CHAPTER 422

H.P. 1194 - L.D. 1616

An Act To Promote Stewardship of Forest Resources

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

PART A

Sec. A-1. 12 MRSA c. 805, sub-c. 3-A, §8866 is enacted to read:

§8866.__Purpose

The Legislature finds and declares that the State's forests are resources of great significance to the people of the State.__ These resources have great economic value, environmental value, scenic beauty and unique characteristics and unsurpassed recreational, cultural and historical values of present and future benefit to the citizens of the State.__The well-being of communities of the State depends upon sustainable forest management.__Liquidation harvesting is a serious and direct threat to forest management, forest industries and rural communities over the landscape of Maine.__Liquidation harvesting produces significant adverse economic and environmental effects and threatens the health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of the State.__Liquidation harvesting is incompatible with responsible forest stewardship and must be substantially eliminated.

Sec. A-2. 12 MRSA §8868, sub-§6 is enacted to read: