Oregon Administrative Rules
Chapter 629 - DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY
Division 643 - WATER PROTECTION RULES: VEGETATION ALONG STREAMS
Section 629-643-0300 - Alternative Vegetation Retention Prescriptions
Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 12, December 1, 2024
(1) Alternative prescriptions are intended to apply to situations where the existing streamside stand is too sparse or contains too few live trees to maintain fish, wildlife, and water quality resources over time. Future desired streamside stand conditions are achieved through immediate manipulation of vegetation, including reforesting the riparian management area with conifer.
(2) Section (3) and (4) of this rule are alternative vegetation retention prescriptions described for the geographic areas in Figure 1, that the operator may apply if the basal area in the riparian management area is no more than one-half of the standard target indicated in either Table 5 or Table 6, as may be applicable, and conditions described in the alternative prescription are applicable.
[Figure 1. Geographic Areas, OAR 629-643-0300]
[Table 5. Alternative Prescription Basal Area Table for Type F/SSBT Streams]
[Table 6. Alternative Prescription Basal Area Table for Type D and Type N Streams]
(3) Alternative vegetation retention prescription 1 (catastrophic events). This alternative prescription applies to streamside stands that have been damaged by wildfire or by catastrophic windthrow, or by insect or disease mortality. Such mortality must occur at the stand level and may not include normal endemic mortality. This alternative prescription is intended to provide adequate stream shade, woody debris, and bank stability for the future while creating conditions in the streamside area that will result in quick establishment of a new and healthy stand. The operator shall:
(4) Alternative vegetation retention prescription 2 (hardwood dominated sites). This alternative prescription applies to streamside sites that are capable of growing conifers, and where conifer stocking is currently low and unlikely to improve in a timely manner because of competition from hardwoods and brush. If portions of such riparian management areas currently contain abundant conifer basal area, it is intended that these areas of good conifer basal area be segregated and managed using the standard practice vegetation retention prescription while the remainder is managed according to this alternative prescription. This alternative prescription is intended to provide adequate stream shade, some woody debris, and bank stability for the future while creating conditions in the streamside area that will result in quick establishment of a conifer stand. The operator shall:
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Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 527.710 & Section 2(1), Chapter 33, Oregon Laws 2022
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 527.715, 527.765 & Section 2(2), Chapter 33, Oregon Laws 2022