Press Release

AUGUSTA, Maine –The Maine Forest Service (MFS), under the Maine Department of Conservation, has entered into an agreement with Irving Woodlands LLC, which resolves a violation of the state’s forest practices law on land in Township7, Range 3 WELS (Dudley Township), Maine.

Irving has agreed to pay a $5,000 civil penalty for the violation.

Irving officials voluntarily reported to the Maine Forest Service that a harvesting contractor had located a logging yard within a separation zone between clearcuts, resulting in a violation of the state’s forest practices rules governing the size, arrangement, and management of clearcuts.

Under the settlement agreement, Irving agreed to pay the civil penalty, perform an inspection of all clearcut separation zones for compliance with the rules, and provide training to all harvesting contractors to ensure compliance with clearcut regulations.

Tom Whitworth, MFS regional enforcement coordinator, said that Irving worked closely with the Maine Forest Service to address the issue and has taken steps to prevent further violations.

“Irving was very cooperative and took full responsibility for the violation,” Whitworth said.

“Our goal is to improve the management of Maine’s forests,” Maine Forest Service Director Doug Denico said. “Our agency focuses on educating and informing landowners to reduce the possibility of such violations. When violations do occur, however, we have a responsibility to uphold the law. We take this and our other responsibilities very seriously.”

The investigation and settlement negotiations were led by Whitworth and carried out by Maine Forest Service staff.

Established in 1891, the Maine Forest Service has as its mission to protect and enhance Maine’s forest resources through forest fire prevention; technical assistance; education and outreach to a wide variety of audiences; and enforcement of the state’s forest protection laws. Maine Forest Service offices are found throughout the state and provide Maine's citizens with a wide range of forest-related services.

For more information about the Maine Forest Service and its programs, visit our website at http://www.maineforestservice.gov.