Title 5. Forests and Parks — Subtitle 6. Forest Conservancy Districts
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Nat. Res. § 5-601 (2026)
Title 5. Forests and Parks
Subtitle 6. Forest Conservancy Districts
§ 5–601LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)
“District board” means any district forestry board created under this subtitle.
(c)
“Landowners” means any person owning woodlands, located in the State.
(d)
“Natural resources” means forests, fish and game, water and waterpower, soils, minerals, and all other similar sources of wealth.
(e)
“Woodlands or forest lands” means any land of an area of 3 acres or more held by the same owner and primarily devoted to the growth of forest products.
Md. Code Ann., Nat. Res. § 5-602 (2026)
Title 5. Forests and Parks
Subtitle 6. Forest Conservancy Districts
§ 5–602LinkCopy Citation
Forests, timberlands, woodlands, and soil resources of the State are basic assets, and the proper use, development, and preservation of these resources are necessary to protect and promote the health, safety, and general welfare of the people of the State. It is the policy of the State to encourage economic management and scientific development of its forests and woodlands to maintain, conserve, and improve the soil resources of the State so that an adequate source of forest products is preserved for the people. Floods and soil erosion must be prevented and the natural beauty of the State preserved. Wildlife must be protected, while the development of recreational interest is encouraged and the fertility and productivity of the soil is maintained. The impairment of reservoirs and dams must be prevented, the tax rate preserved, and the welfare of the people of the State sustained and promoted. Where these interests can be served through cooperative efforts of private forest landowners, with the assistance of the State, it is the policy of the State to encourage, assist, and guide private ownership in the management and fullest economic development of privately owned forest lands. Where these public interests cannot be served and adequately protected under private ownership, it is the policy of the State to acquire control of, and title to these lands as rapidly as the financial resources of the State permit.
Md. Code Ann., Nat. Res. § 5-603 (2026)
Title 5. Forests and Parks
Subtitle 6. Forest Conservancy Districts
§ 5–603LinkCopy Citation
The Department shall administer forest conservation practices on privately owned forest land and manage publicly owned forest lands. Representatives of the United States Forest Service and the Cooperative Extension Service may meet with the Department in an advisory capacity. The Department shall keep a record of its proceedings. The Department and the district boards shall cooperate with existing public agencies in forest management practices, flood control, recreation, wildlife management, and related activities. The Department shall direct and coordinate the activities of the district boards and hear appeals from orders or decisions of the local boards.
Md. Code Ann., Nat. Res. § 5-604 (2026)
Title 5. Forests and Parks
Subtitle 6. Forest Conservancy Districts
§ 5–604LinkCopy Citation
The Department may promulgate rules and regulations to administer this subtitle. The Secretary shall enforce every provision of this subtitle, and offer assistance to any district board. He shall disseminate information concerning minimum rules of forest practice adopted in the forestry districts in the State, maintain inspection of forest management practices necessary to make this subtitle effective, and enforce any rule or regulation the Department adopts.
Md. Code Ann., Nat. Res. § 5-605 (2026)
Title 5. Forests and Parks
Subtitle 6. Forest Conservancy Districts
§ 5–605LinkCopy Citation
The Department shall divide the State into convenient districts, having due regard for the character and extent of the timber stand, similarity of forest problems, convenience of administration, and other pertinent factors. It shall establish, by appointment, in each district created, a district forestry board of at least five members. The appointments to the district forestry board shall include, if possible, a person representing each of the major types of forestry and woodworking interests, and at least one person representing farm woodland owners preferably connected with a county farm bureau or grange in the district. If there are any county agricultural agents and county foresters representing areas lying within the district, they shall have the privilege of participating, without a vote, in the board meeting.
The term of membership on the board is three years. A member serves until his successor is appointed and qualified. Within 30 days of their appointment, and regularly thereafter, the members of the district forestry board shall meet and elect a chairman and vice-chairman to serve for a term of two years. The Department may discontinue district boards for cause at any time. The Department shall employ and assign to each board a forester who, in addition to his other duties, serves as secretary and executive officer of the board. Each member of the board shall receive expenses while engaged in the performance of his official duties. The Department shall determine the compensation of the forester. Any compensation payable to and any expense incurred by a district board shall be paid out of funds made available under the provisions of this subtitle.
Md. Code Ann., Nat. Res. § 5-606 (2026)
Title 5. Forests and Parks
Subtitle 6. Forest Conservancy Districts
§ 5–606LinkCopy Citation
(a)
The district forestry board shall:
(1)
Promote private forestry by assisting landowners in forest management, planting trees, conservation and development of tree crops, and protection of forests from fires, insects, and diseases;
(2)
Make available to landowners the services of a forester and advise them with regard to their forest and tree crop problems;
(3)
Assist the county assessors in their appraisal of forest lands for tax purposes;
(4)
Disseminate forest conservation information and collect data concerning forest conservation problems of the State;
(5)
Secure the cooperation and assistance of the United States and any of its agencies and State agencies in conservation of forest resources of the State;
(6)
Assist private owners of forest land by advice as to the construction of flood control measures, seeding and planting of waste slopes, abandoned or eroded lands, and development of wildlife by planting food or cover producing trees, bushes, and shrubs;
(7)
Receive and pass on proposed work plans for cutting forest lands;
(8)
Maintain an office, keep a record of its transactions, and promptly file copies of its decisions and orders with the Department;
(9)
Employ personnel, in addition to the district forester, as the Department approves; and
(10)
Perform all acts necessary to attain the objectives of this subtitle.
