Woods Wise Wire
AUGUSTA, ME
–The Maine Forest Service (MFS) under the Department of Agriculture, Conservation
and Forestry announced today it reached a settlement regarding violations of
Maine’s Forest Practices Act on property owned by Plum Creek Maine Timberlands,
LLC., headquartered in Fairfield, Maine.
The violations
occurred on a parcel of land in Misery Township (T2 R7 BKP WKR) in Somerset
County.
The
timber harvest operation on the property failed to retain the required 250-foot
wide separation zone which completely surrounded a planned Category 2 clearcut.
As a result of its investigation the MFS
has determined that the results of the timber harvesting operation did not
comply with the requirements of MFS Rule - Chapter 20, Forest Regeneration and
Clearcutting Standards.
In the Settlement
Agreement, Plum Creek agreed to pay a $1,000.00 civil penalty for the violation
and to provide up to $4,000.00 for the development of videos for use by the
Maine Forest Service Healthy Forest Program (HFP) to publicize the results of
the HFP’s Harvest Satisfaction Survey.
Regional Enforcement
Coordinator James Ecker stated that, “These types of violations usually result from
inadequate planning, layout and supervision while the harvest is taking place.”
“Our agency focuses
on educating and informing landowners and foresters to reduce the possibility
of such violations,” said Maine Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Commissioner Walter Whitcomb. “But, when violations do occur, we have a
responsibility to uphold the law and to enforce the Forest Practices Act. We take this and all our other
responsibilities very seriously.”
The investigation and
settlement negotiations were carried out by Maine Forest Service staff and the
Office of the Attorney General.
Established in 1891,
the Maine Forest Service has as its mission to protect and enhance Maine’s
state’s forest resources through forest fire protection; technical assistance;
education and outreach to a wide variety of audiences; and enforcement of the
state’s forest protection laws. Maine
Forest Service offices are found throughout the state and provide Maine’s
citizens with a wide range of forest-related services.
Holden
Town Office, Route 1A, Holden, ME
Thursday,
February 25, 2016, 7 – 9 PM
Managing
Woodlots for Birds and Wildlife
7pm
to 8pm
Woodland
Diversity and Bird Habitat.
Susan
Gallo, Wildlife Biologist, Maine Audubon.
8pm
to 9pm
Enhancing
Wildlife Habitat in Your Woodlot.
Barry
Burgason, Wildlife Biologist, Huber Resources Corp.
If
you have any questions, please call either Si Balch (207.578.1003 Cell#) or
Larry Beauregard (207.989.6158 Home# or redspruce@myfairpoint.net)
Directions: The Holden
Town Office is on Rt 1A. It is on the north side of the road
approximately 6 miles east of Brewer. There is sign on RT 1A saying
“Holden Town Office”. Watch for SWOAM signs also.
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