Md. Code Regs. 08.07.05.02

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 12, June 14, 2024

Section 08.07.05.02 - Definitions

A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

B. Terms Defined.

(1) "Department" means the Department of Natural Resources - Forest Service.

(2) "Forestry practice" means an approved or accepted silvicultural and reforestation activity including:

(a) Thinning;

(b) Pruning;

(c) Prescribed burning;

(d) Crop tree release;

(e) Site preparation for natural or artificial reforestation;

(f) Herbicide treatments; and

(g) Planting of seedlings.

(3) "Form" means the combined application and agreement form adopted by the Department for the purpose of implementing the Woodland Incentive Program.

(4) "Licensed forester" means an individual who is licensed by the State Board of Foresters to practice forestry, as defined in Business Occupations and Professions Article, §§ 7-101 -7-602, Annotated Code of Maryland.

(5) "Plan" means a forest management plan, a forest stewardship plan, a pine reforestation plan pursuant to Natural Resources Article, §§ 5-504(b) and 5-505, Annotated Code of Maryland, or a reforestation plan prepared for the purpose of accomplishing forestry practices.

(6) "Reforestation" means the approved practice of planting or seeding tree species in areas of idle cropland, pasture land, or other nonforested areas, or the replanting or afforestation of harvested or understocked woodlands, resulting in the establishment of 400 or more healthy sprouts and seedlings per acre of commercially desirable species, well spaced and free to grow.

(7) "Site index" means a measurement used to determine the capability of a tract of forest land to produce wood fiber based on the species and base age of the dominant trees.

(8) Technical Assistance.

(a) "Technical assistance" means the Department's assistance to a nonindustrial private forest landowner in the implementation of an approved practice or forest practice.

(b) "Technical assistance" may include, but is not limited to:

(i) Giving advice regarding forest resource protection; and

(ii) Sharing information regarding restoration and management techniques, and advances in forest management technology.

(9) Timber Stand Improvement.

(a) "Timber stand improvement" means a precommercial cultural operation undertaken to improve the composition, value, condition, and number of trees in a timber stand.

(b) "Timber stand improvement" includes:

(i) Tree removal;

(ii) Deadening; and

(iii) Pruning activities.

(10) "Woodland Incentive Program" means a program developed pursuant to Natural Resources Article, §§ 5-301 -5-307, Annotated Code of Maryland, which is designed to assist eligible landowners in conducting a program of woodland management.

C. Eligibility.

(1) A landowner may apply for cost-share assistance for the Woodland Incentive Program if the:

(a) Landowner is an individual, group, or corporation that owns private woodland in the State; and

(b) Woodland tract meets the following criteria:

(i) Consists of 5 to 1,000 contiguous acres;

(ii) Is capable of producing more than 20 cubic feet of wood per acre per year;

(iii) When appropriate, has the potential to be harvested for products including logs, timbers, pulpwood, firewood, woodchips, poles, piles, posts, and other primary forest products;

(iv) Has not been subject to assistance from the Woodland Incentive Program in any of the 15 years preceding application for the same forestry practice for which assistance is sought.

(2) A corporation or subsidiary of a corporation that manufactures forest products or provides utility services, including railroad lines, telephone systems, electric power systems, natural gas systems, and water supply systems, is not eligible for assistance under the Woodland Incentive Program.

(3) A nonindustrial private forest landowner may apply for technical assistance regardless of the size of the tract.

Md. Code Regs. 08.07.05.02

Regulations .02, Woodland Incentive Program, adopted effective March 27, 1995 (22:6 Md. R. 473)
Regulation .02C amended effective February 25, 2008 (35:4 Md. R. 513); May 16, 2011 (38:10 Md. R. 614); amended effective 43:3 Md. R. 272, eff.2/15/2016