oEPA
              United States
              Environmental Protection
              Agency
               Region 8
               1860 L.Tte
               Denver CO180295
September 1980

     450R80002
              J/Vater
               Planning and Management Brancn
Forest Nonpoint Source
Control  Strategy

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                     FOREST  NONPOINT SOURCE CONTROL STRATEGY
     The Clean Water Act of 1972 established a Water Quality Management
Program (Section 208) and several other programs to clean up and maintain our
waters.  The Nonpolnt Source (NPS) Control Program seeks to control pollutants
which runoff or seep from broad areas of land.  Forest land activities,
especially silviculture, is an important nonpoint source pollution control
category in EPA Region VIII.

     The strategy has been developed to provide guidance for this Region's
approach to forest land management.  It is the regional link between National
Water Quality Management Strategy and State and local programs; as such it
will be revised periodically to respond to changing conditions and programs.

     Many good suggestions were received from the review of the draft.  Thank
you for taking the time to respond.
                                            David Stand ley
                                            Director
                                            Water Division

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                               TABLE  OF  CONTENTS

                                                                      Page

Purpose 	     1

Situation	     1

Objective 1.  Implement , as needed on Region VIII,
the 1979 EPA - Forest Service National Agreement  	     2

Objective 2.  To have an operational self-sustaining
and effective forest NPS Control  Program for State
and private lands in each State by 1983 	     5

Objective 3.  Assist in initiating forestry
projects that implement and evaluate Best
Management Practices (BMP)  	     8

Objective 4.  EPA and Water Quality Management (WQM)
planning agencies assist and review implementation and
evaluation of BMP's of silviculture NPS on federal forest
land (FS, BLM)	      9

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                                     TABLES


                                                                      Page

  I.  Federally Managed Land and
      Commercial Forest Land 	       11

 II.  Summary of Present Status
      of Forest Land NPS Programs  -
      State and Private Lands	       12

III.  Summary of Present Status  (FY 80)
      NPS Control Programs  on National
      Forest Lands	       14
                                  ATTACHMENTS
                                                                     Page


  I.  Statement of  Intent FS - EPA
     Forestry Water Quality Management  	     16

 II.  Forestry WQM  - BMP Implementation
     EPA memorandum, September 12,  1979   	     17

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                         FOREST NONPOINT SOURCE STRATEGY
Purpose
     The purpose of this forest strategy Is to provide direction to EPA Region
VIII for the prevention and control of nonpoint source (NFS) water pollution
from forest uses for FY 80 and beyond.

     While the overriding concern Is maintenance and Improvement of water
quality, the specific goal addressed by this strategy is to have an
operational, self-sustaining, and effective forest nonpoint source control
program in each state by FY 8?I

     This strategy is the framework for:  1) defining regional forest  land NPS
policy within the national framework, 2) developing state programs for
continuing NPS planning and implementation activities on forest lands; 3}
funding FY 80 and beyond NPS program elements; 4) determining the need for new
Federal, state and local legislation or changes needed in existing
legislation, and 5} recommending required legislative action.

Situation

     There are many non-silviculture activities and developments that take
place on forest lands that have the potential to contribute to nonpoint source
water pollution.  Some of these are roads, homes, recreational developments,
energy, mining, and livestock grazing. The intent of this strategy is to have
comprehensive prevention and control programs dealing with all NPS pollution
from forest lands.  This initial strategy emphasizes silviculture, hopefully
future revisions will deal effectively with all nonpoint sources.

     All the states in Region VIII contain forest land.  Table 1 shows the
commercial forest land and federally-managed land in each state.  Commercial
forest land ranges from almost none in North Dakota to 15.8 million acres in
Montana.  The majority of commercial forest land is managed by the federal
government; primarily by the U.S.O.A. Forest Service.  Because of differences
in law, policy and financing that applies to federally-managed forest lands
and state and private-managed forest lands, separate strategies apply.  The
EPA strategy for controlling NPS water pollution on state and private forest
lands is located in Objective 2 and 3, federal lands is in Objective 4.
                                         -1-

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     The major silvicultural activities that cause water quality Impacts are:
construction and maintenance of permanent and temporary roads and trails for
access; cutting, skidding and decking logs; and slash disposal by fire or
mechanical means.  Through these activities the following temporary adverse
effects can occur:

