through BMPEP.

Training for water quality protection through BMP application will focus on all USFS employees including:

- Administration employees not commonly associated with resource management field activities.

- Line and primary staff officers

- Field personnel that are responsible for the planning and conduct of projects

Training for program monitoring through BMPEP will focus on those Forest personnel responsible for project planning, implementation , quality control and reporting.

Training will be continually updated and conducted using state-of-the art tools and techniques to ensure effectiveness.

11.3 Environmental Variability and Best Management Practices

The management practices described herein are neither detailed prescriptions nor solutions to specific nonpoint pollution sources. Although some pollutants will be thought of as characteristic of a management activity, the actual effect of any activity on water quality will vary. The magnitude, scope, and duration of pollution are not activity-specific. The extent to which contaminants from an activity have the potential to degrade water quality is a function of:

1. The physical, biologic, meteorologic and hydrologic environment within which the activity takes place (e.g. topography, physiography, precipitation, channel density, soil type, vegetative cover).

2. The type of activity imposed on a given environment (recreation, mineral exploration, timber management), and the proximity to surface waters within the given environment.

3. The method of application and time frame over which the activity is applied (grazing system used, types of silvicultural practices used, constant use as opposed to seasonal use, recurrent application, or one-time application).

4. The kind of beneficial uses of the water in proximity to the management activity and their relative sensitivity to the type of contaminants associated with the activity.

These four factors vary throughout the State of California, from National Forest to National Forest, and from site to site on individual Forests. It follows then, that the extent and kind of contaminants are variable, as are the abatement and mitigation measures. No solution, prescription, method, or technique is best for all circumstances.

The management practices presented in the following include such phrases as:

"according to design," "as prescribed," "suitable for," "within acceptable limits,” and so

on. The actual methods and techniques applied to a project to implement a given BMP are the result of site-specific evaluation and development by professional personnel through interdisciplinary involvement in the decision-making process.

12 MANAGEMENT PRACTICES DOCUMENTATION

This section identifies the BMPs employed to protect water quality.

1. Source Documents of BMP. The BMPs described in this section were compiled from

Forest Service manuals, handbooks, contract and permit provisions, and policy statements. These practices act as checks and balances that protect the quality of the water resource by requiring coordination, inventory, monitoring, analysis and evaluation of proposed management actions. They are consistent with legislative direction and complement an informed and reasoned planning and decision-making process. Their purpose is to directly or indirectly maintain, or improve water quality and abate, or mitigate impacts, while meeting other resource goals and objectives.

2. Categories of BMP by Resources. The BMPs are identified in the following categories:

1 Timber Management 2 Road and Building Site Construction 3 Mining 4 Recreation 5 Vegetation Manipulation 6 Fire Suppression and Fuels Management 7 Watershed Management 8 Range Management

BMPs cover three types of activities, administrative, preventive, and corrective. These practices are neither detailed prescriptions, nor solutions for specific problems. They are action-initiating mechanisms, processes, practices, which call for the development of site-specific, detailed prescriptions and solutions. They identify management considerations that must be taken into account prior to and during the formulation of alternatives for land management actions. They serve as checkpoints to consider in formulating a resource plan, a program, or a project.

3. Interagency accountability for implementation. BMPs are the practices both the State and Federal water quality regulatory agencies expect the Forest Service to implement to meet our obligation for compliance with applicable water quality standards, and to maintain and improve water quality. They are the performance standards for the agency.

The BMPs are dynamic and always subject to improvement and development.

Monitoring and evaluation of existing practices may disclose areas where refinement is warranted. Research, academia, and administrative studies are continually evolving new methods and techniques applicable to water quality protection. Provision has been made to allow for the continued updating and refinement of the existing practices as well as development of new practices. Attachment "A" of the 1981 MAA is updated annually to document and schedule BMP refinement and development needs (See Section 14).

4. Format of BMPs. Each practice is organized according to the following format:

Heading Context

Practice Includes the sequential number of the BMP and a brief title.

Objective Describes the desired results or attainment of the practice as it relates to water quality protection.

Explanation Further amplifies the brief title and expresses how to apply the practice. Describes criteria, or standards used when applicable.

Implementation Describes where to apply the practice, who is responsible for application, direction and supervision, and when to employ the practice.

12.1 Synopsis for Timber Management

Timber harvesting and reforestation are the culmination of several years of multiple resource assessment and detailed project planning.

Timber harvest includes felling, bucking, skidding, yarding, loading and hauling designated trees to a mill. Harvest can be followed by reforestation, which includes preparation of the harvested site to treat excess fuels and competing vegetation, followed by tree planting, and stand maintenance as needed.

An effective point of identifying, documenting and incorporating BMPs in the Timber Sale Planning Process (TSPP) is during the formulation of silvicultural prescriptions. Forest and districts may differ in how and when they formulate prescriptions in the planning process, but they generally follow the sequence of: stand examination, diagnosis of stand treatment and detailed silvicultural prescriptions, with post-treatment monitoring and evaluation.

Silvicultural prescriptions are developed by certified silviculturists. These persons must meet high standards of professional knowledge, skills and experience in multiple-use silviculture.

Their training for certification requires continuing education in soils and watershed management.

They are familiar with the terminology of these disciplines, and consult with soil and water specialists in the process of writing, or approving timber harvest prescriptions.

Timber sale proposals are evaluated and refined during the interdisciplinary preparation of environmental documentation as required by NEPA. The line officer identifies the members that are to comprise the IDT, and assign them the responsibility for environmental document preparation, including the conduct of requisite field investigation of the proposed harvest site.

The team selects those BMP necessary to protect or improve the water quality for specific sites, and the appropriate method and technique for their implementation, and incorporates them into the environmental document. When the appropriate line officer approves the environmental document, the BMP are officially made a part of the harvest plan.

Planning begins one to five years before timber harvesting begins. Timber harvest planning and implementation also must follow the guidelines and requirements of the Forest Land and Resource Management Plan.

The TSPP includes the following steps:

1. Position statement Development.

2. Sale Area Design. (Includes the environmental documentation process).

3. Sale Plan Implementation. (Includes harvest unit layout and stand record card updates).

4. Final Sale Package Preparation. (Includes Sale Area Improvement Plan and contract preparation).

5. Sale Award.

While the timber sale is in progress, the implementation and effectiveness of the BMP prescription for the sale area are evaluated. This evaluation process continues through the completion of reforestation.