OAR 629-645-0040: Understory Vegetation Retention for Significant Wetlands

(1) The purpose of retaining understory vegetation is to provide soil stability and bank stability in and along significant wetlands, to maintain cover and shade for wildlife habitat and aquatic habitat, and to protect water quality. (2) To achieve the purpose of understory retention, the operator shall limit disturbance of understory vegetation within significant wetlands and their riparian management areas to the minimum necessary to remove timber harvested from the area and achieve successful reforestation. (3) The written plan required in OAR 629-605-0170 for operations within 300 feet of estuaries and 100 feet of wetlands larger than eight acres (non-estuaries), bogs and important springs in eastern Oregon shall describe how disturbance to the understory vegetation will be minimized during harvest or site preparation for reforestation.