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Jefferson County
Board of County Commissioners
P.O. Box 1220
Port Townsend, Washington 98368
. Phone (206) 385·9100
LARRY W, DENNISON, DISTRICT 1 B.G, BROWN, DISTRICT 2
GEORGE C. BROWN, DISTRICT 3
JEFFERSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
NATIONAL HISTORiC SITE
PORT TOWNSEND, WASHINGTON
IN THE MATTER OF )
INTERIM (April 9, 1990)
Jefferson County )
Timber Conversion)
Policy )
RESOLUTION NO. 37-90
WHEREAS, the forest products industry is a major component of
the local economy; and
WHEREAS, the continual supply of timber resources is essential
to maintain this sector of the local economy; and
WHEREAS, the population of Jefferson County continues to grow
and the conversion of land from forest uses to non-forest uses is
necessary to accommodate this population; and
WHEREAS, the Washington State Legislature has delegated,
pursuant to the Forest Practices Act (RCW 76.09), land-use
responsibility to reforest harvested areas, unless said harvest was
identified to be for a conversion to a non-forest use; and
WHEREAS, typically land cut with the intent to reforest lS
clear-cut; and
WHEREAS, clear-cut land
than partial cut land due
environment factors; and
has less va]ue for non-forest uses
to aesthetic and other quality of
WHEREAS, the reforestation of clear-cut properties or the
partial cut of properties to be converted has many beneficial
effects including reduced soil erosion, promotion of beneficial
plant species, maintenance of wildlife habitat, preservation of
future resource management opportunities, and enhanced aesthetic
value;
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NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the following policy and
administrative procedures (Attachment A) will be utilized by
Jefferson County in review of Class IV Forest Practice Permi ts
forthe conversion of land to non-forest uses, and to enforce
thereforestation requirements of the Forest Practices Act (Chapter
76,09 RCW) for properties which were cut without the express intent
to be converted, Class I, II, and III Forest Practices.
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ADOPTED THIS ",<It.J!)
DAY OF
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, 1990,
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George C.
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Member
ATTEST:
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B, G. Brown, Member
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ATTACHMENT A
INTERIM TIMBER CONVERSION POLICY
AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
JEFFERSON COUNTY RESOLUTION NO. 37-90
I. INTERIM TIMBER CONVERSION POLICY
Jefferson County wishes to conserve viable forest lands to insure a
continual supply of forest resources in order to: (1) protect the
forest products and resource production sector of the local economy;
(2) protect and maintain wildlife habitats; (3) maintain the aesthetic
value of real property; (4) preserve use options for future
landowners; and, (5) maintain the character of Jefferson County. At
the same the, the population of the community is growing and Jefferson
County recognizes that certain lands, because of their location,
should and will be converted form forest to non-forest uses to
accommodate this growth,
In order that the harvesting of forest products may proceed in a
timely fashion, that lands harvested are reforested, and that the off-
site impacts of lands to be converted are addressed prior to harvest,
the following administrative procedures will apply to Jefferson
County's review and approval of forest practice permits.
II. CLASS I, II, AND III FOREST PRACTICES
Reforestation Requirements: Class I, II, and III Forest Practices
require reforestation of harvested lands where more than 50% of the
timber is removed by selective harvest or where the type of harvest
is clear cut.
The Forest Practices Act (RCW 76.09,060) provides that lands harvested
under a Class I, II, or III permit may be subject to a six year
moratorium imposed by local government for the issuance of any
permit, in the event the land is converted to a non-forestry use.
Policy: Lands harvested and not reforested under a Class I, II, or
III permit and which are being converted to non-forest uses shall
have all local permits withheld for a period of six years. This
moratorium shall run with the land and be duly noted in the public
record. For the purpose of implementing this policy, the conversion
of land to non-forest uses shall mean the subdivision of land or the
preparation of land for subdivision or construction.
