Forest Practices Board

The Forest Practices Board is an independent state agency chaired by the Commissioner of Public Lands or designee. The Forest Practices Board was established by the 1974 Forest Practices Act and the rules it adopts are implemented and enforced by the Department of Natural Resources.

Board Responsibilities

Board Management Duties

The Forest Practices Adaptive Management Program, which represents landowners, public agencies, the forest industry, environmental community and tribal governments. This program provides science-based recommendations and technical information to help the Board determine if and when it is necessary or advisable to adjust the rules and guidance for aquatic resources to achieve the goals and objectives of the Forests and Fish Report.

Two key Adaptive Management Program committees established by the Forest Practices Board are the:

Learn more about AMP projects on the Adaptive Management Program Dashboard

Roster

View the members of the board.

Statutory Authority

The 1974 Forest Practices Act grants the board its authority.

Contact

Contact forest.practicesboard@dnr.wa.gov with questions and comments

Related Links

Data Used For PHB Analysis

Meetings

The Forest Practices Board holds public meetings on the second Wednesday of February, May, August and November. Special meetings may be called anytime by the chair or by a majority of the board. The Board's Business Reference Guide explains the Board's practices and procedures.

Detailed instructions on how to register for the Board meetings will be included below the upcoming agenda. Please read the instructions and attempt to join the webinar before 9 a.m. so that any technical difficulties can be addressed before the meeting begins.

The public comment registration process allows for in-person and remote comments. You need to register per the instructions whether you plan to comment in person or remotely. You will not be able to sign up in person the day of the Board meeting. The Board accepts comments on each action taken at the meeting and during the general comment period. All public comments will be limited to three minutes. Written testimony is equivalent to in-person testimony and may be submitted following the guidelines set out below.

Written testimony is equivalent to in-person testimony and may be submitted by email to: forest.practicesboard@dnr.wa.gov. In order to be timely in relaying comments via email to the Board, please submit your comments no later than noon the day before the regularly scheduled board meeting.

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View past meeting information


2026 MEETINGS

Please note: All times on the agenda are estimates to assist in scheduling and may be changed subject to the business of the day and at the Chair's discretion. The meeting will be recorded.


November 10, 2026

MEETING MATERIAL

Agenda

Minutes


August 12, 2026

MEETING MATERIAL

Agenda

Minutes


May 13, 2026

MEETING MATERIAL

Agenda

Minutes


February 11, 2026

MEETING MATERIAL

Agenda

Minutes


2025 MEETINGS

Please note: All times on the agenda are estimates to assist in scheduling and may be changed subject to the business of the day and at the Chair's discretion. The meeting will be recorded.

November 12, 2025

Draft Agenda

Minutes

MEETING MATERIAL

August 13, 2025, Draft Meeting Minutes

September 9, 2025, Draft Meeting Minutes

Department of Ecology’s Tier II Analysis for Type Np Water Buffer Rule Making

Type Np Water Buffer Rule Making 

  • Concise Explanatory Statement and Written Comments
  • Proposed Rule Language
  • Mitigation Considerations
  • Cost Benefit Analysis
  • Small Business Economic Impact Statement

Staff Reports

  • Adaptive Management Program Update 
  • Small Forest Landowner Office Update 
  • TFW Policy Committee Update 
  • Upland Wildlife Update  

Board Manual Section 17 Small Forest Landowner Riparian Easement Program 

Northern Spotted Owl Conservation Advisory Group 

2025 Work Plan Review and Draft 2026 Work Plan

Presentations

Western Washington Type Np Buffer Rule

November 12, 2025, Audio/Video


September 10, 2025 (Special Meeting)

Agenda

Minutes

MEETING MATERIAL

June 6, 2025, Draft Meeting Minutes 

Water Typing System Rule Making

September 10, 2025, Audio/Video


August 13, 2025

Agenda

Minutes

MEETING MATERIAL

Water Typing System Rule CR 103 Update

May 14, 2025, Draft Meeting Minutes

June 6, 2025, Draft Meeting Minutes

TFW Policy Recommendations on Structured Decision-Making Framework (SAO recommendation #5 & #6)

CMER Membership

Alternatives to Pilot Rule Making for Research Projects

TFW Policy Committee Priorities for 2026

TFW Policy Committee Dispute Resolution: Consensus Recommendation on Experimental Alternate Harvest Thinning Prescription for Small Forest Landowner

Clean Water Act Assurances Milestone Update

2025 Work Plan

CMER Reform Update

Staff Reports

  • Adaptive Management Program Update 
  • Board Manual Update 
  • Small Forest Landowner Office Update 
  • Upland Wildlife Update 
  • Western Gray Squirrel Annual Report

Presentations

Rule Making

Alternatives to Pilot Rule Making

Extensive Riparian Status and Trends Monitoring Project and Water Typing Studies

August 13, 2025, Audio/Video


June 6, 2025 (Special Meeting)

Agenda

Instructions to Join

Minutes

MEETING MATERIAL

Water Typing System Rule Making (includes updated CES, additional written comments and revised rule proposal)

Electronic Copy of Board Manual Section 23 (same copy you received at the May 14th Board meeting)

Additional Q/A on the Cost Benefit Analysis for the Water Typing System Rule Making

Department of Ecology’s Preliminary Draft Tier II Analysis for proposed western Washington Type Np Water Buffer Rule

June 6, 2025, Audio/Video


May 14, 2025

Agenda

Minutes

MEETING MATERIAL

February 12, 2025, Draft Meeting Minutes

Water Typing System Rule Making (includes the proposed rule language, Cost Benefit Analysis, Written Comments received and Concise Explanatory Statement)

Board Manual Section 23 Guidelines for Field Protocol to Locate Mapped Divisions Between Stream Types & Perennial Stream Identification

Type Np Water Buffer Rule Making (includes the proposed rule language and economic and SEPA analyses)

Department of Ecology's Tier II Analysis Update

2025 Work Plan

Staff Reports

  • Adaptive Management Program Update
  • Small Forest Landowner Office Update
  • TFW Policy Committee Update
  • Upland Wildlife Update

Presentations

Water Typing System Rule Making

Board Manual Section 23

Type Np Water Buffer Rule Making

Department of Ecology’s Tier II Analysis

May 14, 2025, Audio/Video


February 12, 2025

Agenda

Minutes

MEETING MATERIAL

August 13-14, 2024, Meeting Minutes

August 28, 2024, Meeting Minutes

November 13, 2024, Meeting Minutes

Westside Type F Riparian Prescription Monitoring Exploratory Report

Board Manual Section 23 and Rulemaking Update

CMER Membership, DNR Representative

Riparian Characteristics and Shade Study (RCS) Pilot Rule Making

Northern Spotted Owl (NSO) Conservation Advisory Group

Tier II Analysis Update on the Type Np Rule Making

2025 Work Plan

Staff Reports

  • Adaptive Management Program Update (includes CMER Work plan)
  • Small Forest Landowner Office Update
  • TFW Policy Committee Update
  • Upland Wildlife Update

Presentations

Westside Type F Exploratory Study

Rule Making and Board Manual Section 23

Riparian Characteristics and Shade Pilot Rule Request

Department of Ecology’s Tier II Analysis

Field Tour and Work Plan

Written Comments

February 12, 2025, Audio/Video

Past Meeting Information

FPB Past Meetings (2022 - Present)

FPB Past Meetings (2018 - 2021)

FPB Past Meetings (2001 - 2017)