Logging Quality Worsens

DOF Inspection shows BMPs not being followed!

The latest random inspection of logging jobs by the Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) revealed that loggers are not doing as good a job as they should be, or have done in the past

Of the 30 jobs checked last November, it was determined that only 13% of them were using all of the Best Management Practices (BMPs) as recommended by DOF. BMPs are preventive measures that keep mud from entering the streams. (see the report at: http://www.vdof.org/wq/monitoring.shtml )

According to the report, "Of the 26 randomly inspected harvests that did not have all necessary BMPs in place, 22 lacked sufficient water control structures or had water control structures installed that did not meet DOF standards."

At the time of inspection, active sedimentation (water pollution) was actually taking place on 10% of the inspected sites and the potential for pollution exist on an additional 23% of the jobs.

"This is 33% more than is acceptable to us," stated Gerald Gray, chair of Virginia Forest Watch. "The forest industry and DOF should be doing a much better job! After all, BMPs are not our highest goal, they are only a minimum standard established by DOF."

The recent inspections revealed that while the actual number of jobs where pollution was taking place remained the same, the potential for stream pollution increased by 13% from the previous year. The potential for pollution is now at its highest since November of 2000.

"The Virginia Forestry Association (VFA) needs to take a closer look at this and make some improvements! It only goes to show there is a need for Virginia Forest Watch to continue monitor logging jobs and to push for better laws that will protect our streams." Gray went on to say.

He was referring to a recent article in the VFA's Virginia Forestry Magazine entitled Who's Watching Forest Watch? http://www.vaforestry.org

In that article VFA's Executive Vice President Paul Howe maintains, "Forestry professionals are doing a good job tending their forests. As long as they continue to meet their responsibilities to the land and adhere to already existing laws, it is not appropriate to require them to seek approval from government or private groups."

It is against the law in Virginia to pollute the streams or to create a situation where there is a potential for pollution can take place.

Other BMPs that were not followed at the 30 logging sites include:

· Vegetative cover was inadequate (17 jobs)
· Skid trails or haul roads were too steep (11 jobs)
· Stream crossings were inadequate (7 jobs)
· Streamside management zones (SMZs) were inadequate (7 jobs)
· Rutting in excess of BMP standards occurred (3 jobs)

The lobbying efforts of the Virginia Forestry Association helped defeat two bills in the most recent legislative session regarding logging in Virginia. A bill (HB 921) sponsored by Southwest Virginia Delegate Bud Phillips (D) this past session would have required all logging roads and skid roads be reseeded. Another bill (HB 1020) sponsored by Delegate Jim Dillard (R – Fairfax) would have given the DOF the power to charge loggers for staff time spent to correct water quality problems.