A new servicewide handbook, Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Water and Soil Conservation, is proposed to provide consistent national guidance for implementing the agency's nonpoint source pollution control program in accordance with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly referred to as Clean Water Act; 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.), Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 311f et seq.), Department regulation (9500-007), and agency policy (FSM 2532). Minor revisions to agency policy to acknowledge and institutionalize the new handbook are also expected.

This handbook and guidance will formalize this program. Existing regional BMPs, soil and water conservation practices, and monitoring programs that have proven to be successful are the foundation of the policy. Common aspects of these programs are being combined to standardize and streamline current Forest Service nonpoint source water pollution prevention programs for improved efficiency, consistency, and reporting.

The Forest Service National BMP Program has two parts: a set of BMPs that will encompass water resource protection measures for a full range of National Forest System land management activities; and a monitoring program to determine if practices are implemented and effective at meeting water resource and beneficial use protection objectives.

Consolidating the many existing field-issued handbooks into one national servicewide handbook is prompting both extensive internal review and broad external review with interested stakeholders. These reviews, which have not yet been initiated, are critical to the success of implementing a consistent national program.