WAC 222-30-022 *Eastern Washington riparian management zones. For eastside forests, riparian management is intended to provide stand conditions that vary over time. It is designed to mimic eastside disturbance regimes within a range that meets functional conditions and maintains general forest health. These desired future conditions are a reference point on the pathway to restoration of riparian functions, not an end point of riparian stand development. These rules apply to all typed waters on forest land in Eastern Washington, except as provided in WAC 222-30-023. RMZs are measured horizontally from the outer edge of the bankfull width or channel migration zone, whichever is greater, and extend to the limits as described in the following section.

Eastern Washington RMZ for streams with bankfull width of less than or equal to 15 feet wide

Site Class	Total RMZ Width	Core Zone Width From outer edge of bankfull width or outer edge of CMZ, whichever is greater	Inner Zone Width	Outer Zone Width
I	130'	30'	45'	55'
II	110'	30'	45'	35'
III	90'	30'	45'	15'
IV	75'	30'	45'	0'
V	75'	30'	45'	0'

Eastern Washington RMZ for streams with bankfull width of greater than 15 feet wide

Site Class	Total RMZ Width	Core Zone Width From outer edge of bankfull width or outer edge of CMZ, whichever is greater	Inner Zone Width	Outer Zone Width
I	130'	30'	70'	30'
II	110'	30'	70'	10'
III	100'	30'	70'	0'
IV	100'	30'	70'	0'
V	100'	30'	70'	0'

аааа *(1) Eastern Washington RMZs on Type S and F Waters have three zones: The core zone is nearest to the edge of the bankfull width or outer edge of the CMZ, whichever is greater. The inner zone is the middle zone, and the outer zone is furthest from the water. Permitted forest practices vary by timber habitat type and site class.

аааа None of the limitations on harvest in each of the three zones listed below will preclude or limit the construction and maintenance of roads for the purpose of crossing streams in accordance with WAC 222-24-030 and 222-24-050, or the creation and use of yarding corridors in accordance with WAC 222-30-060(1).

аааа The shade requirements in WAC 222-30-040 must be met regardless of harvest opportunities provided in the inner zone RMZ rules. See the board manual, section 1.

аааа (a) Core zones. The core zone extends 30 feet measured horizontally from the edge of the bankfull width or outer edge of the CMZ, whichever is greater, for all timber habitat types. No harvest or construction is allowed in the core zone except as detailed in subsection (1) of this section. Any trees cut for or damaged by yarding corridors must be left on site. Any trees cut as a result of road construction to cross a stream may be removed from the site unless used as part of a large woody debris replacement strategy.

аааа (b) Inner zones. Width and leave tree requirements of the inner zone vary by timber habitat type as outlined below.

аааа (i) Ponderosa pine timber habitat type.

аааа (A) The width of the inner zone is 70 feet measured horizontally from the outer edge of the core zone on streams greater than 15 feet bankfull width or 45 feet measured horizontally from the outer edge of the core zone on streams with a bankfull width of 15 feet or less.

аааа (B) No harvest is allowed in the inner zone except as described in (b)(i)(C) or (D) of this subsection, and as allowed for stream crossings and yarding corridors as described above in subsection (1).

аааа (C) Stands with a high basal area: Harvest is permitted in the inner zone if the basal area in the inner zone is greater than 110 square feet per acre for conifer and hardwood trees equal to or greater than 6 inches dbh. The harvest must leave at least 50 trees per acre AND subject to (b)(i)(C)(III) of this subsection, a minimum leave tree basal area of at least 60 square feet per acre. The trees to be left shall be selected as follows:

аааа (I) The 21 largest trees per acre must be left; and

аааа (II) An additional 29 trees per acre that are 10-inch dbh or greater must be left. If there are less than 29 10-inch dbh or greater trees per acre, leave the 29 largest trees. If there are more than 29 10-inch dbh or greater trees per acre, leave 29 10-inch dbh or greater trees per acre based on the following priority order:

аааа Х Trees that provide shade to water;

аааа Х Trees that lean towards the water;

аааа Х Trees of the preferred species, as defined in WAC 222-16-010;

аааа Х Trees that are evenly distributed across the inner zone.

