Forest Practices Act focus of public hearings

The Bangor Daily News
Tuesday, August 18, 1998

AUGUSTA - The Maine Forest Service will hold public hearings around the state during the next two weeks on its proposed revisions to the Forest Practices Act rules.

''We were directed by the Legislature to review the rules to implement changes made to the law last session,'' said Chuck Gadzik, Maine Forest Service director. ''Those changes include revisions to management planning, clear-cut separation zones and harvest notification requirements. We have also proposed some changes to streamline and clarify the rules.'' Gadzik pointed out what he said was a major change in the rules. ''The most significant change is our proposal to require anyone wishing to create a clear-cut over 75 acres in size to obtain a permit. This procedure, if accepted, would address the public's concern over large clear-cuts by requiring a silvicultural justification for them, as well as agency review and apporoval of any such proposals.''

The hearings will be held today at Oxford Hills High School; Thursday, Aug. 20, at the Ellsworth Middle School cafeteria; Tuesday, Aug. 25, at the University of Maine at Presque Isle's Grand Ballroom; and Thursday, Aug. 27, at the Augusta Civic Center. All the hearings are 2:30-4:30 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.

The public comment period ends Sept. 7.