ControllingRunoffattheHarvestSite

ByTomGilbert WaterResourcesSpecialist MaineForestService

This spring, the Maine Forest Service held 2 workshops titled “BMPs for Protecting Water Quality on Haul Rds. and Skid Trails.” These workshops put extra emphasis on controlling water and minimizing soil disturbance at the harvest site. These are 2 of the 7 “fundamental BMPs” we have focused on in past trainings and are also mentioned in our BMP manual. Some of the main concepts in controlling water at the harvest site include:

∙Understanding how water moves within the harvest area, and decide on control measures;

∙Installing a system throughout the site to slow down runoff and spread it out;

∙Reducing water velocity and volume (“The 2 Vs”); and

∙Protecting the natural movement of water through wetlands if they must be crossed.

Site topography is an important consideration, since water will gain momentum as it travels down steeper slopes. The more velocity water gains, the more soil will erode. Keep in mind that it is always best to manage runoff at its source, or as close to it as possible, to prevent it from gaining velocity.

Also keep in mind that it is easier and more effective to control water in small amounts. This can be done by installing effective BMPs in the right locations throughout the site. By managing water in small volumes throughout the site, and diverting it to undisturbed forested areas, you are greatly reducing erosion potential.

The diagram demonstrates how runoff is diverted into undisturbed forested areas in small volumes throughout the site. Several types of structures are used to divert runoff in many locations, preventing runoff from gaining volume or velocity so the forest floor is able to absorb the water. Note that in all examples, water is diverted outside of the buffer, represented by lines located along the stream channel. Buffer areas are in place as a last line of defense. It’s the system of BMPs used throughout the site that keep our water clean.

For more information reference our BMP manual, available online at: https://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/ policy_management/water_resources/bmps.html

OLD FORGE, NY - On May 18, 2023, the Northeastern Loggers’ Association presented Ted Wright with its Outstanding Industry Advocate Award for 2022 at the organization’s annual Loggers’ Banquet in Brewer, Maine.

Ted Wright, from Brunswick, Maine, is the Executive Director of the nonprofit Trust to Conserve Northeast Forestlands, overseeing the Northeast Master Logger Certification® Program for New England and New York. Since 2015, Ted has expanded the program while also educating the public on the benefits of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification as an FSC board member.

Along with expanding and improving the Master Logger program, Wright has also fostered greater public awareness of the importance of sound logging practices for forest sustainability and health. He has accomplished this through a variety of public outreach activities, including public speaking events, harvest tours for both professionals and students, Maine Tree’s annual Teacher’s Tour, trade show events, and state woodlands associations events. He regularly conducts BMP and rescue/CPR workshops in Vermont, New York, and Maine, writes marketing publications and articles promoting the Master

Logger program, and has worked to ensure that forestry and logging contractors are included in the FSC system, in particular for smaller operations.

Dana Doran, Executive Director of the Professional Logging Contractors of Maine, said, “As demand for responsibly harvested timber and healthy forest management has risen in recent years, [Wright] has been at the forefront of efforts in the Northeast to meet that demand and to educate the public on the benefits of certification in meeting those goals.”

The Outstanding Industry Advocate Award recognizes a person or organization with significant accomplishments in promoting public education and acceptance of the forest products industry.

The Northeastern Loggers’ Association, Inc. (NELA) was founded in 1952 and is headquartered in Old Forge, New York. The organization has nearly 2,000 members in the region from Maine to Minnesota and Missouri to Maryland. NELA publishes the monthly magazine The Northern Logger & Timber Processor and hosts the annual Northeastern Forest Products Equipment Exposition (Loggers’ Expo). NELA hosts the Annual Awards Banquet every year on the evening prior to the opening of its annual Loggers’ Expo.