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Contact

UI Extension Forestry

Mailing Address:
875 Perimeter Drive MS 1140
Moscow, ID 83844-1140

Phone: 208-885-6356

Email: extfor@uidaho.edu

Google Maps

University of Idaho Extension, Kootenai County

Mailing Address:
1808 N 3rd St
Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814-3407

Phone: 208-446-1680

Fax: 208-446-1690

Email: kootenai@uidaho.edu

Web: UI Extension, Kootenai County

Chris Schnepf Google Maps

UI Extension, Clearwater County

Mailing Address:

2200 Michigan Avenue
Orofino, ID 83544

Phone: 208-476-4434

Email: williamw@uidaho.edu

Idaho Forestry Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Water. Cool, clean, plentiful water. Idaho’s 93,000 miles of rivers and streams support many uses.

In Idaho, as in all of the western United States, water rights, water quantity and water quality are at the center of many of our environmental challenges.

Forestry best management practices (BMPs) are those found to be the most effective means of preventing or reducing non-source pollution delivered to streams and rivers by forest practices. BMPs also protect water quality by providing

  • shade, which keeps streams cool;
  • vegetation, which captures sediment before it can enter streams; and
  • large woody debris, which increases aquatic habitat.

This field guide was developed by University of Idaho Extension to educate forest landowners, managers and operators about Idaho Forest Practices Act (IFPA) rules that protect, maintain and enhance Idaho's forests and maintain high water quality. A free hard copy of this publication can be requested from any Idaho Department of Lands office.

Current Topics

Class I Streamside Tree Retention Rule

A revised Class I Tree Retention Rule (“Shade Rule”) was approved by the Idaho Legislature in 2022. The rule changes aim to simplify the existing “Shade Rule” and refine the definition of Class I streams.

Idaho Forestry Best Management Practices Field Guide

Using BMPs to Protect Water Quality

Get Publication

Forest Water Quality Part I: Keeping Water Clean

(20 minutes)

Forest Water Quality Part II: The Idaho Forest Practices Act

(18 minutes)

This project was supported by the Renewable Resource Extension Act in partnership with

University of Idaho Extension
University of Idaho College of Natural Resources
Idaho Department of Lands

Contact

UI Extension Forestry

Mailing Address:
875 Perimeter Drive MS 1140
Moscow, ID 83844-1140

Phone: 208-885-6356

Email: extfor@uidaho.edu

Google Maps

University of Idaho Extension, Kootenai County

Mailing Address:
1808 N 3rd St
Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814-3407

Phone: 208-446-1680

Fax: 208-446-1690

Email: kootenai@uidaho.edu

Web: UI Extension, Kootenai County

Chris Schnepf Google Maps

UI Extension, Clearwater County

Mailing Address:

2200 Michigan Avenue
Orofino, ID 83544

Phone: 208-476-4434

Email: williamw@uidaho.edu

Contact

UI Extension Forestry

Mailing Address:
875 Perimeter Drive MS 1140
Moscow, ID 83844-1140

Phone: 208-885-6356

Email: extfor@uidaho.edu

Google Maps

University of Idaho Extension, Kootenai County

Mailing Address:
1808 N 3rd St
Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814-3407

Phone: 208-446-1680

Fax: 208-446-1690

Email: kootenai@uidaho.edu

Web: UI Extension, Kootenai County

Chris Schnepf Google Maps

UI Extension, Clearwater County

Mailing Address:

2200 Michigan Avenue
Orofino, ID 83544

Phone: 208-476-4434

Email: williamw@uidaho.edu