Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation Trust Land Management Division

1. Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation Trust Land Management Division Forest Management Program • Overview: • State Wetland Timber Harvest Regulations Presented by: Gary Frank Resource Program Manager Forest Management Bureau

2. State Wetland Timber Harvest Regulations in Montana • Montana Streamside Management Zone (SMZ) Law • Montana Forestry Best Management Practices • Additional Measures Required on State Trust Lands • Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) • DNRC Forest Management Rules • Other Laws that might be applicable

3. MT SMZ Law Regulates commercial forest practices conducted immediately adjacent to streams and lakes Establishes stream classification system Requires establishment of an SMZ with a minimum width of 50 or 100’ Prohibits or restricts: Construction of roads Use of ground based equip Clearcutting broadcast burning placement of slash hazardous materials

4. TREE RETENTION REQUIREMENTS • CLASS 1 STREAM • 10 trees >= 8”dbh/100 ft • or • 50% of the trees >or= 8”dbh • Shrubs and smaller trees

5. SMZ Extended to include Adjacent Wetlands Applies to all Streams

6. TREE RETENTION REQUIREMENTS • For Adjacent Wetlands • Same as the adjacent SMZ • 50% of the trees >= 8” dbh • Shrubs and smaller trees

7. EQUIPMENT OPERATION IN ADJACENT WETLANDS • Restricted to frozen or snow covered conditions • That result in no soil disturbance • No Equipment within normal 50’ or 100’ feet SMZ • Shrubs/sub-merchantable trees protected

8. Montana Forestry Best Management Practices (BMPs) Water Quality… …it’s a responsibility we ALL share! Avoid operation of wheeled or tracked equipment within wetlands except when ground is frozen. Avoid equipment operations on unstable, wet or easily compacted soils. Locate roads to avoid wet areas – including wetlands.

11. Gary Frank gfrank@mt.gov (406) 493-4449