Forestry Best Management Practices (BMPs) are designed to prevent and minimize nonpoint water pollution primarily from timber harvesting. It is documented that well-managed forests provide us with clean water. They also absorb rainfall, refill aquifers, slow and filter stormwater runoff, reduce floods, and provide habitat for fish and wildlife. Forestry operations, if done improperly, can negatively impact these benefits, therefore BMPs were developed specifically for silviculture practices.
BMPs can include such measures as leaving a buffer zone of trees next to a stream, installing a culvert to cross a stream, or establishing grass on forest roads to prevent erosion.
In 1998, the Kentucky Division of Forestry and its partners established the
Kentucky Master Logger Program as required under the
Kentucky Forest Conservation Act (KFCA). The program focuses on minimizing any threats to water quality from forestry activities. The program educates landowners, loggers and foresters about the threats to water quality and provides technical assistance on how to minimize those threats through the use of BMPs.
BMP Publications and Guidelines:
Numerous publications are provided by the division to educate landowners and loggers about using BMPs to protect water quality during timber harvesting. Please see to
Forestry Publications to view or download these documents