Alaska Administrative Code
Title 11 - Natural Resources
Part 6 - Lands
Chapter 95 - Forest Resources and Practices
Article 5 - Reforestation
11 AAC 95.375 - Reforestation requirement

(a) The reforestation plan included in the detailed plan of operations must identify the preferred target species, regeneration technique, and site preparation method that the landowner will use to accomplish the reforestation requirements identified in this section.

(b) A landowner shall reforest harvested forest land to the fullest extent practicable unless

(c) In areas within Region II or III where the natural amount or distribution of stocking of commercial trees is below the minimum standards in (b)(4) of this section before harvest, the division will consider a variation from the stocking levels required in (d) of this section. An applicant shall submit a request for variation under this section through a detailed plan of operations and shall document preharvest stocking level and distribution.

(d) Reforestation must be achieved within five years after harvest in Region I and seven years after harvest in Region II and Region III as follows:

(e) The division will, in its discretion, grant a reasonable extension of time to comply with the requirements of this section if planting or seeding fails or cannot be completed because of circumstances beyond the control of the forest landowner. To be eligible for a time extension the forest landowner must notify the division within 30 days of becoming aware of the circumstances requiring an extension. The written request must identify the reason for the extension and give a reasonable estimation of the time needed to achieve adequate reforestation in accordance with this section.

(f) Unless otherwise authorized by the division, seed used for reforestation must be

(g) To apply for an exemption from reforestation requirements under (b)(2) of this section, a landowner must request an exemption in the reforestation section of a detailed plan of operations under 11 AAC 95.220(10) or a change in operations under 11 AAC 95.230 and must demonstrate that the affected stand is significantly composed of insect and disease-killed, fire-killed, wind-thrown, or fatally damaged trees. If required by the division, the request must include a description of the sampling procedure, the sampling data, and a data summary. The data summary must show the number of commercial trees per acre that are dead or fatally damaged, and the percentage of commercial trees in the stand that are dead or fatally damaged. Sample plots must be located without bias throughout the affected stand. For stands 1,000 acres or less, the minimum sample density is 10 plots per 100 acres. For stands greater than 1,000 acres, the minimum sample density is six plots per 100 acres. Fewer plots are acceptable if the sample standard error is less than 10 percent of the mean. Either fixed diameter or variable plot sampling methods are acceptable. Sample plots must average approximately at least five sample trees of commercial value. Trees must be recorded by diameter class as either dead, damaged by insects, disease, fire, or wind, or not impacted. Other documentation or field evidence approved by the division may be used in lieu of sampling.

(h) Following receipt of the exemption request, the division may inspect the site to confirm the information submitted before determining whether the stand is significantly composed of insect and disease-killed, fire-killed, wind-thrown, or fatally damaged trees. The division will make this determination as part of the review of the detailed plan of operations or change in operations. In areas exempted from reforestation requirements, the landowner and operator shall protect existing reproduction from logging damage where feasible.