(1) The department may establish a contract harvesting program for directly contracting for the removal of timber and other valuable materials from state lands and for conducting silvicultural treatments consistent with RCW 79.15.540.

     (2) The contract requirements must be compatible with the office of financial management's guide to public service contracts.

     (3) The department may not use contract harvesting for more than ten percent of the total annual volume of timber offered for sale. However, volume removed primarily to address an identified forest health issue under RCW 79.15.540 may not be included in calculating the ten percent annual limit of contract harvesting sales.

[2004 c 218 § 6; 2003 c 313 § 3.]

NOTES:

     Effective date -- 2004 c 218: See note following RCW 76.06.140.

     Findings -- Severability -- 2003 c 313: See notes following RCW 79.15.500.