Or. Admin. Code § 350-082-0280

Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 12, December 1, 2024

Section 350-082-0280 - Uses Allowed on Lands Designated SMA Forest

(1) Uses Allowed Outright. The uses listed in 350-082-0210(1) are allowed without review on lands designated SMA Forest.

(2) Expedited Uses. The uses listed in 350-082-0220(1) may be allowed subject to compliance with 350-082-0220(2) on lands designated SMA Forest.

(3) Review Uses. The following uses may be allowed on lands designated SMA Forest subject to compliance with 350082-0600 through 350-082-0720. The use or development shall be sited to minimize the loss of land suitable for the production of forest products:

(a) All review uses allowed for in 350-082-0260.

(b) New cultivation or new agricultural use outside of previously disturbed and regularly worked fields or areas. Clearing trees for new agricultural use is subject to the additional requirements of subsection (3)(w) below.

(c) Railroad and road construction or reconstruction.

(d) Exploration, development, and production of sand, gravel, or crushed rock for the construction, maintenance, or reconstruction of roads used to manage or harvest commercial forest products in the SMAs.

(e) Silvicultural nurseries.

(f) Utility facilities for public service, upon a showing that:

(A) There is no alternative location with less adverse effect on Forest Land.; and

(B) The size is the minimum necessary to provide the service.

(g) Resource enhancement projects for the purpose of enhancing scenic, cultural, recreation and natural resources, subject to compliance with 350-082-0460. These projects may include new structures (e.g., fish ladders, sediment barriers), or activities (e.g., closing and revegetating unused roads, recontouring abandoned quarries).

(h) Fish hatcheries and aquaculture facilities.

(i) Public recreation, commercial recreation, interpretive and educational development, and uses consistent with the provisions of 350-082-0710.

(j) One single family dwelling on a parcel of 40 contiguous acres or larger if an approved forest management plan demonstrates that such a dwelling is necessary for and accessory to forest uses. The forest management plan shall demonstrate all the following:

(A) The dwelling will contribute substantially to the growing, propagation, and harvesting of trees. The principal purpose for allowing a dwelling on forest lands is to enable the resident to conduct efficient and effective management. This requirement indicates a relationship between ongoing forest management and the need for a dwelling on the subject property.

(B) The subject parcel is enrolled in the appropriate state's forest assessment program.

(C) A plan for management of the parcel has been approved by the Oregon Department of Forestry or the Washington Department of Natural Resources and the appropriate county. The plan must indicate the condition and productivity of lands to be managed; the operations the owner will carry out (thinning, harvest, planting, etc.); a chronological description of when the operations will occur; estimates of yield, labor, and expenses; and how the dwelling will contribute toward the successful management of the property.

(D) The parcel has no other dwellings that are vacant or currently occupied by persons not engaged in forest management of the subject parcel.

(E) The dwelling complies with county dwelling, siting, and state and county fire protection guidelines.

(F) A declaration is signed by the landowner and recorded into county deeds and records specifying that the owners, successors, heirs, and assigns of the subject property are aware that adjacent and nearby operations are entitled to carry on accepted agricultural or forest practices.

(k) Accessory structures for an existing or approved dwelling that are not otherwise allowed outright, eligible for the expedited development review process, or allowed in subsection (l) or (m), below.

(l) Accessory building(s) larger than 200 square feet in area or taller than ten feet in height for a dwelling on any legal parcel less than or equal to ten acres in size are subject to the following additional standards:

(A) The combined footprints of all accessory buildings on a single parcel shall not exceed 1,500 square feet in area. This combined size limit refers to all accessory buildings on a parcel, including buildings allowed without review, existing buildings and proposed buildings.

(B) The height of any individual accessory building shall not exceed 24 feet.

(m) Accessory building(s) larger than 200 square feet in area or taller than ten feet in height for a dwelling on any legal parcel larger than ten acres in size are subject to the following additional standards:

(A) The combined footprints of all accessory buildings on a single parcel shall not exceed 2,500 square feet in area. This combined size limit refers to all accessory buildings on a parcel, including buildings allowed without review, existing buildings and proposed buildings.

(B) The footprint of any individual accessory building shall not exceed 1,500 square feet.

(C) The height of any individual accessory building shall not exceed 24 feet.

