COURTESY OF THE MAINE FOREST SERVICE
Did you know that Maine’s Forest Rangers have made more than 5,000 site visits to timber harvests over the last 4 years? Wildfire-related duties are not the only reason Rangers venture into the forest. From Eliot to Fort Kent, T5 R20 WELS to T11 R3 NBPP, and everywhere in between, Rangers keep a presence in the woods throughout their patrol areas. Staying aware of harvest activities and conducting inspections are ways that Rangers fulfill an important objective: to enhance the safe, sound, and responsible management of the forest for this and future generations.
Rangers routinely inspect commercial timber harvesting operations to ensure that landowners and loggers are complying with various aspects of Maine’s Forest Practices Act. Specifically, Rangers check on Forestry Operations Notifications, proper marking of property lines, and compliance with Maine’s clearcutting regulations. During these inspections, Rangers also look at truck haul road and skid trail water crossings, as well as any harvesting activity within the shoreland zones. These areas are reviewed to ensure operations meet state and local water quality standards and are not causing erosion or sedimentation problems. Rangers regularly collaborate with Maine Forest Service District Foresters and other field staff on this important work.
Rangers bring their wildfire prevention expertise to these inspections and may also check timber harvesting equipment to ensure their exhaust systems are properly equipped with spark arrestor control devices. Harvesting slash accumulation in statutorily protected areas such as near utility lines, property lines, railways, dwellings, and roadways is another inspection element Rangers examine and address when needed. Compliance with the State’s spark arrestor and slash laws prevent the start of wildfires and limit their spread when they do occur.
Ranger visits on nights and weekends are a way to keep an eye on loggers’ equipment when they are not there. “Timber Asset Security” checks are meant to protect these valuable investments from theft and vandalism. Additionally, Rangers may provide courtesy checks on other property such as gates and communicate any issues to the landowner if found. The best-case scenario is that everything looks good, and the only sign of the Ranger’s visit is a courtesy card left to let you know they were there.
While most site visits are Ranger-initiated, complaints from forest landowners regarding the unlawful cutting of trees, timber theft and trespass, and failure of the logger to pay for trees that have been cut and sold also prompt investigation. Forest Rangers are the lead authority when it comes to presenting timber theft and trespass cases for prosecution at the District Court level and work with the District Attorney’s Office to hold violators accountable and obtain the appropriate restitution for the landowner.
Maine’s Forest Rangers are proud of the role we serve in protecting Maine’s valuable forest resources and ensuring the sound and responsible management of the forest for this and future generations. If you are a logger, forester, land manager or landowner and have questions or would like assistance, please contact your local Forest Ranger.