What Are the Implementation Rates and Effectiveness of BMPs in the South?

• The nonpoint source (nps) pollutant of greatest concern to forest management is sediment, which reaches stream channels primarily through erosion. Rainsplash and sheet erosion account for the majority of hillslope erosion. • Maintaining channel stability and the hydrologic character of the watershed can control stream channel erosion and maintain the sediment/stream energy relationship. • Silvicultural Best Management Practices (BMPs) are designed to reduce nonpoint source pollution and maintain stream channel integrity so that State water quality standards are met. Where their effectiveness has been evaluated, they have achieved that goal. • All States have adopted silviculture BMPs and have trained landowners, loggers, and forestry practitioners. • Twelve of 13 Southern States have measured BMP implementation, but have employed unique approaches to selecting sample sites and conducting on-site evaluations, resulting in different degrees of statistical strength and different expressions of results. Consistency among States is improving. • While trends in BMP implementation among States cannot be expressed in comparabl