аааа (III) If more than 50 trees per acre are needed to meet the minimum leave tree basal area of 60 square feet per acre, then additional trees greater than 6-inch dbh must be left. If the minimum basal area cannot be met with fewer than 100 trees of at least 6 inches dbh, then no more than 100 trees per acre of the largest remaining trees will be required to be left regardless of the basal area.

аааа (D) Stands with low basal areas and high density: Thinning is permitted if the basal area of all species is less than 60 square feet per acre AND there are more than 100 trees per acre. The thinning must leave a minimum of 100 trees per acre. The trees to be left must be selected as follows:

аааа (I) The 50 largest trees per acre must be left; and

аааа (II) An additional 50 trees per acre that are greater than 6 inches dbh must be left. If there are not 50 6-inch dbh or greater trees per acre, then all 6-inch dbh or greater trees per acre must be left plus the largest remaining trees to equal 50 trees per acre. Select the additional 50 trees based on the following priority order:

аааа Х Trees that provide shade to water;

аааа Х Trees that lean towards the water;

аааа Х Trees of the preferred species, as defined in WAC 222-16-010;

аааа Х Trees that are evenly distributed across the inner zone.

аааа (E) To the extent down wood is available on site prior to harvest, at least twelve tons of down wood per acre must be left following harvest as follows:

аааа (I) Six pieces greater than 16 inches diameter and 20 feet in length; and

аааа (II) Four pieces greater than 6 inches in diameter and 20 feet in length.

аааа (III) Landowner/operator is not required to create down wood.

аааа (F) See stream-adjacent parallel roads for all timber habitat types in (iv) of this subsection if there is a stream-adjacent parallel road in this zone.

аааа (ii) Mixed conifer timber habitat type.

аааа (A) The width of the inner zone is 70 feet measured horizontally from the outer edge of the core zone on streams greater than 15 feet bankfull width or 45 feet measured horizontally from the outer edge of the core zone on streams with a bankfull width of 15 feet or less.

аааа (B) No harvest is allowed in the inner zone except as described in (b)(ii)(C) or (D) of this subsection, and as allowed for stream crossings and yarding corridors as described above in subsection (1).

аааа (C) Stands with a high basal area:

аааа (I) Harvest is permitted in the inner zone if the combined conifer and hardwood basal area for trees greater than 6 inches dbh is:

аааа Х Greater than 110 square feet per acre on low site indexes (site index less than 90); or

аааа Х Greater than 130 square feet per acre on medium site indexes (site index between 90 and 110); or

аааа Х Greater than 150 square feet per acre on high site indexes (site index greater than 110).

аааа (II) The harvest must leave at least 50 trees per acre AND a minimum leave tree basal area of at least:

аааа Х 70 square feet per acre on low site indexes; or

аааа Х 90 square feet per acre on medium site indexes; or

аааа Х 110 square feet per acre on high site indexes.

аааа (III) The trees to be left shall be selected as follows:

аааа Х The 21 largest trees per acre must be left; and

аааа Х An additional 29 trees per acre that are 10-inch dbh or greater must be left. If there are less than 29 10-inch dbh or greater trees per acre, leave the 29 largest trees. If there are more than 29 10-inch dbh or greater trees per acre, leave 29 10-inch dbh trees per acre based on the following priority order:

аааа Х Trees that provide shade to water;

аааа Х Trees that lean towards the water;

аааа Х Trees of the preferred species, as defined in WAC 222-16-010; or

аааа Х Trees that are evenly distributed across the inner zone.

аааа Х If more than 50 trees per acre are needed to meet the minimum leave tree basal area for the site index in (b)(ii)(C)(II) of this subsection, then additional trees greater than 6 inches dbh must be left. If the minimum basal area cannot be met with fewer than 100 trees at least 6 inches dbh, then no more than 100 trees per acre of the largest remaining trees will be required to be left regardless of the basal area.

