OR Dept. of Forestry release – SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Forestry updated stream classification maps as required by changes to Oregon’s Forest Practices Act (FPA). The map shows the streams’ known beneficial use, such as fish and domestic use. Each stream class has protections including buffer zones and rules to protect water quality for timber harvests near streams. This helps reach the goal of maintaining water quality and other wildlife habitat. The new map covers streams statewide and uses the latest data and techniques to improve the map’s accuracy. The department continues to work closely with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to use the most recent information to keep the map current. This work includes field surveys to continually improve the map. This is the first statewide update to the map in more than 20-years. In 2022 the legislature gave the department the resources to make the updates. This investment will give foresters a more accurate tool to protect the water quality and stream habitat. The new map went into effect July 1. The department sent post cards to forest landowners to inform them of the changed regulatory map. The postcards include a link to the online map. The main changes were for streams that we had no or little data about their classification. Most streams classified before the 2022 legislation will not change much, if at all. The intent of the new laws is to give regulatory certainty and to better protect fish and wildlife. The FPA changes started going into effect July 1 for large forestland owners for fish stream buffers and for all forestland owners Jan. 1, 2024, for all other rules that were recently adopted. Part of those rule changes require foresters and those planning timber harvests activities to use the new stream classification maps.
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