Practices evaluated and approaches used to select sites for monitoring the application of best management practices: A regional summary

A survey of state forestry agencies found that compliance monitoring for best management practices (BMP) and forest management guidelines (FMG) is conducted in 38 states. AlL southern states have monitoring programs. Many states monitor the application of these practices on all categories of ownerships. Monitoring frequently occurs on a subsample of sites from all landowner categories. Generally, that subsample is selected in one of two ways: (a) all sites have an equal probability of selection for monitoring or (b) a variety of criteria is used to identify potential candidate monitoring sites. Southern states concentrate on monitoring the application of water quality BMPs while northern and western states evaluate sites against a broader array of guidelines (e.g., cultural resources, visual quality, and wildlife habitat) in addition to water quality BMPs. Southern states monitor a wide range of forest management activities and northern and western states focus on monitoring timber harvesting and associated road construction and maintenance.