     1.  Increase 1n soil movement and stream sedimentation;

     2.  Increase in stream temperature;

     3.  Introduction of wood debris into the stream;

     4.  Disturbance of fisheries and recreational values; and

     5.  Changes 1n water runoff (timing) regime.

     Silviculture has been identified as a significant nonpoint source in the
following Water Quality Management Plans:  Montana Statewide; Flathead (MT);
Blue Ribbons (MT); Blackfoot Indian Reservation (MT); Sixth District (SD); and
Northwest Colorado 208 (CO).  Montana identified over 150 water quality
problems resulting from improper timber harvesting and logging activities in
the statewide planning area.  Silviculture NFS water quality problems vary in
amount and cause from state to state and area to area.

                                    i
     The milestone dates are estimated completion dates for the tasks.  The
recommended agencies column lists the agencies that are recommended to have a
lead role in accomplishing the task.

Objective 1.  Implement, as needed in Region VIII, the 1979 EPA-Forest Service
national agreement (Attachment #1).

                                                                     Responsible
Tasks                                            Milestones          Agencies

     1.  Cooperation on the Resource
     Planning Act. The draft RPA
     report was published and re-
     viewed in 1979.
                                        -2-

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     a.  Review recommendations                  Sept. 1980          EPA
     from the Forest Service and
     determine consistency with
     state WQM plans.

2.  Cooperate with and participate
     in the National Forest Land
     Management Planning Projects.               FY 80 & 81          EPA

     The project will test land manage-
     ment planning guidelines in re-
     lation to Water Quality Management
     and the environmental impact state-
     ment process.  The details on how
     and where this activity will be
     carried out have not been completed
     at this time.

3.   Coordination between state forest
     resource planning programs and
     state water quality plans.

     Colorado State Forest Service
     was selected for a $30,000
     national program grant.
     Their efforts will be used
     as prototype for co-
     ordination in other states.

     a.  Complete the Colorado
     SFS project as per attached                 July, 1981          EPA, Colorado
     work plan, Attachment I.                                        State Forest
                                                                     Service

4.   Forestry Participation
     in Agriculture Conservation
     Program (ACP)Special Projects.
     There are no forestry-related
     special projects in Region VIII
     at this time.  The opportunity
     may exist and is mentioned
     in Objective 3 of the
     strategy.

     a.  Region VIII should pursue and
     become involved; encouraging
                                           -3-

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     strong coordination between
     State Forester and State Water
     Quality Agency; providing
     planning funds when possible.               Continuing          EPA

5.   National WQM Training Package
     for loggers and operators.

     The package is being developed
     nationally and should be ready for
     testing during FY81.  It will consist
     of three segments. One segment is
     designed to inform elected officials
     of their responsibilities and presents
      various methods that can be used.
     A second segment is more technical and
     is designed for timber sale administrators
     or forest land owners.  The third segment
     is more field oriented and designed for
     loggers and operators.  It will accommodate
     regionally specific problems, techniques and data.

     a.  Region VIII has recommended
     to the Headquarters Office that
     the State Forester in Montana and
     the Black Hill N.F. in South Dakota
     test this package.                          Sept. 1981          EPA, MT. State
                                                                     Forester and
                                                                     Black Hills
                                                                     N.F.
                                            -4-

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     Use of the package should be
     implemented, by Water Quality
     Management Planning Agencies, State
     Forest Agencies and U.S.D.A.
     Forest Service.
Continuing
EPA, etc.
Objective 2.  To have an operational, self-sustaining and effective forest NPS
control program for state and private lands in each state by 1983.

     The essential components of a forest NPS control program for State and private
lands are Identified in the first column of Table II.  These criteria provide a
framework against which the status of the forest NPS control effort can be assessed
and program needs evaluated.  The status of each state program except North Dakota
has been evaluated in terms of these criteria and are noted on Table II.  North
Dakota has such a small amount of forest land, and what there is is scattered, that
there is no need to address it in detail.  No forest NPS water pollution problem
has been identified in North Dakota and it is probable that there will not be one
identified in the future.

