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Rules and Regulations
Timber Harvesting
Forest Practices Act
- Forest Practices Act (law)
- Chapter 20 Rule, Forest Regeneration and Clearcutting Standards (PDF | 44 KB) (Effective on May 1, 2014)
- Public Law, Chapter 532, LD 1741, An Act To Streamline the Paperwork Requirements of the State's Forest Practices Laws (PDF | 20 KB)
- Maine Forest Service Interpretations of the Maine Forest Practices Act Statute and Rules (UPDATED APRIL 6, 2011)
- Petition for Variance (PDF | 71 KB)
Forest Operations Notification Standards
- Public Law, Chapter 532, LD 1741, An Act To Streamline the Paperwork Requirements of the State's Forest Practices Laws (PDF | 20 KB)
- Chapter 26 Rule, Forest Operations Notification Standards (PDF | 35 KB)
- More Information on Forest Operations Notifications | Download FONS Maps
Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting in Shoreland Areas
As of January 1, 2013 organized towns that have decided to adopt statewide standards for timber harvesting and related activities in shoreland areas have had statewide standards go into effect.
Towns that have either elected to retain their old shoreland zoning ordinance for timber harvesting or not taken action on statewide standards will continue under their old shoreland zoning rules until they take action.
Areas under the administration of the Land Use Planning Commission (formerly known as LURC) will also continue under current rules for the time being (see MFS Chapter 27 Rule, Standards for Timber Harvesting and Timber Harvesting Related Activities within Unorganized and Deorganized Areas of the State).
- Chapter 21 Rule, Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting and Related Activities in Shoreland Areas (PDF | 465 KB) – effective January 1, 2016
- Maine Forest Service Interpretations of the Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting and Related Activities in Shoreland Areas (PDF | 106 KB)
- Basis Statement MFS Rule - Chapter 21 Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting and Related Activities in Shoreland Areas (PDF | 82 KB) – 2015 amendments
- Basis Statement MFS Rule - Chapter 21 Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting and Related Activities in Shoreland Areas (PDF | 153 KB)
- Petition for Variance Form (PDF | 111 KB)
Standards for Timber Harvesting and Timber Harvesting Related Activities within Unorganized and Deorganized Areas of the State
- Chapter 27 Rule, Standards for Timber Harvesting and Timber Harvesting Related Activities within Unorganized and Deorganized Areas of the State (PDF | 73 KB)
- Basis Statement MFS Rules - Chapter 27 Standards for Timber Harvesting and Timber Harvesting Related Activities within Unorganized and Deorganized Areas of the State (PDF | 64 KB)
- Maine Forest Service Interpretations - Chapter 27 Standards for Timber Harvesting and Timber Harvesting Related Activities Within the Unorganized and Deorganized Areas of the State (PDF | 31KB)
- Chapter 27 Application Forms
Stop Work Order
- Chapter 30 Rule, Prior Approval Process and Stop Work Orders (PDF | 39KB)
- Public Law 2013, Chapter 412, An Act Relating to the Unlawful Cutting of Trees (PDF | 15KB)
- Chapter 30 Rule, Basis Statement (PDF | 55KB)
Timber Trespass and Timber Theft
Fee Schedule
Standards for Placing Wood into Stream Channels to Enhance Cold Water Fisheries Habitat
- Chapter 25 Rule, Standards for Placing Wood Into Stream Channels to Enhance Cold Water Fisheries Habitat (PDF | 257 KB)
- Basis Statement MFS Rule Chapter 25 Rule Standards for Placing Wood into Stream Channels to Enhance Cold Water Fisheries Habitat (PDF | 79 KB)
Liquidation Harvesting
- Chapter 23 Rule, Timber Harvesting Standards to Substantially Eliminate Liquidation Harvesting (PDF | 142 KB)
- Maine Forest Service Interpretations of MFS Rule – Chapter 23 Timber Harvest Standards to Substantially Eliminate Liquidation Harvesting (PDF | 60 KB)
Public Law 2003, Chapter 422 (LD 1616), An Act to Promote Stewardship of Forest Resources
Liquidation Timber Harvest Plan Guide (PDF | 17 KB)
Sample Subdivision Review Process for New Criterion #20 for Municipal Planning Boards
File Format: (PDF | 27 KB) | (Word | 204 KB)
Dated: April 10, 2008
Variance Petition Form (PDF | 74 KB)
Fire Safety
Forest Health
- Chapter 1 Rule, White Pine Blister Rust, Quarantine on Currant and Gooseberry (Word | 42 KB)
- Chapter 4 Rule, Silvicultural Treatment Designation and New Market Withdrawal (Word | 69 KB)
- Emergency Order Restricting Transportation of Firewood Into the State of Maine
- Also see information on Forestry Quarantines
Boundary Paint Marking Standards
- Chapter 24, Boundary Paint Marking Standards (Word | 36 KB)
- PL c 432 Boundary Paint Law (PDF | 20 KB)
- Boundary Paint Marking Standards Chapter 24 Rules Basis Statement (PDF | 73 KB)
