BMPs for Erosion Control for Logging Practices in Ohio

Bulletin 196

Glossary and Sources

Glossary

Buffer zone - An undisturbed area of vegetation used for screening roads or other sensitive areas.

Contour lines - Lines on a topographic map that determine slopes.

Critical areas - Areas subject to erosion due to soil type or slope including stream crossings.

Erosion - The movement of soil through the action of wind or water.

Geo-Textile fabric - Woven, non-woven, or knitted fabric that is water permeable and usually non-biodegradable that is used to separate, filter, and reinforce aggregate.

Landings - Logging decks; areas where logs are skidded for concentration.

Mitigation - The use of management practices to compensate for or reduce the negative impact of harvests on a forest.

Operation and Management Plan (O&M - A written course of action to ensure that BMPs are incorporated into any silvicultural practice to maintain water quality.

Rip-rap - Heavy stone used on banks and soil to avoid erosion.

Sediment - Soil that settles to the bottom of bodies of water.

Silt - Soil particles suspended in water.

Slash - Logs, branches, tree tops, or brush created as a result of logging.

Stream - A body of water running or flowing on the earth’s surface, or channel in which such flow occurs. Flow may be seasonally intermittent.

Stream crossings - For purposes of discussion in this book, stream crossings are defined as the area of disturbed soil from break in grade on opposing banks.

Streamside Management Zone (SMZ - Land adjacent to perennial, intermittent, and ephemeral streams, ponds, or lakes requiring special attention during forestry operations. They are to be treated in a way that meets water quality standards for nonpoint source pollution.

• Perennial stream - Identified by well-defined banks and natural channels, and have continuously flowing water most years. They are usually shown on a topographic map as a solid blue line.
• Intermittent stream - Has well-defined banks and natural channels, but typically has flowing water from a headwater source for only a portion of the year. They are usually shown on a topographic map as broken blue lines.
• Ephemeral stream - A flow as a result of wet weather conditions when the ground is saturated. The channel is characterized by being free of leaf litter showing bare rock soil that has been exposed by flowing water. Not shown on topographic maps.

Water bars - Water diversion structure.

Sources

“Logger’s Handbook: A Guide to Recommended Logging Practices, 1986,” Timber Industry Council, Ohio Forestry Association.

“Permanent Logging Roads for Better Woodlot Management,” USDA Forest Service Publication NA-FR-18.

“Woodlands of the Northeast: Erosion and Sediment Control Guides,” USDA Soil Conservation Service.

“Building Water Pollution Control into Small Private Forest and Ran Roads,” USDA Soil Conservation Service.

“Montana Forestry BMP’s,” Forest Service Guidelines for Water Quality.

Best Management Practices for Road Construction and Harvesting Operations in Oklahoma.”