     Of the other five states in Region VIII, Montana and South Dakota have
considered silviculture to be a NPS problem.  The other states are listed and dealt
with because there is a potential for problems to develop or be identified in the
future.

     Each state should have a continuing, preventive program to monitor and deal
with existing or potential forest NPS water pollution problems.  In general, the
State Forester should have the lead role in technical assistance, and educational
programs for state and private forest lands.  Other state and federal agencies will
cooperate and coordinate with the State Forester as needed depending on the
particular state Water Quality Management Plan, legislation, etc.  A continual
dialogue between EPA, U.S.F.S and the states needs to take place to keep this
strategy current and valid.

     All tasks are for EPA to complete unless otherwise noted.

COLORADO
Tasks
Milestones
Responsible
Agencies
    Work with the State Forester
    to complete the national silvi-
    culture project and implement
    a non-regulatory program
    statewide.
FY 81
EPA and
Colorado
State Forest
Service
                                          -5-

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2.  Investigate and promote
    incentives for applying Best
    Management Practices
    (BMP's) on privately
    owned land.

3.  Facilitate an agreement
    between the State 208 Unit,
    Water Quality control and
    the State Forester that
    will define the roles and
    responsibility of each in
    water pollution control.

4.  Investigate the effect
    of home development and
    related access roads
    are having on water
    quality, especially
    sediment.

MONTANA
Tasks
2.
3.
Support and facilitate
the State Water Quality
Bureau, State Forester,
and Conservation Districts
in implementing a program
that will:  provide as-
sistance to private
forest land owners in
preventing nonpoint
source pollution from
forest lands; and
examine and seek
additional tech-
nical and financial
assistance.

Fund a project that
will find ways of pro-
viding funds and technical
assistance to rehabilitate
eroding lands damaged by
past logging practices.

Explore the need for a
special forestry project
in Montana in FY 81 or 82.
                                             Continuing
EPA
                                             FY 82
EPA
                                             FY 81
                                             Milestones
EPA
Responsible
Agencies
                                                 Continuing
EPA
                                                 1981 or 1982
                                                 May 1981
EPA
EPA
                                           -6-

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SOUTH DAKOTA
Tasks

1.  Assist and facilitate the
    State Forester and the State
    Department of Environmental
    Protection in providing
    adequate technical and
    financial assistance and
    an educational program
    to private forest land
    owners for the control
    of nonpoint pollution.
    The role and respon-
    sibilities of the
    State Forester and
    Department of Envi-
    ronmental Protection
    should be documented
    in an interagency
    agreement.

2.  Encourage the State
    Department of Environ-
    mental Protection and
    Sixth District Areawide
    to coordinate water
    quality monitoring
    between state and
    federal agencies.
    Make sure monitoring
    of privately owned
    forest land is
    adequate.

3.  Establish procedures to
    allow the State Forester to
    inspect for water quality
    control practices at the
    same time he inspects for
    fire, insect and disease
    control purposes.
Milestones
Responsible
Agencies
1981 or 1982
EPA
1981
EPA
1981
EPA, S.D. Div,
of Forestry
and Dept. of
Environmental
Protection
                                            -7-

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UTAH
Tasks
    Follow through with the
    FY 80 grant to the State
    Forester.  The project
    should result in a state-
    wide control program, if
    needed, to meet all of the
    essential components listed
    in Table II.
WYOMING
Tasks

1.  Assist in defining the
    role and responsibilities
    of the State Forester in
    NFS control on private
    forest lands and document
    in an interagency agree-
    ment, between the State
    Forester and the State
    D.E.Q.

    2.  Explore the need for
    a special forestry project
    in Wyoming.

Objective 3.
Milestones
Responsible
Agencies
1981
Milestones
Responsible
Agencies
FY 81
Dec. 1980
EPA
EPA
     Assist in initiating forestry projects that implement and evaluate Best
Management Practices (BMP).  See Attachment #2, EPA Information Memorandum 79-111
Tasks

1.  EPA met with the state
    WQM agency, State Forester,
    and federal agencies (FS, BLM,
    SCS, ASCS) as needed to determine
    the potential for implementing
    forestry demonstration projects,
    and stimulate interest in these
    projects.
Milestones
Responsible
Agencies
Dec. 1980
EPA
                                           -8-

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    Implement BMP's through
    ACP, FIP, federal, state,
    local, or private industry
    financing,on private forest
    lands.
Objective 4.
Continuing
Agencies
to be
selected
     EPA and Water Quality Management (WQM) planning agencies assist and review
implementation and evaluation of BMP's for silviculture NPS on federal forest lands
(FS, BLM).

