An Act To Require the Replacement of Trees Cut in Shoreland Areas (2007)
Trees in shoreland zones provide a number of important benefits including wildlife habitat, shade, woody debris, and buffers for water quality. In some cases, people who want to enhance their view of a waterbody are willing to pay a fine for illegally cutting down trees in these areas. This bill requires a person who cuts a tree or other vegetation in violation of the law, to replace the tree or vegetation with a plant of similar size and species. In addition, the violator must submit a reforestation plan to the municipality. Timber harvesting is exempted from the requirements.
