Forest codes of practice. Contributing to environmentally sound forest operations. (FAO Forestry Paper - 133) (1996): The Oregon forest practice act: 1972 to 1994: Appendix 1. Evolution of Oregon’s forest practice rules, 1972-1993.

Forest codes of practice. Contributing to environmentally sound forest operations. (FAO Forestry Paper - 133) (1996)

The Oregon forest practice act: 1972 to 1994

		(introduction...)
		Abstract
		History and origins
		Concepts of feasibility for the forest practices act
		Rule-making processes and players
		Enforcement processes and players
		What is needed to make a forest practices act work?
		Summary
		References
		Author’s contact information
		Appendix 1. Evolution of Oregon’s forest practice rules, 1972-1993.

Appendix 1. Evolution of Oregon’s forest practice rules, 1972-1993.

Following is a list of the major rule changes that have occurred throughout the history of the Oregon Forest Practices Act. This list captures the major efforts resulting from legislative changes or responses to noted problems in forest practices. Most of these rule revisions entail increasing protection in riparian areas, improvement in water quality and other benefits for fish and wildlife.

July, 1972	Initial adoption of Forest Practice Rules. Rules set specific standards for reforestation, road construction and maintenance, and streamside buffer strips. Though many rules were advisory in nature the majority were specific and enforceable.
July, 1974	Amendments to tractor skidding and mechanical clearing rules.
	New rules requiring drainage systems in harvesting operations.
	New rules related to spillage of petroleum products.
	Additional protection of water sources; wetlands.
July, 1975	Increased detail required in notification of operations.
	New rules requiring water quality protection related to surface mining practices.
Jan., 1978	New rules and definitions related to “filling and removal” and stream channel changes.
	15-day waiting requirement added to notification rule.
June, 1978	Comprehensive revision in response to 1977 Clean Water Act, Section 208. Made rules more clear and specific regarding water quality protection and added “prior approvals” as a requirement for several practices which potentially could directly affect water quality.
Sep., 1978	New rules for application of the herbicides 2,4,5-T and Silvex (rendered moot by registration cancellation in Feb., 1979).
Jan, 1980	Transferred responsibility for reforestation compliance from operators to landowners.
Sep., 1983	Comprehensive revision of road construction and harvesting rules in response to severe landslide problems in 1981 and 1982. Introduced concepts of “high-risk sites” and “written plans”.
Mar., 1985	Revisions and additions related to land-use planning Goals 5 and 17; defined wetlands, required prior approval for operations near coastal shorelands and critical wildlife habitat sites.
June, 1985	Additional requirements related to “in-unit slides” in harvesting units.
	Clarified requirement to comply with written plans.
Apr., 1987	Comprehensive revision to harvesting and road construction rules dealing with riparian protection in response to state agency coordination requirements of land use planning and an agreement between the Board of Forestry and the Fish and Wildlife Commission. Required specific number and size of conifer trees to be retained in riparian management areas of western Oregon.
July, 1987	*Major Amendments to Forest Practices Act through House Bill 3396.*
May, 1988	New procedures to provide copies of notifications and written plans to interested parties.
	New rules governing operations of Regional Forest Practice Committees.
Aug., 1988	New rules specifying forest practices enforcement procedures and administration of civil penalties.
	Contested case procedures for civil penalties.
Sep., 1988	New requirements for approved mandatory written operations plans within 100 feet of Class 1 streams, or within 300 feet of sites of threatened or endangered species, sensitive bird nesting, roosting or watering, significant wetlands, or biological sites.
	Interim protection requirements for operations in above listed sites.
Sep., 1989	New procedures for operator appeals of orders of the State Forester.
	New procedures for appeals of written plan approvals from public who are adversely affected.
July, 1990	Process rules for listing sites of sensitive bird nesting, roosting or watering.
Jan., 1991	Protection rules for osprey nesting and roosting sites.
	Process for granting exceptions to protection of resource sites.
May, 1991	Process rules for listing sites of threatened or endangered species,
	Protection rules for great blue heron nesting sites.
June, 1991	Protection rules for northern spotted owl nesting sites.
July, 1991	*Major Amendments to Forest Practices Act through Senate Bill 1125.*
Oct., 1991	Process and protection rules for significant wetlands.
	Protection rules for bald eagle nesting and roosting sites.
May, 1992	New rule requiring compliance with statutory provisions of SB 1125, to allow enforcement with civil and criminal penalties. Enforceable statutory provisions included size and spacing of clearcuts, retention of wildlife trees and snags in clearcut units, interim stream protection measures and protection of scenic highway corridors.
Jan., 1993	Definition of “single ownerships” for the purpose of determining size and spacing of clearcuts.
	Process rules for listing biological sites that are scientifically and ecologically significant.

For more information about the Oregon Forest Practices Act, contact the Oregon Department of Forestry Public Affairs Office, 2600 State Street, Salem, Oregon 97310, telephone (503) 945-7422.