Maine Forest Service report highlights effectiveness of forestry practices that protect water quality

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Maine Forest Service report highlights effectiveness of forestry practices that protect water quality

October 1, 2026
Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry

A new Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Maine Forest Service (MFS) report underscores the effectiveness of environmentally friendly practices during timber harvesting. Released Oct. 1, the "Maine Forestry Best Management Practices Use and Effectiveness Data Summary" draws on hundreds of observations at timber harvesting sites across Maine.

AUGUSTA, Maine, October 1, 2026 - A new Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Maine Forest Service (MFS) report underscores the effectiveness of environmentally friendly practices during timber harvesting. Released Oct. 1, the "Maine Forestry Best Management Practices Use and Effectiveness Data Summary" draws on hundreds of observations at timber harvesting sites across Maine.

This MFS study shows how forestry and timber industry professionals use recommended practices statewide. It also demonstrates that the risk to waterbodies greatly increases when they are improperly applied.

These measures, called Best Management Practices (BMP), are voluntarily implemented by professionals to help protect water quality in Maine's streams, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. They cover planning and application recommendations for activities such as stream crossings, road construction, and controlling erosion and sediment, the primary pollutants associated with timber harvesting.

Maines forest industry has made great strides in protecting water resources in recent decades, said State Forester and MFS Director Patty Cormier. The improvements weve identified through our BMP monitoring program are a testament to the ongoing value of the training that loggers, foresters, and woodland owners have participated in and applied. We thank them, our training partners, and collaborators for their contributions to this progress.

The report, released every two years, is the result of this monitoring from 2024 to 2025. It includes data from 165 timber harvesting sites and observations on over 700 individual activities, including around stream crossings, contaminants, and log landing placement.

This year's key findings include:

• 74% of study sites applied appropriate practices on stream crossings. In many cases, they included planning to avoid crossings altogether. MFS emphasizes avoiding stream crossings when possible because they present the highest risk for sedimentation.
• Soil movement monitoring found that, in 85% of cases, no sediment entered a water body. Of the 15% instances where sediment was recorded, 9% were in measurable amounts (~1 cubic foot or more of sediment), and 6% were trace amounts.
• 87% of sites showed no evidence of chemical spills, a 10% decrease from the previous report. Reported spills ranged from minor drips to less than 10 square feet.
• Progress on improving fish passage continues. Although the number of stream-crossing structures adequately spanning stream channels on haul roads decreased by 5% since the previous report, adequate crossings on operation trails increased by 17%.

This year's results are largely consistent with previous reports and continue to show that Maine's forestry and logging communities are using BMPs effectively. BMP use and effectiveness at timber harvesting operations are monitored regularly by the MFS District Foresters and Water Resources Specialist. In addition, MFS staff provide regular training and support for their application, with presentations and workshops across the state.

Since 2000, MFS staff have conducted a systematic statewide monitoring program of BMPs on a sample of timber harvesting operations across the state. Support from Maine landowners, loggers, and foresters has been critical to its implementation and effectiveness. MFS efforts also include financial incentives for loggers and foresters to acquire temporary bridges, which are among the most effective measures to install stream crossings with minimal impact.

In the latest report, and throughout the programs history, monitoring shows that when sedimentation was observed, it was most often due to inadequate BMP application. The risk of detrimental impacts also greatly increases if they are not applied or applied incorrectly. Previous reports and numerous national studies have also documented that BMPs help protect water resources when properly applied. The latest findings reinforce that continued monitoring, education, and training are key to sustaining the success of forestry BMPs and their environmental benefits.

The report can be found on the MFS Forest Policy and Management Division website.

Related Documents

An example of proper stream-crossing practice in Thorndike. The Maine Forest Service recently released its 2026 Best Management Practices Report, which underscores the effectiveness of techniques that support environmental protection during timber harvesting. Photo: Maine Forest Service (Photo Download)

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