DCR Bureau of Forestry, Management Forestry Program
Summary of Policy for Public Review of Proposed Timber
Harvests
Two times a year (in January and July), every proposed timber harvest will be posted on the DCR Forestry website: (http://www.mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/forestry/manage/ProposedForestProductsSales.htm) and at the regional office for a 45-day review period. Project harvesting summaries documents include all the necessary contact information, public comment period dates, the DCR property, town, and closest road to the harvest, stand description, aesthetic, recreation, environmental and wildlife considerations, sale layout, silvicultural treatment and a locus map. Each proposed harvest site will be posted with a sign informing viewers of the project and include forester contact information.
Public informational meetings will be held on the third Thursday of
January and July at DCR Regional Offices at
All public comments will be
addressed in writing. Projects of high
public sensitivity will have additional measures taken to address public
concerns. This may include: fact sheets,
news releases, public meetings, field trips, additional data collection and
consultation with other qualified specialists.
Once these steps have been
taken, a detailed silvicultural prescription will be prepared. This prescription will be prepared according
to the Massachusetts Forest Cutting Practices Act, Endangered Species Act, and
Wetland Protection Act as well as Bureau of Forestry policy, direction and
guidelines, and all applicable planning documents. A Forest Cutting Plan will be prepared,
reviewed and approved by the appropriate Bureau Service Forester and other
qualified specialists. This document is
available for public review at the regional DCR office and the local
conservation commission office.
Upon completion of this
process, the project will proceed.