Bighorn National Forest

Soil & Water Resource Management

The stewardship of water, soil, and air resources is an important part of Bighorn National Forest management.

Frequently Asked Questions:
1. How are the Forests soil and water resources protected?
2. What requirements must the Forest Service meet to maintain good water quality?
3. How can damaged streams be restored?

1. How are the Forests soil and water resources protected?

The Forests soil and water resources are generally protected using a number of protection measures called "Best Management Practices" or (BMP's). These practices which are routinely carried out on the Forest include such things as:

• Minimizing or prohibiting stream crossings and requiring culverts and bridges for long term crossings;

• Maintaining buffer zones of no activity along stream courses or other riparian areas;

• Avoiding activities on steep or unstable slopes;

• Revegetating or stabilizing cut slopes along roads.

The Forest Plan also contains Standards and Guidelines (S&G's) which are applied during both the project planning and implementation phases. These S&G's include numerous protection measures which greatly minimize the risk of adverse effects.

Southfork Creek, along US HWY 16 west of Buffalo, Wyoming. Photo by Rob Yingling.

2. What requirements must the Forest Service meet to maintain good water quality?

The Forest Service must meet both National regulation set by the Environmental Protection Agency, and State regulations set by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. These agencies set the standard which the Forest Service must maintain. In addition, the Forest Service maintains strict standards and guidelines set forth in the Forest Plans which are designed to protect and improve soil and water quality.

Willow Lake, along the trail from Circle Park Trailhead off of US WHY 16 west of Buffalo, Wyoming. Photo by Rob Yingling

3. How can damaged streams be restored?

Watershed restoration is currently one of the highest priorities for the Forest Service.

Once a stream has been severely damaged it can be restored using a variety of management techniques such as streambank stabilization, reducing nutrient loads of streams and reducing erosion caused by uncontrolled runoff.

For more information, the USDA has developed a document titled "Stream Corridor Restoration, Principles, Processes, and Practices" which encapsulates the rapidly expanding body of knowledge related to stream corridors and their restoration.

USDA Forest Service, Bighorn National Forest
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Last modified June 23, 2004