Surface erosion can be initiated by forest practices such as timber harvest, road construction, and site preparation. A variety of management and control measures can help reduce this erosion. Surface erosion is generated by soil and operational conditions that are conducive to or cause disturbance and compaction. By using good operational and management techniques to minimize the extent to which distmrbance and compaction occur, we can control the amount of surface erosion from managed forest lands, insure high standards of water quality, and protect the forest land base for future timber production.