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DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY









 

DIVISION 645
WATER PROTECTION RULES: RIPARIAN MANAGEMENT AREAS

AND PROTECTION MEASURES FOR SIGNIFICANT WETLANDS

629-645-0000
Riparian Management Areas and Protection Measures for Significant Wetlands
(1)(a) The purpose of these rules is to
protect the functions and values of significant wetlands, including wetlands larger
than eight acres, estuaries, bogs and important springs in eastern Oregon on forestlands.
(b) Significant wetlands on
forestlands provide a wide range of functions and values, including those related
to water quality, hydrologic function, fish and other aquatic organisms, and wildlife.
(c) Estuaries are unique systems
because they form transitions between terrestrial, marine, and freshwater environments.
Because of this link, estuarine systems are among the most biologically productive
in the world. Estuaries support many resident species. Estuaries also provide food,
spawning area, and shelter for numerous other species at critical points in their
life cycles. Removal of shoreline trees reduces the overall productivity of the
estuary by reducing leaf and litter fall, thus depriving the estuary of substrate,
and by removing feeding and resting habitat for birds and small mammals.
(d) Bog communities are a result
of specific hydrologic, soil, and nutrient conditions. Bogs are usually saturated,
low in nutrients, and highly acidic. Changes in runoff, sediment loading, and nutrient
loading can alter the plant community composition. The peat soils have evolved over
time. Compaction damages plant communities and may encourage the invasion of exotic
species. Harvesting may disrupt shade tolerant vegetation, alter plant community
characteristics, and hasten succession. Compaction, saturated conditions, and poor
nutrient status make reforestation difficult.
(e) In arid parts of eastern
Oregon, springs provide a critical source of water. These important springs have
established wetland vegetation, flow year round in most years, and are used by a
concentration of diverse animal species. By reason of sparse occurrence, important
springs have a major influence on the distribution and abundance of upland species.
Important springs shall be identified by the State Forester.
(2)(a) The goals of significant
wetland protection are to maintain the functions and values of significant wetlands
on forestlands over time, and to ensure that forest practices do not lead to resource
site destruction or reduced productivity, while at the same time ensuring the continuous
growth and harvest of forest tree species. To accomplish these goals, the rules
focus on the protection of soil, hydrologic functions, and specified levels of vegetation.
(b) The intent of the rules
is to minimize soil disturbance and to minimize disturbance to the natural drainage
patterns of the significant wetland.
(c) Vegetation retention (including
understory vegetation, snags, downed wood, and live trees) is needed to prevent
erosion and sedimentation into the significant wetland, minimize soil disturbance
and hydrologic changes, and to maintain components of the vegetation structure to
provide for other benefits, particularly fish and wildlife values.
(3) Significant wetlands other
than estuaries, bogs or important springs in eastern Oregon shall have riparian
management areas extending 100 feet from the wetlands. When an operation is proposed
within 300 feet of an estuary or within 100 feet of a wetland larger than eight
acres (non estuary), bog or important spring in eastern Oregon, the resource site
evaluation process in OAR 629-665-0020 shall be followed by the landowner, operator
or timber owner. If the proposed operation conflicts with the significant wetland,
the operator shall submit a written plan to the State Forester before starting operations.
The written plan shall comply with the requirements of 629-605-0170, Written Plans.
(4) For all significant wetlands,
operators shall provide the following to the wetlands and riparian management areas:
(a) Live tree retention (OAR
629-645-0010);
(b) Soil and hydrologic function
protection (OAR 629-645-0030);
(c) Understory vegetation retention
(OAR 629-645-0040); and
(d) Snag and down wood retention
(OAR 629-645-0050).
(5) For forested significant
wetlands, written plans must address reforestation.
(6) When an operation is proposed
within 300 feet of an estuary, bog or important spring in eastern Oregon, the State
Forester shall determine the riparian management area during the resource site inspection
required by OAR 629-665-0020. Riparian management areas shall extend outward 100
to 200 feet from the estuary, 50 to 100 feet from the bog, or 50 to 100 feet from
the important spring in eastern Oregon. The distance determination of the State
Forester shall depend on:
(a) Stocking level of the timber
stand adjacent to the estuary, bog or spring;
(b) Ability of the area to withstand
windthrow;
(c) Size of the estuary, bog
or spring. As the size increases, the size of the riparian management area shall
increase; and
(d) For bogs and springs only,
topography and erodibility of adjacent uplands.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 527.710
Stats. Implemented: ORS 527.715
& 527.765
Hist.: FB 3-1994, f. 6-15-94,
cert. ef. 9-1-94, Renumbered from 629-057-2300; FB 9-1996, f. 12-2-96, cert. ef.
1-1-97; DOF 6-2002, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-02; DOF 6-2005(Temp), f. & cert.
ef. 8-2-05 thru 1-27-06; DOF 8-2005, f. 12-13-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOF 2-2013,
f. 7-11-13, cert. ef. 9-1-13
629-645-0010
Live Tree Retention for Significant Wetlands
(1) In significant wetlands and their riparian management areas, operators shall retain approximately 50 percent of the original live trees, by species, in each of the following diameter classes (DBH):
(a) 6 to 10 inches;
(b) 11 to 20 inches;
(c) 21 to 30 inches; and
(d) larger than 30 inches.
(2) As part of the live trees in subsection(1) above, operators shall retain trees bordering significant wetlands.
(3) For estuaries and the adjacent riparian management areas, operators shall protect live trees that are:
(a) Perch and nest trees for predatory birds and colonial nesting birds;
(b) Likely to provide for future large woody debris to the estuaries' perimeters; and
(c) Contributing to bank stability.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 527.710

