OAR 629-023-0310: Western Oregon Forest Land Tax — Management Standards

(1) Purpose. Under ORS 321.367, the State Forester must report to the appropriate county assessors all lands designated as forest land under 321.358 which were logged prior to 1973 and fail to meet minimum stocking standards. excluded from the report are lands which are under an acceptable management plan for achieving the stocking requirements. Also the State Forester is required to determine if lands under the Western Oregon Severance Tax system are being managed as forest land. The following management standards will apply in making the determination and review: (2) Stocking. Stocked lands are lands which support established and maintained forest trees in accordance with standards of land productivity, minimum density, acceptable species, variances, and prior approval procedures found in the appropriate Regional Administrative Rules of ORS Chapter 527. (3) Over Mature Stands. Over mature stands are: (a) Even aged conifer stands at culmination of mean annual increment in board feet Scribner, or 90 years of age, whichever occurs later; (b) Uneven aged conifer stands, if these stands contain 10,000 board feet or more per acre in mature trees; mature trees are those which have reached culmination of mean annual increment in board feet Scribner or are 90 years old or older, whichever occurs later; (c) Stands will not be considered over mature if they are being held for purposes of sustained yield or for other management reasons acceptable to the State Forester. (4) Schedule for Meeting Standards. Forest owners under the Western Oregon Severance Tax program shall proceed to bring their lands into stocked, not over mature condition, within a reasonable time period. Conversion activities of nonstocked lands logged prior to 1973 and evidence of acceptable management planning or remaining lands will be monitored by the State Forester. At any time the State Forester has reason to believe lands are not being converted to a stocked condition or are not being managed as forest land, he may require a plan detailing the owner’s intentions for complying with the requirements of ORS 321.367. (5) Maintenance Practices. Maintenance practices including site preparation, planting, animal damage control, and release may be needed to meet the above standards. Protection from fire, insect, and disease is also needed as required in ORS Chapters 477, 478, and 527.