Timber management is regulated under the Forest Practices Act (Chapter 76.09 RCW), which was enacted by the State Legislature in 1974 to protect public resources while maintaining a viable forest products industry. Soon after, the Forest Practices Rules (FPR), WAC Title 222, was developed to implement the objectives in the Forest Practices Act.

Since 1974, the State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has regulated timber management and the harvest of merchantable timber through the FPR based on the type of forest practice application (FPA) or “class.”

In general, the harvesting of trees from parcels over two acres in size is subject to a forest practice application (FPA) from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources regardless of the zoning district or if the parcel is enrolled in a timber taxing program. An FPA is required for the removal of 5,000 board feet or more of merchantable timber. This is the equivalent of approximately one standard log truck load of logs. DNR manages long-term forest lands, which are typically exempt from local government regulations, but would be subject to a six-year development moratorium and reforestation requirements.

In 1997, the Forest Practice Act was amended to give local government the authority to regulate forest lands that have a likelihood of converting to uses incompatible with growing trees (including the placement of a single-family residence and appurtenances). This provides local jurisdictions the ability to ensure that their code requirements are met for areas that transition from forestry to nonforestry uses.

This chapter provides procedures and additional options for the transition from forestry to nonforestry use. This includes establishing the process to lift the six-year development moratorium, and provides standards for a conversion option harvest plan (COHP), which is a plan voluntarily developed by the landowner and reviewed by the County. Once approved by the County, a COHP creates enforceable rights and obligations, including additional options for the issuance of development permits within six years of timber harvest.