BMP Field Manual

Wisconsin's Forestry Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Water Quality are intended to provide simple and cost-effective methods for protecting water quality in lakes, streams, and wetlands - including important ecological and waterbody characteristics - before, during, and after forest management activities.

The BMP Field Manual was updated in 2010 with changes going into effect on January 1, 2011 as new timber harvests and other forest management activities are established. The majority of BMPs are unchanged, but several significant changes were made regarding riparian management zones (RMZs), dry wash management zones, and wetland filter strips.

Application of BMPs for Water Quality are generally required on public lands, such as county, state, and national forests, as well as on private lands enrolled in the Managed Forest Law (MFL) Program.

The Forestry BMPs for Water Quality Field Manual is available at no cost in digital and print media:

Request a free printed copy of the Field Manual by contacting Carmen Wagner, DNR Forest Hydrologist, at 715-365-8911 or carmen1.wagner@wisconsin.gov. Requests can also be mailed to: Carmen Wagner, DNR - Forestry, 107 Sutliff Avenue, Rhinelander, WI, 54501.

View or download the Field Manual in PDF Format below

Wisconsin's Forestry BMPs for Water Quality Field Manual

Download the complete Field Manual [PDF, 5.1 MB]

Download Chapters 1 - 3 [PDF, 1.3 MB]

Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 2: Wisconsin's Water Resources

Chapter 3: Planning

Download Chapters 4 - 5 [PDF, 1.4 MB]

Chapter 4: Forest Roads

Chapter 5: Stream Crossings

Download Chapters 6 - 8 [PDF, 1.2 MB]

Chapter 6: Timber Harvesting