Washington Department of Natural Resources, Forest Practices
is the place to go for rules, regulations, permits, and assistance in Washington.
All forest activities in Washington are regulated by the Forest Practices Act, Chapter 76.09 R.C.W. and the Stewardship of Nonindustrial Forests and Woodlands, Chapter 76.13 R.C.W.
The Forest Practice Rules establish standards for forest practices such as timber harvest, pre-commercial thinning, road construction, fertilization, and forest chemical application (Title 222 WAC).
The Forest Practices Board Manual is an advisory technical supplement to the Washington State forest practices rules. You can download the entire manual or just the section(s) that you need.
Forest Practices Illustrated, originally published as a book, is now available online explains the complex Washington State regulations in a more easily understood format than the Board Manual. The entire book can be downloaded or you may wish to choose only the chapter you need.
The Small Forest Landowner Office was set up to provide help to small forest landowners. After several years of being understaffed, a number of new employees have been added. To contact them, see this list.
An Unofficial Guide to Helping SFLO Alternate Plans Succeed
The Forest and Fish Agreement provides Alternate Plans to offset the disproportionate impact of the rules on small forest land owners. However getting an Alternate Plan approved can be very complex and intimidating, so few SFLOs take advantage of this opportunity. This unofficial document is intended to provide SFLOs with supplemental information to help you understand the process and offer some hypothetical examples of potential strategies to demonstrate riparian protections in your particular AP application.
Webinars
What's happening in the Lewis County Conservation District? A presentation to Lewis County Farm Forestry Association on March 15, 2022, by Kelly Verd and Kenna Fosnacht.
Current carbon opportunities (2022). A webinar presented to Washington Farm Forestry Association members on January 19, 2022, by John Henrikson and Ann Stinson. 1 hour, 30 minutes. Gives an overview of some of the carbon programs that have become increasingly available to small forest landowners in the last year.
Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP)and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). A webinar presented to Washington Farm Forestry Association members on January 11, 2022, by Keith Griswold and Misty Seabolt of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. 1 hour. For additional information, visit the web sites for EQIP and CSP. The presentation slides without audio are also available here for EQIP and CSP.
Learn about FREP (Forest Riparian Easement Program). A webinar sponsored by WFFA and presented by Washington DNR staff members Mary McDonald, Todd Olson and Dan Pomerenk on October 14, 2021. 1 hour, 36 minutes.
Introduction to forest practice rules and small forest landowner assistance. A webinar presented by Todd Olson at the WSU Forestry Extension 2021 Forest Owners' Winter School, February 27, 2021.