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Permit Handbook -> Land Resource Permits -> Forest Practices Permit |
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Forest Practices Permit
What is the Purpose of this Permit?
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regulates forest practices on private and state forest land. A permit is not required for every forest practice, but the forest practices rules must still be followed. Some counties and cities issue permits for forest practices that convert forest land to other uses. In these counties and cities, a DNR permit is not required. The counties are: Clark, King, Mason, Pierce, Thurston, and Spokane. The cities are Arlington, Bonney Lake, Everett, Federal Way, Lacey, Mill Creek, Monroe, Olympia, Port Townsend, Tumwater, and University Place.
Who issues this Permit?
Department of Natural Resources
What Activities Require this Permit?
Forest Practices that may require a permit include: harvesting timber, salvaging standing and down wood, constructing forest roads, opening or expanding a rock pit on forest land for forestry use, installing and replacing water crossings on forest roads, and applying forest chemicals with an aircraft.
How Much Will this Permit Cost?
Fees vary between $0 and $1500 depending on activity (see notes). The DNR application fee is due at the time of application. Make the check payable to "Department of Natural Resources".
Where Can I Get the Application for this Permit?
The application which is called 'Forest Practices Application/Notification', is online and can be downloaded at http://www.dnr.wa.gov/BusinessPermits/ForestPractices/Pages/Home.aspx.
Do I Need to Include Anything with my Application?
The requirements are detailed in the DNR's forest practices application instructions available on the website http://www.dnr.wa.gov/forestpractices/. Applicants should read the instructions as they fill out the forms. The forest landowner, timber owner and operator must each sign the application/notification.
Is the Decision on my Permit Dependent on Anything Besides the Information in my Application?
Circumstances requiring special resource protection, such as unstable soils, threatened or endangered species, archaeological or historic sites, water quality protection and special prescriptions for sensitive areas within a watershed analysis unit may affect the permit decision. The forest practices application also serves as an application to the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife for an HPA.
How Long Will it Take to Review my Application?
The DNR has 30 calendar days to approve, approve with conditions, or deny 3 year forest practices applications (standard) and 45 calendar days for 4-15 year applications. Applicants may apply for a 4-5 year permit (multi-year) if they have an approved alternate plan, are working on an approved road maintenance and abandonment plan, or are using approved watershed analysis prescriptions. Small forest landowners may apply for a long-term application for a 4-15 year period. DNR has more than 30 days to review applications that require Environmental Impact Statements.Where do I Submit my Application?
Applications are received at the region office and reviewed for completeness. The region office scans complete applications on the DNR's Forest Practices Review System (FPARS) Applications are posted on the internet and available to registered reviewers. Reviewers include the departments of Ecology, Fish and Wildlife, the county/city/town, and affected Indian tribes.
How Long is my Permit Valid?
Standard is 3 years. Multi-year permits are valid for 4-5 years. Either may be renewed for one additional three year period if the proposal has not changed, there are no outstanding enforcement issues, and the rules and laws affecting the proposal have not changed.
What is the Appeal Process for the Permit?
Appeals must be received by the Pollution Control Hearings Board within 30 days of the approval or denial of the application. See the following website for more information on appeals: Environmental and Land Use Hearings Office.
Notes / Comments:
Forest Practices fees are charged only if timber harvesting is proposed, including salvage of snags, down wood, dying trees, or stumps. Make checks payable to "Department of Natural Resources."The fee is $150 for harvesting timber, salvaging wood, or selling wood and you are not converting the land to a use incompatible with growing timber.
The fee is $150 for renewing an approved application or notification.
The fee is $100 for small forest landowners that have harvested no more than an average volume of two million board feet per year during the previous three years, AND if the forest practices application/notification is for a single contiguous ownership of one or more parcels. See FPA/N question 3 instructions for more information.
The fee is $1500 if you are harvesting timber, and
- Converting the land to a use incompatible with growing timber; or
- The forest land is located inside city limits or urban growth boundary.
- A letter signed by the landowner stating that the landowner will not convert the land to a non-commercial forestry use for 10 years AND a written forest management plan approved by DNR; OR
- A Conversion Option Harvest Plan (COHP) approved and signed by the city or county.
EXCEPT the fee is $150 if the landowner provides:
Application/Notification fees are no longer refundable. An additional fee will be charged when resubmitting an FPA/N more than 45 days after the application has been withdrawn.
Reference: RCW 76.09.065 and 76.09.450
Legal Authority:
Links:
- Department of Natural Resources Forest Practices
- Department of Natural Resources region office directory
Statewide Contact:
Forest Practices Division
Headquarters
1111 Washington Street SE
PO Box 47012
Olympia, WA 98504-7012
Telephone: (360) 902-1400
Fax: (360) 902-1784
* Permit information last updated 4/22/2013.
Department of Ecology Environmental Permitting Project Questionnaire © ORA