An Act To Waive the Variance Process for Harvesting Timber in a Shoreland Zone

Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §8867-B,  as amended by PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. D, §10, is further amended by adding at the end a new paragraph to read:

If a professional forester employed by a landowner determines there exists a condition on the landowner's property adjacent to a river, stream, pond, wetland or tidal water that requires timber harvesting activity that exceeds limits established by rules adopted under this section in order to meet acceptable forestry standards, the landowner may conduct the timber harvesting activity recommended by the professional forester 5 business days after the landowner gives notice to the bureau stating the area where the timber harvesting activity is to take place and the name of the professional forester, the professional forester's license number and the professional forester's determination of the need for the timber harvesting activity.

summary

This bill allows a landowner to conduct timber harvesting activities on property adjacent to a river, stream, pond, wetland or tidal water that exceed limits established by Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Bureau of Forestry rules if determined necessary by a professional forester in order to meet acceptable forestry standards upon a 5-day notice to the bureau by the landowner stating the area where the timber harvesting activity is to take place, the name of the professional forester, the professional forester's license number and the professional forester's determination of the need for the timber harvesting activity.