ORS 527.620: Definitions for ORS 527.610 to 527.770.
Edition: 2025 EditionEffective: 2026-01-01Last verified: 2026-09-07
As used in ORS 527.610 to 527.770, 527.990 and 527.992: (1) “Aquatic resource” means: (a) A species addressed in the Private Forest Accord Report dated February 2, 2022, and published by the State Forestry Department on February 7, 2022, and the resources on which the species relies; or (b) If a habitat conservation plan consistent with the Private Forest Accord Report has been approved, a species addressed in the habitat conservation plan and the resources on which the species relies. (2) “Board” means the State Board of Forestry. (3) “Cumulative effects” means the impact on the environment which results from the incremental impact of the forest practice when added to other past, present and reasonably foreseeable future forest practices regardless of what governmental agency or person undertakes such other actions. (4) “DBH” means the diameter at breast height which is measured as the width of a standing tree at four and one-half feet above the ground, on the uphill side. (5) “Edge of the roadway” means: (a) For interstate highways, the fence. (b) For all other state highways, the outermost edge of pavement, or if unpaved, the edge of the shoulder. (6) “Forest practice” means any operation conducted on or pertaining to forestland, including but not limited to: (a) Reforestation of forestland; (b) Road construction and maintenance; (c) Harvesting of forest tree species; (d) Application of chemicals; (e) Disposal of slash; and (f) Removal of woody biomass. (7) “Forest tree species” means any tree species capable of producing logs, fiber or other wood materials suitable for the production of lumber, sheeting, pulp, firewood or other commercial forest products except trees grown to be Christmas trees as defined in ORS 571.505 on land used solely for the production of Christmas trees. (8) “Forestland” means land that is used for the growing and harvesting of forest tree species, regardless of how the land is zoned or taxed or how any state or local statutes, ordinances, rules or regulations are applied. (9) “Harvest type 1” means an operation that requires reforestation but does not require wildlife leave trees. A harvest type 1 is an operation that leaves a combined stocking level of free to grow seedlings, saplings, poles and larger trees that is less than the stocking level established by rule of the board that represents adequate utilization of the productivity of the site. (10) “Harvest type 2” means an operation that requires wildlife leave trees but does not require reforestation. A harvest type 2 does not require reforestation because it has an adequate combined stocking of free to grow seedlings, saplings, poles and larger trees, but leaves: (a) On Cubic Foot Site Class I, II or III, fewer than 50 11-inch DBH trees or less than an equivalent basal area in larger trees, per acre; (b) On Cubic Foot Site Class IV or V, fewer than 30 11-inch DBH trees or less than an equivalent basal area in larger trees, per acre; or (c) On Cubic Foot Site Class VI, fewer than 15 11-inch DBH trees or less than an equivalent basal area in larger trees, per acre. (11) “Harvest type 3” means an operation that requires reforestation and requires wildlife leave trees. This represents a level of stocking below which the size of operations is limited under ORS 527.740 and 527.750. (12) “Landowner” means any individual, combination of individuals, partnership, corporation or association of whatever nature that holds an ownership interest in forestland, including the state and any political subdivision thereof. (13) “Operation” means any commercial activity relating to the establishment, management or harvest of forest tree species except as provided by the following: (a) The establishment, management or harvest of Christmas trees, as defined in ORS 571.505, on land used solely for the production of Christmas trees. (b) The establishment, management or harvest of hardwood timber, including but not limited to hybrid cottonwood, that is: (A) Grown on land that has been prepared by intensive cultivation methods and that is cleared of competing vegetation for at least three years after tree planting; (B) Of a species marketable as fiber for inclusion in the furnish for manufacturing paper products; (C) Harvested on a rotation cycle that is 12 or fewer years after planting; and (D) Subject to intensive agricultural practices such as fertilization, cultivation, irrigation, insect control and disease control. (c) The establishment, management or harvest of trees actively farmed or cultured for the production of agricultural tree crops, including nuts, fruits, seeds and nursery stock. (d) The establishment, management or harvest of ornamental, street or park trees within an urbanized area, as that term is defined in ORS 221.010. (e) The management or harvest of juniper species conducted in a unit of less than 120 