TITLE XIX-A
FORESTRY
Chapter 227-I
FOREST RESOURCES EDUCATION, PROMOTION, AND PLANNING
Section 227-I:1
227-I:1 Declaration of Purpose. –
It is hereby recognized and declared that accurate and detailed information concerning the state's forest resources and uses is essential to planning for the multiple use and perpetuation of those resources and that the welfare of the state is served by making such information as complete, current, and available as possible. It is further recognized that the public welfare is served by educating the citizens of this state about the value of forest resources and benefits and forestry.
Source. 1995, 299:1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996.
Section 227-I:2
227-I:2 Duties and Authority of the Director. –
I. The director shall:
(a) As far as other duties may permit, carry on an educational course of lectures and other public information programs and activities on forests and forest resources and conduct exhibits on forestry at state facilities and at fairs and other similar public assemblies, delegating such duties to authorized assistants as necessary, within the limits of available time and funds.
(b) Provide New Hampshire forest landowners, natural resource professionals, forest products industries, communities, and the non-landowning public with unbiased, research-based educational assistance on subject matters including, but not limited to, sustainable forest management practices, stewardship of all forest resources, timber harvesting, and the utilization and marketing of forest products.
(c) Enable the division to provide the educational assistance referred to in subparagraphs (a) and (b) by enacting and maintaining a memorandum of understanding with the University of New Hampshire cooperative extension to support and implement a joint forest resources educational program between the division, the cooperative extension and cooperating federal, state, and county partners. Such memorandum shall be reviewed and updated every 3 years or less as may be necessary.
(d) At least every 10 years undertake an inventory, assessment, and analysis of the forest resources as provided in RSA 227-I:6-8.
II. The director may:
(a) Upon request and whenever the director deems it essential to the best interest of the people of the state, cooperate with counties, towns, corporations, and individuals in preparing plans for the protection, management, and reforestation of woodlots and timber tracts, on such terms as the commissioner may approve.
(b) Assist, at its request, any city or town which has established a city or town forest.
(c) Keep an inventory of all city and town forests in the state.
Source. 1995, 299:1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996.
Section 227-I:3
227-I:3 Education and Promotion. –
I. The governor shall annually proclaim one week during the month of May, as recommended by the director, as forest conservation week, to encourage the proper care and utilization of the state's forest resources. The governor shall urge forest landowners to observe the occasion by seeking professional forestry advice on the forest management of their woodlots and shall urge others to develop a greater awareness of the forest by obtaining informational pamphlets, publications and material, and by participating in forestry education activities and programs.
II. The governor shall annually proclaim the last Friday in April in each year as Arbor Day, designating this day for the recognition of the significant contribution of trees and shrubs to the well-being, comfort, and inspiration of the people of this state. The governor shall direct the director to encourage appropriate local and state celebrations and educational programs in commemoration of the occasion and to encourage all citizens of the state, individually and in organized groups, to enrich their surroundings by the planting of trees and shrubs on their own properties and in approved public places.
Source. 1995, 299:1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996.
Section 227-I:4
227-I:4 Recommended Forest Management Practices. –
The director shall coordinate an effort to produce educational tools that identify recommended voluntary forest management practices for sites or practices which are ecologically sensitive due to soils, wildlife habitat, and other unique natural features such as high elevations, steep slopes, deer wintering areas, riparian zones, sensitive soils, and clearcutting.
Source. 1995, 299:1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996.
Planning
Section 227-I:5
227-I:5 State Forest Advisory Board. –
The director may appoint a state forest advisory board, the chairperson of which shall be elected annually by the members of the board. The advisory board shall be representative of diverse forest interests and geographic regions of the state and shall advise and assist the director in carrying out the provisions of this chapter. The members shall meet at least semiannually and shall receive such travel expenses as may be made available by state appropriations or other sources and as authorized by the director.
Source. 1995, 299:1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996.
Section 227-I:6
227-I:6 Forest Resources Inventory and Assessment. –
I. The director, under the guidance of the state forest advisory board and within the limits of available financial and other resources, shall undertake an inventory, assessment, and analysis of the forest resources of the state at least every 10 years. Such inventory and assessment, whenever practicable, shall be undertaken in conjunction with the United States Department of Agriculture forest service's forest inventory and analysis of the state.
