Current through Register Vol. 22-07, April 1, 2022
The following policies shall apply to forest practices subject
to SEPA if the forest practices may cause adverse impacts to northern spotted
owls.
(1)
In SOSEAs or areas of
SOSEAs where the goal is demographic support, suitable spotted owl
habitat should be maintained either to protect the viability of the owl(s)
associated with each northern spotted owl site center or to provide demographic
support for that particular SOSEA as described in the SOSEA goals.
(2)
In SOSEAs or areas of SOSEAs where
the goal is dispersal support, either suitable spotted owl habitat
should be maintained to protect the viability of the owl(s) associated with
each northern spotted owl site center or dispersal habitat should be managed,
over time, to provide the dispersal support for that particular SOSEA as
described in the SOSEA goals. Dispersal support is provided by a landscape
which includes dispersal habitat at the stand level interspersed with areas of
higher quality habitat. Stands of dispersal habitat should be managed to reduce
gaps between stands and to maintain a sufficient level of dispersal habitat to
meet the SOSEA goals over time.
(3)
In SOSEAs or areas of SOSEAs where the goal is a combination of dispersal
support and demographic support, either suitable spotted owl habitat
should be maintained to protect the viability of the owl(s) associated with
each northern spotted owl site center or a variety of habitat conditions should
be provided which in total are more than dispersal support and less than
demographic support. This can be accomplished by providing:
(a) Dispersal support as described in
subsection (2) of this section;
(b)
Areas of suitable spotted owl habitat that contain some opportunities for
nesting as well as roosting and foraging habitat; and
(c) Connectivity between areas of SOSEAs
designated for demographic support or adjacent federal lands which are
designated as late successional reserves, congressionally reserved areas, or
administratively withdrawn areas.
(4)
Within SOSEAs, the following
amounts of suitable habitat are generally assumed to be necessary to maintain
the viability of the owl(s) associated with each northern spotted owl site
center, in the absence of more specific data or a mitigation plan, as provided
for in subsections (6) and (7) of this section respectively:
(a) All suitable spotted owl habitat within
0.7 mile of each northern spotted owl site center;
(b) Including the suitable spotted owl
habitat identified in (a) of this subsection:
(i) For the Hoh-Clearwater/Coastal Link SOSEA
- A total of 5,863 acres of suitable spotted owl habitat within the median home
range circle (2.7 mile radius).
(ii) For all other SOSEAs - A total of 2,605
acres of suitable spotted owl habitat within the median home range circle (1.8
mile radius).
The department shall first identify the highest quality
suitable spotted owl habitat for this purpose. Consideration shall be given to
habitat quality, proximity to the activity center and contiguity in selecting
the most suitable habitat. Suitable spotted owl habitat identified outside 0.7
mile of a northern spotted owl site center may support more than one median
home range circle.
(5)
Outside SOSEAs, during the
nesting season (between March 1 and August 31), seventy acres of the highest
quality suitable spotted owl habitat surrounding a northern spotted owl site
center should be maintained. The seventy acres for one site center shall not be
utilized for meeting suitable habitat needs of any other site center.
(6) The assumptions set forth in subsection
(4) of this section are based on regional data. Applicants or others may submit
information that is more current, accurate, or specific to a northern spotted
owl site center, proposal, or SOSEA circumstances or goals. The department
shall use such information in making its determinations under this section
where the department finds, in consultation with the department of fish and
wildlife, that the information is more likely to be valid for the particular
circumstances than the assumptions established under subsection (4) of this
section. If the department does not use the information, it shall explain its
reasons in writing to the applicant.
(7) The department shall consider measures to
mitigate identified adverse impacts of an applicant's proposal. Mitigation
measures must contribute to the achievement of SOSEA goals or to supporting the
viability of impacted northern spotted owl site centers.