contiguous acres within a single ownership. (f) The establishment or management of trees intended to mitigate the effects of agricultural practices on the environment or fish and wildlife resources, such as trees that are established or managed for windbreaks, riparian filters or shade strips immediately adjacent to actively farmed lands. (g) The development of an approved land use change after timber harvest activities have been completed and land use conversion activities have commenced. (14) “Operator” means any person, including a landowner or timber owner, who conducts an operation. (15)(a) “Significant violation” means: (A) Violation of ORS 527.670 (6) by engaging in an operation without filing the requisite notification; (B) Continued operation in contravention of an order issued by the State Forester under ORS 527.680 (2)(a), (3) or (5); or (C) A violation resulting in major damage to a resource described in ORS 527.710 (2) for which restoration is expected to take more than 10 years. (b) “Significant violation” does not include: (A) Unintentional operation in an area outside an operating area of an operation for which sufficient notification was filed pursuant to ORS 527.670 (6); (B) Continued operation in contravention of an order issued by the State Forester under ORS 527.680 (2)(a), (3) or (5), where an operator, timber owner or landowner demonstrates that it did not receive the order; or (C) Failure to timely notify the State Forester of an intent to continue an operation into the next calendar year. (16) “Single ownership” means ownership by an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, trust, holding company or other business entity, including the state or any political subdivision thereof. Single ownership includes ownership held under different names or titles where the same individual or individuals, or their heirs or assigns, are shareholders (other than those of public corporations whose stock is traded on the open market), partners, business trustees or officers, or otherwise have an interest in or are associated with each property. (17) “State Forester” means the State Forester or the duly authorized representative of the State Forester. (18) “Suitable hardwood seedlings” means any hardwood seedling that will eventually yield logs or fiber, or both, sufficient in size and quality for the production of lumber, plywood, pulp or other forest products. (19) “Timber owner” means any individual, combination of individuals, partnership, corporation or association of whatever nature, other than a landowner, that holds an ownership interest in any forest tree species on forestland. (20) “Visually sensitive corridor” means forestland extending outward 150 feet, measured on the slope, from the outermost edge of the roadway of a scenic highway referred to in ORS 527.755, along both sides for the full length of the highway. (21) “Wildlife leave trees” means trees or snags required to be retained as described in ORS 527.676 (1). (22) “Written plan” means a document prepared by an operator, timber owner or landowner that describes how the operation is planned to be conducted. [1971 c.316 §3; 1987 c.919 §9; 1991 c.547 §1; 1991 c.634 §3; 1991 c.919 §1; 1995 s.s. c.3 §39; 1996 c.9 §2; 1999 c.59 §166; 2001 c.451 §1; 2003 c.740 §2; 2011 c.276 §6; 2022 c.33 §40] 527.620. As used in ORS 527.610 to 527.770, 527.990 and 527.992: (1) “Board” means the State Board of Forestry. (2) “Cumulative effects” means the impact on the environment which results from the incremental impact of the forest practice when added to other past, present and reasonably foreseeable future forest practices regardless of what governmental agency or person undertakes such other actions. (3) “DBH” means the diameter at breast height which is measured as the width of a standing tree at four and one-half feet above the ground, on the uphill side. (4) “Edge of the roadway” means: (a) For interstate highways, the fence. (b) For all other state highways, the outermost edge of pavement, or if unpaved, the edge of the shoulder. (5) “Forest practice” means any operation conducted on or pertaining to forestland, including but not limited to: (a) Reforestation of forestland; (b) Road construction and maintenance; (c) Harvesting of forest tree species; (d) Application of chemicals; (e) Disposal of slash; and (f) Removal of woody biomass. (6) “Forest tree species” means any tree species capable of producing logs, fiber or other wood materials suitable for the production of lumber, sheeting, pulp, firewood or other commercial forest products except trees grown to be Christmas trees as defined in ORS 571.505 on land used solely for the production of Christmas trees. (7) “Forestland” means land that is used for the growing and harvesting of forest tree species, regardless of how the land is zoned or taxed or how any state or local statutes, ordinances, rules or regulations are applied. (8) “Harvest type 1” means an operation that