OAR 629-665-0110: Osprey Resource Sites; Key Components; Protection Requirements; Exceptions

(1) For osprey, the resource site is the active nest tree and any identified key components. (a) An active nest tree is one that has been used by osprey within the past five (5) nesting seasons. No protection is required for abandoned resource sites. (b) The key components associated with an osprey resource site are perching and fledging trees and replacement trees. Factors to consider when identifying key components: (A) Actual observation data if available; (B) Perching trees should provide for maximum visibility of the surrounding terrain and structure that allows the osprey easy access, such as large, tall snags or trees that have broken or dead tops, forks, or lateral branches high in the crown; (C) Replacement trees should provide maximum visibility of the surrounding terrain, and be large enough to support an osprey nest; (D) Perching and fledging trees and replacement trees should be located within 600 feet of the active nest tree; (E) Areas of high winds may require that additional trees be retained to protect the resource site from damage. (2) When the State Forester identifies the resource site as per OAR 629-665-0020, the operator shall provide the following protection measures: (a) Retain the active nest tree; and (b) Retain no fewer than eight additional trees as key components (i.e.: perching, fledging and replacement trees). (c) During forest operations, the resource site shall be protected from damage. The operation shall be designed to protect these trees from windthrow; (d) During the critical period of use, the active nest tree and any perch tree identified as a key component shall be protected from disturbance. From March 1st through September 15th, forest operations shall not be permitted within 600 feet of the active nest tree or perch tree unless the State Forester determines that the operations will not cause the birds to flush from these trees. The critical period of use may be modified in writing by the State Forester as the resource site is evaluated as per OAR 629-665-0020. (3) The State Forester shall not permit structural exceptions for the resource site: Removal of a resource site may be permitted if replacement nest trees, artificial structures, or replacement key components are provided by the operator or landowner. Replacement is not considered an exception, since the productivity of the nesting territory is maintained. When addressed in a plan for an alternate practice, replacement may be considered by the State Forester when: (a) Alternate forest practices which retain and protect the resource site are not economically feasible; and (b) The productivity of the nesting territory is not reduced. (4) Temporal exceptions for the resource site may be approved by the State Forester when addressed in a plan for an alternate practice that demonstrates: (a) Nest disruption or failure for a season does not affect the local population; and (b) There are no economically feasible forest practices that avoid disturbance to the resource site during the critical period of use. (5) Factors considered by the State Forester before approving a plan for an alternate practice under section (4) of this rule shall include, but are not limited to: (a) The size of the local population; (b) The contribution of the resource site in question to the local population; and (c) The feasibility of alternate forest practices that do not cause disturbance. (6) The State Forester shall document all requests and decisions concerning structural or temporal exceptions. All approved structural replacements shall be documented.