As part of the SFPNA Sustainable Forestry Program, you can be sure that any forest management conducted on your property will comply with all town, state and federal regulations. Most of the laws and regulations that apply to forestry in Maine relate to forest practices, natural resource protection and environmental protection.

Please click on the law title to connect to the full document.

Forest Practices Act
The Forest Practices Act was designed to promote sustainable forestry in order to protect forest management, forest industries and rural communities in Maine. Primarily, it reduces the threat of liquidation harvesting, where forest harvesting is held to three standards: 1) Standards for Regeneration after clearcuts; 2) Performance Standards for Clearcuts; and 3) Separation Zones.


Liquidation Harvesting
This rule was designed to eliminate the practice of liquidation harvesting. The Maine legislature has defined liquidation harvesting as "the purchase of timberland followed by a harvest that removes most or all commercial value in standing timber, without regard for long-term forest management principles, and the subsequent sale or attempted resale of the harvested land within 5 years."

Timber Harvesting and Related Activities in Shoreland Areas
This rule was developed to establish statewide standards for timber harvesting and related activities within shoreland zoning areas. It was created in order to eliminate inconsistencies among other standards, and to better protect our public and private resources from degradation to water quality and wildlife habitat.

Best Management Practices
BMP's are designed to protect water quality during forest harvests, and are developed to mimic and/or protect the natural functions of forests. It is a collection of techniques for aspects of forestry operations, such as road building, stream crossings, how to correctly install bridges and culverts, trails, water diversions, log landings, etc.

Natural Resources Protection Act
This act was created to protect certain natural resources in Maine considered to have great significance. The State has defined these natural resources to include: 1) Rivers; and Streams; 2) Great Ponds; 3) Fragile Mountain Areas; 4) Freshwater Wetlands; 5) Significant Wildlife Habitat; 6) Coastal Wetlands; and 7) Coastal Sand Dunes.

Endangered Species Act
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) is designed to protect fish and wildlife species that are in danger of becoming extinct. Species listed have many values (educational, historical, recreational, etc) and are conserved and protected as necessary to maintain and enhance their populations. The ESA is controlled on both a federally and state level, meaning not all species protected on the Maine list are protected by the federal government.

Timber Trespass
Timber trespass is the theft of someone's trees, where someone intentionally or knowingly cuts another person's trees without permission, cuts wood out of a log pile permission, or fails to pay for stumpage. A couple of ways to prevent this is to have clearly marked boundary lines and to always have a written and signed contract when harvesting your timber.