1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, every timber owner or operator conducting logging operations within this state shall cause the harvest area to be minimally stocked not later than 5 years after completion of the logging operations.
2. The provisions of subsection 1 do not apply:
(a) If trees are being removed to change the use of the land from forest production to another use, but the timber owner or the agent of the timber owner shall obtain a timberland conversion certificate as provided in this chapter; or
(b) To a logging operation that only involves the salvage of dead timber.