Forest Practices Board

The Forest Practices Board is an independent state agency chaired by the Commissioner of Public Lands or designee. The Forest Practices Board was established by the 1974 Forest Practices Act and the rules it adopts are implemented and enforced by the Department of Natural Resources.

Board Responsibilities

Adopting rules that set standards for forest practices such as timber harvests, pre-commercial thinning, road construction and forest chemical applications.
Providing a Forest Practices Board Manual as a technical supplement to the rules.

Board Management Duties

The Forest Practices Adaptive Management Program, which represents landowners, public agencies, the forest industry, environmental community and tribal governments. This program provides science-based recommendations and technical information to help the Board determine if and when it is necessary or advisable to adjust the rules and guidance for aquatic resources to achieve the goals and objectives of the Forests and Fish Report.

Two key Adaptive Management Program committees established by the Forest Practices Board are the:

Timber, Fish and Wildlife Policy Committee, which develops solutions to issues arising in the Forest Practices Program that implements the rules, and the
Cooperative Monitoring, Evaluation, and Research Committee, a multi-disciplinary body dedicated to advancing the science of adaptive management.

Roster

View the members of the board.

Statutory Authority

The 1974 Forest Practices Act grants the board its authority.

Contact

Contact forest.practicesboard@dnr.wa.gov with questions and comments.

Meetings

The Forest Practices Board holds public meetings on the second Wednesday of February, May, August and November. Special meetings may be called anytime by the chair or by a majority of the board. The Board's Business Reference Guide explains the Board's practices and procedures.

Detailed instructions on how to register for the Board meetings will be included below the upcoming agenda. Please read the instructions and attempt to join the webinar before 9 a.m. so that any technical difficulties can be addressed before the meeting begins.

The public comment registration process allows for in-person and remote comments. You need to register per the instructions whether you plan to comment in person or remotely. You will not be able to sign up in person the day of the Board meeting. The Board accepts comments on each action taken at the meeting and during the general comment period. All public comments will be limited to three minutes. Written testimony is equivalent to in-person testimony and may be submitted following the guidelines set out below.

Written testimony is equivalent to in-person testimony and may be submitted by email to: forest.practicesboard@dnr.wa.gov. In order to be timely in relaying comments via email to the Board, please submit your comments no later than noon the day before the regularly scheduled board meeting.

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View past meeting information.

2025 MEETINGS

Please note: All times on the agenda are estimates to assist in scheduling and may be changed subject to the business of the day and at the Chair’s discretion. The meeting will be recorded.