The legislature has found that further reduction in harvestable timber owned by small forest landowners as a result of the rules adopted under RCW
76.09.055 or
76.09.370 will further erode small landowners' economic viability and willingness or ability to keep the lands in forestry use and, therefore, reduce the amount of habitat available for salmon recovery and conservation of other aquatic resources. The legislature addressed these concerns by establishing a forestry riparian easement program to acquire easements from qualifying small forest landowners along riparian and other areas of value to the state for protection of aquatic resources. At least semiannually, the department shall consult with the small forest landowner advisory committee established in RCW
76.13.110(4) to review landowner complaints, administrative processes, rule recommendations, and related issues where the department is actively seeking the small forest landowner advisory committee's advice on potential improved efficiencies and effectiveness.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
76.09.040. WSR 24-19-012, s 222-21-005, filed 9/5/24, effective 10/6/24. Statutory Authority: RCW
76.090.040 [
76.09.040],
76.09.370 and
76.13.120. WSR 12-11-106, § 222-21-005, filed 5/22/12, effective 6/22/12. Statutory Authority: Chapter
34.05 RCW, RCW
76.09.040, [76.09.]050, [76.09.]370,
76.13.120(9). WSR 01-12-042, § 222-21-005, filed 5/30/01, effective 7/1/01.]