3.08.070 Timberland.

Applications for “timberland” classification will be limited to tracts containing at least five (5) acres and exclusive of a home site of one (1) acre, and/or other nonforest use, and meeting the following criteria:

(1)    Tracts containing any commercial forest tree species which will produce a merchantable stand of timber on a particular site. (Cultivated Christmas trees and ornamental trees are excluded). A forest management plan must be submitted by the applicant, to be reviewed by county staff for completeness and feasibility, during the application review process.

(2)    Tracts on which trees are distributed over the entire acreage with at least a one-third (1/3) crown covering. Seedlings must be established with a minimum of three hundred (300) trees per acre.

(3)    If the tract does not contain commercial forest tree species as specified above, the owner must file a written commitment with the forest management plan to have the proposed area (meeting the five (5) acre minimum) stocked. Owners must include the time period required to meet the forest management plan objectives for stocking, to meet the county criteria (subsection (2) of this section), and the minimum standards of the Forest Practices Act.

(4)    Competing vegetation shall be controlled to the extent necessary to allow for the establishment, survival and growth of commercial forest tree species. (Sec. 8 of Res. No. 1977-10-32; amended by Sec. 1 of Ord. 1996-02-30)