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Programs assessing implementation and effectiveness of state forest practice rules and BMPs in the West

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Water, Air and Soil Pollution: Focus

Abstract

The major forest nonpoint source control programs in the West are largely regulatory, either under forest practices acts (California, Idaho, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington) or a streamside management act (Montana). These programs and the specific rules they enforce continue to undergo intensive scrutiny. Still, the questions are the same for these regulatory programs as for states that base nonpoint source control on voluntary BMPs (Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming). Are the rules or BMPs being applied, and are they effective in reducing nonpoint source pollution to levels that protect beneficial uses of water? The level of debate about forestry in the West has resulted in detailed monitoring and research to answer these questions. In the past, state agencies have assumed levels of BMP compliance based on the percent of operations without enforcement actions. These estimates are being replaced by statistically valid and reproducible monitoring of forest practices rules and BMP compliance levels. BMP effectiveness is being assessed using both qualitative and quantitative methods. This can involve field assessments, process-based research, and control watershed studies. Some trend monitoring is also beginning. With the regional implementation rate for forestry BMPs at about 94% and rising, it is likely that effectiveness testing will continue to be a priority and consume the majority of assessment resources for this region.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Council for Air and Stream Improvement, Inc., P.O. Box 458, Corvallis, Oregon, 97339, U.S.A

    George Ice

  2. Oregon Department of Forestry, USA

    Liz Dent & Josh Robben

  3. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, USA

    Pete Cafferata

  4. Plum Creek Timber Company, USA

    Jeff Light & Brian Sugden

  5. Potlatch Corporation, USA

    Terry Cundy

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  1. George Ice
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  2. Liz Dent
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  3. Josh Robben
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  4. Pete Cafferata
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  5. Jeff Light
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  6. Brian Sugden
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  7. Terry Cundy
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Correspondence to George Ice.

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Ice, G., Dent, L., Robben, J. et al. Programs assessing implementation and effectiveness of state forest practice rules and BMPs in the West. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution: Focus 4, 143–169 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:WAFO.0000012821.68577.6b

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