SWSLURC090804

Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting in Shoreland Areas: 

Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting in Shoreland Areas Department of Conservation Maine Forest Service Forest Policy & Management Division 08 September 2004

Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting in Shoreland Areas: 

Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting in Shoreland Areas Recent history MFS involvement in water quality 2003 report and legislation Current rules – LURC & DEP Proposed rules – both jurisdictions Implementation timeline Questions

Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting in Shoreland Areas: 

Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting in Shoreland Areas History Divergence - convergence 1999 report to Legislature (PL 1997, c. 648) 2001-2002 rulemaking (PL 1999, c. 695) 2003 report (Resolves 1999, c. 101) 2003 legislation authorizing rulemaking (PL 2003, c. 335)

Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting in Shoreland Areas: 

Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting in Shoreland Areas Education is primary role (BMPs etc.) Forest Practices Act – require harvest plans include water quality considerations for clearcuts >20 acres Memoranda of Agreement with DEP & LURC for joint enforcement of laws under their jurisdiction Assistance to towns on harvesting (BMPs, Forest Operation Notifications, other harvest issues)

Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting in Shoreland Areas: 

Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting in Shoreland Areas Single set of definitions and requirements for timber harvesting operations in shoreland areas, that would: apply throughout the state; replace current multiple jurisdictions, and, establish MFS as the enforcing authority

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50 sq. mi. 300 ac drainage Current LURC standards No sedimentation 250', 40%, 6"dbh Cleared openings: None within 50' <14,000 sq ft 100' apart if >10,000 sq ft No sedimentation 75', shade' (undefined) Stream definition: Physical, except mapped >50 sq mi drainage Lake >10 ac Lake <10 ac Wetland >10 ac, (high/moderate value) Wetland <10 ac Wetland >10 ac No sedimentation > 25 JTU's at 1 sq. mi. DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION – Maine Forest Service 24 February, 2003

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Current DEP Standards: Shoreland Zoning, NRPA, PIWA No sedimentation 75' zone, 40% removal (4"dbh) No cleared openings within 75 ft Stream definition: Primarily map-based some physical criteria for small water bodies 25 sq. mi. 2nd order stream begins Lake >10 ac Lake <10 ac Wetland >10 ac (high/moderate value) Wetland <10 ac Wetland >10 ac No sedimentation 250' zone, 40% removal (4"dbh) Limited or no harvest within 75' if RP Cleared openings: None within 100' <10,000 sq ft 100'apart if >5,000 sq ft No sedimentation, No soil disturbance w/in 25 ft DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION – Maine Forest Service 24 February, 2003

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Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting in Shoreland Areas 50 sq. mi. 25 sq. mi. Streams above 300 acres (P-SL2, section g streams) Shoreline integrity P-SL1 streams Shoreline integrity 250 ft. buffer 3 options for shade Bridges/culverts required P-SL2 streams Shoreline integrity 75 ft. buffer 3 options for shade below 25 sq. mi. Shade above 25 sq. mi. Temporary crossing structures allowed above 25 sq. mi. LURC jurisdiction 300 acres DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION – Maine Forest Service

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Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting in Shoreland Areas 50 sq. mi. 25 sq. mi. Streams above 300 acres Shoreline integrity Streams and rivers below 25 sq. mi. drainage Shoreline integrity 250 ft. buffer 3 options for shade Bridges/culverts required Streams and rivers above 25 sq. mi. drainage Shoreline integrity 75 ft. buffer 3 options for shade below 2nd order Shade above second order Temporary crossing structures allowed above 25 sq. mi. DEP jurisdiction 300 acres 2nd order stream DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION – Maine Forest Service

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Pond/Lake >10 ac Pond > 4,300 sq ft, <10 ac High/moderate value, coastal wetlands Wetland >4,300 sq ft, <10 ac Wetland >10 ac Wetlands – both jurisdictions Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting in Shoreland Areas Shoreline integrity Permit may be required to cross or alter Shoreline integrity 250 ft buffer 3 options for shade Permit may be required to cross or alter DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION – Maine Forest Service

Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting in Shoreland Areas: 

Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting in Shoreland Areas Implementation timeline - rulemaking Currently finalizing the rule for publication Anticipate publication within 60 days Anticipate adoption by end of this year

Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting in Shoreland Areas: 

Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting in Shoreland Areas Implementation Timeline – Towns Municipalities have 3 options Repeal Adopt identical standards Keep their existing SZ ordinance After 01 January 2006, any changes must be consistent with the statewide standards

Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting in Shoreland Areas: 

Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting in Shoreland Areas Implementation Timeline – DEP DEP must consult with MFS and repeal or amend existing statutes and rules that duplicate or conflict by 01 October 2005 Effective date of such changes must be no later than 01 January 2006

Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting in Shoreland Areas: 

Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting in Shoreland Areas Implementation Timeline – LURC DEP must consult with MFS and repeal or amend existing rules that duplicate or conflict by 01 October 2005 Effective date of such changes must be no later than 01 January 2006

Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting in Shoreland Areas: 

Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting in Shoreland Areas Rules take effect statewide on 01 January 2006

Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting in Shoreland Areas: 

Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting in Shoreland Areas ISSUE: What if a critical mass of towns do not adopt the statewide standards?