(n) Home occupations, subject to compliance with 350-082-0420.

(o) Temporary portable facilities for the processing of forest products.

(p) Towers and fire stations for forest fire protection.

(q) Community facilities and nonprofit facilities related to forest resource management; or expansion of existing nonprofit group camps, retreats, or conference or education centers, necessary for the successful operation of the facility on the dedicated site. Expansion beyond the dedicated site shall be prohibited.

(r) On a parcel of 40 acres or greater with an existing dwelling, the temporary use of a manufactured home or dwelling structure in the case of a family hardship, subject to compliance with 350-082-0390.

(s) Additions to existing buildings greater than 200 square feet in area or greater than the height of the existing building.

(t) Docks and boathouses, subject to compliance with 350-082-0410.

(u) Removal or demolition of structures that are 50 or more years old, including wells, septic tanks and fuel tanks.

(v) Disposal sites managed and operated by the Oregon Department of Transportation, the Washington State Department of Transportation, or a National Scenic Area county public works department for earth materials and any intermixed vegetation generated by routine or emergency/disaster public road maintenance activities within the National Scenic Area, subject to compliance with 350-082-0470.

(w) Clearing trees for new agricultural use with the following steps and subject to the following additional guidelines:

(A) A Stewardship Plan shall be submitted and deemed complete by the Executive Director and submitted to the Forest Service for review. 350-082-0280(3)(x)(C).

(B) Clearing trees for new agricultural use shall be limited to 15 acres.

(C) If the Stewardship Plan proves that the above guideline is detrimental to the proposed agricultural use, the final size of the clearing shall be determined by the application of subsection (D) below and subject to subsection (I) below.

(D) After a 30-day public comment period, the Forest Service shall review the Stewardship Plan using the following criteria:

(i) Scenic Resource guidelines in 350-082-0280(3)(x)(D)(i) and (iv).

(ii) Applicable guidelines of 350-082-0630, 350-082-0670 through 350-082-0690, and 350-082-0710 through 350082-0720.

(iii) The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) soil unit description shall indicate that soils are suitable for the proposed agricultural use. The woodland management tables shall be used as part of the analysis of suitability for both agricultural and forest uses.

(iv) The size, shape and pattern on the landscape of the clearing for the new agricultural use shall blend with the surrounding landscape pattern either because the existing pattern includes agricultural openings or because the new agricultural opening is designed to appear natural.

(E) The Forest Service shall send the review statement to the Executive Director. The Forest Service shall state whether the new agricultural use should proceed including any conditions that are recommended to be required by the county.

(F) The Executive Director will accept an application for new agricultural use on forested lands after receipt of a positive review statement from the Forest Service.

(G) The forest practice portion of the new agricultural use shall not be approved by the state forestry department until a decision on the new agricultural use is issued by the Executive Director.

(H) The new agricultural use shall be operational within two years of the time frame described in the approved Stewardship Plan.

(I) New agricultural uses with an approved Stewardship Plan requiring more than 15 acres shall attain the final approved size sequentially. After the first 15 cleared acres is operational, each subsequent clearing shall not occur until the previous clearing is operational.

(x) Forest practices in accordance with an approved forest practices application and subject to the additional guidelines in 350-082-0280.

(A) The following information, in addition to general site plan requirements in 350-082-0080 shall be required:

(i) Delineate the following on a recent aerial photo or detailed map:

(I) The size, shape, and exact location of the proposed treatment area including any clumps of leave trees to remain. If more than one silvicultural prescription is to be used, code each on the photo;

(II) Other important natural features of the subject parcel such as steep areas, streams, wetlands, rock outcrops, etc.;

(III) Road and structure construction or reconstruction location;

(IV) Location of proposed rock or aggregate sources;

(V) Major skid trails, landings, and yarding corridors

(VI) Commercial firewood cutting areas.; and

(VII) Protection measures for scenic, cultural, natural, and recreation resources, such as road closures.

(ii) Describe the existing forest in terms of species, ages, sizes, landscape pattern (including how it fits into the surrounding landscape pattern) and canopy closure for all canopy layers.

(iii) Describe how the forest practice will fit into the existing landscape pattern and how it will meet scenic and natural resource standards in 350-082-0280(3)(x)(D) and (E).

