Seeing the trees along the streamside

Excerpt

Forested streamside management zones (SMZs) are one of the more commonly recommended forestry best management practices (BMPs) for the protection of water quality (Klapproth, 1999). Streamside management zones are known by a variety of names including riparian management zones, riparian forests, forest filter strips, forest buffers, and vegetated (grass also) filter strips. Practically every forestry BMP manual developed since the passage of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972 recommends the use of streamside management zones (Aust and Blinn, 2004; NCASI, 2001; Shepard et al., 1994). Although streamside management zones are widely recognized for their importance for protection of water quality, there is considerable uncertainty about how they should be implemented. Recommended streamside management zone widths range from as little as 25 feet to nearly 200 feet (Lakel et al., 2005). Some states recommend their use on only perennial streams, while others recommend streamside management zones for intermittent and ephemeral drains. In general, most states do suggest that some harvest level can be implemented and generally suggest that partial harvests of the overstory are compatible with good water quality (Alabama Forestry Commission, 1993; Delaware Forestry Association, 1982; Florida Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services, 1993; Georgia Forestry Commission, 1993 …