requires reforestation but does not require wildlife leave trees. A harvest type 1 is an operation that leaves a combined stocking level of free to grow seedlings, saplings, poles and larger trees that is less than the stocking level established by rule of the board that represents adequate utilization of the productivity of the site. (9) “Harvest type 2” means an operation that requires wildlife leave trees but does not require reforestation. A harvest type 2 does not require reforestation because it has an adequate combined stocking of free to grow seedlings, saplings, poles and larger trees, but leaves: (a) On Cubic Foot Site Class I, II or III, fewer than 50 11-inch DBH trees or less than an equivalent basal area in larger trees, per acre; (b) On Cubic Foot Site Class IV or V, fewer than 30 11-inch DBH trees or less than an equivalent basal area in larger trees, per acre; or (c) On Cubic Foot Site Class VI, fewer than 15 11-inch DBH trees or less than an equivalent basal area in larger trees, per acre. (10) “Harvest type 3” means an operation that requires reforestation and requires wildlife leave trees. This represents a level of stocking below which the size of operations is limited under ORS 527.740 and 527.750. (11) “Landowner” means any individual, combination of individuals, partnership, corporation or association of whatever nature that holds an ownership interest in forestland, including the state and any political subdivision thereof. (12) “Operation” means any commercial activity relating to the establishment, management or harvest of forest tree species except as provided by the following: (a) The establishment, management or harvest of Christmas trees, as defined in ORS 571.505, on land used solely for the production of Christmas trees. (b) The establishment, management or harvest of hardwood timber, including but not limited to hybrid cottonwood, that is: (A) Grown on land that has been prepared by intensive cultivation methods and that is cleared of competing vegetation for at least three years after tree planting; (B) Of a species marketable as fiber for inclusion in the furnish for manufacturing paper products; (C) Harvested on a rotation cycle that is 12 or fewer years after planting; and (D) Subject to intensive agricultural practices such as fertilization, cultivation, irrigation, insect control and disease control. (c) The establishment, management or harvest of trees actively farmed or cultured for the production of agricultural tree crops, including nuts, fruits, seeds and nursery stock. (d) The establishment, management or harvest of ornamental, street or park trees within an urbanized area, as that term is defined in ORS 221.010. (e) The management or harvest of juniper species conducted in a unit of less than 120 contiguous acres within a single ownership. (f) The establishment or management of trees intended to mitigate the effects of agricultural practices on the environment or fish and wildlife resources, such as trees that are established or managed for windbreaks, riparian filters or shade strips immediately adjacent to actively farmed lands. (g) The development of an approved land use change after timber harvest activities have been completed and land use conversion activities have commenced. (13) “Operator” means any person, including a landowner or timber owner, who conducts an operation. (14) “Single ownership” means ownership by an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, trust, holding company or other business entity, including the state or any political subdivision thereof. Single ownership includes ownership held under different names or titles where the same individual or individuals, or their heirs or assigns, are shareholders (other than those of public corporations whose stock is traded on the open market), partners, business trustees or officers, or otherwise have an interest in or are associated with each property. (15) “State Forester” means the State Forester or the duly authorized representative of the State Forester. (16) “Suitable hardwood seedlings” means any hardwood seedling that will eventually yield logs or fiber, or both, sufficient in size and quality for the production of lumber, plywood, pulp or other forest products. (17) “Timber owner” means any individual, combination of individuals, partnership, corporation or association of whatever nature, other than a landowner, that holds an ownership interest in any forest tree species on forestland. (18) “Visually sensitive corridor” means forestland extending outward 150 feet, measured on the slope, from the outermost edge of the roadway of a scenic highway referred to in ORS 527.755, along both sides for the full length of the highway. (19) “Wildlife leave trees” means trees or snags required to be retained as described in ORS 527.676 (1). (20) “Written plan” means a document prepared by an operator, timber owner or landowner that describes how the operation is planned to be conducted.
