Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee
Title 0080 - Department of Agriculture
Subtitle 0080-07 - Forestry
Chapter 0080-07-03 - Forestry Best Management Practices
Section 0080-07-03-.02 - BMPS THAT PREVENT EROSION, SOIL LOSS, AND POTENTIAL SEDIMENTATION

Universal Citation: TN Comp Rules and Regs 0080-07-03-.02

Current through September 24, 2024

(1) Access Roads.

(a) Access Road Location.

Access roads shall be designed and located to prevent sediment from entering the waters of the State as defined at Tennessee Code Annotated (T.C.A.) § 69-3-102. Methods to prevent sedimentation to streams include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Minimize the amount of road to be constructed using existing roads where practical and if properly located

2. Locate roads as far from streams and lakes as possible and practical.

3. Locate roads as far as practical from streamside management zones (SMZs) and sensitive areas.

4. Avoid or minimize stream crossings. If crossings are unavoidable, roads should cross streams as close to right angles as possible.
(i) When possible, locate crossings on the straightest section of streams and minimize disruption of normal streamflow.

(ii) Design crossings such that disruption of movement of aquatic life is minimized.

(iii) Where applicable, approaches to stream crossings should climb away from streams to minimize erosion during high water and should be graveled to prevent washing and rutting.

(iv) Where practical, broad-based dips and wing ditch turnouts should be installed to turn water off roads before entering the stream.

(v) When fords are used:
(I) Fords should be located where streambanks are low.

(II) Fords should have a solid bottom; if not, use a pole ford or other appropriate stream bottom cover. Poles should be removed after use.

(vi) When culverts are used:
(I) Culvert size should accommodate the area to be drained. Temporary culverts may be smaller in size than those otherwise specified but must be removed at the completion of logging activity.

(II) Installation of culverts should minimize disturbance of stream channels and prevent sloughing of streambanks. Fill material should be stabilized with riprap, vegetation or any other acceptable method to prevent soil movement.

(III) Periodic inspection should ensure that culverts remain free of debris and other blockages.

(vii) When bridges are used:
(I) Bridges should be located across narrow points on firm soils.

(II) Care should be taken to protect banks from sloughing when constructing and removing temporary bridges.

(III) Bridges should not be covered with soil.

5. Avoid sensitive areas that could interfere with drainage and cause soil compaction or erosion.

(b) Access Road Construction.

Access roads shall be constructed to prevent sediment from entering the waters of the State as defined in T.C.A. § 69-3-102. Methods to prevent sedimentation to streams include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. To the extent possible, construct and stabilize new roads several weeks or longer in advance of logging.

2. Avoid road construction during periods of wet weather.

3. Construct roads on grades of 2 to 12 percent where possible. Runoff from roads should not directly discharge into a stream channel. Runoff associated with stream crossings should be minimized. Control runoff from roads using techniques such as varying the slope of the road, crowning, outsloping, wing ditches, sediment traps, sediment control structures, broad-based dips, rolling dips, water bars and cross drain culverts and other measures recommended by the Department of Agriculture. Steeper grades are acceptable for short distances provided additional attention is given to water control/drainage structures.

4. When possible, trees and brush cleared for road corridors should be pushed to the downhill side of the road to assist in trapping sediment.

5. Minimize soil disturbance during road construction.

6. Revegetate exposed soil in potential problem areas that could generate sediment (i.e.: culverts, stream crossings, and fill areas).

7. In association with wetlands:
(i) Design the road fill with bridges, culverts or other drainage structures to prevent the restriction of expected flood flows.

(ii) Remove all temporary fills in their entirety and restore the area to its original elevation.

(c) Road Retirement.

Access roads shall be retired in such a way as to prevent sediment from entering the waters of the State as defined at T.C.A. § 69-3-102. Methods to prevent sedimentation to streams include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Water bars or other drainage structures should be constructed immediately after active logging has ceased. If logging will be delayed for a substantial period of time, temporary drainage and erosion control structures should be constructed.

