Trees, shrubs, and other types of vegetation make up a filter strip along waterways known as a forest riparian buffer, or streamside forest. These plants buffer waterways from the impacts of surrounding land use. The plants prefer moist to very wet soil and can withstand the disturbance of water flowing over and around them. There are many functions attributed to the vital and beneficial resources that are streamside forests. They include:

• Slowing flood waters and reduce the volume of water through root absorption

• Improving water quality by filtering runoff and promoting sediment deposition

• Allowing water storage in plant roots and to providing pathways to groundwater layers.

• Providing canopy cover which shades and cools the stream, improving habitat conditions for instream organisms (fish, salamanders, frogs, etc.). This shade also provides relief from extreme heat for terrestrial animals.

• Providing habitat for a variety of birds and small mammals. The buffers also act as corridors of wildlife habitat, providing food, shelter and nesting sites.

• Providing great opportunities for recreational activities such as fishing, hiking, bird watching, picnicking and camping.

The state of Maryland currently has a number of incentive programs for private landowners that will cover the majority of the cost to establish and maintain a forest buffer. Contact your state forester for more information or refer to the following websites for more information.

This page provides specific information on forest best management practices, streamside management zones, and critical area timber harvest guidelines. When forest landowners harvest forest products, certain practices, commonly known as forest best management practices (BMPs), must be implemented to protect water quality. Planning is key to making this happen and involving a professional forester in any timber harvest is recommended. Depending on your situation, the following plans may be required:

• Forest Best Management Practices (BMP's). The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have developed the Standard Sediment and Erosion Control Forest Harvest Plan (known as the Standard Plan), to make sure forest best management practices are implemented. The Standard Plan lists the general sediment control requirements for each harvest and may be obtained at any Soil Conservation District office. The State of Maryland offers each county the ability to enforce the minimum requirements of these laws and regulations within its own county system. When a harvest is planned on private property, it is necessary to go to the local Soil Conservation District office to obtain the information to develop the Standard Plan and have it approved.

• Streamside Management Zones (SMZ) (bottom half of page). The Standard Plan requires that uncut buffer zones, called SMZ's, be maintained on all sides of perennial or intermittent streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, bogs or marshes. The width of the buffer is dependent upon the slope of the land adjacent to the watercourse. The Standard Plan does allow limited harvesting within the buffer provided that a "Buffer Management Plan" is prepared by a licensed forester.
  

• Critical Area Timber Harvest Guidelines. Provide criteria under which timber harvests in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area are to be conducted and provide for review and approval of all plans. Commercial timber harvests of at least one acre that occur in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area (1,000 feet inland from mean high tide of all tidal waters) are subject to the guidelines. The guidelines describe the process by which Timber Harvest Plans will be prepared and reviewed. Of primary concern is their high impact on the different types of Habitat Protection Areas:

  1. the 100' or expanded buffer;
  2. non-tidal wetlands;
  3. threatened & endangered species and species in need of conservation;
  4. plant and wildlife habitat
  5. anadromous fish propagation waters
  Timber Harvest Plans are prepared by DNR foresters or consultant foresters with input from appropriate agencies and are presented to the county District Forestry Boards for approval.

• Evaluating the Effectiveness of Maryland's Best Management Practices for Forest Harvest Operations. The implementation of BMPs is the primary means of non-point source pollution control for forest harvest activities in Maryland. This study, funded by a Clean Water Act Section 319(h) Competitive Grant, is an attempt to determine whether Maryland's Best Management Practices for Forest Harvest Operations are effective in protecting water quality. The study is being conducted by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Forest Service in cooperation with other agencies of the DNR and the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency.

• Other Forest Watershed Programs. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service page that includes other forest watershed programs with detailed information about each one.

University of Maryland Extension Riparian Buffer Fact Sheets

Links

• Riparian Buffers - University of Maryland web page with access to fact sheets, links and other resources from many sources.

• Maryland Department of Natural Resources Conservation and Restoration Guide - See Buffer Incentive Program (BIP)

• Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service: Watersheds and Forest Management