Streamside Management Zone
         
  Checklist for Success      
  The following is a partial list of practices which may be applicable to your forest management project. Implement the appropriate practices to protect water quality before, during and after the project is complete. Refer to the Forest Water Quality Guidelines for a more complete list of practices.  
 
  • Designate the Streamside Management Zone (SMZ) using recommended distances.
  • Establish an undisturbed strip of 15 feet along each side of water bodies to filter runoff.
  • Leave sufficient trees to provide bank stabilization, shade and a future source of large woody debris.
  • Leave enough trees and shrubs to provide adequate shade for stream.
  • Before logging, clearly mark the SMZ with paint, flagging or signs.
    Minimize disturbances that expose mineral soil in the SMZ.
  • Mark only those trees to be cut in the SMZ. Avoid clearcutting in the SMZ.
  • Retain a diversity of tree species and age classes in the SMZ. Keep enough mature trees to avoid potential regeneration problems.
  • Maintain sufficient ground cover within the SMZ to trap sediment before it enters any watercourse.
  • Avoid use of heavy equipment in the SMZ to minimize ground disturbance.
    Use winching or end-lining skidding techniques to remove logs from the SMZ.
  • Use directional felling in the SMZ. A boom feller-buncher can also minimize disturbance.
  • Limbing of trees should always be done above the high water mark.
  • Avoid felling trees into streams and keep slash out of all water bodies.
  • Plan stream crossings carefully. Streams should be crossed at a right angle to the channel.
  • Minimize the number of stream crossings.
  • Do not sidecast soil or gravel into streams or wetlands when constructing or maintaining roads.
  • Keep slash out of the SMZ. If slash does occur in the SMZ, do not machine-pile or burn.
  • When crossing Class I and Class II streams, structures should be the appropriate size to allow full surface flow of the stream for the entire life of the structure.
  • Deposit and stabilize excavated mate rial on stable sites outside of the SMZ.
  • Remove material which adversely affects the natural flow of water. Remove in a manner which causes the least disturbance.
  • Control skidding to prevent stream channel damage and to preclude build-up of destructive run-off flows or erosion in sensitive areas such as the SMZ, wetlands or meadows.
  • Avoid broadcast burning in the SMZ unless it is identified as the proper management treatment.
  • Do not use, mix, store or handle hazardous or toxic materials in the SMZ.
    Limit pesticide use in the SMZ. Do not clean equipment or containers of fuels, pesticides or herbicides in or near streams or in the SMZ.