Utah is primarily an arid state. However, those lands which lie at higher elevations, where precipitation is generous enough to allow trees to grow, are covered with coniferous and deciduous forests. Forests make an important contribution to Utah's way and quality of life by providing abundant resource benefits including wood products, fish & wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities and clean air and water. Utah's forests are also critical recharge areas for most ground water sources in the state. From this perspective, forested lands are an important natural resource. Utah's generally high elevation forests are the principal source of water for this state.

Forest types found in Utah include pine, Douglas-fir, spruce-fir, and aspen. About 20% of the timberland in Utah is privately owned. While the majority of the states' forestlands are in federal ownership, Utah's private forestlands are of great importance contributing numerous benefits to the state's economy and society at large. If these non-federal lands are well managed, they have the potential to provide continuing benefits over the long-term. The protection and sound management of Utah's private forestlands is critical for the protection of water quality in Utah.

Impaired water quality is costly for humans, wildlife and the environment. This book is designed to help landowners, loggers and resource managers better understand the dynamic nature of these vital areas and their role in protecting water quality. This book illustrates the use of Utah's Forest Water Quality Guidelines (FWQGs). The FWQGs are voluntary measures landowners, loggers and resource managers can use to provide for the protection of our state's water quality. The photographs and illustrations show applied practices and how they look when applied on the ground.

These first few pages contain general information and answers to the most commonly asked questions about nonpoint source pollution and the Forest Water Quality Guidelines. The remainder of the book is divided into eight sections that deal specifically with each of the guidelines:

• Pre-harvest Planning
• Streamside Management Zone
• Roads, Skid Trails, Landings & Stream Crossings
• Timber Harvesting
• Site Preparation, Regeneration & Revegetation
• Chemical Management
• Prescribed Fire
• Forested Wetlands
  
  

Each section describes the FWQGs and begins with a helpful "Checklist for Success." The descriptions that follow provide guidance, illustrations and photographs in the text, and offers the user a moderate level of information on the application of the guidelines. The "do not" symbol indicates examples of practices or situations to avoid. Most importantly, the book attempts to emphasize the protection of water resources above all else when conducting forest management activities. At the end of the book, you will find supplemental information including a glossary of terms commonly used in forestry, references, sources of assistance and other programs designed to help landowners manage their forest and water resources.

We hope you will find this publication useful as you plan and carry out your forestry operations. We welcome suggestions on how this book can be improved. To submit comments about this publication or request additional copies, please direct your inquiry to:

Utah Department of Natural Resources
Division of Forestry, Fire & State Lands
1594 W. North Temple, Suite 3520
Salt Lake City, UT 84114