ID Department of Lands holding negotiated rulemaking for Forest Practice Act

Rules for harvesting timber near fish-bearing streams may soon be easier to understand thanks to planned negotiated rulemaking by the Idaho Department of Lands for rules regarding the Idaho Forest Practices Act.

Forestlandowners and members of the public are invited to participate.

The negotiations will be in consideration of proposed changes to two rules.

The first rule, implemented in 2014, was established to protect the shading of fish-bearing streams when timber is harvested.

A study from last year showed the rule was effective, according to a press release, but many consider the wording for the rule to be too complicated and leave room for error.

The Idaho Forest Practices Advisory Committee recommended language refining the definition of class one streams and simplifying the rule, according to the release. The goal of simplification is to make the rule easier to understand and increase compliance.

So far, according to the release, the rule verbiage has gone from about 492 words to 100.

The second rule relates to the use of ground-based equipment on steep slopes.

The rule change is suggested because technology use has changed, according to the release. Machinery on steep slopes is now being used while tethered to an anchor with a specialized winch to improve traction, thus reducing soil disturbance.

The existing rule does not allow for the new family of machines, according to the release, and modification is needed.

The rules will now go through a negotiated process with additional input. The following public meetings have been scheduled and the public may join in person, by telephone or by Zoom web conference:

• Wednesday, April 14, 2021, 6 - 8 p.m. (PT) Best Western Plus 477326 Highway 95 Ponderay, ID 83852.

• Thursday, April 22, 2021, 6 - 8 p.m. (PT) Best Western Plus 506 W Appleway Avenue Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814.