Or. Admin. Code § 629-607-0000

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

Section 629-607-0000 - Purpose and Goals

(1) OAR 629-607-0000 through 629-607-0800 shall be known as the small forestland owner rules.

(2) Small forestland owners play a vital and distinct role from industrial forestland owners to manage and conserve Oregon's private forests. Small forestland owners often differ from large owners as to management goals and financial resources, and they also own a disproportionate share of lowland fish and wildlife habitat.

(3) Goals for this division include helping small forestland owners:

(a) Comply with the Forest Practices Act and rules;

(b) Meet the biological goals and objectives for aquatic resources;

(c) Practice standard harvest and road management rules;

(d) Implement minimum options;

(e) Use the forest conservation tax credit;

(f) Seek funding under the Small Forestland Investment in Stream Habitat program;

(g) Minimize the number of land-use conversions of timberlands to other uses; and

(h) Receive financial and educational support to encourage small forestland owners to follow the standard harvest and road management rules.

(4) The State Forester shall create a Small Forestland Owner Assistance Office, pursuant to section 19, chapter 33, Oregon Laws 2022. This office shall:

(a) Provide supporting services, including but not limited to:

(A) Verify landowner eligibility;

(B) Education, training, and outreach;

(C) Help small forestland owners with road condition assessments in OAR 629-625-0920 and written plans under ORS 527.670(10) and OAR 629-605-0170;

(D) Tracking, recording, reporting, and monitoring; and

(E) Regulatory and technical assistance.

(b) Manage the Small Forestland Investment in Stream Habitat Program Fund;

(c) Manage the forest conservation tax credit as described in OAR 629-607-0400 through OAR 629-607-0800;

(d) Manage fifth-field watershed calculations, and communicate status, limits, and availability over a one-year planning period (OAR 629-643-0140(4)); and

(e) Coordinate outreach efforts with agencies and partner organizations, including the Partnership for Forestry Education, to inform small forestland owners on the Small Forestland Investment in Stream Habitat Program, road condition assessments, the forest conservation tax credit, and other programs administered by the Small Forestland Owner Assistance Office.

Or. Admin. Code § 629-607-0000

DOF 7-2022, adopt filed 11/21/2022, effective 1/1/2024; DOF 1-2024, amend filed 01/03/2024, effective 1/3/2024

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 527.710, Section 17(1), Chapter 33, Oregon Laws 2022, Section 20, Chapter 33, Oregon Laws 2022 & Section 2(1), Chapter 33, Oregon Laws 2022

Statutes/Other Implemented: Section 2(2), Chapter 33, Oregon Laws 2022, Section 16(5), Chapter 33, Oregon Laws 2022 & Section 19(3), Chapter 33, Oregon Laws 2022