Critical Area Timber Harvest Process in Cecil County

1	The Critical Area is land under Maryland Law that generally has stricter regulations for tree removal and development projects, because of its proximity to the Chesapeake Bay. Critical Area lands are generally located within 1000 feet of the Bay or one of the major tributaries of the Bay. The official Critical Area maps for Cecil County are located at the Cecil County Planning and Zoning office. All timber harvests in Cecil County 1 acre or more in size within the Critical Area must be approved by the Cecil County Forest Conservancy District Board (CCFCDB). Note that timber harvesting generally assumes the roots/stumps of the trees removed will remain in the ground and intact. It also assumes that the forest will regenerate through natural or artificial (planted) regeneration. All development projects (no matter what size) or tree removals under 1 acre in the Critical Area are regulated by Cecil County Planning and Zoning, not the local Forestry Board.
2	To start the process, the landowner must contract with a private licensed (consultant) forester to write a Critical Area Timber Harvest Plan. That Plan is submitted to the local Department of Natural Resources (DNR) – Forest Service office for an initial review by DNR. This review can take up to 45 days. The DNR service forester will work with the consultant forester to insure the Timber Harvest Plan is complete and incorporates any comments by appropriate agencies.
3	Once all comments/changes have been incorporated into the Plan, the Critical Area Timber Harvest Plan can be presented for approval before the Cecil County Forest Conservancy District Board (CCFCDB).
4	The service forester or the consulting forester can present the Plan before the CCFCDB. The CCFCDB meets once a month (generally the first Wednesday evening of each month). The Plan is reviewed by the Board for approval under a delegated authority by the Critical Area Commission.
5	If approval of the Plan is granted, the landowner and consulting forester are notified by letter. Note that this approval does not override any other laws, regulations or restrictions that may cover a specific property. The approval only pertains to Maryland’s Critical Area Law.
6	If approval of the Plan is denied, there is an appeals process available.

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