Forestry Riparian Easement Program
FREP Permanent Funding Source
The process has started to find a permanent funding source for the Forestry Riparian Easement Program. Updates from public meetings can be found on the FREP Permanent Funding Source. These meetings are held to initiate a conversation with relevant stakeholders on potential permanent funding sources for FREP. This process is required under ESHB 1509 and will result in a report to the legislature by May 31, 2012.
FREP Proposed Rule Making
The Forest Practices Board is proposing rule amendments to chapter 222-21 WAC, Forestry Riparian Easement Program (FREP). The proposal will modify the FREP rules according to recent changes in law. The proposed rules include changes in eligibility and compensation criteria, as well as clarifications throughout the chapter including clarifications related to documentation, application, and valuation. The Forest Practices Board will hold two public hearings to receive comments on this rule proposal. Click here to see the rule making hearing locations and start times along with the proposed rule changes.
FREP Overview
In 1974, the state of Washington began to require forested buffers along streams and rivers to protect water quality and wildlife habitat. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) was directed to develop Forest Practices Rules that define how forested riparian areas are to be managed. To provide protection over the long term, the riparian forest must be able to regenerate itself.
In 1999, the Washington State Legislature responded to the federal Endangered Species Act listing of several salmonid species by authorizing the Forest Practices Board to adopt rules for salmonid recovery. These rules increased the size of riparian buffers and created further measures to protect water quality and restore salmonid habitat. Recognizing that these rules would have a disproportionate impact on small forest landowners, provisions were included in the legislation to create a Forestry Riparian Easement Program to be managed by the Small Forest Landowner Office. The easement program acknowledges the importance of small forest landowners and the contributions they make to protect wildlife habitat and water quality.
The plant communities that form the transition between land and water comprise a riparian area that is essential to sustaining wildlife habitat and water quality. This interface between land and water is the most biologically diverse part of a watershed’s ecosystem. Salmon runs, bird and animal habitat, flood events, irrigation, timber production and recreational activities are all directly affected by activities in riparian zones.
The Forestry Riparian Easement Program compensates eligible small forest landowners in exchange for a 50-year easement on “qualifying timber.” This is the timber the landowner is required to leave unharvested as a result of forest practices rules protecting Washington’s forests and fish. Landowners cannot cut or remove the qualifying timber during the easement period. The landowner still owns the property and retains full access, but has “leased” the trees and their associated riparian function to the state.