chapter 29 forestry

Chapter 29
Forestry in the Cape Fear River Basin

29.1 Impacted Streams in Forestland

Forestland was 60 (3,531,100 acres) percent of the land use in the Cape Fear River basin in 1997.
While still the largest portion of the basin land use, this is six percent less forestland than in 1982
(USDA-NRCS, 2001). In the Cape Fear River basin, there are no Impaired stream miles that
have been directly impacted by forest harvesting activities. Impacts to water quality from
forestry sources may decrease over the next basin cycle due to substantial increases in
urban/built-up areas throughout the river basin. Most land clearing activities around urban areas
are for development and usually not associated with forest harvesting.

DWQ will identify streams where forest harvesting may be impacting water quality and aquatic
habitat. This information will be related to Division of Forest Resources staff to investigate the
impacts in these watersheds and to recommend BMPs to reduce impacts. DWQ recommends
that funding and technical support for forestry BMPs be continued and increased. Refer to
Appendix VIII for forestry nonpoint source agency contact information.

29.2 Forestland Ownership

Nearly 3.2 million acres are classified as timberland in the Cape Fear River basin, as estimated
from data in the most recent publication by the USDA-Forest Service (Brown, 2004) Nearly 84
percent of this land is owned by nonindustrial private landowners. Forest industry accounts for 7
percent of the timberland, while federal and state governments each comprise approximately 4
percent ownership (Figure 39). Local governments own the remaining 1 percent of timberland.

While there are no National Forests in the basin, publicly-owned forestland includes over 33,000
acres at Bladen Lakes State Forest located in Bladen County (subbasin 03-06-16). This
demonstration forest, certified under the international Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), is
managed for the sustainable production of forest resources and contributes to the protection of
the unique pocosin and Carolina Bay ecosystems.

Two Educational State Forests are also operated by the Division of Forest Resources’ to provide
educational programs while managing the forests for multiple resources. Turnbull Creek ESF, at
890 acres, protects portions of Turnbull Creek and is located north of Elizabethtown (subbasin
03-06-16). Approximately 900 acres of the federally protected lands around Jordan Lake are
managed as the Jordan Lake ESF (subbasin 03-06-05). More information about the ESFs is
available on the DFR’s website www.dfr.state.nc.us.

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Private
84%
Industrial
7%Federal
4%State
4%
Local
1%

Figure 39 Ownership of Forestland in the Cape Fear River Basin

The North Carolina Division of Forest Resources (DFR) is delegated the authority to monitor
and evaluate forestry operations for compliance with these aforementioned laws and/or rules. In
addition, the DFR works to resolve identified FPG compliance questions brought to its attention
through citizen complaints. Violations of the FPG performance standards that cannot be
resolved by the DFR are referred to the appropriate state agency for enforcement action.
During the period January 1, 1999 through December 31, 2003, the Division of Forest Resources
conducted 4,111 FPG inspections for water quality issues on forestry-related activities in the
Cape Fear River basin; 96 percent of the sites inspected were in compliance.

29.3 Forestry Water Quality Regulations in North Carolina
29.3.1 Forest Practices Guidelines for Water Quality (FPGs) and Randleman Buffer
Rules
Forestry operations in North Carolina are subject to regulation under the Sedimentation Pollution
Control Act of 1973 (G.S. Ch.113A Art.4 referred to as “SPCA”). However, forestry operations
may be exempted from the permit and plan requirements of the SPCA, if the operations meet the
compliance standards outlined in the Forest Practices Guidelines Related to Water Quality (15A
NCAC 1I .0101 - .0209, referred to as “FPGs”) and General Statutes regarding stream
obstruction (G.S.77-13 and G.S.77-14). Additional regulations affect forestry operations that
occur within the Randleman Lake watershed, including mandatory vegetative riparian buffers
and specific limitations on tree harvesting in the buffer.

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29.3.2 Other Forestry Related Water Quality Regulations
In addition to the state regulations noted above, DFR monitors the implementation of the
following federal rules relating to water quality and forestry operations:
y The Section 404 Dredge and Fill exemption under the Clean Water Act.
y The US Army Corps of Engineers BMPs for mechanical site preparation activities for the
establishment of pine plantations in the southeast.
Two Water Quality Foresters based out of the DFR’s Hillsborough and Whiteville District
Offices handle water quality issues on forestry operations located in the upper and lower
subbasins of the Cape Fear River basin. Two additional Water Quality Foresters handle those
small portions of the Cape Fear River basin located in Wayne and Onslow counties. The DFR
currently has a Water Quality Forester located in seven of the DFR’s 13 districts across the state.
Assistant District Foresters or Service Foresters handle water quality issues in the remaining
districts, along with other forest management and fire control responsibilities. Water Quality
Foresters conduct FPG inspections, survey BMP implementation, develop pre-harvest plans, and
provide training opportunities for landowners, loggers and the public regarding water quality
issues related to forestry.
Implementing Forestry Best Management Practices is strongly encouraged by the Division of
Forest Resources in order to efficiently and effectively protect the water resources of North
Carolina. The Forestry Best Management Practices Manual describes recommended techniques
that should be used to help comply with the state’s forestry laws and help protect water quality.
This manual is currently undergoing its first revision since adoption in 1989. This revision, led
by the DENR-appointed Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), has undertaken over two years’
of effort on this project.
From March 2000 through March 2003, the DFR conducted a statewide BMP Implementation
Survey to evaluate Forestry BMPs on active harvest operations related to forest management.
This survey evaluated 65 sites in the Cape Fear River basin, with a resulting BMP
implementation rate of 82 percent, on par with the statewide implementation rate. The problems
most often cited in this survey, across the state, relate to stream crossings, skid trails and site
rehabilitation. This survey, and additional surveys to be conducted, will serve as a basis for
focused efforts in the forestry community to address water quality concerns through better and
more effective BMP implementation and training.

y The US Army Corps of Engineers 15 mandatory Best Management Practices (BMPs) related
to road construction in wetlands.