(iv) Written silvicultural prescriptions with projected post-treatment forest condition specified in terms of species, ages, sizes, landscape pattern (including how it fits into the surrounding landscape pattern) and canopy closure for all canopy layers.

(v) Road and structure construction or reconstruction design.

(vi) Existing and proposed rock pit development plans.

(vii) A discussion of slash disposal methods.

(viii) A reforestation plan as reviewed by the appropriate state forest practices agency.

(B) As part of the application, flag, stake or mark buffers, any trees or downed wood to be retained or removed (whichever makes the most sense), and areas for placing fill or removing material in preparation for a field visit by the reviewer.

(C) Stewardship Plan Requirements: The following information, in addition to the applicable portions of the forest practice application requirements above and general site plan requirements in 350-082-0080 shall be provided:

(i) Outline the long term goals, proposed operations, and future sustainability of the subject parcel.

(ii) Describe the time frame and steps planned to reach the long term goals.

(iii) For Forest Practices, describe how the proposed activities fit into the long term goals and sustainability of the parcel or forest health. The following shall be addressed:

(I) Describe the range of natural conditions expected in the forest in terms of tree species, structure, and landscape pattern.

(II) Describe what the resulting tree species, structure, and landscape pattern will be after the proposed activities.

(III) Give a clear explanation of how a deviation from the applicable guidelines may better achieve forest health objectives.

(IV) Give a clear explanation of how and why the proposed activities will move the forest towards its range of natural variability and result in reaching sustainability, resiliency to disturbances.

(iv) For clearing trees for new agricultural use, the following shall be addressed in addition to 350-082-0280(3)(x)(C)(i) and (ii) above:

(I) Submit NRCS soil unit description and map for each soil unit affected by the proposed clearing or treatment.

(II) Based on the needs of the operation, give a clear explanation as to the exact size of the clearing needed and how it will meet the natural and scenic requirements in 350-082-0280(3)(x)(D)(i) through (iv).

(III) Describe in sufficient detail for evaluation the proposed agricultural use, the improvements needed on the parcel, timeline for its establishment, and its marketability.

(IV) Show evidence that an agricultural specialist, such as the county extension agent, has examined and found the proposed agricultural use reasonable and viable.

(D) For forest practices, the following scenic resource guidelines shall apply:

(i) Forest practices shall meet the design guidelines and the scenic standard for the applicable landscape setting and land use designation in 350-082-0610 Table 1 - Required SMA Scenic Standards.

(ii) In the western portion (to White Salmon River) of the SMA Coniferous Woodland Landscape Setting, no more than 8% of the composite KVA viewshed from which the forest practice is topographically visible shall be in created forest openings at one time. The viewshed boundaries shall be delineated by the Forest Service. The Forest Service will also help (as available) in calculating and delineating the percentage of the composite KVA viewshed which maybe created in forest openings at one time.

(iii) In the western portion (to the White Salmon River) of the SMA Gorge Walls, Canyons and Wildlands Landscape Setting, no more than 4% of the composite KVA viewshed from which the forest practice is topographically visible shall be in created forest openings at one time. The viewshed boundaries shall be delineated by the Forest Service. The Forest Service will also help (as available) in calculating and delineating the percentage of the composite KVA viewshed which maybe created in forest openings at one time.

(iv) For all other landscape settings, created forest openings visible at one time shall be within the desired range for the vegetation type as set forth in Natural Resources guidelines in 350-082-0280(3)(x)(E)(i) through (iii).

(v) Size, shape, and dispersal of created forest openings shall maintain the desired natural patterns in the landscape as set forth in Natural Resources guidelines in 350-082-0280(3)(x)(E)(i) through (iii).

(vi) The maximum size of any created forest opening is set forth by the "Desired" vegetation type in 350-082-0280 Table 1 - Desired Forest Structure and Pattern.

(I) If the treatment is proposed to go beyond the above guideline based on forest health or ecosystem function requirements, a Stewardship Plan shall be required.

(II) If the Stewardship Plan proves that the above guideline is detrimental to either forest health or ecosystem function, the size of the created forest opening shall be within the natural range for the vegetation type as listed in 350-082-0280 Table 1 - Desired Forest Structure and Pattern for each vegetation type, shall not mimic catastrophic fires, and shall maintain scenic standards.

