Forestry Best Management Practices -

Best Management Practices (BMPs) are non-regulatory guidelines for silvicultural practices designed to protect water quality in Mississippi. Every three years, a statewide monitoring survey is conducted and a report is published. The purpose of BMP monitoring is to evaluate the use of voluntary BMPs by the forestry community. By monitoring silvicultural activities, the overall integrity of water quality will improve as well as the restoration and protection of all watersheds. The guidelines set forth in “Silviculture Best Management Practices Implementation Monitoring: A Framework for State Forestry Agencies” are be used to develop the implementation monitoring.

For more information on Water Quality and Forestry BMPs, check out these items:

5 Federally Mandated Forestry BMPs for Roads
2003 Statewide BMP Implementation Monitoring Survey results
2006 BMP Implementation Monitoring Survey result for the Big Black, Tombigbee and Tennessee River Basin
2007 Statewide BMP Implementation Monitoring Survey results
Best Management Practices Handbook Fourth Edition, September 2008 (Posted 8/25/2008) or if you want copies of the new fourth edition mailed to you, please email Lisa Harris at lharris@mfc.state.ms.us and include your name, company name, mailing address and number of copies needed.

State Law 95-15-14 states
Obstructing waterways; felling trees in excess of six inches in diameter into running stream. It shall be unlawful and a misdemeanor for any person, firm, corporation, association or organization to push, fell or cut trees, in excess of six (6) inches in diameter, into a running stream, or deposit or leave in a running stream, trees, in excess of six (6) inches in diameter, logs in excess of six (6) inches in diameter or tree tops, without removing the same immediately, in such cases where such will materially impede the flow of or navigation upon such running stream.

Any violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) and not more than two hundred dollars ($200.00).