Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §8611, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 555, §8, is amended to read:

1. Forest management information. The bureau shall provide a forest management information clearinghouse service with a statewide toll-free number. The information and referral service shall must include, but is not be limited to:

A. Reporting, notification and management requirements pursuant to this chapter;

B. Timber and forest management options;

C. Soil conservation practices;

D. Insect and disease management practices;

E. Recreation management options; and

F. Wildlife management options.

Names, addresses, telephone numbers and electronic mail addresses collected by the bureau for the purpose of contacting forest landowners owning less than 1,000 acres statewide to provide them with forest management information are designated as confidential for the purposes of Title 1, section 402, subsection 3, paragraph A.__The bureau shall provide copies of the communications to these landowners using this confidential contact information to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over agriculture, conservation and forestry matters.

SUMMARY

This bill protects small forest landowners by making confidential addresses and other contact information specifically collected by the Department of Conservation, Bureau of Forestry in order to give small forest landowners management advice.