Effectiveness of forestry best management practices (BMPs) for reducing the risk of forest herbicide use to aquatic organisms in streams

- Modern BMPs minimize off-site movement of herbicides.
- Maximum herbicide concentrations in stream water were mostly in the low ppb range.
- Peak herbicide concentrations occurred as brief (<24 h) pulses.
- Herbicide use in forestry poses minimal risk to non-target aquatic animals.
- Potential risks to aquatic plants are mitigated by short exposure durations.