WSR 07-14-065

AGENDA

FOREST PRACTICES BOARD


[ Filed June 29, 2007, 10:39 a.m. ]


Rule Development Agenda

July - December 2007



     The forest practices 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 or are anticipated during this time period.

     1. Desired Future Condition: The board will consider initiating rule making to amend chapter 222-30 WAC related to desired future condition performance targets in riparian management zones.

     2. Historic Sites: The board is considering amending WAC 222-16-050 relating to Class IV-Special classifications to include historic sites as a SEPA trigger.

     3. Long-Term Application for Small Forest Landowners: The board initiated rule making that amends chapters 222-12 and 222-20 WAC to allow small forest landowners to develop long-term applications for up to fifteen years. The board will consider adoption of these rules at its September meeting.

     4. Moratorium on Conversion Activities: The board may consider a rule proposal to amend chapters 222-16 and 222-20 WAC to implement changes contained in SSSB [2SSB] 5883 passed by the 2007 legislature. Changes include removing the moratorium form requirements and associated fees as part of a complete forest practices application/notification and adding a definition for "forest conversion activities."

     5. Northern Spotted Owl: The board approved an emergency rule to extend the moratorium to October 28, 2007, on decertifying northern spotted owl site centers. The board will consider initiating rule making for northern spotted owl decertification at its September meeting.

     6. Taylor's Checkerspot Butterfly: The board is considering amending WAC 222-16-080 to provide habitat protection for the Taylor's Checkerspot Butterfly.

     7. Upland Wildlife: The board, with the department of fish and wildlife, continues to conduct a comprehensive review of the forest practices rules and science for upland wildlife protection and development of cooperative management planning processes. This review and planning process, along with new species listings, and the designation of critical habitat, may result in a rule proposal.

     Contact Person: Patricia Anderson, FPB 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@dnr.wa.gov.

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