OAR 629-643-0120: Eastern Oregon; Standard Practice Vegetation Retention Prescription for Type F and Type SSBT Streams

(1) The purpose of this rule is to provide the standard practice vegetation retention prescription for Eastern Oregon Type F and Type SSBT streams, as shown in Table 2. The riparian management area distances described in Table 2 are listed for each stream size category, as defined in OAR 629-635-0200. The operator shall apply the vegetation retention requirements described in this rule. Small forestland owners, as defined in OAR 629-600-0100, may follow the alternative vegetation retention option described in OAR 629-643-0142. [Table 2: Eastern Oregon Standard Practice Vegetation Retention Riparian Management Area Distances] (2) Within an operation, the operator shall not combine or average together the vegetation retention requirements for stream segments of streams that are in different size categories. (3) The operator shall retain: (a) All trees and vegetation within the inner zone, as described in Table 2, from the edge of the active channel or channel migration zone ; (b) All trees leaning over the channel; and (c) A minimum of 60 square feet of basal area per acre within the outer zone and: (A) The outer zone distances for each stream size, as described in Table 2, for the outer zone, as measured from the edge of the inner zone. To meet the basal area target requirement, the operator shall retain 27 trees from the largest diameter class per acre. (B) The remainder of the trees shall consist of trees greater than eight inches DBH. (C) When present, retained species shall consist of ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, Western larch, hardwoods, and other species that are considered fire-resilient. (D) Retained trees shall be well distributed within the outer zone, limited by existing site or stand condition (E) Notwithstanding (A) through (D) above, the distribution, species, and size of retained trees shall be left on site in a way that promotes fire resiliency and overall stand health. (F) The operator shall submit to the State Forester a written plan that describes how the operator will meet these requirements and the goals of the desired future condition. (4) The operator shall adhere to an ELZ in the outer zone, as required in OAR 629-643-0130 and as further defined in OAR 629-630-0700(6) and 629-630-0800(8). (5) The operator may fall, move, or harvest vegetation, snags, and trees within the distances described in Table 2 and as allowed in other rules for road construction and temporary stream crossings (OAR 629-625-0000 through 629-625-0920), yarding corridors (OAR 629-630-0000 through 629-630-0925), or for stream improvement (OAR 629-643-0200). (6) The operator may conduct pre-commercial thinning and other release activities to maintain the growth and survival of reforestation or to promote fire resiliency within riparian management areas if the operator conforms to the following: (a) The operator shall ensure that such activities contribute to and are consistent with enhancing the stand’s ability to meet the desired future condition. (b) The operator shall submit to the State Forester a written plan that describes how the operator will meet these requirements and the goals of the desired future condition. (7) The operator may count all retained trees in the outer zone that otherwise meet the wildlife leave trees requirements within harvest type 2 or harvest type 3 units, pursuant to ORS 527.676. (8) If the vegetation requirements span a road and a safety hazard presents a risk to road users, the operator may request that the State Forester approve a plan to remove trees upslope of the road. The State Forester shall authorize tree removal within the designated tree retention area only under the following conditions: (a) Within the tree retention area, the width of the area where trees may be harvested from the upslope edge of the road shall be less than 15 feet. (b) The operator retains an equivalent basal area elsewhere within the harvest unit adjacent to the tree retention area. [ED. NOTE: To view attachments referenced in rule text, click here to view rule.]