OAR 629-623-0300
Public Safety Risk Levels
(1)
The exposure categories described in OAR 629-623-0200 (Exposure Categories) and the impact rating described in 629-623-0250 (Shallow, Rapidly Moving Landslide Impact Rating) are used to determine the downslope public safety risk level and the applicable forest practice rules that apply to the operation, as described in Sections (2) through (10) of this rule.(2)
For Exposure Category A, substantial downslope public safety risk exists if the impact rating is extreme or serious.(3)
For Exposure Category B, substantial downslope public safety risk exists if the impact rating is extreme and the State Forester informs the operator that these site specific conditions warrant substantial public safety risk practices.(4)
Substantial Downslope Public Safety Risk operations are regulated by OARs 629-623-0400 (Restriction of Timber Harvesting — Substantial Public Safety Risk), 629-623-0450 (Restriction of Road Construction — Substantial Public Safety Risk), 629-623-0600 (Protection Along Debris Torrent-Prone Streams), and 629-623-0700 (Written Plans to Evaluate Public Safety Risk).(5)
For Exposure Category A, intermediate downslope public safety risk exists if the impact rating is moderate.(6)
For Exposure Category B, intermediate downslope public safety risk exists if the impact rating is serious.(7)
For Exposure Category C, intermediate downslope public safety risk exists if the impact rating is extreme and the State Forester informs the operator that these site specific conditions warrant intermediate public safety risk practices.(8)
Intermediate Downslope Public Safety Risk operations are regulated by OARs 629-623-0500 (Timber Harvesting — Intermediate Public Safety Risk), 629-623-0550 (Road Construction — Intermediate Public Safety Risk), 629-623-0600 (Protection Along Debris Torrent-Prone Streams), 629-623-0700 (Written Plans to Evaluate Public Safety Risk), and 629-630-0500 (Harvesting On High Landslide Hazard Locations).(9)
All other operations not described in sections 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 of the rule are determined to have low downslope public safety risk.(10)
Low Downslope Public Safety Risk operations are regulated by OAR 629-630-0500and by OAR 629-625-0000 (Purpose) through 0700 and all other applicable rules.(11)
As required by ORS 195.256 (Legislative findings)(4), forest practice rules shall not apply to risk situations arising solely from the construction of a building permitted under ORS 195.260 (Duties of local governments, state agencies and landowners in landslide hazard areas)(1)(c).(12)
Leave trees required to comply with timber harvesting rules for shallow, rapidly moving landslides and public safety may also be used to comply with ORS 527.676 (Leaving snags and downed logs in harvest type 2 or 3 units) except those required to be retained in riparian management areas by OAR 629-642-0000 (Vegetation Retention Goals for Streams; Desired Future Conditions) through 629-642-0800 (Reforestation within Stream Riparian Management Areas).
Source:
Rule 629-623-0300 — Public Safety Risk Levels, https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/view.action?ruleNumber=629-623-0300.