What is Nonpoint Source Pollution
Nonpoint source pollution is generated from land runoff resulting from precipitation. As runoff moves over land surfaces, it picks up and carries away natural and man-made pollutants and deposits them into waterways, wetlands, and groundwater. Human activity can dramatically increase nonpoint source pollution potential.
There can be five types of water pollutants resulting from silvicultural activities:
- Sediment
- Nutrients
- Organics
- Temperature
- Chemicals
Silvicultural activities that have the greatest chance of causing nonpoint source pollution include:
- Forest road construction, including stream crossings
- Forest harvesting activities, including skidding and processing timber
- Site preparation
- Pesticide application
- Wildfire control lines and prescribed fire use
Why Nonpoint Source Pollution is Important to Us
Abundant clean water is important to all Virginians. Excessive runoff can increase sedimentation to streams. Increased sedimentation raises filtering costs for drinking water, increases flood potential by filling up streambeds, and chokes irrigation systems. Fish habitats can be altered by improper management activities. Removing shade from critical streamside areas can increase water temperatures thus affecting fish and other aquatic life. Best management practices (BMPs) can reduce the impact from these management activities.
Best Management Practices – What They are and Why They are Important
Best Management Practices (BMPs) are activities chosen to reduce soil erosion and prevent or control pollution resulting from forestry operations. BMPs have been around for many years in the areas of forestry, agriculture and urban development. Forestry BMPs are directed primarily at controlling erosion. Erosion can lead to sedimentation, which is the entry of soil into waterways. BMPs are proven methods to lessen the potential damage from land-disturbing activities.
Virginia Forestry Biomass BMPs
Per Virginia Code § 10.1-1308.1 A.1, Renewable Energy Credit (REC) – eligible biomass can include the following forest-derived materials: mill residues, logging residues, forest thinnings, slash, brush, low-commercial value materials, undesirable species and woody material harvested for the purpose of forest fire fuel reduction or forest health and watershed improvement. Any of these materials harvested such that:
- there is no sedimentation of state waters, and
- the harvesting of biomass does not reduce the productive capacity of the site for forest growth, will be considered to be harvested in accordance with best management practices for the sustainable harvesting of biomass.
DOF Assistance
The DOF is available to assist landowners and forest operators with harvest planning, BMP recommendations, and site restoration guidance. The Department also monitors BMP implementation on areas statewide to ensure that water quality is being protected through harvest inspections. We’re proud to report that we continue to see a high BMP implementation rate of 95% statewide.
DOF developed a comprehensive Virginia’s Forestry Best Management Practices for Water Quality – Technical Guide and Field Guide that are both available in our Resource Library below.
Your local DOF forest technician can advise about incorporating proper BMPs to protect water quality during the implementation of a forestry practice on your property. Your local DOF water quality staff can also assist with technical BMP guidance.
Additional Resources
| Image | Title | ID | Description | Content Type | View | hf:tax:document-category | hf:tax:Media |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Best Management Practices (BMPs) for the Sustainable Harvesting of Biomass | In the 2023 General Assembly session, HB2026 and SB1231 amended the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA) to enable woody biomass to continue to be used as a source of electric power generation in Virginia and for specific biomass energy facilities to be included as eligible sources in the renewable energy standard. This document outlines the best management practices enforcement process and guidance for the sustainable harvesting of biomass for electric generation, as well as information gathered for the carbon LCA in 2023. | Document | View | marketing-and-utilization water-quality | document | |
 | Best Management Practices: Brush Matting and Vegetation – Examples | FT0041 | Forestry topic information sheet shows examples of correct best management practices – brush matting and vegetation. | Publication | View | water-quality | publication |
 | Best Management Practices: Log Landings – Examples | FT0043 | Forestry topic information sheet shows examples of correct best management practices – log landings. | Publication | View | water-quality | publication |
 | Best Management Practices: Roads and Trails – Examples | FT0046 | Forestry topic information sheet shows examples of correct best management practices – roads and trails. | Publication | View | water-quality | publication |
 | Best Management Practices: Stream Crossings – Examples | FT0042 | Forestry topic information sheet shows examples of correct best management practices – stream crossings. | Publication | View | water-quality | publication |
 | Best Management Practices: Streamside Management Zones – Examples | FT0044 | Forestry topic information sheet shows examples of correct best management practices – streamsize management zones. | Publication | View | water-quality | publication |
 | Best Management Practices: Water Bars and Rolling Dips – Examples | FT0045 | Forestry topic information sheet shows examples of correct best management practices – water bars and rolling dips. | Publication | View | water-quality | publication |
 | Logger Best Management Practice (BMP) Cost-Share Program | FT0047 | Forestry topic information sheet provides program information about the Logger Best Management Practice (BMP) Cost-Share Program providing cost-share assistance to loggers for installation of best management practices. | Publication | View | financial-assistance-water-quality water-quality | publication |
 | Silvicultural Best Management Practices Implementation – 2022 | P00143 | Annual report on the implementation of BMP monitoring in Virginia, including the audit methods and results of audits over the course of a year. | Publication | View | water-quality | publication |