(b)
Any board or its agent may:
(1)
Hold meetings and demonstrations in regard to conservation of natural resources;
(2)
Enter into agreements with landowners within its county or district for a specified period of years;
(3)
Cooperate with other government agencies to achieve better forest growth and promulgate conservation measures, including meeting at least annually with agricultural advisory boards as provided under § 2–504.1 of the Agriculture Article in order to encourage the promotion and retention of agricultural land and forest land in their respective jurisdictions;
(4)
Develop comprehensive forest management plans for conservation of soil resources and for control and prevention of soil erosion within the county or district;
(5)
Enforce rules and regulations made by the Department. Each local board may suggest tentative rules and regulations of forest practice to accomplish objectives set forth in this subtitle and to carry out policies established by the Department. The board shall publish the tentative rules and regulations in one or more newspapers having a wide circulation in the area they cover, together with a notice of a public hearing which the board shall hold on them. The final draft of these rules and regulations shall be presented to the Department for approval. The board may summon witnesses for hearings on infraction of its rules and regulations and initiate a prosecution for violation of its rules. It shall forward copies of any proceedings and rulings to the Department and make an annual report of its proceedings and actions to the Department; and
(6)
Promulgate safeguards for proper forest land use, such as those intended to:
(i)
Provide for adequate restocking, after cutting, of trees of desirable species and condition;
(ii)
Provide for reserving for growth and subsequent cutting, a sufficient growing stock of thrifty trees of desirable species to keep the land reasonably productive; and
(iii)
Prevent clear–cutting, or limit the size of a tract to be clear–cut in areas where clear–cutting will seriously interfere with protection of a watershed, or in order to maintain a suitable growing stock to insure natural reproduction. However, any rule dealing with clear–cutting shall establish a procedure by which any operator of forest land may secure a permit to clear–cut particular lands upon proof that he has a bona fide intention of devoting the land to other than forest use; that the lands are appropriate for the proposed use; and that devoting the lands to the new use will not seriously interfere with the protection of the watershed.
(c)
Subject to the approval of the Secretary, each board may impose fees for the purpose of offsetting its costs incurred in carrying out the requirements of this section, unless an equivalent amount of funds is provided to each board under § 5–307 of this title.
Md. Code Ann., Nat. Res. § 5-607 (2026)
Title 5. Forests and Parks
Subtitle 6. Forest Conservancy Districts
§ 5–607LinkCopy Citation
The forester shall:
(1)
Make plans for management and reforestation of forest, woodlot, and tree crop orchards;
(2)
Assist landowners of the district in marketing their forest products;
(3)
Hold meetings of county or local forest fire wardens, lookouts, guards, fire fighters, and others to instruct them in methods of forest fire prevention and extinction;
(4)
Enlist the cooperation of landowners in protection of their forests from fire, insects, and disease;
(5)
Make an annual written report of his activities to the Secretary;
(6)
Assist the State Extension Forester in carrying out the Farm Forestry Extension Program;
(7)
Assist forest landowners in formation and execution of soil conservation practices;
(8)
Keep accurate records of any forest management plan;
(9)
Assist in management of community or municipally owned forests;
(10)
Assist assessors in appraisal of woodlands; and
(11)
Advise and assist in planting food-bearing trees and shrubs for the benefit of wildlife.
Md. Code Ann., Nat. Res. § 5-608 (2026)
Title 5. Forests and Parks
Subtitle 6. Forest Conservancy Districts
§ 5–608LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
(i)
Any person engaged in a forest products business shall have a forest product operator’s license issued by the Department.
(ii)
The license is secured from the Department for every type of forest products manufacturing plant.
(iii)
Before any sawmill or other plant is erected for the manufacture of lumber or other forest products or when the location of any manufacturing plant is to be changed, the location shall be reported to the Department prior to erection of the plant or the change of location.
(2)
An applicant for a license shall:
(i)
Submit to the Department an application on the form that the Department provides;
(ii)
Demonstrate compliance with the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Act under Title 9 of the Labor and Employment Article; and
(iii)
Pay to the Department a fee set by the Department in an amount not to exceed the costs of carrying out this section.
(3)
The term of a license is 1 year.
