Analysis of USDA Forest Service national BMP monitoring results for fiscal years 2015 through 2018: aquatic ecosystems management, chemical use management, facilities and nonrecreation special uses management, and minerals management

Abstract

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service National Best Management Practices (BMP) Program assists in meeting agency Clean Water Act objectives with nationally consistent monitoring. National BMP program monitoring protocols are used to evaluate BMP implementation (including planning) and effectiveness for most types of land-disturbing activities that occur on national forests and grasslands. This report summarizes data from the first two full monitoring periods—federal fiscal years 2015–2016 and 2017–2018—for aquatic ecosystems, chemical uses, facilities and nonrecreation special uses, and minerals management protocols. Best management practices were monitored at 548 projects or sites during these two periods; 203 monitored projects involved aquatic ecosystem management, 114 involved chemical use management, 121 involved facilities and nonrecreation special uses management, and 110 involved minerals management. Multiple monitoring protocols (i.e., forms and instructions) exist for each resource area to cover the many types of sites and projects; consequently, data are primarily analyzed nationally by protocol within a resource area. Assessment of BMP implementation includes planning, on-the-ground execution, and project oversight components. BMP effectiveness is assessed by how well water, aquatic, and riparian resources are protected during project or maintenance activities. In addition to summaries and statistical comparisons of the implementation and effectiveness data, implementation and effectiveness ratings—and composite ratings determined from the combination of those ratings—are presented for each protocol. Overall, 46 percent of the sites evaluated had full BMP implementation, BMPs were fully effective at protecting water resources at 76 percent of the sites, and 54 percent of the sites achieved the best composite rating. This inaugural report includes several analyses to show the wide range of information that can be obtained from monitoring efforts on national forests and grasslands and presents key findings and potential management implications. Results from any monitoring period provide only a snapshot of the planning, implementation, and effectiveness of BMPs but can play a significant role in identifying BMP strengths and adaptive management needs. Future monitoring and reporting can incorporate regional and national trends, allowing for programmatic adaptive management to improve water quality and aquatic health on our national forests and grasslands.

Citation

Edwards, Pamela J.; Wood, Frederica; Carlson, Joan Y. 2025. Analysis of USDA Forest Service national BMP monitoring results for fiscal years 2015 through 2018: aquatic ecosystems management, chemical use management, facilities and nonrecreation special uses management, and minerals management. Gen Tech. Rep. NRS-GTR-227. Madison, WI: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Northern Research Station. 461 p. http://doi.org/10.2737/NRS-GTR-227.