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Forestry Permits and Variances
- On this page:
Permit Forms
- Forest Operations Permit - FOP (PDF)
- Complete and submit this application if you are conducting timber harvesting or timber harvesting related activities within certain protection subdistricts within the Unorganized and Deorganized Areas of the State. These subdistricts include P-MA, P- RT, P-SG, and P-UA. For a complete copy of the rules regulating timber harvesting in the unorganized and deorganized areas of the state please refer to Chapter 27 Rule, Standards for Timber Harvesting and Timber Harvesting Related Activities within Unorganized and Deorganized Areas of the State.
- Road Construction Permit - RP (PDF)
- Anyone constructing land management roads in the unorganized and Deorganized Areas of the State under the Maine Forest Service (MFS) Chapter 27 rules:
- Require a permit in the applicable subdistrict (see Definitions and Requirements by Subdistricts); and/or
- Do not otherwise conform with Standards of MFS Rule Chapter 27 (see Standards for details).
- For road construction activities that will cross a non-forested freshwater wetland over 4,300 square feet in size please see Forest Operations Crossing Permit and Permit by Rule for more information For a complete copy of the rules that impact Road Construction activities please refer to Chapter 27 Rule, Standards for Timber Harvesting and Timber Harvesting Related Activities within Unorganized and Deorganized Areas of the State and Chapter 21 Timber Harvesting and Related Activities in Shoreland Areas.
- Anyone constructing land management roads in the unorganized and Deorganized Areas of the State under the Maine Forest Service (MFS) Chapter 27 rules:
- Gravel Pit Permit Addendum (PDF)
- Addendum to a road permit application for gravel extraction operations in the unorganized and deorganized areas of the state that are less than 5 acres in size and do not conform to the standards of MFS Chapter 27 Rules.
This permit is also required if gravel extraction activities are proposed in the following subdistricts P-SL1, PSL2, P-GP, P-FW, P-RR, P-FP, P-RT, P-SG, P-AL, P-AR, P-UA.
- Gravel extraction operations that greater than 5 acres in size and/or located in development subdistricts are subject to regulations enforced by the Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC).
- The Department of Environmental Protection regulates the extraction of gravel in all organized towns within the state.
- Addendum to a road permit application for gravel extraction operations in the unorganized and deorganized areas of the state that are less than 5 acres in size and do not conform to the standards of MFS Chapter 27 Rules.
- Forest Operations Crossing Permit - FOC (PDF)
- Complete and submit this application if you are proposing the construction of a new permanent crossing over a waterbody subject to a 250’ shoreland zone. This permit is also required if a crossing exceeding 200 linear feet will be built over a non-forested wetland over 4,300 square feet in size. A crossing is considered new if the crossing is a new structure, or if the old structure has not been passable with a 2-wheel drive vehicle at any point in the last two years. A crossing is considered permanent if it will be installed longer than 7 months or if fill is placed below the normal high-water mark. This applies to both road and skid trail crossings. Repair maintenance and replacement of existing structures is allowed without a permit as long as all applicable Chapter 21 Standards are followed. For the crossing of other waterbodies not covered by this permit see Permit by Rule.
- Permit By Rule - PBR (PDF)
- • Complete and submit this application if you are proposing the construction of a new permanent crossing over any body of water or non forested wetland regulated by Chapter 21 Statewide Standards for Timber Harvesting and related activities that is not subject to a 250’ shoreland zone. This permit applies for crossings over non forested wetlands greater than 4,300 square feet in size, in instances in which the disturbance will impact less than 200 linear feet. A crossing is considered new if the crossing is a new structure, or if the old structure has not been passable with a 2-wheel drive vehicle at any point in the last two years. A crossing is considered permanent if it will be installed longer than 7 months or if fill is placed below the normal high-water mark. This applies to both road and skid trail crossings. Repair maintenance and replacement of existing structures is allowed without a permit as long as all applicable Chapter 21 Standards are followed. For the crossing of other waterbodies subject to a 250’ buffer, or for the crossing of wetlands over 4,300 square feet for which the impact will be greater than 200 linear feet see Forest Operations Crossing Permit.
- A PBR application must be completed in full and include all necessary attachments before it can be fully processed. Applications have a 20 day review period, which may be extended if an application is incomplete or unclear. Projects must not begin before receiving an approval letter from MFS. A project may begin once they have received an approval letter from MFS, even if the 20 day review period has not yet expired. Projects that take place between July 15—Oct. 1 are exempt from the 20 day waiting period. Multiple projects may be included in one PBR application.
Variance Information and Form
Frequently Asked Questions on Permitting and Variances
MFS Permit and Variance Decisions
The table below lists the decisions the Maine Forest Service have made on permit and variance applications. These include applications for the following:
- Chapter 27 - Bridge Construction Permit (BCP)
- Chapter 27 - Forest Operations Permit (FOP)
- Chapter 27 - Road Construction Permit (RP)
- Permit by Rule (PBR)
- Chapter 21 Variance (VCH21)
- Chapter 27 Variance (VCH27)
You can use the search box to type in information you would like to find in the table below.
By clicking on a column heading in the table will sort the information in the table by that column.
| Decision Year | Town | Landowner | Decision Date | Application Number |
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