Code of Massachusetts Regulations
302 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION
Title 302 CMR 15.00 - Chapter 61, Forest Classification
Section 15.06 - Management of Classified Forest Land

(1) The owner shall not diverge from the approved forest management plan without prior written approval of the Department.

(2) Revisions to the forest management plan within the term of any ten year certification period that involve changes in silvicultural treatment or practices may be allowed at the discretion and only with the written approval of the Department when, in its discretion, such change does not substantially detract from the forest management objectives described in the current forest management plan in accordance with M.G.L. c. 61 and 302 CMR 15.00.

(3) A new owner of classified forest land who elects to continue under the provisions of M.G.L. c. 61 shall submit to the appropriate Regional Office, within 90 days of transfer of title, an amended application certificate and amended forest management plan with updated information. Failure to so file within the 90-day period shall not invalidate certification or constitute grounds for removal from classification if the failure is due to inadvertence or mistake, and the new owner files an amended plan upon notification of such failure within the time set by the Department, and has done nothing on the subject parcel in the interim to otherwise warrant removal from classification.

(4) If a sale of forest land constitutes only a portion of the parcel subject to classification, the new owner shall, within 90 days of the transfer of title, submit an amended application certificate and forest management plan to the appropriate Regional Office. The owner of the remaining portion of the parcel shall within 90 days of transfer of title submit an amended application certificate and forest management plan to the appropriate Regional Office. Failure to so file within the 90-day period shall not invalidate certification or constitute grounds for removal from classification if the failure is due to inadvertence or mistake, and the new owner files an amended plan upon notification of such failure within the time set by the Department, and has done nothing on the subject parcel in the interim to otherwise warrant removal from classification.

(5) At the end of each ten year classification period, an updated forest management plan and application certificate as required above shall be submitted by the owner to the appropriate Regional Office no later than 5:00 P.M., on or before June 30th of the year prior to the year of recertification. Applications postmarked on or before June 30th shall be considered timely filed.

The owner's failure to abide by the provisions of 302 CMR 15.00 or the previous forest management plan may result in denial of recertification.