(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:

(a) On the warm and moist HTG and the wet HTG, the department shall retain an average of approximately two snags and two snag recruits over 21 inches DBH, per acre.

(b) On all other HTG, the department shall retain an average of approximately one snag and one snag recruit over 21 inches DBH, per acre.

(c) In all cases, if snags or recruits over 21 inches DBH are not present, the next largest size snag or recruit shall be retained.

(d) Retained snags and recruits may be evenly distributed or clumped.

(e) If there is an absence of sufficient snags or recruits, some substitution between the two may occur.

(f) Cull trees shall qualify as recruits provided they do not contribute to:

(i) insect and disease problems;

(ii) pose a human safety issue; or

(iii) present concerns over dysgenic practices.