Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §8869, sub-§2-B is enacted to read:

2-B.__Clear-cuts over 5 acres.__Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a clear-cut of over 5 acres must have a permit from the commissioner prior to the clear-cutting.__An application for a permit under this subsection must include documentation that:

A.__The clear-cut will not cause damage to the environment;

B.__There is no reasonable alternative to the clear-cut; and

C.__The clear-cut is silviculturally justified.

The commissioner shall adopt routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A to carry out the purposes of this subsection.

SUMMARY

This bill requires a permit for a clear-cut over 5 acres, with the applicant showing that the clear-cut will not cause environmental damage, that there is no reasonable alternative and that the clear-cut can be silviculturally justified.