Riparian management practices: A summary of state guidelines

Abstract

Individual states develop guidelines to protect and manage forest riparian resources. A review of 49 states' forest riparian guidelines revealed the primary focus is to protect the quality of water adjacent to perennial and intermittent streams and lakes. A commonly recommended riparian management zone is 50 feet wide with 50 to 75 percent crown closure (or 50-75 square feet per acre of residual basal area); however, the specific guidelines in each state vary tremendously. Although science cannot specify the management prescriptions needed to protect all riparian functions across all sites, understanding site-specific conditions is critical to effective guideline implementation.