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The idea of "cut and get out" is a thing of the past.
Today forestry operations voluntarily self-regulate and follow a set of BMP guidelines. These guidelines ensure that all aspects of the harvest from building of forest roads to logging safety are completed to protect soil and water on forest land. It is important to understand that BMP categories such as Stream Side Management Zones, Stream Crossings, Forest Roads, Timber Harvesting, Reforestation, Wetlands and Re-vegetation/Stabilization are all part of the harvesting process.
In addition, the safe procedures followed by each logging operation is part of ensuring that the logging company follows Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) federal regulations when harvesting.
Best Management Practices
Watch Best Management Practices to learn about the BMPs that are used in Alabama to protect and preserve the air, water and soil in a logging operation. You will need the information in this video to complete 3.05 Best Management Practices.
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Water Quality Laws
Little consideration was given to water quality until the 1960s, when several water‐related issues made national news.
In 1972, Congress passed the Clean Water Act. The Clean Water Act CWA empowered the Environmental Protection Agency EPA to protect the nation's water quality.
In many states the EPA has delegated enforcement to states, but each state's regulations are subject to federal mandates under the CWA.
Water Quality and Silviculture
Silvicultural activities must be conducted in a manner that does not lead to nonpoint source pollution. Sediment produced by rainfall runoff across harvested sites is considered a nonpoint source of pollution and is regulated under the CWA.
Although forestry activities are exempt from the permitting requirements under the CWA, steps must be taken to protect water quality during harvesting operations. In most southern states, a set of voluntary guidelines, Best Management Practices or BMP, have been adopted to reduce the impact of forest management activity, including harvesting, on water quality.
BMP Compliance
Foresters and loggers receive BMP training. Periodic surveys by state forestry agencies indicates that voluntary BMPs are very effective in protecting water quality with compliance rates exceeding 90% across the south.
In addition to regulatory requirements, most forest products companies are required to monitor and promote BMP compliance as a condition of participation in the Sustainable Forestry Initiative program as well as other forest certification programs.
BMPs include guidelines for stream-side management zones, stream crossings, timber harvesting, reforestation, wetlands, re-vegetation/stabilization, and in building forest roads.
Forest Roads
Forest roads are the main point of access into forestland by landowners.
They must be built and maintained in a way that does not lead to erosion or potential sedimentation in waterways. Maintenance problems on forest roads are almost always due to water, so it is best to properly locate the road when building.
Road location and design are main considerations when building new roads or maintaining existing roads.
Forest Road Design
Design principles for road building include:
- Minimize stream crossings.
- Avoid location perpendicular to the contour.
- Locate roads as far from streams as possible.
- Reduce soil disturbance.
- Minimize drainage pattern effect.
- Select appropriate road standard.
- Avoid unstable soil types.
- Select road grades as flat as possible.
- Design curves to accommodate expected traffic.
- Select appropriate road width.
- Maintain appropriate site distance for safety.
Forest Road Construction
Watch Forest Road Construction to learn the techniques to build and maintain forest roads in a logging operation while following BMPs.
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Logging Safety Regulations
Logging is considered one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States because of the size of the equipment and the nature of harvesting large trees that can fall and/or roll.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has developed a set standards specifically for logging operations that must be followed. In addition to the importance of following in‐woods standards, safety is of the utmost importance as trucks move equipment or haul wood to the mill. Every harvesting operation will have specific safety requirements based on the equipment used, type of harvesting operation, and site conditions.
Logging Safety Considerations
Some of the safety considerations for all logging operations include:
- Wearing required personal protective equipment (PPE) including hearing and eye protection, hard hats, steel‐toed boots, chaps (when using chainsaws), and gloves.
- First aid kits required on site (approved logging first aid kits).
- Crew training on safety, first aid and cardio‐pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
- Seat belts on all equipment.
- Roll‐over protection (ROPS) on all equipment.
- Fire extinguishers on all equipment.
- No riders on equipment other than operator.
- Maintain 2 tree‐length distance from cutter.
- Awareness of environmental conditions including electrical lines.
- Engage brakes and releasing all stored energy when parking equipment.
- Maintain safe distance between any flammable or combustible liquid and operating equipment.
- Identify and remove danger trees.
- Clear communication between equipment operator and any person on the ground.
- Secure all logs and equipment with chains, cables, or tie‐down straps.
Logging Safety
Watch Logging Safety to learn more about safety in logging operations.