Timber Harvesting Standards in Shoreland Areas to Change in Maine’s Unorganized Territories in 2026

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's Maine Forest Service (MFS) announced today that Maine's "statewide standards" for timber harvesting in shoreland areas will apply to unorganized territories starting January 2026, as per statutory requirements.

Established in 2005, the Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting and Related Activities in Shoreland Areas (SWS, also known as Chapter 21 rules) apply only to organized towns that have adopted them through local ordinances. Unorganized territories follow a different set of rules (Chapter 27) under the MFS authority, delegated by the Land Use Planning Commission.

The statute establishing SWS stipulated they would become effective statewide, including in unorganized territories, once a "critical mass" of organized towns adopted them. With more than 260 towns adopting SWS, they will take effect in the unorganized territories in January 2026.

MFS is hosting a webinar to outline the implementation process for the statewide standards. 

📅 Date: Wednesday, August 7, 2024
🕒 Time: 9:00 AM (EDT)

Interested parties can register to attend the webinar here: Maine Forest Service Public Briefing: Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting in Shoreland Areas.

Additionally, MFS will provide further information and numerous training opportunities for foresters, loggers, and landowners over the next 18 months. The Chapter 27 rules for unorganized territories will also be revised to eliminate duplication.

Visit the Maine Forest Service website for more information about the SWS implementation process and the rules. Questions can be directed to forestinfo@maine.gov or the MFS office at (207) 287-2791.

Thank You.