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Public Input
Largely as a result of the Green Certification effort on DFW lands, there is consistent opportunity for public input into Forest Management Planning on state wildlife lands. Landscape level plans for DFW Forest Management Zones (FMZs) are posted on the DFW website for public review and comment, and public meetings are held to present and to take public comments on each FMZ plan (see table below).
DFW also prepares site specific forest management plans for individual properties that provide details on when and where Forest Harvesting Operations will occur, and on how Forest Reserve areas will be treated. Site plans will be posted on the DFW website for public review and comment during 2008 and 2009 following in-house reviews. The DFW Forestry Program also participates in development of publicly reviewed EOEA Ecoregion Assessments and Conservation Management Practices (CMPs) for Rare Species (see table below).
Public Meeting and Notification Summary for the DFW Forestry Program.
| Date | Location | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| September 24, 2003 | Natural History Center, Athol, MA | Lower Worcester Plateau Ecoregion Assessment of forest management issues and opportunities on private and public forestlands |
| November 22, 2004 | DCR Regional Headquarters Building, Pittsfield, MA | First Draft, Berkshire Area Ecoregion Assessment of forest management issues and opportunities on private and public forestlands |
| June 22, 2005 | DCR Regional Headquarters Building, Pittsfield, MA | Second Draft, Berkshire Area Ecoregion Assessment of forest management issues and opportunities on private and public forestlands |
| September 15, 2005 | Berkshire South Community Center, Great Barrington, MA | Forest Reserve Proposal including DFW lands at the Chalet WMA and DCR/DFW lands at the Jug End SR/WMA |
| September 29, 2005 | DCR Regional Headquarters Building, Pittsfield, MA | Draft plan for the DFW Berkshire Highlands Forest Management Zone (FMZ) including 33,000 acres of state wildlife lands |
| April 13, 2006 | Sturbridge Host Hotel, Sturbridge, MA | Draft Conservation Management Practices (CMPs) for rare species on private and public forestlands |
| January 31, 2007 | Western Gateway Heritage State Park Visitors Center, North Adams, MA | Draft plan for the DFW Taconic Mountains & Marble Valley FMZ including 6,650 acres of state wildlife lands |
| February 1, 2007 | Berkshire South Community Center, Great Barrington, MA | Draft plan for the DFW Taconic Mountains & Marble Valley FMZ including 6,650 acres of state wildlife lands |
| May - October 2008 | Forest Management Site Walks for the Public. | Walks and talks scheduled 5 Wildlife Management Areas across the state featured MassWildlife Foresters and Biologists discussing wildlife habitat enhancement goals for the property, forest harvesting techniques and other habitat management activities employed to achieve those goals. |
| October 30 - December 20, 2009 | DFW Website and Email Notification |
Public
comment request for proposed DFW property submissions for the
2009 Forest Certification audit. |
| January 2010 | DFW Website and Email Notification | Public
comment response posted for proposed DFW property submissions
for the 2009 Forest Certification audit. |
| May-October 2010 | Forest Management Site Walks for the Public. (TBA) | Walks and talks will be conducted at Wildlife Management Areas across the state featuring MassWildlife foresters and biologists who will discuss wildlife habitat enhancement goals for the property, forest harvesting techniques and other habitat management activities employed to achieve those goals. |
| TBA | TBA | Connecticut Valley Ecoregion Assessment of forest management issues and opportunities on private and public forestlands |
| TBA | TBA | Draft plan for the DFW Connecticut Valley FMZ, including about 4,000 acres of state wildlife lands |
| TBA | TBA | Worcester Plateau Ecoregion Assessment of forest management issues and opportunities on private and public forestlands |
| TBA | TBA | Draft plan for the DFW Worcester Plateau FMZ, including about 30,000 acres of state wildlife lands |
| TBA | TBA | Gulf of Maine Coastal Plain Ecoregion Assessment of forest management issues and opportunities on private and public forestlands |
| TBA | TBA | Draft plan for the DFW Northeast Coastal Plain FMZ, including about 3,000 acres of state wildlife lands |
| TBA | TBA | Southeast Coastal Plain & Islands Ecoregion Assessment of forest management issues and opportunities on private and public forestlands |
| TBA | TBA | Draft plan for the DFW Southeast Coastal Plain & Islands FMZ, including about 10,000 acres of state wildlife lands |