WAC 222-30-050   Felling and bucking.  *(1) Felling along water.

     (a) No trees will be felled into Type S and F Waters RMZ core zones, sensitive sites, or Type A or B Wetlands except trees which cannot practically and safely be felled outside these areas using techniques in general use.

     Such felling and removing in Type S or F Waters shall comply with the hydraulic project approval of the department of fish and wildlife.

     (b) Within RMZ inner and outer zones, and wetland management zones, fell trees favorable to the lead consistent with safety standards to yard or skid away from the waters. The use of directional felling, lining, jacking and staged felling techniques are required.

     (c) Trees may be felled into Type Np Water if logs are removed as soon thereafter as practical. See forest practices board manual section 4 guidelines for clearing slash and debris from Type Np and Ns Water.

     *(2) Bucking or limbing along water.

     No bucking or limbing shall be done on trees or portions thereof lying within the bankfull width of Type S, F or Np Waters, in the RMZ core zones, in sensitive sites, or in open water areas of Type A Wetlands. Such bucking or limbing in Type S or F Waters shall comply with the hydraulic project approval of the department of fish and wildlife.

     *(3) Felling near riparian management zones, wetland management zones and setting boundaries. Reasonable care shall be taken to avoid felling trees into riparian management zones, wetland management zones and areas outside the harvest unit.

     (4) Felling in selective and partial cuts. Reasonable care shall be taken to fell trees in directions that minimize damage to residual trees.

     (5) Disturbance avoidance for northern spotted owls. Felling and bucking within a SOSEA boundary shall not be allowed within 0.25 mile of a northern spotted owl site center between March 1 and August 31 provided that, this restriction shall not apply if:

     (a) The landowner demonstrates that the owls are not actively nesting during the current nesting season; or

     (b) The forest practice is operating in compliance with a plan or agreement developed for the protection of the northern spotted owl under WAC 222-16-080 (6)(a), (e), or (f).

     (6) Disturbance avoidance for marbled murrelets. Felling and bucking shall not be allowed within 0.25 mile of an occupied marbled murrelet site during the daily peak activity periods within the critical nesting season, provided that, this restriction shall not apply if the forest practice is operating in compliance with a plan or agreement developed for the protection of the marbled murrelet under WAC 222-16-080 (6)(a) or (c).



[Statutory Authority: RCW 76.09.040. 05-12-119, § 222-30-050, filed 5/31/05, effective 7/1/05. Statutory Authority: Chapter 34.05 RCW, RCW 76.09.040, [76.09.]050,[76.09.]370 , 76.13.120(9). 01-12-042, § 222-30-050, filed 5/30/01, effective 7/1/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 76.09.040 and chapter 34.05 RCW. 97-24-091, § 222-30-050, filed 12/3/97, effective 1/3/98; 97-15-105, § 222-30-050, filed 7/21/97, effective 8/21/97. Statutory Authority: Chapters 76.09 and 34.05 RCW. 96-12-038, § 222-30-050, filed 5/31/96, effective 7/1/96. Statutory Authority: RCW 76.09.040, 76.09.050 and chapter 34.05 RCW. 92-15-011, § 222-30-050, filed 7/2/92, effective 8/2/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 76.09.040. 87-23-036 (Order 535), § 222-30-050, filed 11/16/87, effective 1/1/88. Statutory Authority: RCW 76.09.040 and 76.09.050. 82-16-077 (Resolution No. 82-1), § 222-30-050, filed 8/3/82, effective 10/1/82; Order 263, § 222-30-050, filed 6/16/76.]