Proposed Rulemaking for Chapter 27, Standards for Timber Harvesting and Timber Harvesting Related Activities Within Unorganized and Deorganized Areas of The State

MAINE, October 12 - Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry

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Date: October 12, 2026

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Maine Forest Service rule Chapter 27, "Standards for Timber Harvesting and Timber Harvesting Related Activities Within Unorganized and Deorganized Areas of the State", is being amended to be consistent and remove duplication with Maine Forest Service rule Chapter 21, Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting and Related Activities in Shoreland Areas.

Pursuant to Title 38, section 438-B, Chapter 21 rules, adopted by the Commissioner of Conservation under Title 12, section 8867 B apply statewide (including in unorganized and de-organized areas of the state) beginning on the first day of January of the 2nd year following the year in which the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry determines that at least 252 of the 336 municipalities identified by the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry as the municipalities with the highest acreage of timber harvesting activity on an annual basis for the period 1999-2003 have either accepted the statewide standards in accordance with subsection 2 or have adopted an ordinance identical to the statewide standards in accordance with subsection 3. The Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry made the determination in May 2024 that the 252-municipality threshold has been met, and has notified the Secretary of State in writing. The Chapter 21 Statewide Standards took effect in the unorganized territories in January, 2026.

The amendments to Chapter 27 remove duplication relating to shoreland areas and avoid inconsistencies with Chapter 21, Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting and Related Activities in Shoreland Areas, and reduce any confusion with Chapter 21 in unorganized and deorganized areas of the state.

Public Hearing Information: November 2, 2026

Comment Deadline: Monday, November 16, 2026 at 12 noon

Related documents (if any):
Note: Some documents are provided in Microsoft Word format (MS Word). Download the free Word Viewer if you do not have Microsoft Word on your computer. Rich Text Format (RTF) documents may be viewed in any word processing software.

Fact Sheet (Word)

Redline Draft of Proposed Changes (Word)

For further information, contact:

Name: Morten Moesswilde

Phone: 207-592-2239