     Table III summarizes the present status of silviculture NPS control programs
on National Forest lands.  The following tasks and milestones generally apply to
each state and therefore, are not broken out by state.
Tasks
1.  Review and encourage the
    WQM planning agencies to review
    consistency of federal agencies,
    regional (FS).and state (BLM)
    land management plans (IMP) with
    state WQM plans.

2.  WQM planning agencies review
    the consistency of the more de-
    tailed Forest (FS) and
    District IMP (BLM) with state
    and areawide WQM plans.  Offer
    written suggestions for improve-
    ment and coordination.
3.  Assist WQM planning agencies
    that have existing or potential
    forest land NPS water quality
    pollution problems on federal
    lands to complete an agreement
    with federal land management
    Agencies.  The agreement
    should include at least the
    following:

    a.  Methods to coordinate
    future continuing planning;
                                                 Milestones
                    Responsible
                    Agencies
Continuing
EPA
Continuing
WQM Plan-
ning Agen-
cies
                                          -9-

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b.  Specific Implementation
responsibiTitles;

c.  Responsibilities for
mon1toring implementation
of BMP's and water quality
assessments;

d.  Designation of the federal
land management agency as
management agency for the land
It administers.

4.  Support federal land management          Annually            EPA
agency programs and funding
requests related to WQM by:
Forest Service - EPA will
hold an Interagency meeting
with the Forest Service to
understand the FS program-
ming and budgeting process
and explore ways of co-
ordinating programs.
Initial meetings com-
pleted, continue as
necessary.

5.  Encourage the Forest Service
and other institutions to conduct
research on how to manage lands
according to hydro!ogic limits
or what is acceptable 1n the
stream or aquatic ecosystem.                 Ongoing
                                      -10-

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COLORADO
66 5
24.0
36%
MONTANA
93.3
27.7
30X
NORTH DAKOTA
44.5
2.3
5X
SOUTH DAKOTA
42.9
3.3
7X
UTAH
52.9
34.9
661
WYOMING
62.3
29.8
48X
                                             TABLE I - FEDERALLY - OWNED LAND AND COMMERCIAL FOREST LAMP

                                  COLORADO

1.  Total State (million
acres) (4)

2.  Federally-Owned
(million acres)
Percent of State (4)

   a.  Forest Service             14.4                16.7                1.2                         2.0                  8.0             9.3
   (million acres)

   b.  BLH and other
   federal agencies               9 6                 11.0                1.1                         1 3                  26.9            20.5
   (million acres)

3.  Commercial Forest
Land (1) Total In                 12.3                15.8 (2)            Insignificant              1.5                  3.4             4.8
State (million acres)



a. State and
private owned
(million ares)
b Federally
owned (million
acres) Percent
of State

3.3
9.0
73X
\

5.1 (2) Insignificant
9.2 (2)
58X
/-
.5
1.0
73X
:ootnotes
1
2
3
4
Figures are estimates from the RARE II Draft EIS Supplement, USDA-FS, 1978.
Figures are not from comparable data.
Commercial forest land are forest sites capable of growing more than 20 cubic feet
Figures are from public land statistics. USDA-BLH, 1976.
of wood/acre/year.

.8 1.0
2.6 (FS) 3.8 (FS)
77X BOX
t
A

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                              TABLE IP  SUMMARY OF PRESENT STATUS OF FOREST LAND NFS PROGRAMS - STATE AND PRIVATE LANDS
                                                               (EXCLUDES FEDERAL LANDS)
1.
4.
ESSENTIAL
COMPONENTS

Geographic prior-
tlzatlon of problem
watersheds.
     Responsibility to
     control silviculture
     problems has been
     assigned to desig-
     nated mgt  agencies.
Mgt  Agencies have
a   Expertise
b.  Adequate Staff
c   Relevant Auth.
d.  Commitment

