Ontario County Soil and Water Conservation District
Basin Program Funds:
Logging roads and skid trails are the prime sources of sediment in a logging
area. As much as 800 tons of soil can be lost per acre of skid road from erosion.
The potential for erosion from timber harvesting operations in Ontario County
is particularly high due to steep hill sides and erodible soils present.
The goal of the Vegetative Establishment project is to develop a self-supporting
program for seeding grasses and legumes on exposed forest soils following timber
harvesting operations. Establishing vegetation on exposed soils stabilizes erodible
areas and prevents sediment and nutrients from entering waterbodies. It is estimated
that established seedings can reduce soil loss by up to 95%, and nitrogen loss
in surface runoff by up to 90%. This concept offers an opportunity to landowners
and all those engaged in timber harvesting activities to exert their individual
stewardship responsibilities in the forest to minimize soil erosion and maintain
stream and waterbodies in their natural and free flowing condition.
Erosion problems usually occur on logging roads and skid trails. In the county's
eastern woodlands, 99% of sediment originates on logging roads. Road surface
constitutes about 10-16% of the wooded area that is logged.
A self-supporting program for seeding grasses and legumes on exposed forest
soil has been established. Approximately twelve acres, including ten miles of
access roads, skid trails and landing areas, were properly seeded saving approximately
165 tons of soil. Treatment areas were periodically inspected and documented
to include photos, soil loss calculations, statistics, and visual inspections
of turbidity in adjoining tributaries. The established seedlings reduced soil
loss by up to 95% decreasing the amount of silt and sediment entering steams,
lakes and wetlands, thus improving fisheries habitat and increasing fish populations.
A Seeding and Power Mulching program brochure and video were developed. Both
are available for landowners, municipalities and contractors to demonstrate
the availability and effectiveness of the program.
The program's initial intent was targeted toward timber harvesting activities
and has now flourished into a diverse seeding program benefitting a variety
of land uses (e.g., streambanks, roadbanks, ditches), all with the common
goal of reducing soil loss.
Contact: Ontario County Soil and Water Conservation District, (716) 394-1341