The positive effect is needed of maintaining existing high quality riparian area values before they are altered adversely by development. In the event these lands have already been developed, these values can be restored by returning the land to a natural vegetated condition.

Constructing well sites and roads in streamside areas results in altering or losing riparian values. Earth-moving activities, by removing duff and organic matter, destroy the sediment-filtering ability of the forest floor in riparian areas. The resulting sedimentation alters water quality. Clearing of riparian and streamside vegetation may also remove important wildlife habitat.

The natural functioning of floodplains has already been altered by constructing some facilities. Flow patterns may change, floodflows may be constricted, and the flow velocity accelerated. Such changes result in increased stream bank and channel erosion.

Timber harvesting can significantly affect riparian area values. Constructing skid roads, log landings, and bridges disturbs the soil, and reduces the sediment-filtering ability of the forest floor. The removal of streamside overhead cover can increase water temperature. All of these adverse effects can be reduced or eliminated by limiting access of soil-disturbing activities within the riparian area. When it is necessary to use these areas, additional erosion control and sediment detention can be used.

The plan , simply put, is to minimize using and disturbing the vegetated or protected state (with structures, etc).

Locating roads in riparian areas is guided by minimum setback distance, depending on slope, that a road must be from streams and lakes. The setback distance is intended to provide an area wide enough to trap any sediment washed close to the water, additional erosion control measures such as diversion, straw bales, and sediment basins must be installed.

While the cutting of trees rarely has a major effect on physical water quality, the removal of forest products from the woods by skidding and truck hauling can adversely affect water quality. The forest floor is disturbed and compacted where skid trails, skid roads, log landings, and haul roads are located. Unprotected mineral soil is exposed, and subject to wind, rain, and surface runoff. The potential for erosion increases as the slope of the land increases and as the area being disturbed increases.

The amount and type of groundcover, obstructions, and distance, up to a point, affect potential sedimentation of streams by disturbance. The potential for adding sediments to streams increases the closer that disturbed areas are to streams. The greatest potential for erosion and sedimentation is improperly located log landings and logging roads.

Appropriate mitigating measures that significantly reduce or eliminate sedimentation from timber harvesting operations include: adding water bars to skid and temporary haul roads; revegetating roads; controlling the size, shape, and location of harvest areas; curtailing logging operations during wet weather; and leaving filter strips.

Appropriate mitigating measures that significantly reduce or eliminate sedimentation from timber harvesting operations or other intensive land use include: locating landings on nearly-level ridgetop sites, providing filter strips along streams, placing skid trails on contours, seeding and using water bars on roads and trails, lead-off ditches, retaining walls, and avoiding soil loss at stream crossings by using appropriate structures such as bridges, culverts, and rock fords.

More detailed planned procedures to be used in riparian areas (and to protect them) are:

1. Analyze areas by "stream reach." Riparian communities often differ along each reach. They differ on each side. Prescriptions need to be made by reach, left and right (looking up-stream).
2. Permit light grazing, if carefully regulated (and only then).
3. Study soil compaction potentials throughout the year and adjust use to minimize compaction.
4. Use rest rotation of grazing or recreational use based on compaction and plant vigor to allow use and achieve protection. (Plant use should never exceed 40% of available forage.)
5. Build trails, baffles, and fences, and use livestock salt, and signs to influence cattle and human use.
6. Change the type of animal use. the In select areas, different livestock can be used (e.g., goats or sheep can use steeper areas than cows).
7. Use undulating fencing to keep livestock out of riparian areas (or control its use).
8. Pipe water away from the stream and into watering devices or use springs to provide drinking water and to prevent animal use of the stream bed or banks.
9. Influence animal use of the waters. Animal use is related to water, nutritious feed, and shade -- all three of which can be replaced to protect the riparian areas. These are the three major functions of such areas for livestock and large wildlife.
10. Protect select stream reached by fencing-out all use.
11. Feed animals and make camping areas away from riparian area.
12. Make plantings, (e.g., of willows can restore and revegetate riparian areas).
13. Use gabians (rock-filled wire baskets) or logs to create streams that are small-stair-step in appearance (cross-section). Leave large stable debris .
14. Encourage meanders.
15. Judiciously use rip-rap.
16. Build collectors for silt when flood waters occur.