Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 76.09.050 (2026)

Rules establishing classes of forest practices—Applications for classes of forest practices—Approval or disapproval—Notifications—Procedures—Appeals—Waiver

✓ current as of May 2026

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(1) The board shall establish by rule which forest practices shall be included within each of the following classes:

Class I: Minimal or specific forest practices that have no direct potential for damaging a public resource and that may be conducted without submitting an application or a notification except that when the regulating authority is transferred to a local governmental entity, those Class I forest practices that involve timber harvesting or road construction within "urban growth areas," designated pursuant to chapter 36.70A RCW, are processed as Class IV forest practices, but are not subject to environmental review under chapter 43.21C RCW;

Class II: Forest practices which have a less than ordinary potential for damaging a public resource that may be conducted without submitting an application and may begin five calendar days, or such lesser time as the department may determine, after written notification by the operator, in the manner, content, and form as prescribed by the department, is received by the department. However, the work may not begin until all forest practice fees required under RCW 76.09.065 have been received by the department. Class II shall not include forest practices:

(a) On forestlands that are being converted to another use;

(b) Within "shorelines of the state" as defined in RCW 90.58.030;

(d) Including timber harvesting or road construction within "urban growth areas," designated pursuant to chapter 36.70A RCW, which are Class IV;

Class III: Forest practices other than those contained in Class I, II, or IV. A Class III application must be approved or disapproved by the department according to the following timelines; however, the applicant may not begin work on the forest practice until all forest practice fees required under RCW 76.09.065 have been received by the department:

(a) Within thirty calendar days from the date the department receives the application if the application is not subject to concurrence review by the department of fish and wildlife under RCW 76.09.490; and

(b) Within thirty days of the completion of the concurrence review by the department of fish and wildlife if the application is subject to concurrence review by the department of fish and wildlife under RCW 76.09.490;

Class IV: Forest practices other than those contained in Class I or II:

(a) On forestlands that are being converted to another use;

(b) On lands which, pursuant to RCW 76.09.070 as now or hereafter amended, are not to be reforested because of the likelihood of future conversion to urban development;

(c) That involve timber harvesting or road construction on forestlands that are contained within "urban growth areas," designated pursuant to chapter 36.70A RCW, except where the forestland owner provides:

(i) A written statement of intent signed by the forestland owner not to convert to a use other than commercial forest product operations for ten years, accompanied by either a written forest management plan acceptable to the department or documentation that the land is enrolled under the provisions of chapter 84.33 or 84.34 RCW; or

(ii) A conversion option harvest plan approved by the local governmental entity and submitted to the department as part of the application; and/or

(d) Which have a potential for a substantial impact on the environment and therefore require an evaluation by the department as to whether or not a detailed statement must be prepared pursuant to the state environmental policy act, chapter 43.21C RCW. Such evaluation shall be made within the timelines established in RCW 43.21C.037; however, nothing herein shall be construed to prevent any local or regional governmental entity from determining that a detailed statement must be prepared for an action pursuant to a Class IV forest practice taken by that governmental entity concerning the land on which forest practices will be conducted. Unless the application is subject to concurrence review by the department of fish and wildlife under RCW 76.09.490, a Class IV application must be approved or disapproved by the department within thirty calendar days from the date the department receives the application. If a Class IV application is subject to concurrence review by the department of fish and wildlife under RCW 76.09.490, then the application must be approved or disapproved by the department within thirty calendar days from the completion of the concurrence review by the department of fish and wildlife. However, the department may extend the timelines applicable to the approval or disapproval of the application an additional thirty calendar days if the department determines that a detailed statement must be made, unless the commissioner of public lands, through the promulgation of a formal order, determines that the process cannot be completed within such a period. However, the applicant may not begin work on that forest practice until all forest practice fees required under RCW 76.09.065 have been received by the department.

Forest practices under Classes I, II, and III are exempt from the requirements for preparation of a detailed statement under the state environmental policy act.

