Page 30 - Georgia Forestry - Spring 2017

CONSERVATION
Preserving Our Trout Streams
BMPs
The implementation of
Best Management Practices
(BMPs) for water is
managed by the Georgia
Forestry Commission.
Visit www.gatrees.org/forest- management for more information.
BMPs play a critical role in sustainable forestry initiatives in Georgia. Learn more at www.sfi-georgia.org.
Every other year, the Georgia For- estry Commission implements an extensive state survey to evaluate
the implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) across Georgia. Across the industry, forestry BMPs represent the techniques that have been found to mea- surably prevent contamination, erosion and sedimentation.1 A previous survey found that pinpointing and preserving Georgia’s trout streams was a priority and an ongoing challenge.
GFC found that portable bridges were highly effective buffers that protect
water sources from erosion and sedi- mentation resulting from people and equipment traveling across streams during harvesting.
A 2014 grant from the EPA helped GFC expand the use of portable bridges by purchasing approximately 20 portable bridges to help protect stream crossings. To participate in the program, compa- nies are required to keep records of their usage and collaborate with GFC to study and document the impact of the program in terms of BMP implementation and the protection of streams.
1) Georgia Forestry Commission “Georgia’s Sustainable Forests: A Resource for All Generations,” 2014.
DIG. SAFELY. Online Phone
FOREST RESOURCE SERVICES INC.
Specializing in Land and Timber Management & Sales
BOBBY D. BROWN
Registered Forester GA Number 2164 Licensed Realtor in GA Number 165520
20364 GA Hwy #3 Thomasville, GA 31792
229.221.3016 • brown@ftrealty.com
28 | GEORGIA FORESTRY