OAR 629-680-0000: Purpose

(1) OAR 629-680-0000 to 0430 shall be known as the Resource Site Inventory and Protection Process Rules. (2) The purpose of the rules in OAR 629, division 680 is to set criteria to inventory and protect special resources described in ORS 527.710(3)(a) on forestlands regulated by the Forest Practices Act. Forests make a vital contribution to Oregon by providing jobs, products, tax base and other social and economic benefits, by helping to maintain forest tree species, soil, air and water resources and by providing a habitat for wildlife and aquatic life. Consistent with 527.630, it is the policy of these rules to encourage economically efficient forest practices that assure the continuous growing and harvesting of forest tree species and the maintenance of forestland for such purposes as the leading use on privately owned land, consistent with sound management of soil, air, water and fish and wildlife resources that assures the continuous benefits of those resources for future generations of Oregonians.