(2) Except for those forest practices being regulated by local governmental entities as provided elsewhere in this chapter, no Class II, Class III, or Class IV forest practice shall be commenced or continued after January 1, 1975, unless the department has received a notification with regard to a Class II forest practice or approved an application with regard to a Class III or Class IV forest practice containing all information required by RCW 76.09.060 as now or hereafter amended. However, in the event forest practices regulations necessary for the scheduled implementation of this chapter and RCW 90.48.420 have not been adopted in time to meet such schedules, the department shall have the authority to regulate forest practices and approve applications on such terms and conditions consistent with this chapter and RCW 90.48.420 and the purposes and policies of RCW 76.09.010 until applicable forest practices regulations are in effect.

(3) Except for those forest practices being regulated by local governmental entities as provided elsewhere in this chapter, if a notification or application is delivered in person to the department by the operator or the operator's agent, the department shall immediately provide a dated receipt thereof. In all other cases, the department shall immediately mail a dated receipt to the operator.

(4) Except for those forest practices being regulated by local governmental entities as provided elsewhere in this chapter, forest practices shall be conducted in accordance with the forest practices regulations, orders and directives as authorized by this chapter or the forest practices regulations, and the terms and conditions of any approved applications.

(5) Except for those forest practices being regulated by local governmental entities as provided elsewhere in this chapter, the department of natural resources shall notify the applicant in writing of either its approval of the application or its disapproval of the application and the specific manner in which the application fails to comply with the provisions of this section or with the forest practices regulations. Except as provided otherwise in this section, if the department fails to either approve or disapprove an application or any portion thereof within the applicable time limit, the application shall be deemed approved and the operation may be commenced: PROVIDED, That this provision shall not apply to applications which are neither approved nor disapproved pursuant to the provisions of subsection (7) of this section: PROVIDED, FURTHER, That if seasonal field conditions prevent the department from being able to properly evaluate the application, the department may issue an approval conditional upon further review within sixty days. Upon receipt of any notification or any satisfactorily completed application the department shall in any event no later than two business days after such receipt transmit a copy to the departments of ecology and fish and wildlife, and to the county, city, or town in whose jurisdiction the forest practice is to be commenced. Any comments by such agencies shall be directed to the department of natural resources.

(6) For those forest practices regulated by the board and the department, if the county, city, or town believes that an application is inconsistent with this chapter, the forest practices regulations, or any local authority consistent with RCW 76.09.240 as now or hereafter amended, it may so notify the department and the applicant, specifying its objections.

(7) For those forest practices regulated by the board and the department, the department shall not approve portions of applications to which a county, city, or town objects if:

(a) The department receives written notice from the county, city, or town of such objections within fourteen business days from the time of transmittal of the application to the county, city, or town, or one day before the department acts on the application, whichever is later; and

(b) The objections relate to forestlands that are being converted to another use.

The department shall either disapprove those portions of such application or appeal the county, city, or town objections to the appeals board. If the objections related to (b) of this subsection are based on local authority consistent with RCW 76.09.240 as now or hereafter amended, the department shall disapprove the application until such time as the county, city, or town consents to its approval or such disapproval is reversed on appeal. The applicant shall be a party to all department appeals of county, city, or town objections. Unless the county, city, or town either consents or has waived its rights under this subsection, the department shall not approve portions of an application affecting such lands until the minimum time for county, city, or town objections has expired.

(8) For those forest practices regulated by the board and the department, in addition to any rights under the above paragraph, the county, city, or town may appeal any department approval of an application with respect to any lands within its jurisdiction. The appeals board may suspend the department's approval in whole or in part pending such appeal where there exists potential for immediate and material damage to a public resource.

(9) For those forest practices regulated by the board and the department, appeals under this section shall be made to the appeals board in the manner and time provided in RCW 76.09.205. In such appeals there shall be no presumption of correctness of either the county, city, or town or the department position.

(10) For those forest practices regulated by the board and the department, the department shall, within four business days notify the county, city, or town of all notifications, approvals, and disapprovals of an application affecting lands within the county, city, or town, except to the extent the county, city, or town has waived its right to such notice.

(11) For those forest practices regulated by the board and the department, a county, city, or town may waive in whole or in part its rights under this section, and may withdraw or modify any such waiver, at any time by written notice to the department.

(12) Notwithstanding subsections (2) through (5) of this section, forest practices applications or notifications are not required for exotic insect and disease control operations conducted in accordance with RCW 76.09.060(8) where eradication can reasonably be expected.

