Effectiveness of Forestry Best Management Practices in Protecting Fish Resources of Two National Forests in Western Washington

摘要

The study investigates whether Forestry Best Management Practices (BMPs) function as intended in protecting fish resources in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie and Olympic National Forests of western Washington. BMPs effectiveness is considered from both an administrative perspective and physical perspective; the scope of the investigation is limited to those BMPs designed to minimize stream sedimentation from timber harvesting and those related to roadbuilding. Most of the present sedimentation problems on both forests come from pre-BMP activities in the 1950s and 1960s when harvesting and roadbuilding did not adequately protect forest resources other than timber. Fish production from habitats in both forests has decreased since logging began. However, not enough information is available to determine the impact of habitat degradation. BMPs have been improved and modified since their introduction in the early 1970s. Better design standards now exist for logging systems, roads and other practices. The changes and improvements have been spurred by cooperation (though limited) among state natural resource agencies and pollution control agencies.