Montana Department of Natural Resources & ConservationTrust Land Management DivisionForest Management Program

Presented by:Gary FrankResource Program ManagerForest Management Bureau

Overview: State Wetland Timber Harvest Regulations

State Wetland Timber Harvest Regulations in Montana

• Montana Streamside Management Zone (SMZ) Law

•Montana Forestry Best Management Practices

•Additional Measures Required on State Trust Lands

Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP)

DNRC Forest Management Rules

•Other Laws that might be applicable

MT SMZ Law Regulates commercial forest practices conducted immediately adjacent to streams and lakes

Establishes stream classification system

Requires establishment of an SMZ with a minimum width of 50 or 100’

Prohibits or restricts: Construction of roadsUse of ground based equipClearcuttingbroadcast burningplacement of slashhazardous materials

CLASS 1 STREAM

• 10 trees >= 8”dbh/100 ft

or

•50% of the trees >or= 8”dbh

•Shrubs and smaller trees

TREE RETENTION REQUIREMENTS

SMZ Extended to include Adjacent

Wetlands

Applies to all Streams

For Adjacent Wetlands

•Same as the adjacent SMZ

•50% of the trees >= 8” dbh

•Shrubs and smaller trees

TREE RETENTION REQUIREMENTS

• Restricted to frozen or snow covered conditions

•That result in no soil disturbance

•No Equipment within normal 50’ or 100’ feet SMZ

•Shrubs/sub-merchantable trees protected

EQUIPMENT OPERATION IN ADJACENT WETLANDS

Water Quality…

…it’s a responsibility we

ALL share!

Montana Forestry Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Avoid operation of wheeled or tracked equipment within wetlands except when ground is frozen.

Avoid equipment operations on unstable, wet or easily compacted soils.

Locate roads to avoid wet areas – including wetlands.

Gary Frank

gfrank@mt.gov

(406) 493-4449