Forest Stewardship Plans

Document Code No.: PUT 8-19-1 (PR)
Department/Issuing Agency: Department of Natural Resources and Parks
Effective Date: July 1, 2005
Approved: /s/ Pam Bissonnette
Type of Action: Supersedes PUT 8-19 (PR), June 23, 2002
Signed document (PDF, 1.7 MB)

1.0 SUBJECT TITLE: Forest Stewardship Plans

2.0 PURPOSE:

This rule establishes the format and requirements for a Forest Stewardship Plan as required by King County. A Forest Stewardship Plan describes a long term approach to forest management on a site. A Plan is required as part of certain King County incentive programs, to apply for a building permit in the Forest Production District, and to achieve flexibility under certain provisions of King County development codes. A Plan does not serve as an application for a permit or as a site plan for a specific forest practice. Landowners are required to obtain appropriate state or county permits for applicable forest practices. These permits may require additional technical information and studies to supplement the Plan.

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 Applicants for Class IV-G non-conversion forest practice

3.4 Owners of property in long-term forestry who conduct a forest practice and want to avoid the development moratorium on a portion of the site.

3.5 Owners of property in long-term forestry who want flexibility to cut firewood, restore Habitat areas and/or remove invasive weeds in critical area buffers.

3.6 Developer of a subdivision with a resource land tract to be managed as forest.

3.7 King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks.

3.8 King County Department of Assessments.

3.9 King County Department of Development and Environmental Services.

3.10 Washington Department of Natural Resources

4.0 REFERENCES:

4.1 R.C.W. 84-34 - Open Space, Agricultural Timberlands - Current Use - Conservation Futures

4.2 W.A.C. 458.30 - Open Space Taxation Rules

4.3 K.C.C. 2.98 - Rules of County Agencies

4.4 K.C.C. 20-36 - Open Space, Agricultural, and Timber Lands Current Use Assessment

4.5 K.C.C. 21A.06 - Technical Terms and Land Use Definitions

4.6 K.C.C. 21A.08 - Permitted Uses

4.7 K.C.C. 21A.14 - Development Standards - Design Requirements

4.8 K.C.C. 21A.24 - Critical Areas

4.9 K.C.C. 21A-37 - Transfer of Development Rights (TDR)

4.10 K.C.C. 9.04 - Surface Water Runoff/Policy

4.11 K.C.C. 16-82 - Cleaning and Grading

4.12 King County Rural Stewardship Plan, PUT 8-20 (PR)

4.13 King County Farm Management Plan, PUT 8-21 (PR)

4.14 King County Comprehensive Plan Policies R-107, R-522, R531

4.15 Washington State Forest Stewardship Policies Plan Guidelines (SIP-002)

4.16 Executive Order, "Implementation of Forestry Policies", Document Code No. PUT 8-18 (AEO)

4.17 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 A Forest Stewardship Component of a Farm Management Plan or a Rural Stewardship Plan is considered a Forest Stewarship Plan if it meets the requirements of this rule.

5.3 Forest Management Plan - For the purposes of this rule, a forest management plan means the same thing as a forest stewardship plan.

5.4 Timber Management Plan - For the purposes of this rule, a timber management plan means the same thing as a forest stewardship plan.

5.5 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 The Plan must:

6.2.1 Include a cover Page with property owner name, address, phone number, plan preparer’s name, and the property parcel identification number(s).

6.2.2 Include a Signature/Approval Page, signed by the landowner and approved and signed by a DNRP forester or designee.

6.2.3 Address protection and/or enhancement of the forest resource categories.

6.2.4 Cover a time frame of at least 10 years; longer planning range is encouraged.

6.2.5 Cover the portion of the property that is or will be managed as forest; clearly delineate any developed or other portion of the property that will not be managed as forest.

6.2.6 Be consistent with stated landowners objectives, which must be stated in measureble terms.

6.2.7 Include management actions and timetable. Describe planned actions to address each resource category (below) and to accomplish objectives

6.3 In addition, a Plan must include a description of the following resource categories:

6.3.1 Forest Health. Insects, diseases, fire protection, environmental factors, animal damage potential, and invasive species listed by the State of Washington;

6.3.2 Timber, Wood Products, and Firewood Cutting. Species composition, age, size, quality, site class, vegetation, density/stocking, operability, location of planned activities, proposed methods and equipment, silvicultural alternatives;

6.3.3 Soils, Soil types, topography, slope stability, erosion potential, road considerations;

6.3.4 Water Quality. Riparian and wetland areas, stream and wetland types, stream bank stability, riparian vegetation, percent tree cover (shade), floodplains, wetland locations, domestic water resources, any herbicide applications;

6.3.5 Fish and Wildlife Habitat. Species present, observed, or anticipated due to habitat type. Size and relative abundance of snags and coarse woody debris. Understory vegetation and plant associations. Describe and map special habitat features or types. Indicate travel corridors, habitat on adjacent properties, and the mapped wildlife habitat network if it occurs on site;

