AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) The Maine Forest Service says use of forestry best management practices has helped prevent sediment from entering water bodies as a result of timber harvesting.

The statement is one of the takeaways from a study released by the service that was conducted about forestry and best management practices at timber harvests. Best management practices, also called “BMPs,” are voluntary measures designed to protect water quality.

The study was conducted in 2016 and 2017. The forest service says 73 percent of sites had best management practices applied appropriately at stream crossings, or avoided crossings altogether.

The service says 83 percent of sites that were evaluated for input of sediment found that no sediment entered a waterway. It also says wetlands were either avoided or benefited from use of best management practices.