Section 40. It is hereby declared that the public welfare requires the rehabilitation, maintenance, and protection of forest lands for the purpose of conserving water, preventing floods and soil erosion, improving the conditions for wildlife and recreation, protecting and improving air and water quality, and providing a continuing and increasing supply of forest products for public consumption, farm use, and for the woodusing industries of the commonwealth.
Therefore, it is hereby declared to be the policy of the commonwealth that all lands devoted to forest growth shall be kept in such condition as shall not jeopardize the public interests, and that the policy of the commonwealth shall further be one of cooperation with the landowners and other agencies interested in forestry practices for the proper and profitable management of all forest lands in the interest of the owner, the public and the users of forest products.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part I - Administration of the Government
Title XIX - Agriculture and Conservation
Section 1 - Director of the Division of Forests and Parks; Duties
Section 2 - Bequests and Gifts; Forestry Trust
Section 3 - Forest Wardens; Payment for Investigations; Conventions
Section 4 - Annual Report of Commissioner of Natural Resources
Section 7 - Labor on State Forests
Section 8 - Entry Upon Land to Control and Suppress Public Nuisances
Section 12a - Suppression of Public Nuisances on Land Under Control of Commonwealth
Section 15 - Certified Itemized Statements of Expenditures
Section 25 - Suppression of Foliage-Destroying Pests Within City and Town Limits
Section 26a - Removal and Destruction of Trees Infected With Dutch Elm Disease
Section 26e - Notice of Positive Diagnosis of Dutch Elm Disease; Condemnation of Tree
Section 30 - Forest Fire Observation Towers; Erection and Operation
Section 31 - Control and Management of State Forests; Regulations
Section 32 - Appropriations for Necessary Expenses
Section 34 - Rules and Regulations Relative to Use of State Forests; Enforcement
Section 35 - Acquisition of Land for Forestation by Towns
Section 37 - Duties of Local Forest Wardens
Section 39 - Contributions by Cities or Towns
Section 40 - Forest Cutting Practices; Declaration of Policy of Commonwealth
Section 41 - State Forestry Committee; Members; Forest Cutting Practices and Guidelines
Section 43 - Forest Cutting Practices; Failure to Give Notice
Section 44 - Forest Cutting Practices; Exempted Cuttings
Section 46 - License to Harvest Forest Products
Section 47 - Licensing of Foresters; Definitions Applicable to Secs. 47 to 50
Section 48 - Licensing of Foresters; Violations; Penalty
Section 49 - Licenses of Foresters; Revocation; Suspension; Fees
Section 50 - Forester Licensing Committee; Membership
Section 51 - Forest and Wood Products Institute; Advisory Board