аааа (D) Stands with low basal areas and high density: Thinning is permitted if the basal area of all species is less than the minimum requirements for the site index in (b)(ii)(C)(II) of this subsection AND there are more than 120 trees per acre. The thinning must leave a minimum of 120 trees per acre. The trees to be left shall be selected as follows:

аааа (I) The 50 largest trees per acre must be left; and

аааа (II) An additional 70 trees per acre greater than 6 inches dbh must be left. If there are not 70 6-inch dbh or greater trees per acre, then all 6-inch dbh or greater trees per acre must be left plus the largest remaining trees to equal 70 trees per acre. Select the additional 70 trees based on the following priority order:

аааа Х Trees that provide shade to water;

аааа Х Trees that lean towards the water;

аааа Х Trees of the preferred species, as defined in WAC 222-16-010; or

аааа Х Trees that are evenly distributed across the inner zone.

аааа (E) To the extent down wood is available on site prior to harvest, 20 tons of down wood per acre is required to be left following harvest as follows:

аааа (I) 8 pieces greater than 16 inches diameter and 20 feet in length; and

аааа (II) 8 pieces greater than 6 inches in diameter and 20 feet in length.

аааа (III) Landowner/operator is not required to create down wood.

аааа (F) See stream-adjacent parallel roads for all timber habitat types in (iv) of this subsection if there is a parallel road in this zone.

аааа (iii) High elevation timber habitat type.

аааа (A) The width of the inner zone is 45 feet measured horizontally from the outer edge of the core zone on streams equal to or less than 15 feet bankfull width or 70 feet measured horizontally from the outer edge of the core zone on streams with a bankfull width of greater than 15 feet.

аааа (B) Follow stand requirements for Western Washington riparian management zones, WAC 222-30-021 (1)(b).

Note:

Option 2 is not permitted for eastside use, because of the minimum floor (100') constraint.

аааа (C) To the extent down wood is available prior to harvest, 30 tons per acre of down wood per acre must be left following harvest as follows:

аааа (I) 8 pieces greater than 16 inches diameter and 20 feet in length; and

аааа (II) 8 pieces greater than 6 inches in diameter and 20 feet in length.

аааа (III) Landowner/operator is not required to create down wood.

аааа (D) See stream-adjacent parallel roads for all timber habitat types in (iv) of this subsection if there is a parallel road in this zone.

аааа (iv) Stream-adjacent parallel roads for all timber habitat types in the inner zone. The shade rule, WAC 222-30-040, must be met whether or not the inner zone includes a stream-adjacent parallel road. Where a stream-adjacent parallel road exists in the inner zone and the minimum required basal area cannot be met due to the presence of the road, then the location of the road determines the allowable operations as follows:

аааа (A) For streams with a bankfull width that is greater than 15 feet:

аааа (I) If the edge of the road closest to the stream is 75 feet or more from the outer edge of bankfull width of the stream or outer edge of CMZ, whichever is greater, no harvest is permitted in the inner zone. This includes trees within the inner zone on the uphill side of the road.

аааа (II) No harvest is permitted within the inner zone on the streamside of the road. If the edge of the road closest to the stream is less than 75 feet from the outer edge of bankfull width of the stream or outer edge of CMZ, whichever is greater then:

аааа Х Additional leave trees equal in total basal area to the trees lost due to the road must be left near the streams in or adjacent to the unit to be harvested; (See the board manual section 7.)

аааа Х Where the additional leave trees providing fish habitat for water quality function are determined to be not available or not practical by the department, landowners and operators will employ site specific management activities to replace lost riparian functions that may include placement of large woody debris in streams. (See the board manual section 7.)

