WSR 01-16-143

AGENDA

FOREST PRACTICES BOARD


[ Filed July 31, 2001, 4:36 p.m. ]


Rule Development Agenda

June-December 2001



     The board's mandate is to adopt rules to protect the state's public resources while maintaining a viable forest products industry. The following rule proposals are under development:

     1. Chapter 222-21 WAC, Small Landowner Forestry Riparian Easement Program Emergency Rules: The board will consider an emergency rule proposal at its August 8, 2001 meeting. The emergency rules are designed to implement changes to the small forest landowner forestry riparian easement program contained in SHB 2105 passed by the 2001 legislature in the regular session.

     2. Chapter 222-21 WAC, Small Landowner Forestry Riparian Easement Permanent Rules: The board will initiate permanent rule making designed to implement changes to the small forest landowner forestry riparian easement program contained in SHB 2105 passed by the 2001 legislature in the regular session and may also include other minor modifications to the program.

     3. Small Forest Landowner Issues: The board has reaffirmed its commitment to enable small forest landowners to successfully implement all components of the recently adopted forests and fish rule package. In addition to changes to the forestry riparian easement program identified above, alternate plans and long term planning have been identified as real issues. The board's examination of these issues could result in rule changes.

     4. Procedural and Ethics Rules: Updates to the board's administrative procedures, and new rules on public record requests and executive ethics rules are under development.

     5. Reasonable use Rule: The board is considering initiating rule making on a proposal that creates a reasonable use exception to the forest practice rules.

     6. Modification to Notice Rule: In May 2000, the board denied a rule-making petition regarding scenic trail corridors. The governor's office agreed the denial was appropriate but suggested the board consider a rule that would require reasonable notice of proposed harvest applications on a particular piece of property to local media outlets, advocacy groups, and nearby landowners who have registered with the department. This recommendation is currently being reviewed and could result in a rule proposal.

     7. Editorial and minor rule changes: Current rules are being reviewed for editorial and minor clarification changes. These may be a separate proposal or combined with another rule proposal.

     8. Adaptive Management Process: The board has adopted and will manage an adaptive management program to provide science-based recommendations and technical information to assist the board in determining if and when it is necessary or advisable to adjust rules and guidance to achieve resource goals and objectives. This process could result in development of rule proposals.

     Contact Person: Patricia Anderson, Forest Practices Board, Rules Coordinator, Department of Natural Resources, Forest Practices Division, P.O. Box 47012, Olympia, WA 98504-7012, phone (360) 902-1413, fax (360) 902-1428, e-mail patricia.anderson@wadnr.gov.

© Washington State Code Reviser's Office