Oct. - Dec., 2007
News from Missouri
One of my job duties is to encourage Best Management Practices (BMPs) on timber sales. I have observed that loggers seldom install water bars in skid trails and roads without the involvement of a forester. I know from my own experience as a logger that installing water bars take time, cost money, and is hard on equipment.
Sediment from soil erosion is considered pollution if it moves off site from its original location. This sediment can change the temperature and oxygen content of the water. A change in the water can cause major problems for aquatic life in the stream. In addition to the erosion, tree tops in creeks can cause log jams which can lead to stream channel changes.
Surveys in Missouri have shown that water quality is a major concern. Almost all erosion from a timber sale comes from logging roads and log landings. Studies have shown that if well constructed water bars are installed in these areas that almost all pollution from a timber sale can be prevented.
It has been several years now since I last made a living from logging. Looking back on my old career. I wish I would have done more to prevent soil erosion. Soil is the foundation that trees grow upon and should be kept in place so future generations can benefit from our natural resources. It is my opinion that if we can stop 90% of all erosion on timber sales by simply putting in water bars on skid trails and landings, it is the logger’s responsibility to do it while he is harvesting the timber.
I offer my assistance to any logger that needs help or training on water bar location and how to correctly install them. The Missouri Department of Conservation has a publication called Missouri Watershed Protection Practices that is valuable when dealing with BMPs. The previously mentioned publication can be found at the following web site or you can call me and I will be glad to send you a supply http://mdc4.mdc.mo.gov/documents/441.pdf.
Concerning a different subject, I visited with Tracey Switzer from the Missouri Department of Agriculture about doing a delivered log price report. Tracey intends to start doing this report again. I feel that it is a report that will be good for landowners, loggers, and sawmillers. Landowners and loggers will know what to expect when thinking about selling timber or logs to sawmills. The report will also be a way for sawmills to show landowners that there is a downturn or upturn in the markets and stumpage prices have changed. I would like to encourage sawmillers to work with Tracey if and when she contacts them.
If you have any questions concerning BMPs you can give me a call. John Tuttle (573) 5224115 ext 3304.