Another less obvious impact on water quality from forestry operations are spills of petroleum products. Although a few gallons of diesel or hydraulic oil in the vast landscape of the Appalachian forest may seem minuscule, all spills of any size are required to be reported to the WV DEP at 1-800-642-3074. A little preparedness can go a long way in helping to prevent spills and leaks from polluting our surface and ground water. Proper storage tanks, transfer and filling techniques, and small spill response kits are all easy steps that an operator can take to help protect our clean water.   

 

Another possible pollutant source that is frequently used in forest management are herbicides and pesticides. Training is readily available and applicator licenses can be obtained through the WV Dept. of Agriculture. In general, always make sure you are using the right chemical for the site and problem. Certain types of chemicals are not approved for use around streams or wetlands. Also, always follow the label directions and application instructions suggested by the manufacturer. Mixing it more strongly than recommended provides no additional benefit to performance and can create an environmental hazard that is entirely unnecessary.

Following these simple practices can help ensure high-quality water for generations to come while allowing us to utilize the valuable resource of our forests for generations to come. For more information on the material mentioned here, please see the following links:

 

WV DOF Silvicultural BMPs: http://www.wvforestry.com/DOFbmpManual2014.pdf

 

WV Dept. of Ag.: http://www.wvagriculture.org/Division_Webpages/READ-regulatory.htm

 

WV DEP Environmental Enforcement: http://www.dep.wv.gov/WWE/ee/Pages/default.aspx