Identification of
BMP's (statewide &
where Implementation
Is assured)
COLORADO

No-Not identl-
as a signif-
icant problem
on non-federal
lands
                             No-State
                             Forester Is
                             to provide
                             technical
                             assistance.
State Forester
a   Yes
b.  No
c.  Yes
d.  Yes

No-State
Forester Is
presently
working on a
project to do
this.
MONTANA

Yes-General
Identi-
fication
and prior-
Itization.
                    Yes-Legislation
                    designating
                    Cons. Dlst. as
                    as mgt. agency
                    with Dlv. of
                    Forestry respon-
                    1ble for tech-
                    nical assistance
                    and other assist-
                    ance.
a.  Yes
b.  No
c.  Yes
d.  Yes

Yes-Not site
specific.
SOUTH DAKOTA

Yes-Silviculture
was Identified
as the jeast
priority problem
in the 6th
                                                                          plan.
                                                                                    D1st.
                    Yes-Dept.
                    of Same & Fish
                    and Parks.
                    Division of
                    Forestry; Ex-
                    tension Service;
                    Conservation
                    District.
a.  Yes
b.  No
c.  Yes
d.  Yes

Yes-6th Dlst.
Plan and BHNF
BMP's Report
UTAH

No-Not 1dent1->
fled as a sig-
nificant
problem.
State Forester
Is presently
doing a state-
wide assessment.

No.
(not Identified)
a.
b.
c.
d.

No-State Fores-
ter Is presently
working on a FY
80 funded project
to do so if
necessary.
WYOMING

No-Not identi-
fied as a
significant
NPS problem.
                                                No.
(not identified)
a.
b.
c
d.

Yes-BMP's Identi-
fied for federal
lands will apply
to all harvest
areas as appro-
priate.
     Provision of ade-
     quate technical
     and financial
     assistance
     to Implement
     the control
     program.

    Effective educational
     program to Inform and
     Involve the affected
     public
     -Public Participation
     -Educational-NPS Mgt.
                             No-State
                             Forester will
                             probably need
                             additional
                             resources.
                             No.
                    Yes/No-State
                    and Federal
                    programs are
                    available but
                    neither are
                    adequate.
                    Yes-Need more
                    resources to
                    improve the
                    programs.
                    No-some
                    assistance
                    available
                    but not adequate.
                    No.
                           No-control pro-
                           gram recommended
                           at this time.
                           No.
                     No-No assistance
                     programs defined
                     by the State.
                     No.
                                                                             -12-

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                              TABLE  II.  SUMMARY OF PRESENT STATUS OF FOREST LAND NPS PROGRAMS - STATE AND PRIVATE LANDS
                                                               (EXCLUDES FEDERAL LANDS)
     ESSENTIAL
     COMPONENTS

7.   Monitoring and In-
     spection respon-
     sibilities Identi-
     fied & assigned.
8.   Consideration
     of regulatory
     alternatives.
     Agreement on schedule
     of ml lestones for
     implementation
     a.  Prog, deficiencies
     b.  Priority watersheds.
10.  Agreement on reporting
     system (at least annual)
     to the R.A. on progress
     made In Implementation.
COLORADO

Yes-Dept  of
Health UQC
Dlv , and
Federal
Agencies need
better
coordination.

Yes-Not needed.
No.
No.
MONTANA

Yes-NQB and
Div. of
Forestry
have the re-
sponsibility
but resources
are limited.

Yes-Win pursue
regulatory
alternative
If the non-
regulatory
program falls

Yes-As related
to the present
detailed work
plan for Dlv. of
Forestry, FY 80
dollars, state-
wide, in process.

Yes-C.D.'s and
Dlv  of Forestry
to UQB and UQB to
EPA.
SOUTH DAKOTA

No-Undefined
at this time.
No.
No.
                     WYOMING

                     DEQ has overall
                     monitoring and
                     inspection re-
                     sponsibilities.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
                                                                          -13-

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     ESSENTIAL
     COMPONENTS
          P-eA.
1.   Geographic prior 1-
     ttzatlon Of NFS
     problems
2.   Responsibility to
     control silviculture
     problems has been
     assigned to desig-
     nated management
     agencies

3    Mgt. Agencies have
     a   Expertise

     b  'Adequate Staff
     c.  Relevant
         Authorities

     d.  Coimltment

4.   Identification of
     BMP'S.
TABLE III: SUMMARY

COLORADO
R-2
No-F.S. plans
to have a
new Inventory
completed by
end of FY 61.
Some units are
complete now
Yes.