 | Silvicultural Best Management Practices Implementation – 2023 | P00143 | Annual report on the implementation of BMP monitoring in Virginia, including the audit methods and results of audits over the course of a year. | Publication | View | water-quality | publication |
 | Silvicultural Best Management Practices Implementation Monitoring for Virginia – 2007-2008 | P00143 | Annual report on the implementation of BMP monitoring in Virginia, including the audit methods and results of audits over the course of a year. | Publication | View | water-quality | publication |
 | Silvicultural Best Management Practices Implementation Monitoring for Virginia – 2009 | P00143 | Annual report on the implementation of BMP monitoring in Virginia, including the audit methods and results of audits over the course of a year. | Publication | View | water-quality | publication |
 | Silvicultural Best Management Practices Implementation Monitoring for Virginia – 2010 | P00143 | Annual report on the implementation of BMP monitoring in Virginia, including the audit methods and results of audits over the course of a year. | Publication | View | water-quality | publication |
 | Silvicultural Best Management Practices Implementation Monitoring for Virginia – 2011 | P00143 | Annual report on the implementation of BMP monitoring in Virginia, including the audit methods and results of audits over the course of a year. | Publication | View | water-quality | publication |
 | Silvicultural Best Management Practices Implementation Monitoring for Virginia – 2012 | P00143 | Annual report on the implementation of BMP monitoring in Virginia, including the audit methods and results of audits over the course of a year. | Publication | View | water-quality | publication |
 | Silvicultural Best Management Practices Implementation Monitoring for Virginia – 2013 | P00143 | Annual report on the implementation of BMP monitoring in Virginia, including the audit methods and results of audits over the course of a year. | Publication | View | water-quality | publication |
 | Silvicultural Best Management Practices Implementation Monitoring for Virginia – 2014 | P00143 | Annual report on the implementation of BMP monitoring in Virginia, including the audit methods and results of audits over the course of a year. | Publication | View | water-quality | publication |
 | Silvicultural Best Management Practices Implementation Monitoring for Virginia – 2015 | P00143 | Annual report on the implementation of BMP monitoring in Virginia, including the audit methods and results of audits over the course of a year. | Publication | View | water-quality | publication |
 | Silvicultural Best Management Practices Implementation Monitoring for Virginia – 2016 | P00143 | Annual report on the implementation of BMP monitoring in Virginia, including the audit methods and results of audits over the course of a year. | Publication | View | water-quality | publication |
 | Silvicultural Best Management Practices Implementation Monitoring for Virginia – 2017 | P00143 | Annual report on the implementation of BMP monitoring in Virginia, including the audit methods and results of audits over the course of a year. | Publication | View | water-quality | publication |
 | Silvicultural Best Management Practices Implementation Monitoring for Virginia – 2018 | P00143 | Annual report on the implementation of BMP monitoring in Virginia, including the audit methods and results of audits over the course of a year. | Publication | View | water-quality | publication |
 | Silvicultural Best Management Practices Implementation Monitoring for Virginia – 2019 | P00143 | Annual report on the implementation of BMP monitoring in Virginia, including the audit methods and results of audits over the course of a year. | Publication | View | water-quality | publication |
 | Silvicultural Best Management Practices Implementation Monitoring for Virginia – 2020 | P00143 | Annual report on the implementation of BMP monitoring in Virginia, including the audit methods and results of audits over the course of a year. | Publication | View | water-quality | publication |
 | Silvicultural Best Management Practices Implementation Monitoring for Virginia – 2021 | P00143 | Annual report on the implementation of BMP monitoring in Virginia, including the audit methods and results of audits over the course of a year. | Publication | View | water-quality | publication |
 | Timber Harvesting and Water Quality | P00132 | Brochure educates landowners and harvesters about the impact of timber harvesting on water quality and the steps required to maintain compliance with applicable laws during pre-harvest planning, harvesting and tract closeout after harvesting. Printed copies available. | Publication | View | water-quality | publication |
 | Virginia Forestry Biomass BMPs – Enforcement Process and Guidance | Pursuant to the requirements in Chapter 803 of the 2023 Acts of Assembly, this document outlines the best management practices enforcement process and guidance for the sustainable harvesting of biomass for electric generation. | Document | View | marketing-and-utilization | document | |
 | Virginia’s Forestry Best Management Practices for Water Quality: Field Guide | P00134 | Technical field guide provides a convenient pocket instruction guide for timber harvesters to protect water quality when harvesting timber and comply with applicable laws. Printed copies available. | Publication | View | water-quality | publication |
 | Virginia’s Forestry Best Management Practices for Water Quality: Technical Manual | P00104 | Technical guide (5th edition) provides detailed instruction for timber harvesters to protect water quality when harvesting timber and comply with applicable laws. Printed copies available. | Publication | View | water-quality | publication |
A variety of financial assistance programs are available through DOF and partner agencies for forest management activities to protect water quality.
Explore All Financial Assistance Programs
Contact Us
Your local DOF forest technician can advise about incorporating proper BMPs to protect water quality during the implementation of a forestry practice on your property. Your local DOF water quality staff can also assist with technical BMP guidance. Contact your local DOF staff.
For more information or questions, e-mail us or use our contact form.