(1) Trees may be cut and removed subject to the following limitations:
(a) Significant trees: Except in emergencies and when feasible, significant trees in any area under the jurisdiction and/or management of the commission shall be removed only after they have been evaluated, rated, appraised and marked by a professional forester, certified arborist, or staff member trained in agency-approved tree risk rating and abatement techniques. In addition, except where deemed an emergency tree, or in the event of wildfire, weather, or other natural emergencies, significant trees can be cut or removed only after compliance with (d) of this subsection and subsection (4) of this section, agency review through the tree activity worksheet process and upon the written approval of the director or the designee of the director.
(b) Emergency trees: The park manager or designee trained in tree risk rating and abatement techniques as prescribed by the agency forester or certified arborist is authorized to immediately close the target area, and where the target cannot be relocated, cut or remove the emergency tree.
(c) Worksheet: The cutting or removal of any significant trees in landscapes classified recreation, heritage, or resource recreation by the commission shall, except in the case of emergency trees, occur only after agency review through the tree activity worksheet process and the written approval of the director or designee.
(d) Consultation: The cutting or removal of any significant trees in a natural area, natural forest area or natural area preserve shall, except in the case of emergency trees, be approved only by the director or designee and only after consultation with the Washington department of fish and wildlife and the department of natural resources Washington natural heritage program, the preparation of a resource conservation plan for affected natural resources, and a public hearing in the county/counties in which the cutting or removal is to take place.
(2)
Native plants, fungi, and dead organic matter: The cutting or removal of natural resources, other than trees or those specified in WAC
352-32-350,
352-28-030 and
352-28-040, will only occur as a part of a resource conservation plan approved by the director or designee.
(3) Protected species: Natural resources may be cut and/or removed from areas supporting protected species, or for the purposes of enhancing habitat for protected species, under the following conditions:
(a) The cutting or removal of natural resources in any area known to be inhabited by endangered, threatened, or sensitive species shall, except in emergencies as defined in subsection (1)(b) of this section, follow requirements of the department of fish and wildlife and of the department of natural resources Washington natural heritage program and be approved only by the director or designee after consultation with those agencies, and the preparation of a mitigation plan for affected species.
(b) The cutting or removal of natural resources to enhance the habitat of a sensitive, threatened, or endangered species as defined in WAC
352-28-005, on lands managed by the commission or on other state lands, will only occur as a part of an interagency agreement or resource conservation plan that involves consultation with the Washington department of fish and wildlife, department of natural resources Washington natural heritage program, and as appropriate, other agencies and groups with expertise with these species, and is approved by the director or designee.
(4)
Land classification (chapter 352-16 WAC) criteria: Natural resources may be cut and/or removed from the areas listed below for the following reasons only:
(a) Natural area preserves:
(i) Maintenance or construction of service roads, boundary fences, or trails, or modification of conditions only as may be required, and only where necessary, to meet park management goals and mitigated in a resource conservation plan that involves consultation with the department of natural resources Washington natural heritage program, and as appropriate other agencies and is approved by the director or the designee of the director.
(ii) Maintain or restore a native plant community, species population, or ecological process as specified in a natural area preserve management plan prepared in consultation with the department of natural resources Washington natural heritage program.
(iii) Correction of conditions hazardous to persons, properties, and/or facilities on or adjacent to park land.
(iv) Control of diseases and insect infestations where adjacent lands are severely jeopardized or where a drastic alteration of the natural environment is expected to occur, after consultation with the department of natural resources Washington natural heritage program and other agencies and groups with expertise in ecosystem health as deemed appropriate by the director.
(v) Prevent the deterioration or loss of or facilitate the restoration of historical/cultural resources.
(vi) Maintenance or construction of fire lanes for abatement of fires.
(vii) Collection of specimens as specified in WAC
352-28-040, including consultation with the department of natural resources Washington natural heritage program.
(b) Natural areas and natural forest areas:
(i) Maintenance or construction of boundary fences, trails, trail structures, trail head facilities, interpretive sites, utility easements, or service roads only as may be required, and only where absolutely necessary to meet park management goals and mitigated in a resource conservation plan that involves consultation with the department of natural resources Washington natural heritage program, and as appropriate other agencies and is approved by the director or the designee of the director.
(ii) Maintain or restore a native plant community, species population, or ecological process as specified in a natural resource conservation plan prepared in consultation with the department of natural resources Washington natural heritage program, and as appropriate other agencies.
(iii) Correction of conditions hazardous to persons, properties, and/or facilities on or adjacent to park land.
(iv) Control of diseases and insect infestations where adjacent lands are severely jeopardized or where a drastic alteration of the natural environment is expected to occur, after consultation with the department of natural resources Washington natural heritage program and other agencies and groups with expertise in ecosystem health as deemed appropriate by the director or the designee of the director.
(v) Prevent the deterioration or loss of or facilitate the restoration of historical/cultural resources.
(vi) Maintenance or construction of fire lanes for abatement of fires.
(vii) Collection of edibles as specified in WAC
352-28-030 or specimens as specified in WAC
352-28-040.
(c) Recreation areas, resource recreation areas, and heritage areas:
(i) Area clearing necessary for park maintenance, and/or park development projects for day use and overnight recreation facilities, road and utility easements, and administrative facilities.
(ii) Correction of conditions hazardous to persons, properties, and/or facilities on or adjacent to park land.
(iii) Cleanup of trees fallen, tipped, or damaged by the weather, fire, or other natural causes where they directly interfere with park management activities.
(iv) Creation of diverse native trees and other plants, coarse woody debris, and fungi sizes, ages, and species to achieve visual aspects that resemble a formal landscape, natural or historical setting, or to improve wildlife habitat.
(v) Maintenance or creation of a regenerating natural environment that will sustain low ground cover, shrubs, and understory and overstory trees to provide screening, wind, and sun protection.
(vi) Control of diseases and insect infestations where adjacent lands are severely jeopardized or where a drastic alteration of the natural environment is expected to occur.
(vii) Prevent the deterioration or loss of historical/cultural resources.
(viii) Maintenance or construction of fire lanes for abatement of fires.
(ix) Modification of conditions to maintain or restore a desired plant community, species population, or ecological process.
(x) Collection of edibles as specified in WAC
352-28-030 or specimens as specified in WAC
352-28-040.
(5) Use of fallen trees: When feasible, fallen trees shall be left on the ground when deemed environmentally beneficial or used for park purposes such as, but not limited to, approved building projects, trail mulching, and firewood, or where the tree has no economic values contributed to a state managed resource conservation effort. In natural area preserves, natural forest areas, natural areas, and resource recreation areas first consideration shall be given to leaving trees on the ground for natural purposes.
(6) Parks use: Subject to the guidelines of this section, the commission may authorize the use of natural resources within recreation areas, resource recreation areas, and heritage areas for park purposes.
