Analysis of USDA Forest Service national BMP monitoring results for fiscal years 2015 through 2018: rangeland management, road management, and mechanical vegetation 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 range, road, and mechanical vegetation management protocols. Best management practices were monitored at 1,225 projects or sites during these two periods; of these, 230 monitored projects involved range management, 476 involved road management, and 519 were mechanical vegetation management projects. Multiple monitoring protocols (forms and instructions) exist for most resource areas 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, while BMP effectiveness is assessed by how well water, aquatic, and riparian resources are protected during project or maintenance activities. This report presents summaries and statistical comparisons of the implementation and effectiveness data, implementation and effectiveness ratings, and composite ratings determined from the combination of those ratings for each protocol. It includes 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 management implications. Overall, 40 percent of the sites evaluated had full BMP implementation, BMPs were fully effective at protecting water resources at 59 percent of the sites, and 48 percent of the sites achieved the best composite rating. 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: rangeland management, road management, and mechanical vegetation management. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-232. Madison, WI: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 567 p. https://doi.org/10.2737/NRS-GTR-232.