§8869-A. Prior bureau approval for harvesting trees and authority to issue stop-work orders
The bureau shall establish a prior approval process for harvesting trees by a person that has committed 2 violations of unlawful cutting of trees pursuant to Title 17, section 2510, subsection 1. The process must include at a minimum the following: [PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. A, §23 (REV); PL 2013, c. 412, §1 (NEW).]
1. Written approval. Requiring written approval from the bureau for the person to harvest trees on any land in the State; and
[PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. A, §23 (REV); PL 2013, c. 412, §1 (NEW).]
2. Bonding. Requiring the person to post a private bond in an amount not less than $500,000 before commencing tree harvesting.
[PL 2013, c. 412, §1 (NEW).]
The bureau shall issue a stop-work order if the requirements of this section are not met at the time harvesting is occurring. [PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. A, §23 (REV); PL 2013, c. 412, §1 (NEW).]
For the purposes of this section, "person" means an individual, corporation, partnership, association or any other legal entity. [PL 2013, c. 412, §1 (NEW).]
The Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry shall adopt rules to carry out the provisions of this section. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are major substantive rules as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. [PL 2013, c. 412, §1 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. A, §23 (REV). PL 2013, c. 412, §1 (NEW).