MEDIA ADVISORY
December 16, 2011
Public hearings on Forest Practices Board Proposed Rules
One rule about work with Tribes, other about bald eagle & peregrine falcon
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold two public hearings regarding proposed changes to state Forest Practices Rules. At each of the hearings, DNR will take public comment on all proposed rule changes.
| Who: | DNR Forest Practices Division |
| What: | Public Hearings on proposed state forest practices rule changes |
When & Where:
| January 3, 2012; 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Room 172
1111 Washington St SE, Olympia, WA 98504 January 5, 2012; 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
DNR Southeast Region Office
713 E Bowers, Ellensburg, WA 98926-9301 |
Why:
| The public is invited to comment of the proposed changes to various Washington State Administrative Codes (WACs), rules that guide activities on the private and state forest lands across Washington. |
Comment deadline is January 6, 2012
Send written comments to:
Patricia Anderson, FPB Rules Coordinator
Department of Natural Resources Forest Practices Division
PO Box 47012
Olympia, WA 98504-7012
Or E-mail: forest.practicesboard@dnr.wa.gov
Fax: 360.902.1428
For assistance for persons with disabilities contact:
Forest Practices Division
360.902.1400 or TDD: 360.902.1125
By December 20, 2011
Proposed changes
One proposed rule will amend the Forest Practices Board (Board) WAC 222-16-080, the Critical habitats (state) of threatened and endangered species to be consistent with other state laws. This rule making will reflect changes made to Washington Administrative Codes (WACs 232-12-014, 232-12-011, and 232-12-292) by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission. The Commission has removed the bald eagle from the state’s threatened and endangered species lists, following removal from the federal endangered species listing. The proposed rule change would remove the bald eagle and the peregrine falcon from the Forest Practices Board’s critical habitats (state) list.
This proposal also updates the common and scientific names for the Western pond turtle on the Board’s critical habitats list. Three North American scientific societies that deal with fish, reptile, and amphibian issues have changed the common and scientific names of the Western pond turtle.
The other rules proposal affects the Notice of Forest Practices to Affected Indian Tribes (WAC 222-20-120) and Western Washington riparian management zones (WAC 222-30-021). It clarifies language and resolves issues with landowner-tribe meeting requirements. This rule language was developed and supported by the Timber/Fish/Wildlife Cultural Resources Roundtable.
Forest Practices Board members will hear oral testimony at the hearings; hard copies of testimonies are appreciated.
Protecting the public’s natural resources
Along with the state land management roles, DNR administers the state Forest Practices Rules on 12 million acres of private and state-owned forest lands, regulates surface mining reclamation and forest debris burning and provides wildfire protection for 12.7 million acres of tribal, private, and state-owned forests.
DNR also offers technical assistance and education on a range of subjects, including forest stewardship, mining, geologic hazards, and rare plant species and ecosystems.
Media Contact: Jane Chavey, Senior Communications Manager, 360-902-1721 Jane.chavey@dnr.wa.gov
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