[ 2012 1st sp.s. c 1 s 205; 2011 c 207 s 1; 2010 c 210 s 20; 2005 c 146 s 1003; 2003 c 314 s 4; 2002 c 121 s 1; 1997 c 173 s 2; 1994 c 264 s 49; 1993 c 443 s 3; 1990 1st ex.s. c 17 s 61; 1988 c 36 s 47; 1987 c 95 s 9; 1975 1st ex.s. c 200 s 2; 1974 ex.s. c 137 s 5.]

Notes:

Contingent effective date—2012 1st sp.s. c 1 ss 202 and 205: See note following RCW 76.09.490.

Finding—Intent—Limitation—Jurisdiction/authority of Indian tribe under act—2012 1st sp.s. c 1: See notes following RCW 77.55.011.

Authority of department of fish and wildlife under act—2012 1st sp.s. c 1: See note following RCW 76.09.040.

Intent—Effective dates—Application—Pending cases and rules—2010 c 210: See notes following RCW 43.21B.001.

Part headings not law—2005 c 146: See note following RCW 77.55.011.

Findings—2003 c 314: See note following RCW 17.24.220.

Effective date—1993 c 443: See note following RCW 76.09.010.

Severability—Part, section headings not law—1990 1st ex.s. c 17: See RCW 36.70A.900 and 36.70A.901.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 23 cases (4 in the last 5 years), 1989–2026 · leading case: Plum Creek Timber Co., L.P. v. Washington State Forest Practices Appeals Bd., 993 P.2d 287 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000).

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Plum Creek Timber Co., L.P. v. Washington State Forest Practices Appeals Bd., 993 P.2d 287 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000). · cites it 9× “That list includes “Class I, II, III forest practices as defined by RCW 76.09.050.” WAC 197-11--800(25)(a). Thus, under the plain language of the SEPA rules, the “statutory exemptions” are a subset of the “categorical exemptions,” and are subject to the limitations of Section…”

Snohomish Cnty. v. State, 850 P.2d 546 (Wash. Ct. App. 1993). · cites it 5× “RCW 76.09.050; RCW 43.21C.037(1). We hold that the Legislature's exemption of class III forest practices from SEPA spares DNR (and the parties) from individual case-by-case environmental review.”

Kettle Range Conservation Grp. v. Dep't of Nat. Resources, 85 P.3d 894 (Wash. Ct. App. 2003). · cites it 4× “” RCW 76.09.050(1); see also RCW 43.21C.037(3).”

Dep't of Nat. Resources v. Marr, 774 P.2d 1260 (Wash. Ct. App. 1989). · cites it 3× “RCW 76.09.050; WAC 222-12-030; WAC 222-16-050.”

Alpine Lakes Prot. Soc'y v. Dep't of Nat. Resources, 979 P.2d 929 (Wash. Ct. App. 1999). · cites it 2× “RCW 76.09.050(1); RCW 43.21C.037(1). Class IV forest practices are those “which have a potential for a substantial impact on the environment and therefore require an evaluation by [DNR] as to whether or not an [EIS] must be prepared.”

Johnson Forestry Contracting, Inc. v. Dep't of Nat. Resources, 126 P.3d 45 (Wash. Ct. App. 2005). · cites it 2× “00-C-WQT (civil penalty) under RCW 76.09.050 5 and WAC 222-20-010 6 for Johnson Forestry’s violations of the application’s conditions.”

Alpine Lakes Prot. Soc'y v. Dep't of Ecology, 135 Wash. App. 376 (Wash. Ct. App. 2006). · cites it 11× “037 merely refers to the Forest Practices Board, which has discretionary authority under RCW 76.09.050 to define forest practices classes I to IV.”

Alps v. State Forest Practices Bd., 144 P.3d 385 (Wash. Ct. App. 2006). · cites it 10× “RCW 76.09.050. Class I forest practices "have no direct potential for damaging a public resource.”