2. Upon completion of logging, remove temporary bridges, temporary culverts, and pole fords; remove sediment and debris from dips, ditches and culverts; and revegetate problem areas.

3. Use lime, fertilizer, mulch, and/or seed when needed to prevent soil erosion. Amounts should be based on recommendations from the Department of Agriculture or the University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service.

(2) Streamside Management Zones (SMZ) and Wet Weather Conveyances

(a) Streamside management zones shall be planned and implemented to prevent the occurrence of water pollution. The configuration of SMZs is dependent in part upon soil types, slope, and exposure as well as the type and intensity of activity associated with the logging operation.
1. In the vicinity of streams that maintain a defined and discernible channel and flow much or all of the time, the SMZ shall be planned and implemented to prevent pollution from sediment as well as elevated water temperatures that could adversely impact aquatic life. Methods to prevent pollution include, but are not limited to the following:
(i) The width of SMZs should be a minimum distance of 25 feet from the disturbed area to the stream for zero percent slope and 20 additional feet for each additional 10 percent of slope. This applies to both sides of the stream (total minimum width of 50 feet). In association with wetlands, establish SMZs at least 50 feet in width along both sides of all streams and open water (total minimum width of 100 feet).

(ii) Do not remove any trees within the SMZ if such removal would result in soil potentially getting into stream. If trees can be harvested without risk of soil loss, maintain 50 to 75 percent of the vegetation canopy shading a perennial stream.

(iii) Avoid operating any harvesting equipment or vehicles within the SMZ. Whenever possible, timber harvested within the SMZ should be pulled or winched out.

2. The establishment of SMZs may not be necessary relative to wet weather conveyances [Rule 1200-4-3-.02(7) ]. However, in the vicinity of wet weather conveyances and topographic features that will likely transport sediment, the operator should modify and limit activities so that sediment pollution will not occur.

(3) Locating and Constructing Log Landings.

(a) Log landings shall be designed and located to prevent sediment from entering waters of the State. Methods to prevent sedimentation to streams include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. If correctly located, use existing landings from previous timber harvests.

2. Locate landings outside of SMZs and away from stream channels and sensitive areas.

3. Slope landings to allow for drainage.

4. Prevent sawdust, chips and other residues such as fuels and lubricants from entering drains where runoff may wash the material into streams.

5. Revegetate landings if they pose a potential water quality problem.

6. Install drainage and sediment control structures to divert run-off if needed.

(4) Locating and Constructing Skid Trails .

(a) Skid trails shall be located to prevent sediment from entering waters of the State. Methods to prevent sedimentation to streams include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Minimize the number of skid trails; use existing trails where appropriate.

2. Locate skid trails on grades of 2 to 30 percent where possible. Control runoff from trails so that it does not directly discharge into a stream channel. This may be accomplished by using techniques such as varying the slope of the trail, wing ditches, sediment traps, sediment control structures, and other measures recommended by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. Steeper grades are acceptable for short distances provided additional attention is given to water control/drainage structures.

3. Runoff associated with stream crossings should be prevented. Avoid crossing streams, drains, other wet areas, and sensitive areas; skid away from streams and drains. If crossing streams is unavoidable, use culverts, pole fords or simple bridges.

4. Skidders and other equipment should not be operated directly in streams.

5. Avoid skidding directly up or down hill; operators should slant the course and follow a "zig-zag" pathway, if possible.

6. Upon completion of logging, remove temporary bridges and culverts; remove sediment and debris from dips, ditches and culverts; and revegetate problem areas.

7. Use lime, fertilizer, mulch, and/or seed when needed to prevent soil erosion. Amounts should be based on recommendations from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture or the University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service.

8. Avoid ruts that risk channeling water to a stream.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 11-4-301 et seq. and Public Chapter 680 of the Acts of 2000.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Tennessee may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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