Chapter 27 Rule, Standards for Timber Harvesting and Timber Harvesting Related Activities within Unorganized and Deorganized Areas of the State

ATTENTION – Forestry Activities within Unorganized and Deorganized Areas

Changes in the permitting and notification process have gone into effect for the following: timber harvesting, land management roads, water crossings on/for land management roads, and gravel pits less than 5 acres in size. The Maine Forest Service now regulates these activities in management subdistricts and protection subdistricts (except in development areas in P-RP subdistricts). Public Law 2011, Chapter 599 (enacting LD 1739).

For more information of permitting in development subdistricts within the Land Use Planning Commission's service area.

Application Forms:

Bridge Construction Permit and Instructions (BCP)

WHO NEEDS A BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION PERMIT?
Anyone constructing, installing or reconstructing bridges or water crossings of major flowing or standing waters or wetlands on or for land management roads in the plantations, unorganized townships and certain towns which remain under the Land Use Planning Commission jurisdiction which do not otherwise conform with Maine Forest Service Rules, Chapter 27.

Bridge Construction Permit Instructions (PDF | 123 KB) | Bridge Construction Permit Application (PDF | 92 KB)

Forest Operations Permit (FOP)

A Forestry Operations Permit from the Maine Forest Service is required for Timber Harvesting and Timber Harvesting Related Activities within certain areas or zoning subdistricts within the Unorganized and Deorganized Areas of the State.

Forest Operations Permit Form (PDF | 112 KB)

Application for a Road Construction Permit (RP)

WHO NEEDS TO SUBMIT A FOREST ROAD PERMIT?
Anyone constructing land management roads in the unorganized and Deorganized Areas of the State under the Maine Forest Service (MFS) Chapter 27 rules:

Road Permit Application Only

Application for constructing roads under Chapter 27 without the instruction section.
Road Permit Application Only (PDF | 192 KB)

Gravel Pit Permit Addendum

Addendum to a road permit application for gravel extraction operation that are less than five acres in size and does not conform to Standards of MFS Chapter 27 rules.
Gravel Pit Permit Addendum (PDF | 95 KB)

Forest Operations Notification (FON) Section 5. P-FW Supplement for Deer Wintering Areas

Any timber harvesting or related activities in a P-FW (Deer Wintering Area) in Unorganized Areas of the State requires a supplement to the Forest Operations Notification (FON).
Section 5. P-FW Supplement for Deer Wintering Areas Form (PDF | 85 KB)

Variance Petition

When do I need a permit or a variance from the Maine Forest Service for Chapter 27 standards for timber harvesting and timber harvesting related activities? (PDF | 177 KB)

Petition for Variance