(1) The department shall consider the following factors when harvesting timber where greater than 50 contiguous acres of flammulated owl preferred habitat types exist:

(a) Favor seral ponderosa pine on sites where historical fire regimes favor it.

(b) Favor older-aged ponderosa pine or, secondarily, Douglas-fir for retention or recruitment on warm, dry slopes.

(c) Retain and recruit large-sized snags pursuant to ARM 36.11.404.

(d) Open up dense stands on warm, dry slopes towards a basal area of 35 to 80 square feet.

(e) Promote non-uniform stands and retain occasional dense patches of conifer regeneration and shrubs.