29.3.3 Water Quality Foresters

29.3.4 Forestry Best Management Practices

To help address some of these issues, the DFR has been providing bridgemats on loan out to
loggers for establishing temporary stream crossings during harvest activities. Temporary bridges
are usually the best solution for stream crossings, instead of culverts or hard-surfaced ‘ford’
crossings. Bridgemats have been available for use in the entire Cape Fear River basin for only a
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short period of time. They are available upon request from DFR District Offices. More
information about using bridgemats, and the above noted BMP survey, is available on the ‘Water
Quality’ section of the DFR’s website at www.dfr.state.nc.us. These bridgemats were acquired
through Section 319 grants from the USEPA.

29.4 Forest Resources
29.4.2 Forest Management

At least 106,000 acres of privately-owned land were established or regenerated with forest trees
across the Cape Fear River basin from January 1, 1999 through December 31, 2003 with nearly
one-half of these acres reforested with partial funding through the FDP. During this same time
period, the DFR provided approximately 5,800 individual forest management plans for
landowners, encompassing over 326,000 acres in the Cape Fear River basin.
Twelve towns and cities are “Tree City USA” communities, ranging from recent awards in
Wilmington (2002) to the longest term in Graham (1980). Since 2001, the Urban and
Community Forestry Grant Program has awarded over $98,000 for 13 community-based urban
forestry projects in the basin. These projects may include urban forestry education, municipal
tree inventories, tree planting and teacher education. Urban forestry and an associated field
known as ‘Agroforestry’ are becoming increasingly vital components in reducing NPS runoff by
integrating “working green space” into urban development projects.

29.4.1 Forest Products Industry

Forestry is a vital economic driver throughout the Cape Fear River basin, with significant forest
industry operations located in the upper, middle and lower sectors of the basin. Statewide, forest
industry contributes nearly $18 billion annually to North Carolina’s economy. In the Cape Fear
River basin, 32 different businesses are considered “Primary Processors” of forest products raw
material, which represents 13 percent of the total number of primary processors in the state. This
basin includes one of the five major pulp and paper mills located in North Carolina. Other
examples of a primary processor are a sawmill, veneer mill, chip mill, pallet mill or plywood
mill. These primary processors pay an assessment to the state, which is then combined with
annual legislative appropriations, to fund the “Forest Development Program - FDP”, which
provides cost shared reforestation assistance for forest landowners.

Nearly 18,000 acres across 61 tracts are certified under the DFR’s Forest Stewardship Program.
This voluntary, cooperative program helps individual forest owners manage their total forest
resource. Landowners receive technical assistance in developing a stewardship management
plan based on their ownership objectives. Activities are scheduled to enhance the forest for
wildlife, soil and water quality, timber production, recreational opportunities, and natural beauty.
Recertification is required periodically to benchmark the progress of the owner’s stewardship
plan.

29.4.3 Urban Forestry

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29.5 Forestry Accomplishments

Since the previous basinwide plan was produced, the DFR accomplished the following tasks in
an ongoing effort to improve compliance with forest regulations and, in turn, minimize nonpoint
source (NPS) pollution from forestry activities:

1. Expanded the availability of bridgemats to all of DFR’s operating districts within the Cape
Fear River basin.
2. Established a Forestry NPS Unit that develops and oversees projects throughout the state that
involves protection, restoration and education on forestry NPS issues.
3. Produced 1,500 copies of an information leaflet explaining the Randleman Lake Watershed
Buffer Protection Rule for use by loggers, landowners and forestry professionals.
4. Revised and produced 10,000 copies of a pocket field guide outlining the requirements of the
FPGs and suggested BMPs to implement.
5. Created and published 15,000 copies of a new brochure “Call Before You Cut” for
landowners promoting pre-harvest planning to insure water quality issues are addressed prior
to undertaking timber harvesting.
6. Continued to assist with workshops in cooperation with the NC Forestry Association’s
“ProLogger” logger training program. As of 2004, this program requires at least six credit
hours of continuing education every three years focused exclusively on water quality topics.
7. Achieved third-party sustainable forestry certification at Bladen Lakes State Forest through
the internationally recognized Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

DFR continues its efforts to protect water quality through various protection, restoration and
education projects. This includes research project, on-site demonstrations, and integration of
NPS topics through the DFR’s network of Educational State Forests and State Forests. Progress
reports and summaries are posted in the ‘Water Quality’ section of the DFR’s website at
www.dfr.state.nc.us as they are completed.

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