Stats. Implemented: ORS 527.710 & 527.765

Hist.: FB 3-1994, f. 6-15-94, cert. ef. 9-1-94; Renumbered from 629-057-2310
629-645-0020
Site-Specific Vegetation Retention Prescriptions for Significant Wetlands
(1) Operators are encouraged to develop site specific vegetation retention prescriptions for significant wetlands in a plan for an alternate practice.
(2) The functions and values of forested wetlands vary with species composition, stocking levels, and geographic location. Operators are encouraged to propose site specific vegetation retention prescriptions in a plan for an alternate practice that allow for changes to the live tree requirements in OAR 629-645-0010 and that provide equal or better protection of the functions and values of forested significant wetlands and forested stream-associated wetlands, and address operational concerns.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 527.710

Stats. Implemented: ORS 527.674, 527.710 & 527.765

Hist.: FB 3-1994, f. 6-15-94, cert. ef. 9-1-94; Renumbered from 629-057-2320; DOF 6-2005(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 8-2-05 thru 1-27-06; DOF 8-2005, f. 12-13-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06
629-645-0030
Soil and Hydrologic Function Protection for Significant Wetlands
(1) In significant wetlands and their riparian
management areas, operators shall protect soil from disturbances that result in
impaired water quality, hydrologic functions, or soil productivity. Operators shall
protect hydrologic functions by minimizing disturbances and shall prevent accelerating
the natural conversion of the wetland to uplands.
(2) The written plan required
under OAR 629-605-0170 shall describe how the operation will be conducted to prevent
adverse effects on water quality, hydrologic functions or soil productivity. The
following practices shall be addressed in written plans when they are proposed in
significant wetlands:
(a) Filling within wetlands;
(b) Machine activity within
wetlands; and
(c) Road construction within
wetlands.
(3) Operators shall not drain
significant wetlands.
(4) Notwithstanding subsection
(3) of this rule, minor drainage for reforestation is allowed. Any drainage for
reforestation must be designed so the significant wetland is not converted to an
upland.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 527.710
Stats. Implemented: ORS 527.674,
527.715 & 527.765
Hist.: FB 3-1994, f. 6-15-94,
cert. ef. 9-1-94, Renumbered from 629-057-2330; FB 9-1996, f. 12-2-96, cert. ef.
1-1-97; DOF 6-2005(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 8-2-05 thru 1-27-06; DOF 8-2005, f.
12-13-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOF 8-2005, f. 12-13-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOF 2-2013,
f. 7-11-13, cert. ef. 9-1-13
629-645-0040
Understory Vegetation Retention for Significant Wetlands
(1) The purpose of retaining understory
vegetation is to provide soil stability and bank stability in and along significant
wetlands, to maintain cover and shade for wildlife habitat and aquatic habitat,
and to protect water quality.
(2) To achieve the purpose of
understory retention, the operator shall limit disturbance of understory vegetation
within significant wetlands and their riparian management areas to the minimum necessary
to remove timber harvested from the area and achieve successful reforestation.
(3) The written plan required
in OAR 629-605-0170 for operations within 300 feet of estuaries and 100 feet of
wetlands larger than eight acres (non-estuaries), bogs and important springs in
eastern Oregon shall describe how disturbance to the understory vegetation will
be minimized during harvest or site preparation for reforestation.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 527.710
Stats. Implemented: ORS 527.710
& 527.765
Hist.: FB 3-1994, f. 6-15-94,
cert. ef. 9-1-94, Renumbered from 629-057-2340; DOF 2-2013, f. 7-11-13, cert. ef.
9-1-13
629-645-0050
Snag and Downed Wood Retention for
Significant Wetlands
(1) For significant wetlands, operators
shall retain all snags and downed trees within the wetlands and the applicable riparian
management areas.
(2) Notwithstanding subsection
(1) of this rule, any snag defined to be a safety hazard under the safety requirements
found in OAR 437, division 7, Forest Activities, or determined to be a fire hazard
by the State Forester, may be felled. Any snag felled because of a safety or fire
hazard shall be left unyarded.
(3) The retention requirements
in subsection (1) of this rule may be modified for reasons of forest health for
trees that are dying or recently dead because of fire, insect or disease epidemics,
or other catastrophic events when addressed in a plan for an alternate practice
approved by the State Forester.
(4) Snags and downed wood left
pursuant to subsection (1) of this rule may not be counted toward the requirements
of ORS 527.676.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 527.710
Stats. Implemented: ORS 527.674,
527.715 & 527.765
Hist.: FB 3-1994, f. 6-15-94,
cert. ef. 9-1-94, Renumbered from 629-057-2350; FB 9-1996, f. 12-2-96, cert. ef.
1-1-97; DOF 6-2005(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 8-2-05 thru 1-27-06; DOF 8-2005, f.
12-13-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOF 2-2013, f. 7-11-13, cert. ef. 9-1-13

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