Chuckanut Conservancy v. WASH. STATE DNR, 232 P.3d 1154 (Wash. Ct. App. 2010). “The act provides for the designation and protection of endangered species, and provides a means to conserve the ecosystems on which such species depend. Section 10 authorizes a landowner to negotiate a habitat conservation plan at a landscape level to minimize and mitigate any…”

Chuckanut Conservancy v. Dep't of Nat. Resources, 156 Wash. App. 274 (Wash. Ct. App. 2010). “The act provides for the designation and protection of endangered species, and provides a means to conserve the ecosystems on which such species depend. Section 10 authorizes a landowner to negotiate a habitat conservation plan at a landscape level to minimize and mitigate any…”

Boise Cascade Corp. v. Washington Toxics Coalition, 843 P.2d 1092 (Wash. Ct. App. 1993). · cites it 7× “Disposition denying a stay is not subject to judicial review.”

Vancouver Audubon Soc'y, V. Dept. Of Nat. Resources (Wash. Ct. App. 2026). · cites it 6× “RCW 76.09.050(1). “Class IV” forest practices include those that “have a potential for a substantial impact on the environment” and, as a result, may require review under the State Environmental 2 No.”

Show all 23 citing cases →

— Wash. Rev. Code § 76.09.050(1) — 10 cases

Plum Creek Timber Co., L.P. v. Washington State Forest Practices Appeals Bd., 993 P.2d 287 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000). “That list includes “Class I, II, III forest practices as defined by RCW 76.09.050.” WAC 197-11--800(25)(a). Thus, under the plain language of the SEPA rules, the “statutory exemptions” are a subset of the “categorical exemptions,” and are subject to the limitations of Section…”

Snohomish Cnty. v. State, 850 P.2d 546 (Wash. Ct. App. 1993). “RCW 76.09.050; RCW 43.21C.037(1). We hold that the Legislature's exemption of class III forest practices from SEPA spares DNR (and the parties) from individual case-by-case environmental review.”

Alpine Lakes Prot. Soc'y v. Dep't of Nat. Resources, 979 P.2d 929 (Wash. Ct. App. 1999). “RCW 76.09.050(1); RCW 43.21C.037(1). Class IV forest practices are those “which have a potential for a substantial impact on the environment and therefore require an evaluation by [DNR] as to whether or not an [EIS] must be prepared.”

Kettle Range Conservation Grp. v. Dep't of Nat. Resources, 85 P.3d 894 (Wash. Ct. App. 2003). “” RCW 76.09.050(1); see also RCW 43.21C.037(3).”

Dep't of Nat. Resources v. Marr, 774 P.2d 1260 (Wash. Ct. App. 1989). “RCW 76.09.050; WAC 222-12-030; WAC 222-16-050.”

— Wash. Rev. Code § 76.09.050(1)(d) — 1 case

Alpine Lakes Prot. Soc'y v. DNR, 979 P.2d 929 (Wash. Ct. App. 1999).

— Wash. Rev. Code § 76.09.050(2) — 1 case

Simon's Way Dev., Inc v. Clark Cnty. (Wash. Ct. App. 2021).

— Wash. Rev. Code § 76.09.050(5) — 3 cases

Esses Daman Fam., Llc, Res/cross-app. v. Dept Of Nat. Resources (Wash. Ct. App. 2017).

Sumas Mountain Comm For Landslide Awareness v. Wa State Forest Practices Brd (Wash. Ct. App. 2018).

— Wash. Rev. Code § 76.09.050(8) — 2 cases

Boise Cascade Corp. v. Washington Toxics Coalition, 843 P.2d 1092 (Wash. Ct. App. 1993). “Disposition denying a stay is not subject to judicial review.”

Simon's Way Dev., Inc v. Clark Cnty. (Wash. Ct. App. 2021).

— Wash. Rev. Code § 76.09.050(e) — 1 case

Alps v. State Forest Practices Bd., 144 P.3d 385 (Wash. Ct. App. 2006). “RCW 76.09.050. Class I forest practices "have no direct potential for damaging a public resource.”

— Wash. Rev. Code § 76.09.050(l)(d) — 1 case

— Wash. Rev. Code § 76.09.050(l)(e) — 2 cases

Kettle Range Conservation Grp. v. Dep't of Nat. Resources, 85 P.3d 894 (Wash. Ct. App. 2003). “” RCW 76.09.050(1); see also RCW 43.21C.037(3).”

Alpine Lakes Prot. Soc'y v. Dep't of Ecology, 135 Wash. App. 376 (Wash. Ct. App. 2006). “037 merely refers to the Forest Practices Board, which has discretionary authority under RCW 76.09.050 to define forest practices classes I to IV.”

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