A Forest Management Partnership Guide for Florida Landowners
Best Management Practices (BMPs) are land management applications developed to help forest landowners and loggers conduct forestry activities near waterbodies and wetlands while maintaining the integrity of the environment.
BMPs ultimately help a landowner achieve better stewardship of forest resources by promoting environmentally responsible land management methods that may minimize adverse impacts on the forest ecosystem and maximize a landowner’s objectives for their land.
Some ways BMPs benefit forest landowners and Florida’s forests include:
- BMPs protect the water quality of the state, which is imperative to the state as Florida’s forests provide the water filtering system for ground water - the drinking supply of 90 percent of the state’s population.
- Silviculture BMP's maintain shelter and food for aquatic organisms and terrestrial wildlife species.
- The use of BMP's during normal ongoing forestry operations exempts landowners from the costly process of acquiring permits (although, a permit is required for certain forestry related activities such as above-grade road construction and stream crossings).
Depending on the site conditions , BMPs are arranged by specific application to various land types, waterbody types, forestry activities and special conditions. BMPs that specifically protect water quality include Special Management Zones (SMZ) which should be integrated into an overall forestry operation. Some BMPs should be included to protect water quality during such forestry oprerations as site preparation and planting, pesticide and fertilizer use and fireline construction.
No single BMP is designed to accomplish the total water quality objective – BMPs are typically combinations of practices that apply to various forestry operations. Whether the BMP objective is to prepare for planting or to harvest timber properly, many BMPs are codependent in making a forestry operation successful. With the help of BMP foresters or county foresters, a landowner may reach their aim of implementing BMPs that are practical and economical while maintaining both water quality and productivity of their forest land.
Florida's Division of Forestry has three specially trained BMP foresters and 43 county foresters in 15 districts whose job it is to help private (non-industrial) landowners and loggers by assisting them in developing and implementing BMPs.
Contact the Division of Forestry to request an on-site BMP Courtesy Check to evaluate the potential water quality impacts from recent forestry operations (timber harvesting, site preparation, roads, stream crossings, etc.)
Florida's forests provide a water filtering system that affects the drinking water of 90 percent of the state's population.
Related Internet Links
© Copyright 2006
Charles H. Bronson, Commissioner, Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
James R. Karels, Director, Division of Forestry
3125 Conner Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1650 Tel: (850) 488-4274
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