Stewardship and Cutting Plans

Forest Stewardship & Cutting Plans

As stewards of our forests, there are two documents to be particularly familiar with - a Forest Management Plan (also referred to as a Forest Stewardship Plan) and a Forest Cutting Plan.  Both Plans are prepared by Massachusetts-licensed Consulting Foresters and are subject to the review and approval of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.  

Stewardship Plans detail a 10-year forest management plan based on landowner goals.  These Plans document these goals, as well as overviews of the property, stewardship issues, stand descriptions, and possible management practices.  They also include maps that identify the property, as well as the boundaries of the stands described in the Plan.  Stewardship Plans help a landowner take a long-term approach towards managing, enjoying, and caring for the land, while protecting or increasing environmental values of the land.  For information on general stewardship issues, look here.  Below, you'll find links to the Stewardship Plans that are either under review or approved for Haverhill's forests.

Cutting Plans detail how a proposed harvest will improve, maintain, and protect the subject forest 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.  The Cutting Plan is meant to satisfy the Massachusetts Forest Cutting Practices Act, but more importantly, it explains the proposed harvest to the landowner and reflects the landowner's objectives for the land.  To see a blank Forest Cutting Plan, including a Landowner Information Sheet, look here.  Below, you'll find links to the Cutting Plans that are either under review, approved, or completed for Haverhill's forests.  In each Plan, you'll see that the City of Haverhill is managing its forests to achieve Long-Term goals.