(1) Trees may be cut and removed subject to the following limitations:

(a) Significant trees: Significant trees means living and dead standing trees ˃ 10 inches in diameter at breast height (4.5 feet above the ground). Except in emergencies and when feasible, significant trees in any area under the jurisdiction and/or management of the commission shall be removed only after they have been evaluated, rated, appraised and marked by a professional forester, certified arborist, or staff member trained in agency-approved tree risk rating and abatement techniques. In addition, except where deemed an emergency tree, or in the event of wildfire, weather, or other natural emergencies, significant trees can be cut or removed only after compliance with (d) of this subsection and subsection (4) of this section, agency review through the tree activity worksheet process and upon the written approval of the director or the designee of the director.

(b) Emergency trees: Emergency trees means any tree that has already failed (cracked, tipped, diseased, or standing dead) or that poses an imminent threat, based on the judgment of a professional forester, certified arborist, or staff member trained in tree risk rating and abatement techniques approved by the agency, and which due to its location, poses an imminent threat to a target. Imminent means likely to occur at any moment, and target means a structure, facility, or person that has the potential to be hit or impacted by a falling tree or tree part. The park manager or designee trained in tree risk rating and abatement techniques as prescribed by the agency forester or arboriculture manager is authorized to immediately close the target area, and where the target cannot be relocated, cut or remove the emergency tree.

(c) Worksheet: The cutting or removal of any significant trees in landscapes classified recreation, heritage, or resource recreation by the commission shall, except in the case of emergency trees, occur only after agency review through the tree activity worksheet process and the written approval of the director or designee.

(d) Consultation: The cutting or removal of any significant trees in a natural area, natural forest area or natural area preserve shall, except in the case of emergency trees, be approved only by the director or designee and only after consultation with the Washington department of fish and wildlife and the department of natural resources Washington natural heritage program, the preparation of a resource conservation plan for affected natural resources, and a public hearing on each such proposed cutting or removal conducted in the county/counties in which the cutting or removal is to take place as determined by the director. Prior notice of a hearing shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in such county or by an alternative method prescribed by the commission deemed to yield equal or better public notice. Any person who requests notification of such proposed cutting or removal shall be sent prior notice of a hearing. A summary of the testimony presented at a hearing or received in writing shall be presented to the director.

(2) Native plants, fungi, and dead organic matter: The cutting or removal of natural resources, other than trees or those specified in WAC 352-32-350, 352-28-030 and 352-28-040, will only occur as a part of a resource conservation plan approved by the director or designee.

(3) Protected species: Natural resources may be cut and/or removed from areas supporting protected species, or for the purposes of enhancing habitat for protected species, under the following conditions:

(a) The cutting or removal of natural resources in any area known to be inhabited by endangered, threatened, or sensitive species shall, except in emergencies as defined in subsection (1)(b) of this section, follow requirements of the department of fish and wildlife and of the department of natural resources Washington natural heritage program and be approved only by the director or designee after consultation with those agencies, and the preparation of a mitigation plan for affected species.

(b) The cutting or removal of natural resources to enhance the habitat of a sensitive, threatened, or endangered species as defined in WAC 352-28-005, on lands managed by the commission or on other state lands, will only occur as a part of an interagency agreement or resource conservation plan that involves consultation with the Washington department of fish and wildlife, department of natural resources Washington natural heritage program, and as appropriate, other agencies and groups with expertise with these species, and is approved by the director or designee.

(4) Land classification (chapter 352-16 WAC) criteria: Natural resources may be cut and/or removed from the areas listed below for the following reasons only:

(a) Natural area preserves:

(i) Maintenance or construction of service roads, boundary fences, or trails, or modification of conditions only as may be required, and only where necessary, to meet park management goals and mitigated in a resource conservation plan that involves consultation with the department of natural resources Washington natural heritage program, and as appropriate other agencies and is approved by the director or the designee of the director.

(ii) Maintain or restore a native plant community, species population, or ecological process as specified in a natural area preserve management plan prepared in consultation with the department of natural resources Washington natural heritage program.

(iii) Correction of conditions hazardous to persons, properties, and/or facilities on or adjacent to park land.

(iv) Control of diseases and insect infestations where adjacent lands are severely jeopardized or where a drastic alteration of the natural environment is expected to occur, after consultation with the department of natural resources Washington natural heritage program and other agencies and groups with expertise in ecosystem health as deemed appropriate by the director.

(v) Prevent the deterioration or loss of or facilitate the restoration of historical/cultural resources.

(vi) Maintenance or construction of fire lanes for abatement of fires.

(vii) Collection of specimens as specified in WAC 352-28-040, including consultation with the department of natural resources Washington natural heritage program.

(b) Natural areas and natural forest areas:

(i) Maintenance or construction of boundary fences, trails, trail structures, trail head facilities, interpretive sites, utility easements, or service roads only as may be required, and only where absolutely necessary to meet park management goals and mitigated in a resource conservation plan that involves consultation with the department of natural resources Washington natural heritage program, and as appropriate other agencies and is approved by the director or the designee of the director.

(ii) Maintain or restore a native plant community, species population, or ecological process as specified in a natural resource conservation plan prepared in consultation with the department of natural resources Washington natural heritage program, and as appropriate other agencies.

(iii) Correction of conditions hazardous to persons, properties, and/or facilities on or adjacent to park land.

(iv) Control of diseases and insect infestations where adjacent lands are severely jeopardized or where a drastic alteration of the natural environment is expected to occur, after consultation with the department of natural resources Washington natural heritage program and other agencies and groups with expertise in ecosystem health as deemed appropriate by the director or the designee of the director.

(v) Prevent the deterioration or loss of or facilitate the restoration of historical/cultural resources.

(vi) Maintenance or construction of fire lanes for abatement of fires.

(vii) Collection of edibles as specified in WAC 352-28-030 or specimens as specified in WAC 352-28-040.

(c) Recreation areas, resource recreation areas, and heritage areas:

(i) Area clearing necessary for park maintenance, and/or park development projects for day use and overnight recreation facilities, road and utility easements, and administrative facilities.

(ii) Correction of conditions hazardous to persons, properties, and/or facilities on or adjacent to park land.

(iii) Cleanup of trees fallen, tipped, or damaged by the weather, fire, or other natural causes where they directly interfere with park management activities.

(iv) Creation of diverse native trees and other plants, coarse woody debris, and fungi sizes, ages, and species to achieve visual aspects that resemble a formal landscape, natural or historical setting, or to improve wildlife habitat.

(v) Maintenance or creation of a regenerating natural environment that will sustain low ground cover, shrubs, and understory and overstory trees to provide screening, wind, and sun protection.

(vi) Control of diseases and insect infestations where adjacent lands are severely jeopardized or where a drastic alteration of the natural environment is expected to occur.

(vii) Prevent the deterioration or loss of historical/cultural resources.

(viii) Maintenance or construction of fire lanes for abatement of fires.

(ix) Modification of conditions to maintain or restore a desired plant community, species population, or ecological process.

(x) Collection of edibles as specified in WAC 352-28-030 or specimens as specified in WAC 352-28-040.

(5) Use of fallen trees: When feasible, fallen trees shall be left on the ground when deemed environmentally beneficial or used for park purposes such as, but not limited to, approved building projects, trail mulching, and firewood, or where the tree has no economic values contributed to a state managed resource conservation effort. In natural area preserves, natural forest areas, natural areas, and resource recreation areas first consideration shall be given to leaving trees on the ground for natural purposes.

(6) Parks use: Subject to the guidelines of this section, the commission may authorize the use of natural resources within recreation areas, resource recreation areas, and heritage areas for park purposes.