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Landowner Resolves Timber Harvesting Violation with Maine Forest Service
June 19, 2019
Landowner Resolves Timber Harvesting Violation with Maine Forest Service
Contact:
Adam Cates, (207) 441-4139
AUGUSTA, Maine -The Maine Forest Service (MFS), under the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, has entered into an administrative settlement agreement with L. Herbert York. The settlement resolves a violation of the State's Forest Practices Act on land harvested in Farmington, Maine, where a 26-acre unplanned clear cut occurred without a harvest plan and insufficient separation zone. York agreed to pay a $3,000.00 civil penalty for the violation; $2,400.00 of which was directed to the Community Forest Fund as a Supplemental Environmental Project that will be used to support urban and community forestry programs in Franklin County, Maine.
"Mr. York was very cooperative and took full responsibility for the violation," saidAdam Cates, MFS Regional Enforcement Coordinator. "Mr. York informed us that he did not intend to create the violation" added Cates.
Timber harvesting violations often result from inadequate planning or failure to review forestry rules prior to a harvest. When landowners fail to check regulations that apply to the area being harvested, they can inadvertently create violations. Many violations can be avoided by consulting with MFS in advance of a timber harvest.
Our goal is to improve the management of Maines forests, said Patty Cormier, MFS Director. 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 conducted by Regional Enforcement Coordinator Adam Cates with the assistance of MFS staff.
ABOUT MFS
Established in 1891, the MFS mission is 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 States forest protection laws. MFS offices are located throughout the state and provide Maine 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.