State Forestry Laws, Forms, and Instructions

This page is a compilation of various laws, forms, documents and instructions for Forestry programs in Massachusetts

In this list

The Massachusetts Forest Cutting Practices Act (FCPA)

The FCPA protects the benefits of forests through a permitting process. Applicable to timber harvesting on both public and private forestland, the FCPA regulates any commercial timber cutting of wood products greater than 25 thousand board feet or 50 cords on any parcel of land at any one time.

Ch132 Guidance (DOCX 357.86 KB)

304 CMR 16.00 Forest Cutting Practices (PDF 211.62 KB)

Forest Cutting Practices Regulation

Massachusetts Forestry Best Management Practices Manual (PDF 1.74 MB)

CH 132 Blank Forest Cutting Plan for with Landowner Information Sheets (PDF 432.96 KB)

CH 132 Forest Cutting Plan Example (DOC 235.5 KB)

appointAgent.doc (DOC 24.5 KB)

Notice of Intent Abutters Form (PDF 550.08 KB)

CH 132 A Reference Guide for Abutters (PDF 1.14 MB)

Forest Management Plans

Forest Stewardship Program

Forest Management Plans are an important component within an overall Forest Stewardship program. Consult with DCR or a Licensed Forester to determine if you need a plan for your specific needs.

Forest Stewardship Planning Worksheet (DOC 30.5 KB)

Directions for the preparation of new Chapter 61 Forest Management and Forest Stewardship/Green Certification Plans (PDF 75.24 KB)

Forest Stewardship Plans and FSC Green Certification are voluntary programs that builds upon the basic forest management plan of the Chapter 61 program.

Upgrading a management plan to FSC standards: A list of additional require elements (PDF 170.77 KB)

Additional information regarding the FSC certification

Forest Management Plans Forms

Forest Management Plan form (DOC 176 KB)

front_page_overflow.doc (DOC 46 KB)

Landowner Goals Form (DOC 46 KB)

overview_form.doc (DOC 36.5 KB)

stewardship_issues.pdf (PDF 130.63 KB)

Stand Descriptions Form (DOC 31.5 KB)

managepracticeform.doc (DOC 32 KB)

Signature Page.doc (DOC 36 KB)

certificate.doc (DOC 60.5 KB)

River Basin Map Appendix B (PDF 970.23 KB)

Forest Types Appendix C (PDF 13.51 KB)

Recommended References Appendix D (PDF 9.54 KB)

Silviculture Prescriptions Appendix E (PDF 20.36 KB)

NRCS Forestry Practices Appendix F (PDF 15.43 KB)

Growth Rate Percentage Formula Appendix G (PDF 111.63 KB)

Chapter 61 - The Forest Tax Law

Chapter 61 Forest Tax Program

Massachusetts current use programs (Ch. 61, Ch. 61A, and Ch. 61B) were created to give preferential tax treatment to those landowners who maintain their property as open space for the purposes of timber production, agriculture or recreation.

302 CMR 15.00: CHAPTER 61, FOREST CLASSIFICATION (PDF 44.99 KB)

The purpose of 302 CMR 15.00 is to clarify the procedure for classification of forest land in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (A former version of this regulation, 302 CMR 15.00, was found at 304 CMR 8.00.)

MA General Law Chapter 61

Click this link for a full description of statute for classification and taxation of forest lands and forest products MA General Law Chapter 61

Foresters for the Birds Program

The DCR Bird Habitat Assessment Program provides funding assistance to landowners to work with a qualified licensed professional forester or other qualified professional to evaluate existing and potential habitat for a selection of birds. It must be combined with a new or updated Forest Stewardship Plan.

Sample Plan (PDF 3.17 MB)

Sample plan for Woodland Enhancement

Additional habitat assessment (DOC 1.19 MB)

Bird habitat assessment directions

Habitat Assessment Forms and Inventory Procedures (PDF 2.08 MB)

Cover Page (DOCX 81.32 KB)

How to Use this Report (DOC 133.5 KB)

Stand Descriptions Form (DOC 51 KB)

Management Recommendation Form (DOC 43 KB)