OAR 629-635-0120: Watershed Specific Practices for Water Quality Limited Watersheds and Threatened or Endangered Aquatic Species

(1) The objective of this rule is to describe a process for determining whether additional watershed specific protection rules are needed for watersheds that have been designated as water quality limited or for watersheds containing threatened or endangered aquatic species. (2) The Board of Forestry shall appoint an interdisciplinary task force, including representatives of forest landowners within the watershed and appropriate state agencies, to evaluate a watershed, if the board has determined based on evidence presented to it that forest practices in a watershed are measurably limiting to water quality achievement or species maintenance, and either: (a) The watershed is designated by the Environmental Quality Commission as water quality limited; or (b) The watershed contains threatened or endangered aquatic species identified on lists that are adopted by rule by the State Fish and Wildlife Commission, or are federally listed under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 as amended. (3) The board shall direct the task force to analyze conditions within the watershed and recommend watershed-specific practices to ensure water quality achievement or species maintenance. (4) The board shall consider the report of the task force and take appropriate action. (5) Nothing in this rule shall be interpreted to limit the Board’s ability to study and address concerns for other species on a watershed basis.