Official history and status
History: Note: The amendments to 527.620 by section 68, chapter 33, Oregon Laws 2022, become operative only if certain conditions are met. See sections 54 and 61 to 64, chapter 33, Oregon Laws 2022 (third note following 527.711). 527.620, as amended by section 68, chapter 33, Oregon Laws 2022, is set forth for the user’s convenience.
This rule cites
- ORS 527.610 — resolved
- 527.770 — resolved
- 527.990 — resolved
- 527.992 — resolved
- ORS 571.505 — resolved
- ORS 527.740 — resolved
- 527.750 — resolved
- ORS 221.010 — resolved
- ORS 527.670 — resolved
- ORS 527.680 — resolved
- ORS 527.710 — resolved
- ORS 527.755 — resolved
- ORS 527.676 — resolved
Cited by
- ORS 30.949: Action for hindering, impairment or obstruction of forest practice on state forestland.
- ORS 105.810: Treble damages for injury to or removal of produce, trees or shrubs; costs and attorney fees; limitation on liability of contract logger.
- ORS 195.300: Definitions for ORS 195.300 to 195.336.
- ORS 197.277: Oregon Forest Practices Act; exclusion.
- ORS 215.780: Minimum lot or parcel sizes; land division to establish a dwelling; recordation.
- ORS 315.124: Small forestland owner using standard practice harvest restrictions; rules.
- ORS 321.017: Levy of additional privilege tax; distribution to Oregon Forest Resources Institute Fund.
- ORS 496.254: Oregon Conservation and Recreation Advisory Committee.
- ORS 496.257: Private Forest Accord Grant Program; rules.
- ORS 496.259: Private Forest Accord Mitigation Advisory Committee.
- ORS 498.012: Taking wildlife causing damage, posing public health risk or that is public nuisance; rules.
- ORS 498.061: Reporting takings of beaver; rules.
- ORS 498.062: Takings of beaver by owners of forestland; rules.
- ORS 498.063: Restrictions related to trapping of beavers.
- ORS 526.294: Large commercial event health and safety standards; rules.
- ORS 526.400: Small Forestland Owner Assistance Office; rules.
- ORS 526.490: Afforestation of certain idle lands; harvest requirements; inspection fees; lands subject to Oregon Forest Practices Act; rules; fees.
- ORS 527.678: Wildlife food plots; rules.
- ORS 527.711: Private Forest Accord rule package.
- ORS 527.715: Rules to establish standards and procedures.
- ORS 527.822: Reports to Legislative Assembly.
- ORS 568.927: Law inapplicable to certain forest practices.
- ORS 672.047: Right of entry by land surveyor; compensation for damages caused; notice; removal of survey markers.
- OAR 141-120-0000: Application
- OAR 603-095-1520: Geographic and Programmatic Scope
- OAR 629-025-0022: Health and Safety Standards — Large Commercial Events
- OAR 629-025-0040: General Forest Recreation Rules and Public Conduct
- OAR 629-600-0100: Definitions
- OAR 629-605-0130: Compliance with the Rules and Regulations of the Department of Environmental Quality
- OAR 629-610-0100: Exemption from Reforestation for Wildlife Food Plots
- OAR 635-050-0045: General Regulations
- OAR 635-097-0010: Definitions
- OAR 660-006-0005: Definitions
- OAR 660-006-0026: New Land Division Requirements in Forest Zones
- OAR 660-006-0055: New Land Division Requirements in Agriculture/Forest Zones
- OAR 660-006-0060: Regulation of Forest Operations
Official source: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors527.html