1. (1) The department shall retain snags and snag recruits in all harvest units involving live timber, including seed tree removals, fire, and other salvage operations as follows:

   1. (a) in all timber harvest units post-harvest, the department shall retain an average of approximately two snags and two snag recruits over 21 inches DBH, per acre;
   2. (b) in all cases, if snags or recruits over 21 inches DBH are not present, the next largest size snag or recruit shall be retained;
   3. (c) retained snags and recruits may be evenly distributed or clumped;
   4. (d) if there is an absence of sufficient snags or recruits, some substitution between the two may occur;

   5. (e) Cull trees shall qualify as recruits provided they do not contribute to:

      1. (i) insect and disease problems;
      2. (ii) pose a human safety issue; or
      3. (iii) present concerns over dysgenic practices.

Authorizing statute(s): 77-1-202, 77-1-209, 77-5-201, 77-5-204, MCA

Implementing statute(s): 77-5-116, 77-5-204, 77-5-206, 77-5-207, MCA

History: NEW, 2003 MAR p. 397, Eff. 3/14/03; AMD, 2020 MAR p. 2239, Eff. 12/12/20.