Winnipesaukee Forum - View Single Post - Questions while driving from Wolfeboro to Laconia

Slickcraft · 10-27-2012, 07:00 PM

Here is a link to a summary of the state laws:
http://extension.unh.edu/resources/f...253_rep274.pdf

There are restrictions on clear cutting within certain distances from roads (150'), streams (50') and great ponds (150'). Outside of that I don't see any restriction to clear cutting in state law.

There are restrictions relative to wetlands and large areas of terrain alteration.

Prior to harvest an "intent to cut" must be submitted to the town and signed by the BOS. This however primarly relates to collection of the timber tax and serves as notice to the pending activity. Other than monitoring for compliance with the state laws and collecting the timber tax, unfortunately I am not aware of any authority that a town has. Normally when the state preempts the regulation of certain activities, town's have little or no ability to impose additional regulations.

There is another clear cut area in Alton much larger than that pictured here. On Cherry Valley Road, Rt 11A, north side, last lot in Alton along the Gilford boundary. Look north along the ridge line when near Laura Lane on 11A.

10-27-2012, 07:00 PM	#29
Slickcraft Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Welch Island and The Taylor Community Posts: 3,296 Thanks: 1,222 Thanked 2,080 Times in 952 Posts	State timber harvest laws Here is a link to a summary of the state laws: http://extension.unh.edu/resources/f...253_rep274.pdf There are restrictions on clear cutting within certain distances from roads (150'), streams (50') and great ponds (150'). Outside of that I don't see any restriction to clear cutting in state law. There are restrictions relative to wetlands and large areas of terrain alteration. Prior to harvest an "intent to cut" must be submitted to the town and signed by the BOS. This however primarly relates to collection of the timber tax and serves as notice to the pending activity. Other than monitoring for compliance with the state laws and collecting the timber tax, unfortunately I am not aware of any authority that a town has. Normally when the state preempts the regulation of certain activities, town's have little or no ability to impose additional regulations. There is another clear cut area in Alton much larger than that pictured here. On Cherry Valley Road, Rt 11A, north side, last lot in Alton along the Gilford boundary. Look north along the ridge line when near Laura Lane on 11A.