OAR 629-630-0100: Skidding and Yarding Practices

(1) For each harvesting operation, operators shall select a logging method and type of equipment appropriate to the given slope, landscape, and soil properties in order to minimize soil deterioration and to protect water quality. (2) Operators shall avoid ground-based yarding on unstable, wet, or easily compacted soils unless operations can be conducted without damaging soil productivity through soil disturbance, compaction or erosion. (3) Operators shall locate skid trails where sidecasting is kept to a minimum. (4) Operators shall locate skid trails on stable areas so as to minimize the risk of material entering waters of the state. (5) Operators shall avoid excavating skid trails on slumps or slides. (6) Operators shall limit cable logging to uphill yarding whenever practical. When downhill cable yarding is necessary, operators shall use a layout and system which minimizes soil displacement.