II. In preparing the inventory and assessment, the director shall:
(a) Solicit the cooperation of and information collected by public agencies and private organizations, federal agencies, regional and local planning organizations, and forest industries. For the purpose of assisting the director in preparing the inventory and assessment or its revisions, the director, in consultation with the state forest advisory board, may appoint such special advisory committees as the director deems necessary. Such committees shall consist of individuals with practical expertise in forest resource fields and shall include representatives of public and private agencies and organizations and of the forest industry and others concerned with the use of forest resources; and
(b) Evaluate the accuracy of existing data required to complete the inventory and assessment and identify high priority needs for completing such database.
III. The director shall prepare an interim report at least every 5 years following an inventory and assessment.
Source. 1995, 299:1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996.
Section 227-I:7
227-I:7 Elements of the Inventory and Assessment. –
The inventory shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:
I. Forestland ownership and management objectives.
II. Quantity and quality of timber and forestland in the state.
III. Efficiency of utilization of forest products.
IV. Contribution to energy needs being made by wood.
V. Status of forest protection.
VI. Status of forest resources and benefits.
VII. A description and evaluation of current public and private forestry programs.
VIII. Evaluation of management status on public and private lands.
IX. Analysis of present and anticipated supply and demand for the various forest resources in the state.
X. Evaluation of forest-related employment and associated economic benefits, including, but not limited to, timber.
Source. 1995, 299:1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996.
Section 227-I:8
227-I:8 Forest Resources Plan. –
Based on the inventory and assessment prepared pursuant to RSA 227-I:6 and RSA 227-I:7, the director, with the advice and assistance of the state forest advisory board and within the limits of available financial and other resources, shall prepare and submit to the governor and the legislature at least every 10 years a comprehensive statewide forest resources plan and at least every 5 years an interim status report and 5-year program that addresses problems and opportunities on all ownerships. Such plan and program shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
I. A discussion of management responsibilities, policy considerations, laws, rules, regulations, and other factors expected to influence and significantly affect the use, ownership, and management of forest resources.
II. A statement of policies regarding management of the forest resources of the state.
III. A description of specific fiscal needs and legislative priorities for promoting both public and private resource management programs in New Hampshire.
Source. 1995, 299:1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996.
Forest Resource Information
Section 227-I:9
227-I:9 Primary Wood Processing Mills; Wood Concentration Yards; Registration; Penalty. –
I. In order to protect and develop the state's forest resources, provide for the safety of woodlands from fire in relation to primary wood processing mills, and to respond to forest health threats, such mills and wood concentration yards shall be registered by the director. Primary wood processing mills shall provide the director with information on the locations, owner, type of mill, operating capacity, species, volumes, and state of origin of wood harvested and timber processed, purchased, and sold, and the output of wood and timber products.
II. (a) No person shall operate or cause to be operated any mill processing primary forest products or wood concentration yard unless said mill or wood concentration yard shall be registered by the director.
(b) There shall be an annual mill registration fee of $20 for all mills processing primary forest products or wood concentration yards, regardless of size, type of mill or wood concentration yard, or primary product being processed.
(c) Application for registration shall be made on forms provided by the director, giving the name of owner or owners, and locations of a primary wood processing mill or a wood concentration yard. Primary wood processing mills shall provide the director with information on the products produced, type, capacity, and such other pertinent information as the director may require. One application shall cover a mill complex in a given location involving more than one unit of equipment.
(d) The director shall issue to the applicant a permanent registration number assigned to the mill or wood concentration yard described in the application together with a sign or plate denoting such registration number, to be displayed in a conspicuous place at the mill or wood concentration yard.
III. The director, or duly authorized agent, may, at any time, inspect any primary wood processing mill or wood concentration yard to assure compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
IV. Any person who violates any of the provisions of this section or rules adopted under RSA 541-A shall, for the first 30-day period, be guilty of a violation if a natural person, or guilty of a misdemeanor if any other person. Each subsequent 30-day period or part thereof shall constitute a separate offense.
Source. 1995, 299:1. 2007, 88:10, eff. Aug. 10, 2007.
Section 227-I:10
227-I:10 Tabulation of Statistics. –
The director shall require each mill registered in a given year to submit, on or before January 31 of the following year, a tabulation by species and volume of primary forest products processed during the preceding calendar year on the basis of the International 1/4 Inch Rule, or its equivalent, or other commonly used basis of measure for products not measurable in board feet. The director shall annually publish a statewide tabulation of these statistics, in addition to other general information about primary wood processing mills derived from registration applications.
Source. 1995, 299:1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996.
Section 227-I:11
227-I:11 Repealed by 2022, 53:3, eff. Dec. 1, 2023. –