аааа (B) For streams with a bankfull width less than 15 feet:

аааа (I) If the edge of the road closest to the stream is 50 feet or more from the outer edge of bankfull width or outer edge of CMZ, whichever is greater, no harvest is permitted in the inner zone. This includes trees within the inner zone on the uphill side of the road.

аааа (II) No harvest is permitted within the inner zone on the stream side of the road. If the edge of the road closest to the stream is less than 50 feet from the bankfull width or CMZ, whichever is greater then:

аааа Х Additional leave trees equal in total basal area to the trees lost due to the road must be left near the streams in or adjacent to the unit to be harvested. (See the board manual section 7.)

аааа Х Where the additional leave trees providing fish habitat for water quality function are determined to be not available or not practical by the department, landowners and operators will employ site specific management activities to replace lost riparian functions that may include placement of large woody debris in streams. (See the board manual section 7.)

аааа (C) Wildlife reserve trees. Leave all wildlife reserve trees within the inner zone of the riparian management zone where operations in the vicinity do not violate the safety regulations (chapter 296-54 WAC and chapter 49-17 RCW administered by the department of labor and industries, safety division). Live wildlife reserve trees will contribute to the basal area requirements for inner zone leave trees and to leave tree counts if they are among the 21 largest trees per acre; or meet the requirement of an additional 29 leave trees per acre as per (E) above.

аааа (c) Outer zones. This zone has three categories based on timber habitat type: Ponderosa pine, mixed conifer and high elevation. The width of this zone is 0 to 55 feet measured horizontally from the outer edge of the inner zone depending on the site class and stream width. (See WAC 222-16-010 definition of "RMZ outer zone.")

аааа (i) Tree counts that must be left per acre, regardless of the presence of an existing stream-adjacent parallel road in the zone, are:

аааа (A) Ponderosa pine habitat type - 10 dominant or codominant trees.

аааа (B) Mixed conifer habitat type - 15 dominant or codominant trees.

аааа (C) High elevation habitat type - See requirements for Western Washington RMZs in WAC 222-30-021 (1)(c).

аааа (ii) Outer zone leave tree requirements in section (i) above may be reduced to 5 trees per acre in the ponderosa pine zone, 8 trees per acre in the mixed forest habitat type and 10 trees per acre in the high elevation habitat type, if the landowner voluntarily implements a LWD placement plan consistent with board manual section 26. If this strategy is chosen, a complete forest practices application must include a copy of the WDFW-approved hydraulics project approval (HPA) permit.

аааа *(2) Eastern Washington protection along Type Np and Ns Waters.

аааа (a) An equipment limitation zone is a 30-foot wide zone measured horizontally from the outer edge of bankfull width of a Type Np or Ns Water where equipment is limited. It applies to all perennial and seasonal streams.

аааа (i) On-site mitigation is required if any of the following activities exposes the soil more than 10% of the surface area of the zone:

аааа (A) Ground based equipment;

аааа (B) Skid trails;

аааа (C) Stream crossings (other than existing roads); or

аааа (D) Cabled logs that are partially suspended.

аааа (ii) Mitigation must be designed to replace the equivalent of lost functions, especially prevention of sediment delivery. Examples include water bars, grass seeding, mulching, etc.

аааа (iii) Nothing in this subsection (2) reduces or eliminates the department's authority to prevent actual or potential material damage to public resources under WAC 222-46-030 or 222-46-040 or any related authority to condition forest practices notifications or applications.

аааа (b) Type Np Waters.

аааа Within 50 horizontal feet of the outer edge of bankfull width of the stream, the landowner must identify either a partial cut and/or clearcut strategy for each unit to be harvested:

аааа Once approved by the department, the selected strategy will remain in effect until July 1, 2051. If a landowner transfers title of the harvest unit, the landowner must provide written notice of this continuing obligation to the new owner and send a copy to the department. See WAC 222-20-055.

аааа (i) For partial cuts:

аааа (A) Basal areas requirements are the same as those specified for the timber habitat type in the Eastern Washington RMZ inner zone.