(b)
Each person to whom this subtitle applies shall:
(1)
Leave conditions favorable for regrowth. Any forest land on which cuttings are made shall be left by the operator in a favorable condition for regrowth, in order to maintain sufficient growing stock to supply raw materials for industry and furnish employment for forest communities continuously, if possible, or without long interruption;
(2)
Leave young growth. As far as feasible, every desirable seedling and sapling shall be protected during logging operations. Except where unavoidable in logging, immature trees may not be cut for any purpose except to improve the spacing, quality, and composition or conditions for restocking, or to obtain timber or wood for home use;
(3)
Arrange for restocking land after cutting by leaving trees of desirable species of suitable size singly, or in groups, well distributed and in a number to secure restocking. If the board approves, however, clear–cutting may be performed;
(4)
Maintain adequate growing stock after partial cutting or selective logging. Rules and regulations of the Department, defining standards of forest practice to obtain and maintain adequate growing stock in the different forest types, may vary with different forest types of the State;
(5)
Conduct timber harvesting operations in accordance with the sediment and erosion control standards under Title 4 of the Environment Article;
(6)
Accurately report to the Department the quality, quantity, and species of firewood sold or delivered in accordance with Title 11 of the Agriculture Article;
(7)
Comply with the terms of any applicable federal, State, or local permit, license, or approval;
(8)
Complete and submit to the Department an annual timber consumption report; and
(9)
Comply with the standards of practice adopted by the Department.
(c)
(1)
The Department may suspend or revoke the license of a forest product operator for failure to comply with this subtitle.
(2)
Before suspending or revoking a license under this subsection, the Department, in accordance with Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article, shall:
(i)
Send by registered or certified mail written notice of the basis of the suspension or revocation to the license holder at the last known address of the license holder; and
(ii)
Hold a hearing on the license suspension or revocation if the license holder requests the hearing within 2 weeks after receiving the written notice.
(3)
A person aggrieved by a final decision of the Department in a contested case relating to a license suspension or revocation under this subsection may appeal as authorized under §§ 10–222 and 10–223 of the State Government Article.
(d)
The provisions of this section do not apply to cutting firewood and timber for domestic use for the owner or his tenant, but apply to all cutting not specifically excepted.
(e)
In a civil action before a court of competent jurisdiction, a person who suffers damages as a result of a violation of this section by a license holder may recover court costs and reasonable attorney’s fees.
(f)
The Department may adopt regulations to implement this section.
Md. Code Ann., Nat. Res. § 5-608.1 (2026)
Title 5. Forests and Parks
Subtitle 6. Forest Conservancy Districts
§ 5–608.1LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In this section, “forest product operator” means a person engaged in a forest products business who is licensed under § 5–608 of this subtitle.
(b)
There is a Voluntary Firewood Treatment Certification Program in the Department.
(c)
The purpose of the program is to certify forest product operators who export firewood to other states and use heat treatment and other procedures to prevent the presence of wood boring pest infestations, wood inhabiting pests, and plant disease pathogens in the firewood products.
(d)
The Department may issue a certification to a forest product operator if:
(1)
The forest product operator submits a complete application for the certification on a form provided by the Department; and
(2)
The Department determines, on inspection, that the facility, equipment, and treatment methods used by the forest product operator meet the criteria for certification established by the Department by regulation.
(e)
A certification issued under this section:
(1)
Shall have a term of 1 year;
(2)
May include any conditions the Department considers necessary;
(3)
May be renewed in accordance with regulations adopted by the Department;
(4)
May not be transferred; and
(5)
May be suspended or revoked by the Department for failure to comply with:
(i)
The provisions of this section;
(ii)
A regulation adopted by the Department under this section; or
(iii)
A condition or requirement of the certification.
(f)
(1)
At least once annually and at any other time that the Department considers necessary, the Department may inspect the facility and equipment used by a forest product operator certified under this section.
(2)
The Department shall keep a report of each inspection conducted under this subsection.
(g)
The Department, in consultation with the Department of Agriculture, shall adopt regulations to implement the provisions of this section, including regulations that establish:
(1)
The criteria for certification under this section; and
(2)
The procedures for suspension and revocation of a certification issued under this section.
Md. Code Ann., Nat. Res. § 5-609 (2026)
Title 5. Forests and Parks
Subtitle 6. Forest Conservancy Districts
§ 5–609LinkCopy Citation
The Department may accept for the State any appropriation of money for any forest conservation purpose made out of the federal treasury by any act of Congress. The Department is the forest authority for the expenditure and administration of the funds. The Treasurer of the State is the custodian of money the State receives from appropriations for forest conservation purposes made by any act of Congress. He may receive and provide for the proper custody of the money and make disbursements upon order of the Department.
Md. Code Ann., Nat. Res. § 5-610 (2026)
Title 5. Forests and Parks
Subtitle 6. Forest Conservancy Districts
§ 5–610LinkCopy Citation
This subtitle does not apply to clearing woodlands for reservoirs, military, naval, agricultural, communication and transmission lines, industrial sites, railroads, residential, or recreational purposes; nor does it apply to maple tree camps or to the business of gathering maple sugar or syrup.