ELLICOTTVILLE – The Natural Resources and Heavy Equipment class at Cattaraugus-Allegany BOCES recently constructed a temporary bridge to cross McMurray Creek to access their woodlot and maple sap tanks. This particular creek is a Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) classified water body and is within a region designated as harboring rare plants and animals, and feeds into Great Valley Creek, a designated trout fishery.

Instructor David Swaciak said one of the texts they use in class is the “New York State Forestry Best Management Practices for Water Quality Field Guide.” In its introduction it states: “Protecting water quality and the forest and soil resources on the land are among the most important aspects of a successful and environmentally-ustainable timber harvest. “

“Studies have shown that while timber harvesting is not a major cause of water quality problems, skid trails, haul roads and landings have the potential to be sources of sedimentation, erosion and siltation of streams and other water bodies. The key to success is proper planning and the use of appropriate, or ‘best’ management practices (BMPs). These are simple, often low-cost practices and techniques one can incorporate in a timber harvest. They will pay dividends in keeping water clean, maintaining the productivity of the forest, improving public confidence in timber harvesters and maintaining public support for forest management and timber harvesting, which are essential for sustainable forest management.”

The guide also provides designs for temporary bridges. The class used one of those designs for their bridge.

“The entire senior class participated in the construction and placement of the bridge,” Swaciak said. “They cut the timbers on our sawmill, constructed it this winter and placed it this past week.”