60. If substantial damage to timber stands in a forest area is caused by a natural disturbance or human influence, or if a forest area is required for hydroelectric or wind power development and designated for that purpose by order of the Government, the Minister may, with the participation of the local integrated land and resource management panel concerned, prepare a special development plan to ensure that the timber is salvaged and that the appropriate silvicultural treatments are applied, and administer the plan for the period and on the conditions specified in it.
The plan may set out conditions that depart from the forest development standards prescribed by government regulation if the departure is necessary to salvage the timber, and may provide that the allowable cut be exceeded if the Minister considers it necessary so as not to lose timber that could be salvaged.
A person or body to which the Minister has entrusted or delegated forest development activities on land covered by a special plan must comply with the plan. To the extent specified in it, the plan replaces any development plan that was applicable on that land.
The Minister may grant financial assistance for the implementation of a special plan to a person or body that is to carry out the forest development activities described in the plan and that applies for assistance in writing.