Skip navigation.

The Official Website of the Department of Fish and Game (DFG)

 
Land and Water

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).

October 30 - November 30, 2009 -- As part of the forest management certification process, the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) is seeking public comments during a 30-day period regarding the measures the agency is taking to apply for Forest Stewardship Council certification. More information on forest certification efforts and comment focus.

Public comment on DFW Forestry Program activities should be sent to: mass.wildlife@state.ma.us or by postal mail to "Forest Certification Comments", MassWildlife, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581.

The Division will post a summary of all comments received, and describe any action to be taken by DFW in response to comments received on its website on or about December 15, 2009.


Public Meeting Summary for Forest Management Planning Efforts Involving 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.
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