6.3.6 Threatened and Endangered Species. Suitable habitat and any federally or state listed species observed;

6.3.7 Cultural Resources. Describe resources present or on adjacent properties, e.g. historic or archeological sites;

6.3.8 Aesthetics and Recreation (optional). Trails present or desired, significant views, recreational and/or scenic view enhancement opportunities, opportunities for cooperation with adjacent parcels;

6.3.9 Agro-forestry/Special Forest Products (optional). Floral greenery, mushrooms, edible and medicinal plants;

6.4 The Plan must include the following maps:

6.4.1 Current aerial photograph or orthophotograph

6.4.2 A site plan that indicates forest stands, easements, critical areas, and existing or planned non-forest features, such as residences, garages, outbuildings, driveways, powerlines, drainage fields, wells, gardens and yards. If possible, forest practice units and existing or proposed road and landing locations should be indicated.

6.4.3 A soil map.

6.4.4 A topographic map with a contour interval no greated than 20 feet.

6.4.5 All maps should include the following elements: scale, north arrow, name of preparer, date of preparation, and a legend.

6.4.6 Map standards will be no greater than information available from King County at no charge.

7.0 PROCEDURES:

7.1 APPLICANT: Contacts DNRP forester for information about developing a plan.

7.2 DNRP FORESTRY PROGRAM: Provides information on what a Plan consists of (this Rule) and Applicant responsibilities.

7.3 APPLICANT: Writes and submits draft Plan to DNRP.

7.4 DNRP FORESTRY PROGRAM: Reviews draft Plan. Consults with applicant. Conducts site visit to verify that the Plan adequately describes the resources of the site, including the presence of critical areas. If Plan includes firewood cutting, habitat restoration or invasive weed removal, reviews to ensure that proposed activities will be conducted with adequate protection of critical areas. Submits comments to applicant.

7.5 APPLICANT: Modifies draft Plan as needed and submits final Plan to DNRP.

7.6 DNRP FORESTRY PROGRAM: Determines if Plan addresses the requirements identified in this rule. Reviews and approves or rejects Plan. If not approving, submits additional comments to applicant (Go to 7.5). Returns Plan, once approved, to the applicant, retaining a copy for files.

7.7 APPLICANT: If pursuing a King County permit or participation in a King County program, submits approved Plan to the appropriate agency with application for permit or program. Provides supplemental information to meet the requirements of the permit or program.

7.8 RELEVANT PROGRAM AND/OR PERMITTING AGENCY: Reviews program or permit application.

7.9 APPLICANT: Implements Plan. If, over time, Plan changes are needed or appropriate, submits revisions to DNRP.

7.10 DNRP FORESTRY PROGRAM: Provides technical assistance in implementation. Reviews any Plan revisions and approves or denies revisions.

8.0 RESPONSIBILITIES:

8.1 The Applicant is responsible as follows:

8.1.1 Prepares Plan and submits it to DNRP for approval.

8.1.2 Modifies plan if necessary and resubmits.

8.1.3 Implements Plan.

8.1.4 If, over time, Plan changes are needed or appropriate, submits revisions to DNRP.

8.1.5 Applies for permit or program if interested, and provides supplemental information which may include but is not limited to slope stability analyses or wetland/aquatic area reports, as needed to address site specific issues or to meet permit or program requirements.

8.2 King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, Forestry Program, is responsible as follows:

8.2.1 Provides technical assistance in development and implementation of Plans including referral to a forestry consultant if appropriate.

8.2.2 Responds to information requests.

8.2.3 Conducts site visits.

8.2.4 Reviews Plan to determine whether it meets the requirements of this rule. If so, approves Plan; if not, provides comments to applicant.

8.2.5 Reviews Plan revisions when submitted.

8.3 King County Public Benefit Rating System and Timberland Program is responsible as follows:

8.3.1 Requires an approved Plan to be eligible for consideration for relevant programs.

8.3.2 Determines whether the approved Plan meets program requirements.

8.4 King County Department of Development and Environmental Services is responsible as follows:

8.4.1 Requires an approved Plan before issuing permit for single detached dwellings in the forest zone.

8.4.2 Requires an approved Plan in conjunction with Class IV-G non-conversion permit application, which also requires a harvest plan. A Class IV-G non-conversion permit is a King County permit for forestry activities on a site platted after 1960 which is remaining in long term forestry use.

8.4.3 Requires an approved Plan in conjunction with a request for relief from the development moratorium that would otherwise be imposed on a property with a state Class II, III or IV-S forest practice or a Class 4-G nonconversion permit.

8.4.4 Requires an approved Plan of any subdivision that establishes a resource land tract to be managed forest as part of a clustered development.

8.5 King County Transfer of Development Rights Program is responsible as follows:

8.5.1 Requires approved Plan as part of qualification of rural forest sending sites.

9.0 APPENDICES:

None.

Revisions and/or Ammendments

PUT 8-19 (PR)