Logger Resolves Shoreland Timber Harvesting Violations with Maine Forest Service

January 27, 2022

For more information contact: Adam Cates at:

AUGUSTA - The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's Maine Forest Service (MFS) has entered into an administrative settlement agreement with Maschino and Sons Lumber Company, Inc. (Maschino), based in New Gloucester. The settlement resolves violations of Maines rules governing timber harvesting activities in shoreland areas. Maschino agreed to pay a $3,000 civil penalty for the violation, of which $2,400.00 is being directed to the Community Forest Fund as a Supplemental Environmental Project that will be used to support urban and community forestry programs in Cumberland County.

During a 2019-2020 timber harvest on land in New Gloucester, Maschino created cleared openings too close to a freshwater wetland and removed too many trees, both in violation of state shoreland regulations.

"Our goal is to improve the management of Maines forests," said Patty Cormier, MFS Director. We focus 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.

Maschino was cooperative and took full responsibility for the violation, commented Adam Cates, MFS Regional Enforcement Coordinator. In this particular instance, had Maschino appropriately planned and implemented the harvest to comply with the regulations, the issues could easily have been avoided.

Cates conducted the investigation and settlement negotiations with the assistance of MFS staff.

About MFS

Since 1891, the MFS mission has been to protect and enhance forest resources through fire prevention, technical assistance, education, outreach to a wide variety of audiences, and enforcement of forest protection laws. MFS offices are found throughout Maine and provide its citizens with a wide range of forest-related services. For more information about the MFS and its programs, visit the MFS website at maineforestservice.gov.