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IX. ALTERNATIVES FOR PREVENTION/MITIGATION 



The goal of preventing or mitigating adverse water quality impacts 

 resulting from silvicultural practices can best be solved by implementing 

 best management practices. The question then arises as to how to 

 implement these practices. A variety of regulatory and non-regulatory 

 options exist, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. 



A. Regulatory Alternatives 



The regulatory approach is being used in adjacent states (Idaho, 

 Washington, and Oregon) and attempts have been made to pass a Forest 

 Practices Act in Montana. All attempts have been unsuccessful. Montana 

 currently has no unified approach, either regulatory or non-regulatory, 

 to control water quality impacts resulting from silvicultural practices. 

 Existing legislation (such as the Streambed Preservation Act) offers 

 only piecemeal control. 



Regulatory programs can be implemented at the national, state, or local 

 level or at a combination of levels. 



Klinger (1977) has assessed laws affecting water quality and lists 

 regulatory alternatives, advantages and disadvantages. 



Implied in any of the regulatory alternatives is the commitment t o 

 adequately fund, staff, and enforce the program . 



