Arid Southwest BMP 51

Filter Strip POLLUTANTS ADDRESSED: Heavy Metals, Nutrients and Organics, Pathogens, Salinity, Sediment

DESCRIPTION: A filter strip is a vegetation barrier between different types of land, such as crop lands, grazing lands, forested lands, and disturbed lands. The most common BMP for urban lakes in Arizona. LOAD REDUCTION MECHANISM:

Metal Reduction – Metals are absorbed by vegetation and microorganisms living in the filter strip. Nutrients/Organics Management – Nutrients are taken up by organisms living in the filter strip. Pathogen Reduction – Pathogens are filtered out of the water passing across the filter strip. Sediment Reduction – Filter strips stabilize sediments, preventing them from washing into streams. Salinity Reduction – Vegetation can take up dissolved salts.

LAND USE CLASSIFICATION: Agricultural lands Construction sites Mining areas Recreation areas ADDITIONAL BENEFITS: Vegetation provides a habitat for wildlife.

POTENTIAL TREATMENT AREAS: Agricultural lands Developed lands ALTERNATIVE MANAGEMENT MEASURES: Exotic removal Fencing Seeding PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS: Contact county regional flood control district.

Arid Southwest BMP 52

Filter Strip POLLUTANTS ADDRESSED: Heavy Metals, Nutrients and Organics, Pathogens, Salinity, Sediments

Level 200: ACTIVE MANAGEMENT LOAD REDUCTION POTENTIAL:

LOW MEDIUM HIGH ESTIMATED TIME FOR LOAD REDUCTION:

IMMEDIATE MONTHS- > 2 YEARS 2 YEARS EXPECTED MAINTENANCE:

LOW MEDIUM HIGH ESTIMATED COST:

LOW MEDIUM HIGH PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION:

1. Filter strips should be strategically located to reduce runoff, and increase infiltration and ground water recharge throughout the watershed.

2. Filter strips for the single purposes of wildlife/beneficial insect habitat or to enhance watershed function should be strategically located to intercept contaminants thereby enhancing the water quality of the watershed.

3. To avoid damage to the filter strip consider using vegetation that is somewhat tolerant to herbicides used in the upslope crop rotation.

4. Consider using this practice to enhance the conservation of declining species of wildlife, including those that are threatened or endangered.

5. Consider using this practice to protect National Register listed or eligible (significant) archaeological and traditional cultural properties from potential damaging contaminants.

6. Filter strip size should be adjusted to a greater flow length to accommodate harvest and maintenance equipment.

Riparian Planting Zone: Upland Zone and Flood flows.

Photo courtesy Of ADEQ Streambank Stabilization Plan

Photo courtesy Of ADEQ Streambank Stabilization Plan