(vii) Created forest openings shall not create a break or opening in the vegetation in the skyline as viewed from KVAs.

(E) Forest practices shall maintain the following in addition to applicable natural resources guidelines in 350-082-0670 through 350-082-0690

(i) Silvicultural prescriptions shall maintain the desired natural forest stand structures (tree species, spacing, layering, and mixture of sizes) based on forest health and ecosystem function requirements. Forest tree stand structure shall meet the requirements listed in 350-082-0280 Table 1 - Desired Forest Structure and Pattern for each vegetation type. Forest tree stand structure is defined as the general structure of the forest in each vegetation type within which is found forest openings.

(ii) Created forest openings shall be designed as mosaics not to exceed the limits defined as desired in 350-082-0280 Table 1 - Desired Forest Structure and Pattern unless proposed as a deviation as allowed under the scenic resource guideline in 350-082-0280(3)(x)(D)(vi).

(iii) Snag and down wood requirements shall be maintained or created as listed in 350-082-0280 Table 1 - Desired Forest Structure and Pattern for each vegetation type.

(iv) If the treatment is proposed to deviate from the snag and down wood requirements based on forest health or ecosystem function requirements, a Stewardship Plan shall demonstrate and prove why a deviation from the snag and down wood requirements is required.

350-082-0280 Table 1 - Desired Forest Structure and Pattern
Vegetation Type¹	Forest Structure (Average % total canopy closure (cc) ²	Typical Forest Openings Size (Disturbance caused)		Percent Openings at One Time		Leave Trees Includes all available remnant old forest	Average Down Wood Pieces 30 ft long per acre (scattered)	Average Snags Number of conifers per acre Snags are 20-40 ft in height
Vegetation Type¹		Historic (Natural)	Desired	Historic (Natural)	Desired	Leave Trees Includes all available remnant old forest
West Conifer	60-80% canopy closure Understory layer variable (0-60% of total cc)	Variable sizes with mosaic pattern, irregular shapes Mosaic fire 1-100 acres Catastrophic fire over 100 acres	Retain forested character Allow openings up to 15 acres (up to 5 acres in the foreground of KVAs) All openings 1 acre or less on National Forest land and all Open Space LUD Openings retain 1540% canopy closure	10% (mosaic fire) up to 55% (catastrophic fire) Intense fire return interval is 300 years	Not to exceed 8% for West Coniferous Woodland Landscape Setting and not to exceed 4% for Gorge Walls, Canyons and Wildlands Landscape Setting Widely dispersed, variable sized mosaic of irregular shapes blending with existing openings	Leave 15% of existing trees per acre throughout opening and in clumps. Include 3 trees per acre of the largest size trees available	18-25 pieces greater than 20" diameter at breast height (dbh)	10 snags at 10"-20" diameter at breast height (dbh), and 7 snags greater than 20" dbh
East Conifer (Ponderosa Pine/Douglas fir)	40-80% canopy closure Understory layer less than 25% of total cc	Few openings due to low intensity fires 1/4 to 2 acres	Openings less than 1 acre Openings have 0-40% canopy closure Openings widely dispersed	1-10%	1-10% (% by vegetation type)	No leave trees required	3-6 pieces greater than 20" dbh	5 snags at 10"-20" dbh and 3 snags greater than 20" dbh
Ponderosa Pine/ Oregon Oak	25-60% canopy closure Understory layer greater than 25% of total cc.	Most natural openings due to poor soil. Disturbance openings few	Openings less than 1 acre Openings have 0-25% canopy closure Openings widely dispersed	1-10%	1-10% (% by vegetation type)	No leave trees required	1-3 pieces greater than 20" dbh	5 snags at 10"-20" dbh and 3 snags greater than 20" dbh Oak snags can be counted if already dead or partially dead

¹ Map available at the Forest Service, National Scenic Area Office, Hood River, Oregon.

² Does not apply to openings.

Or. Admin. Code § 350-082-0280

CRGC 1-2022, adopt filed 03/02/2022, effective 5/1/2022

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 196.150, RCW 43.97.015, 16 USC § 544f(l)

Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 196.150, RCW 43.97.015, 16 USC § 544f(l)