Should a land owner wish to remove the moratorium or convert the
land to non-forest uses, the land owner shall:
Revised 4/9/90
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Jefferson County Timber Conversion Policy
1. Reforest the land as prescribed by the Department of Natural
Resources. Said reforestation shall be by planting and not by
natural regeneration, unless the Department verifies that
natural regeneration has already occurred to such an extent
that planting is not necessary; and
2, Submits and has approved a Conversion Harvest Plan as is
provided for in Class IV Conversions. The approval of said
plan may include conditions and improvement requirements to
control erosion, protect or enhance environmentally sensitive
areas, provide visual screening, or other conditions which are
intended to reduce impacts to the environment or the area where
the land is located.
The removal of any such moratorium shall only be lifted when the
requirements and objectives of the Timber Conversation Policy are met.
III. CLASS IV FOREST PRACTICES
Applicability: The provisions of this section shall apply to all Class
IV FOrest Practices for conversion to non-forest uses, except where
said conversion occurs as a result of review and approval of a
subdivision; the issuance of a certificate of compliance of multi-
family, commercial or industrial development; or for the creation of
pasture lands, crop lands, or similar agricultural uses.
Conversion to Non-Forestry Uses: The conversion of land to non-
forestry uses shall mean the subdivision of property or the
preparation of property for subdivisional purposes, or any activity
or preparation for any activity which would be incompatible with
forest management, included but not limited to residential, commercial,
or industrial activities,
Conversion Harvest Plan: In addition to the forest practices
application, the applicant shall prepare and submit to Jefferson
County a Conversion harvest Plan for review and approval, Said plan
shall consist of a questionnaire and a site plan, as provided for by
Jefferson County (see appendix),
The purpose of the Conversion Harvest Plan is to address specific
environmental and land use questions; and may not necessarily
require extensive environmental review as provided for by the State
Environmental Policy Act (SEPA).
Retention and Reforestation: The harvesting of lands in preparation
for conversion can result in excessive run off and soil erosion,
impacts to wetlands, or similar environmentally sensitive areas,
elimination of critical wildlife habitats and result in sites that are
aesthetically unpleasant thereby affecting the real property value of
the property being converted. Revised 4/9/90
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Jefferson County Timber Conversion Policy
In order to mitigate these impacts, the Conversion Harvest Plan shall
provide for the retention of merchantable tree species (merchantable
shall mean any tree species with a diameter of eight (8) inches or
greater at chest (5 feet) height) as follows:
1. A fifty (50) foot minimum buffer along all public and private road
rights-of-way. This buffer may be selectively harvested, but
shall be of sufficient quality and quantity to reduce blow down;
2. A fifty (50) foot minimum buffer around all wetland boundaries
including lakes and streams. This buffer may be selectively
harvested, but shall be of sufficient quality and quantity to
reduce blow down;
3. Selective harvest only on slopes in excess of 15 percent.
Slopes in excess of 15 percent shall only be selectively
harvested. Remaining tree stands shall be of sufficient quality
and quantity to reduce blow down;
4. Retention of tree species so the interior of the property
harvested does not give the appearance of a clear cut.
-OR-
If, in the op~n~on of the Department of Natural Resources, this
retention is impractical or will result in excessive blow down or not
achieve the purposes stated for this retention, then the parcel can
be 100 percent clear cut, PROVIDED, the parcel is replanted as
prescribed in the rules for reforestation.
Effect of Conversion Harvest Plan Approval: Approval of a Conversion
harvest Plan consistent with the above referenced criteria may
preclude the necessity of formal environmental review pursuant to the
provisions of the Washington State Environmental Policy Act (RCW
43.21C).
