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Private Forest Landowners are Making a Difference
The results are clear. From 2001 through June 2010, private forest landowners have removed more than 3,400 barriers to fish passage, opening up nearly 2,100 miles of fish habitat. In addition, more than 764,000 acres of private forestland have been permanently set aside for riparian buffers and steep slope protection. Private forest landowners are accomplishing the objectives outlined by the Forests & Fish Law—the toughest environmental standards for forest practices in the nation.
Fish Habitat Protection
Private forest landowners are protecting water quality throughout the 60,000 miles of forested streams on their lands. Riparian buffers along streams maintain cool water temperature and protect stream banks, limiting the amount of sediment delivered to streams and keeping the water clean. These measures help maintain healthy, productive fish habitat.
Road Maintenance
Private forest landowners have made significant progress toward the goal of bringing all roads into compliance with the forest practice standards outlined in the Forests & Fish Law. More than 125 Road Maintenance and Abandonment Plans (RMAPs) have been developed by forest landowners and approved by the Department of Natural Resources. More than 57,000 miles of forest roads are being upgraded. New practices include careful road location, especially near stream crossings, better drainage to keep ditch water out of the streams and erosion control to minimize sediment delivery. In addition, more than 2,300 miles of roads have been decommissioned and restored to a natural forest condition.
Steep Slope Protection
Although landslides are naturally-occurring events in rain-soaked Washington, private forest landowners are committed to ensuring forest practices do not contribute to, or worsen these events. Landowners are making a difference by utilizing advanced technology and the best available science to identify the lands that are most vulnerable. To protect these high risk areas, landowners are committed to retaining mature forests on thousands of acres that are vulnerable to landslides. A review following recent severe rainstorm events resulted in an Adaptive Management change in forest practices rules. Scientific studies are underway that could lead to additional changes in practices on the ground.
