(1) Reforestation plans. Reforestation plans must be submitted with the application or notification except where no reforestation is required. The department shall designate difficult regeneration areas utilizing silvicultural information. When a forest practice is proposed for such an area, the department may require additional information regarding harvest systems and post harvest site preparation, as well as regeneration. The department shall approve the reforestation plan for difficult regeneration areas if it determines that such a plan will achieve acceptable stocking according to WAC 222-34-010 and 222-34-020.

(2) Reforestation reports. The landowner, forest landowner, or his/her designee shall file a report with the department either at the time of completion of planting or reforestation or at the end of the normal planting season. When artificial seeding is used the report shall be filed 2 growing seasons after seeding.

(3) The reports in subsection (2) of this section must contain at least the following:

(a) The original forest practices application or notification number.

(b) Species reforested, planted, or seeded.

(c) Age of stock planted or seed source zone.

(d) Description of actual area reforested, planted, or seeded.

(4) Inspection; supplemental planting or reforestation directives.

(a) Within 12 months after a reforestation report is received, the department shall inspect the reforested lands. The department shall issue written notice to the landowner, forest landowner, or his/her designee stating whether supplemental planting or reforestation or further inspection is required within 30 days after the deadline for inspection or the reforestation shall be deemed satisfactory.

(b) If the inspection shows that acceptable stocking levels have not been achieved, the department shall direct the forest landowner to perform supplemental planting in accordance with the planting standards of WAC 222-34-010 (3) and (4)(a)(ii), 222-34-020 (3) and (4)(a)(ii): Provided, That:

(i) In lieu of such supplemental planting, the department and the forest landowner may agree on a supplemental reforestation plan.

(ii) Supplemental planting or reforestation shall not be required where in the opinion of the department planting or reforestation is not feasible due to rocky ground, dry conditions, excessively high water table or other adverse site factors and the department determines that there is little probability of significantly increasing the stocking level.

(iii) Where supplemental planting or reforestation has been required by the department, the landowner, forest landowner, or his/her designee shall file a report of supplemental planting or reforestation upon completion.

(iv) Except where stocking improvement is necessary to protect public resources and is feasible, further supplementary planting shall not be required where acceptable stocking levels have not been achieved after two properly performed supplemental plantings.

(c) Within 12 months after a supplemental planting or reforestation report is received, the department shall inspect the reforested lands.

(d) Evidence of compliance. The department shall within 30 days after the deadline for inspection or reinspection and when requested by the forest landowner confirm in writing whether acceptable stocking levels have been achieved, provided field conditions do not prevent the department from properly evaluating the reforestation.

(e) Where a natural regeneration plan has been approved by the department, the department may allow up to 10 years to achieve acceptable stocking levels.