аааа (B) Where a stream-adjacent parallel road exists, the basal area required in (A) of this subsection is required to be left. (See stream-adjacent parallel roads for Type Np Waters in (c) below.)

аааа (C) The trees to be included in the basal area determination and left after harvest must include:

аааа (I) The 10 largest trees per acre;

аааа (II) Up to an additional 40 trees per acre greater than or equal to 10 inches dbh must be left. If all or some of the trees are not at least 10 inches dbh, then the largest of the remaining trees must be left. Select trees based on the following priority order:

аааа Х Provide streambank stability;

аааа Х Provide shade to water;

аааа Х Lean towards the water;

аааа Х Preferred species, as defined in WAC 222-16-010; or

аааа Х Evenly distributed; and

аааа If the basal area target has not been met with the trees required above, up to an additional 50 trees are required greater than 6 inches in dbh based on the above priority order.

аааа (D) Side slope seeps must be protected with a 50-foot partial cut buffer that meets the basal area and leave tree requirements of (A), (B), and (C) above. The buffer shall be measured from the outer perimeter of the perennially saturated soil zone.

аааа (ii) For clearcuts:

аааа When the clearcut strategy in this subsection is selected, the landowner must simultaneously designate a 2-sided no-harvest 50-foot buffer along the stream reach in the harvest unit that:

аааа (A) Is equal in total length to the clearcut portion of the stream reach in the harvest unit; and

аааа (B) Meets the upper end of basal area requirements for each respective timber habitat type in the Eastern Washington RMZ inner zone. See WAC 222-30-022 (1)(b)(i), (ii) or (iii).

аааа (C) The streamside boundary of all clearcuts must:

аааа (I) Not exceed in total 30% of the length of the stream reach in the harvest unit;

аааа (II) Not exceed 300 continuous feet in length;

аааа (III) Not be located within 500 feet of the intersection of a Type S or F Water; and

аааа (IV) Not occur within 50 feet of the following sensitive sites as defined in WAC 222-16-010:

аааа Х The outer perimeter of a soil zone perennially saturated from a headwall seep;

аааа Х The outer perimeter of a soil zone perennially saturated from a side-slope seep;

аааа Х The center of a headwater spring;

аааа Х An alluvial fan;

аааа Х The center point of intersection of two or more Type Np Waters.

аааа (c) Stream-adjacent parallel roads for Type Np Waters. If a road exists in a Type Np RMZ and the basal area required to be left cannot be met within 50 feet of the outer edge of bankfull width of the stream measured horizontally due to the presence of the road, then the distance of the road to the stream determines the allowable operations as follows:

аааа (i) A road that is within 30 to 49 feet measured horizontally from the outer edge of bankfull width of the stream requires:

аааа (A) A total of 100 feet of riparian management zone measured horizontally (both sides of the stream count towards the total) must be left in a manner to provide maximum functions for nonfish use streams. If harvest is taking place on only one side of the stream, then 50 feet of RMZ width must be left, regardless of presence of a stream-adjacent parallel road. The width of the road is not counted as part of the total width of the RMZ.

аааа (B) The location of the riparian management zone required in (A) of this subsection shall be based on the following priority order:

аааа (I) Preferred: The area between the stream and the stream side edge of the road.

аааа (II) The area that provides the most shade to the channel.

аааа (III) The area that is most likely to deliver large woody debris to the channel.

аааа (ii) A road that is within less than 30 feet from the outer edge of bankfull width of the stream measured horizontally requires, in addition to (c)(i)(A) and (B) of this subsection, that all trees between the stream and the streamside edge of the road must be left.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 76.09.040. 05-12-119, з 222-30-022, filed 5/31/05, effective 7/1/05. Statutory Authority: Chapter 34.05 RCW, RCW 76.09.040, [76.09.]050,[76.09.]370 , 76.13.120(9). 01-12-042, з 222-30-022, filed 5/30/01, effective 7/1/01.]