Title: Forest Stewardship Plans
Document Code No.: PUT 8-19 (PR)
Department/Issuing Agency: Department of Natural Resources and Parks: Water and Land Resources Division
Effective Date: June 23, 2002
Approved: /s/ Ronald Sims
Type of Action: New
Keywords: Forest Stewardship Plans, Forest Management Plan, Timber Management Plan
1.0 SUBJECT TITLE: Forest Stewardship Plans
2.0 PURPOSE:
To establish the elements of Forest Stewardship Plans that are required as part of King County incentive programs or required before a building permit is issued for a property in the forest zone. This rule creates an official, standard format for a Forest Stewardship Plan as required by King County. The terms, Forest Stewardship Plan, Forest Management Plan, and Timber Management Plan, as used in this rule, are synonymous. This rule does not address nor does it apply to the forest management plan referred to in King County Code 21A.55.050 (Rural Forest Demonstration Project).
3.0 ORGANIZATIONS AFFECTED:
3.1 Applicants for incentive programs (transfer of development rights, current use taxation).
3.2 Applicants for residential permits in the Forest zone
3.3 Public agencies that manage resource lands, when required
3.4 King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks
3.5 King County Department of Assessments
3.6 King County Department of Development and Environmental Services.
3.7 Washington Department of Natural Resources
4.0 REFERENCES:
4.1 King County Code 2.98
4.2 King County Code 21A.37.060.B.3 and 6
4.3 King County Code 21A.08.030 B.2.b
4.4 King County Code 20.36.150
4.5 Revised Code of Washington 84.34.020(3), 84.34.041
4.6 Washington Administrative Code 458.30.200(2)(kk);458.30.210(5)(b); 458.30.232(5); 458.30.275(5)
4.7 King County Comprehensive Plan Policies R-107, R-522, R531
4.8 Washington State Forest Stewardship Policies Plan Guidelines (SIP-002)
4.9 Executive Order, "Implementation of Forestry Policies", Document Code No. PUT 8-18 (AEO)
4.10 The King County Code can be found on-line here. Washington State Codes can be found on-line here. The Executive Order can be found on-line here
5.0 DEFINITIONS:
5.1 A Forest Stewardship Plan is a plan that meets the requirements of Section 6 of this rule. The requirements are generally based on guidelines used by the Washington Department of Natural Resources, and found in its document, Washington State Forest Stewardship Plan Guidelines (SIP-002). The guidelines are part of the Forest Stewardship Program initiated by the 1990 federal farm bill. The federal Forest Stewardship Program created state-run incentive programs for non-industrial forest owners.
5.2 Forest Management Plan - For the purposes of this rule, a forest management plan means the same thing as a forest stewardship plan.
5.3 Timber Management Plan - For the purposes of this rule, a timber management plan means the same thing as a forest stewardship plan.
5.4 The terms “Forest Stewardship Plan,” “Forest Management Plan,” and “Timber Management Plan” shall all be referred to as “Plan” in this rule.
6.0 POLICIES:
6.1 This rule is written to identify the general requirements and elements that must be included in Plans required in King County Code 21A.37.060.B.3 and 6, King County Code 21A.08.030 B.2.b, and King County Code 20.36.150.
6.2 General Requirements: When a Plan is required by King County Code, a King County program, or a program administered by King County, the Plan must:
6.2.1 Be signed by the landowner;
6.2.2 Address protection and/or enhancement of the forest resource categories;
6.2.3 Cover a time frame of at least 10 years; longer planning range is encouraged;
6.2.4 Cover the entire forested ownership and/or any land that will be planted to forest vegetation.
6.2.5 Be consistent with stated landowner objectives; and
6.2.6 Be approved and signed by a DNRP forester or designee.
6.3 In addition, a Plan must include the following elements;
6.3.1 Landowner Objectives stated in measurable terms;
6.3.2 General Property Description;
6.3.3 A description of the following resource categories (if relevant to the Landowner Objectives and the characteristics of the property):
6.3.3.1 Forest Health. Insects, diseases, fire protection, environmental factors, animal damage potential, and invasive species listed by the State of Washington;
6.3.3.2 Timber and Wood Products. Species composition, age, size, quality, site class, vegetation, density/stocking, operability, silvicultural alternatives;
6.3.3.3 Soils. Soil types, slope stability, erosion potential, road considerations;
6.3.3.4 Water Quality. Riparian and wetland areas, stream types, stream bank stability, riparian vegetation, percent tree cover (shade), floodplains, wetland locations, domestic water resources, any herbicide applications;
6.3.3.5 Fish and Wildlife Habitat. Species present, observed, or anticipated due to habitat type. Size and relative abundance of snags and coarse woody debris. Under story vegetation and plant associations. Describe and map special habitat features, types and land uses. Indicate travel corridors, habitat on adjacent properties;
6.3.3.6 Threatened and Endangered Species. Suitable habitat and any federally or state listed species observed;
6.3.3.7 Cultural Resources. Describe resources present or on adjacent properties, e.g. historic or archeological sites;
6.3.3.8 Aesthetics and Recreation. Trails present or desired, significant views, recreational and/or scenic view enhancement opportunities, opportunities for cooperation with adjacent parcels;
6.3.3.9 Agro-forestry/Special Forest Products (optional). Floral greenery, mushrooms, edible and medicinal plants;
6.3.4 Management Actions and Timetable. Describe planned actions to addr3ss each resource category and to accomplish objectives;
6.3.5 Tax parcel number;
6.3.6 Signature/Approval Page; and
6.3.7 Photo and/or site Maps
6.4 The landowner may prepare the Plan independently, or with assistance through the Forest Stewardship course offered by King County (and/or by Washington State University Cooperative Extension or Washington Department of Natural Resources), or with the assistance of a forestry consultant
7.0 PROCEDURES:
Action:
Action By: DNRP Forestry Program
Action:
Action:
Action By: DNRP Forestry Program
Action:
Action By: Applicant
Action:
Action By: Relevant Program
Action:
Action By: Applicant
Action:
Action By: DNRP Forestry Program
Action:
8.0 RESPONSIBILITIES:
8.1 The Applicant is responsible as follows:
8.1.1 Prepare Plan and submit it to DNRP for approval.
8.1.2 Modify plan if necessary and resubmit.
8.1.3 Implement Plan
8.1.4 If, over time, Plan changes are needed or appropriate, submit revisions to DNRP
8.2 King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, Forestry Program is responsible as follows:
8.2.1 Provide technical assistance in developing and implementation of Plans including referral to a forestry consultant if appropriate.
8.2.2 Respond to information requests.
8.2.3 Conduct site visits
8.2.4 Help teach forest stewardship courses.
8.2.5 Review Plan to determine whether it addresses the general requirements and elements as identified and required by this rule, and the substantive requirements of Plans. If so, approve Plan; if not, provide comments to applicant.
8.2.6 Review Plan revisions when submitted
8.3 King County Public Benefit Rating System and Timberland Program is responsible as follows:
8.3.1 Require approved Plan for relevant programs.
8.3.2 Determine whether the approved Plan meets program requirements.
8.4 King County Department of Development and Environmental Services is responsible as follows:
8.4.1 Require approved Plan before issuing permit for single detached dwellings in the first zone.
8.5 King County Transfer of Development Rights Program is responsible as follows:
8.5.1 Require approved Plan as part of qualification of rural forest sending sites.
9.0 APPENDICES:
None.
Updated: June 10, 2002
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