2091‑S.E AMS MORT STUH 279

ESHB 2091 - S AMD ‑ 534

    BySenator Morton

                                               NOT ADOPTED 5/17/99

    On page 17, after line 30, insert the following:

    "(5) Forestry riparian easements under this section are to be managed on a sixty year rotation basis, unless the landowner chooses not to actively manage the riparian easement.  Harvest of up to one third of the timber on the land included in the easement may be conducted during each twenty year period of the rotation.  Under no circumstances may harvest activities take place on the same one third of the easement in any sixty year period.  Any riparian easement land harvested under this subsection must be reforested within three years from the date of harvest to appropriate densities based upon forestry management practices accounting for such factors as soil type, elevation, and gradient.  The state, through the department of natural resources, must provide seedlings at no cost to landowners exclusively for the purpose of reforesting under the requirements of this subsection."

Renumber the remaining subsections consecutively and correct any internal references.

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EFFECT: Allows small forest landowners (harvest rate of up to 2 mmbf) to manage forestry riparian easements on a 60 year basis.  Harvest on up to 1/3 of the easement may be conducted in each 20 year segment of the management cycle.  Reforestation is required within one year and the state is to provide free seedlings to landowners to reforest such easements.