-
Yes.
Yes-could use
more.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes
OF PRESENT STATUS

MONTANA
R-l
Yes-New In-
ventory com-
plete by end
of FY 80.



Yes-Forest
Service.

Yes.
Yes.

Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
(FY 80) NFS CONTROL PROGRAMS
EPA. REGION VIII
SOUTH DAKOTA
ft-2
Yes-Forest
wide.




Yes-Forest
Service.

Yes.
No-need additional
staff.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
ON NATIONAL FOREST LANDS

UTAH
R-4
No-New Inventory
being done now.
to be completed
by the end of FY
81.


Yes.


Yes.
Yes.

Yes.
Yes.
Yes.


WYOMING
R-2
No-New Inventory
to be completed
by the end of FY
81. Coordinate
with state and
areawldes.

Yes-Some land areas
were not assigned to
the FS as Mgt Agency,
Yes.
Yes.

Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
                                                                       -14-

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7.
     ESSENTIAL
     COMPONENTS
     Provision of adequate
     technical and finan-
     cial assistance to
     implement the control
     program.
Monitoring and
Inspection re-
sponsibilities
Identified and
assigned.

Agreement on:
    Implement.
     a.
         Schedule
     b   UQ Improvements

     c.  Reporting and
         coordination with
         States on areawldes.
                                       re-
COLORADO

R-2

Yes.
Technical
sources
come from
within the
FS, Finan-
cial from
Congress.  The
watershed pro-
gram has not
been financed
to 100X of
needs.

Yes.
                                                                    SOUTH DAKOTA

                                                                    R-2

                                                                    Yes.
                                               UTAH

                                               R-4

                                               Yes
No-Has been
started.

No.

Yes-Parti ally
                                                      Yes-forest
                                                      Service.
Yes.


Yes.

Yes.
                    No-Need to de-
                    fine 6th 01st.,
                    State and FS.
No-Has been
started.

No.

Yes.
                           Yes.
Yes-Except no
schedule on
priority.
Yes.

Yes.
                     Yes-Forest
                     Service and
                     state.  Needs
                     to be better
                     defined.
No.


No.

No.
                                                                        -15-

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                       STATEMENT Og
            FS-EPA FORESTRY WATER Q'JALTTy MANAGEMENT

                           February  14,  1979
 USDA, Forest Service and U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
 acting within their legal authorities,  budget, and personnel
 constraints will cooperate to achieve improved water quality
 resulting from forestry activities*  Forest. Service will
 provide overall leadership in forest conservation, develop-
 ment and ultilization practices that result in improved water
 quality*  Environmental Protection Agency will provide financial
 assistance and review*

 Four major coordination areas are  included in this effort*
 They are (1) Resource Planning Act Assessment and Program,
 {2} Forest Land and Resource Management Planning projects,
 (3) Water Quality Management aspects of the Forest Incentives
 Program'and Agricultural Conservation Program, and (4) Information
 and Education.

 Executive meetings will be held as requested by either agency.
 An ad hoc Forestry Water Quality Management: Workgroup is
 established for program coordination and problem solving*.  Menher-
 ship includes:

            FS, Watershed Management  Staff Director, Chairman
            FS, Cooperative Forestry
            FS, Area Planning and Development
            FS, Resource Program and  Assessrvent
            FS, land Management Planning
            FS, Forest Environmental  Research
            FS, Timber Management Research
            EPA, W&ter Planning Division
            EPA, Office of Federal  Activities
            EPA, Research and Development

 This Statement of Intent renews emphasis expressed in the April 2,
 1976 Forest Service-Environmental  Protection Agency cooperative
 Agreement*
   O          xv
/John R. McGulre
 Chief, Forest Service
Barbara Blum
Deputy Administrator
Environmental Protection Agency
                        Attachment  I

                            -16-

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                  UNI I tU 5 1 A I ti t N V IKUNMCN i AU rnu i cu i rorr«uc w.
          SEP 12 1973
SUBJECT Forestry WQM-BMP  Implementation
   FROM: Merna Hurd, Direct*
       Water Planning MstW/Mf-fv "V                   •$£? 1 7

    T0' All Regional Water Division Directors                   «j«if« L .|V>
       ATTN:  All HPS Coordinators                         	r«.\Ui::s
              All 208 Coordinators
                                               INFORMATION MEMORANDUM:   INFO 79-111
       Purpose
       To provide guidance on the development and funding of State Forestry
       projects which highlight the implementation of forestry best management
       practices (BMPs).