In the event the provisions of an approved harvest plan are not
carried out, the property is subject to a six year moratorium on the
issuance of any development permit. (RCW 76.09.060)
IV. ADMINISTRATION
Class I, II, or III Permits: The Department of Natural Resources shall
notify Jefferson County of all timber harvest operations where
replanting has not occurred within three years or where in their
judgment conversion is or is anticipated to take place. Jefferson
County shall notify the land owner of this policy and shall impose the
moratorium. The land owner may appeal the imposition of the
moratorium within thirty (30) days from the date of written notification
to the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners. The land owner shall
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Jefferson County Timber Conversion Policy
carry the burden of proof to prove that the moratorium was imposed
improperly and that the land is not undergoing conversion and that
reforestation has taken place,
Class IV Permits: The Department of Natural Resources shall provide
applicants for Class IV Conversions the Conversion harvest Plan
questionnaire and site plan form. Jefferson County will not consider
the Forest Practices Application complete unless accompanied by the
Conversion Harvest Plan. Applications for a Class IV Forest Practice
which are based on the approval of a subdivision or the issuance of
a certificate of compliance shall include a copy of the approval with
the application. Prior subdivision or project approval negates the
requirement for a conversion harvest plan,
Classified or Designated Timber Taxation Program: Lands removed from
the classified or designated timber taxation program shall be notified
of this policy.
Revised 4/9/90
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APPENDIX
CONVERSION HARVEST PLAN
Applications for the conversion of land to non-forest uses, Class IV Forest
Practices, in Jefferson County shall include a Conversion Harvest Plan.
A Conversion Harvest Plan shall consist of a site plan and Conversion
Harvest Plan questionnaire. In lieu of a Conversion Harvest Plan, the
application for a Class IV Forest Practice shall be accompanied by an
Environmental Checklist.
Conversion Harvest Site Plan
The site plan shall include the following elements as may be appropriate:
1. Approximate location of temporary and permanent road access points;
2. Property boundaries and adjacent land uses;
3. Public and private roads adjacent to property;
4. Marshes, bogs, ponds, swamps, and similar wetlands;
5. Areas subject to flooding;
6. Slopes in excess of 15 percent;
7. Unstable soils or landslide areas;
8. Steams, creeks, and major drainages;
9. Proposed buffers and/or leave areas.
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CONVERSION HARVEST PLAN QUESTIONNAIRE
Property Owner Name:
Address:
Telephone:
Applicant Name (If Different From Owner):
Address:
Telephone:
Location of Property:
Section
Township
North Range
WM
Is the conversion to be incorporated into an existing development?
Yes No
If yes, give name:
Proposed conversion:
Residential: Commercial:
Other (Please identify):
Industrial:
Describe the post harvest use of the property:
Harvest technique and appearance:
Clearcut 100%
Clearcut _%, Selective Cut _%
Selective Cut _%
Partial Cut, Clear Cut Some Areas, Leaving Others
Other (please specify):
Will buffers and/or leave areas be maintained?
If yes, where?
Along property boundaries
Adjacent to roadways
Adjacent to wetlands
Sporadically throughout the site
Yes
No
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Conversion Harvest Plan Questionnaire
Slope:
Does the site contain slopes in excess of 15%:
Yes
No
Do you intent to harvest on these slopes?
Yes
--
No
If yes, method of harvest:
Clear cut Selective
Other (please identify):
Wetlands:
Are there any marshes, bogs, ponds, swamps, or similar wetlands on the
property? Yes No
If yes, will harvesting take place within 50 feet of the wetland?
Yes No
If yes, method of harvest:
Clearcut Selective
Other (please identify):
Roads:
Are there any public or private roads adjacent to the property?
Yes No
If yes, is harvesting planned within 50 feet of these roadways?
Yes No
If yes, method of harvest:
Clearcut Selective
Other (please identify):
Adjacent Land Use:
Is the property adjacent to the harvest area currently developed?
Yes No
If yes, how close to the harvest area is the nearest structure?
Feet
Is harvesting going to occur within 50 feet of property boundaries?
Yes No
If yes, method of harvest:
Clearcut Selective
Other (please identify):
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