Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §8869, sub-§2-A, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 720, §7, is amended to read:

2-A. Separation zones. For a parcel of land 100 acres or less, a clear-cut must be separated from any other clear-cut by at least 250 feet.

For a parcel of land over 100 acres, a clear-cut must be separated from any other clear-cut by a defined area equal to at least the area contained within the perimeter of the clear-cut. For a parcel of land over 100 acres, each defined separation zone must be identified with a specific clear-cut and be a minimum of 250 feet in width and may not be designated to meet the separation zone requirements for any other ,except where a property line is closer than 250 feet from the edge of the clear- cut.

The Commissioner of Conservation may establish, by rule, more stringent separation zone standards for clear-cuts greater than 35 acres.

Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §8883, first ¶, as amended by PL 1997, c. 648, §4, is further amended to read:

Prior Unless exempted or modified by rule, prior to commencing harvesting operations, the landowner or designated agent shall notify the bureau of the harvest operation. When the harvest is occurring within a municipality, the bureau shall send a copy of the notification form to the municipal clerk.

Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §883, sub-§1, as amended by PL 1997, c. 648, §5, is further amended to read:

1. Notification prior to harvest. Notification must be on forms supplied by the bureau and must include the following information:

A. The name, address and phone number of the landowner, any designated agent, and, if known, any harvester or harvesters;

B. The name and address of any licensed professional forester consulting the landowner on forest management or harvesting practices;

C. The municipality or township and county of harvest;

D. The name of the nearest public or private all-weather road;