       Background

       Forestry projects to implement and evaluate BMPs on forestlands are
       included in several State WQM plans.  Implementing these projects can
       strengthen forestry WQM activities through the 208 continuing planning
       process.
               v -
       EPA has initiated action with the Forest Service (FS) through the
       February 15, 1979, "Statement of Intent" to encourage such projects
       through the Forestry Incentives Program (FIP) and Agricultural  Con-
       servation Program (ACP).  Some forestry activity is reported in existing
       MIP and ACP Special Projects, primarily in New York, South Carolina, and
       New Mexico.  Other States such as Kentucky, Florida, and Oregon are
       initiating prototype projects through State WQM Programs.

       Information

       K'OH projects should be encouraged where forestry related water quality
       problems or potential problems exist.  These projects should contain
       i,e.'eral key elements:

            1.   Focus" on a particular area with specific water quality problems.

            C.   Provisions for public involvement and education, including a
                 iTiechanism to involve the forestry community in the project.

            4,   Provisions to implement BMPs.

                      Through existing Federal Programs (FIP/ACP).
                      Through State or local Programs.
                      Through private industry,  consultants and others.

                          technical  assistance to carry out the project.
                                Attachment II

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                                   -2-
      5.   A process for handling problem forestry polluters  in the project
           area*

      6.   An evaluation and monitoring program.

 Where these elements are adequately addressed, 203 funds could be
 utilized for the following parts of the projects:

      1.   Planning

                Identifying specific problem areas requiring  BMPs
                Determining specific BMPs to be applied
                Determining Monitoring  and Evaluation  procedures

      2.   Monitoring and Evaluation of water quality  impacts and BMP
           effectiveness.

      3.   Public involvement and education

 EPA and State Water Quality Agency personnel  should actively participate in
 the institutional  arrangements to implement these projects.  The mechanism
 for initiating forestry WQM projects is the 208  continuing planning process.
 These projects should be identified in the WQM plans  and/or  State/EPA
 Agreements.   ACP and FIP are programs  that may be utilized to implement
 BHPs.  Where appropriate, other Forestry programs through forest industry,
 extension forestry, consultants, and landowners  associations should also be
 utilized to implement BMPs.

 Experience has shown that EPA initiatives at the State  and local level
 are important in getting projects underway.  Your active involvement will
 be  critical  to the success of these programs. The State Forester is
 generally responsible for implementing the projects so  coordination between
 State Water Quality Agency Administrator and the State  Forester is the key
 to  project success.  EPA Regions should continue to strengthen the relation-
 ship between State Water Quality Agencies and State Foresters by bringing
 tnem together to discuss potential  projects.  Active  participation in ACP
 btate Development Committees is another forum for discussing potential
 projects.   Close coordination with the Agricultural  Stabilization and
^Conservation Service (ASCS), which administers the ACP  and FIP programs,
 and the FS is essential  to activate ACP and FIP  projects.

 EPA will continue to cooperate with ASCS, FS, and State Foresters through
 Ua« National  ACP Development Committee to encourage forestry and agriculture
 w«t*r quality projects.   In addition,  FS has agreed to  advise their
 Rogi'onal/Area-personnel  to work with the State Water  Quality Agencies for
 the p«t*pes3 of highlighting the UQM aspects of the FIP  and ACP programs.
 However  FS suggests thai: EPA psrsonnel  encourage State WQM  agency coordi-
 nation with noth ASCS and the State Forester to  facilitate project imple-
 mentation.

 As  Projects develop, keep Walt Rittall (755-9231) informed so we can maintain
          coord'"'St
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