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: Proposed Forest Management Projects 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 3 pm and 6 pm to discuss these timber harvests.

Information on the appropriate DCR Regional Office to attend (which Districts at which DCR Regional Office) and their locations/directions is available at:
Summary Regional and Field Office Meetings Locations and Directions

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.