629-643-0100 Western 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 Western Oregon Type F and Type SSBT streams, as shown in Table 1. The riparian management area distances described in Table 1 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 629-643-0141. [Insert Table 1. Western 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 distances from the edge of the active channel or the channel migration zone, as described in Table 1; and (b) All trees leaning over the channel. (4) Within riparian management areas the operator shall retain all downed wood and snags that are not safety or fire hazards. The operator shall leave snags felled for safety or fire hazard reasons where they are felled unless used for stream improvement projects. (5) The operator may fall, move, or harvest vegetation, snags, and trees within the distances described in Table 1 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 these activities contribute to and are consistent with enhancing the stand’s ability to meet the desired future condition; and (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 retained trees within harvest type 2 or harvest type 3 units, pursuant to ORS 527.676, as follows: (a) For all medium and large Type F and Type SSBT streams, the operator may count retained trees within the outer 20 feet of the distances described in Table 1 when those retained trees otherwise meet the wildlife leave trees requirements within harvest type 2 or harvest type 3 units, pursuant to ORS 527.676. (b) For all small Type F and Type SSBT streams, the operator may count retained trees within the distances described in Table 1 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 retention 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) An equivalent basal area is retained elsewhere within the harvest unit adjacent to the tree retention area or designated debris flow traversal areas. [ED. NOTE: To view attachments referenced in rule text, click here to view rule.] Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 527.710 & Section 2(1), Chapter 33, Oregon Laws 2022 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 527.715, 527.765 & Section 2(2), Chapter 33, Oregon Laws 2022 History: DOF 16-2024, amend filed 02/21/2024, effective 02/21/2024 DOF 1-2024, amend filed 01/03/2024, effective 01/03/2024 DOF 5-2022, adopt filed 11/09/2022, effective 07/01/2023