Revisiting forest road retirement
Abstract
Determining the sources of nonpoint source pollution in a watershed is difficult, although the largest source of sediment in forested systems is from skld trails, haul roads, and landings associated with forest harvest- ing (Ketcheson et al., 1999; Swft, 1988) The transport of sediment to streams and subsequent sedimentation leads to the loss of stream habitat and changes in stream hydrology (NCASI. 1999a; 1999b). Forest road position in the landscape, the soil type and geoloLgy present, and method of retirement ultimately determines the amount of sediment flux to the stream (Ketcheson et al., 1999; Swift, 1988).