Land and Water Protection

Forests are vital for preserving and improving water quality. Studies have shown that the cleanest water comes from forested watersheds. These watersheds are critical sources of pure drinking water and provide habitat for fish and wildlife; they also offer recreational opportunities and contribute to our overall quality of life.

Two of DOF’s performance measures involve water quality. One focuses on BMPs on forest harvesting operations and protecting streams from sediment. The other focuses on protecting and improving watersheds through forest management and land conservation.

The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) is tasked with promoting and enforcing the Virginia Silvicultural Water Quality Law (Code of Virginia §10.1-1181.1 through §10.1-1181.7), developing best management practices (BMPs) for forest harvesting operations, and working cooperatively with agencies and landowners throughout the Commonwealth to manage and preserve riparian buffers and protect water quality. The first set of forestry BMPs for water quality were developed in the early 1970s, and since then, DOF has played an important role in the protection of our watersheds.

The origin of the agency’s water quality efforts is the harvest inspection program that began in the mid-1980s. This program provides one-on-one contact between DOF staff and the harvest operators, and offers unique opportunities to educate the operators about BMPs and the latest techniques in water quality protection.

In addition to working on BMPs for water quality during harvests, DOF also works to protect and improve water quality through forest management and land conservation. Trees play an important role in reducing runoff and preventing excess nutrients and sediment from entering our streams, rivers, lakes and other bodies of water. They also provide a plethora of “co-benefits,” such as habitat for terrestrial and aquatic wildlife, moderating stream temperatures and providing opportunities for recreation. By increasing the acres of riparian buffers, afforestation and urban tree canopy, the watershed forestry program aims to improve water quality across the Commonwealth.

Through these water quality protection activities, DOF helps Virginia to achieve the goals set forth in the Watershed Improvement Plan III to protect the Chesapeake Bay, ensures that Virginia’s forests continue to provide clean, plentiful drinking water, and supports habitat for fish and wildlife throughout the Commonwealth.