Steep-slopes pilot will test DDFTA, DSSA and SRA plan elements; small-owner sample limited

Staff presented the steep-slopes pilot study, which will focus on rules in Division 630 governing harvesting on steep slopes. The pilot emphasizes three mapped elements: designated debris-flow traversal areas (DDFTAs), designated sediment source areas (DSSAs) and slope retention areas (SRAs). Adam said the pilot balances a desktop written-plan review and a smaller field component that will primarily verify DDFTAs in the field and measure buffer widths where required.

Adam explained the rule mechanics: DDFTAs identify long stream corridors where no-harvest buffers (25 feet from the active channel) apply, DSSAs are upstream source areas the model flags as likely to initiate debris flows, and SRAs are selected protected DSSAs ("slope retention areas") where at least 50% of a DSSA is retained. He said small forest landowners (SFOs) have a different requirement tied to retaining 50% of DDFTA-identified areas.

The team described sample counts for the written-plan pool: 111 operations from 2025 met filters for the standard-practice path and 4 operations met the minimum-option, leaving the pilot below target for the minimum-option sample (the target was 20). Adam said the 4 minimum-option operations still provide useful data but the small number constrains analyses specific to that option.

Committee members asked how yarding-corridor "design considerations" will be treated; staff said the compliance check focuses on whether yarding corridors were identified in written plans rather than evaluating design choices. Questions about tethered-logging and equipment were clarified: equipment type is not being recorded; the program looks at resource outcomes.

Next steps: staff will proceed with site selection, outreach to stewardship foresters, and fall fieldwork; final protocols will be shared with the committee.