Right to Practice Forestry

Thanks to the Use Value Appraisal (UVA) program, which provides fair taxation of forest and agricultural lands, and Vermont’s well-developed professional forestry community, millions of acres of Vermont forestland are managed according to sound silvicultural standards that promote long-term stewardship and sustainability.

Active forest management provides varied forest products that support our rural economy while:

• Protecting water quality

• Offering recreational opportunities

• Improving wildlife habitat

Since forest management requires the periodic harvest of trees, it’s important that the right to harvest, using accepted silvicultural practices and in full accordance with Vermont water quality rules, is not subject to:

• Baseless nuisance lawsuits

• Restrictive local or municipal regulations that unfairly target forestry operations

While the Vermont legislature enacted legislation in 2016 to limit the threat of restrictive municipal ordinances, the potential threat of nuisance lawsuits remains.

Vermont Woodlands Association Policy

Vermont Woodlands Association (VWA) supports policies and legislation that work to prevent unjustified nuisance lawsuits against woodland owners who manage their forests according to the Vermont Acceptable Management Practices for Protecting Water Quality on Logging Jobs in Vermont. VWA advocates for landowners implementing accepted silvicultural practices, as outlined in forest management plans adhering to the silviculture standards of the Vermont Use Value Appraisal (UVA) program.

Public Policy Goals

Vermont Woodlands Association, working with its partners and networks, will advance policy initiatives that:

• Educate the public and legislators on the benefits of managing forests, which supports healthy forest economies, ecosystems, and helps ensure forests remain as forests.

• Pass legislation to protect woodland owners from unjustified nuisance lawsuits arising from lawful forest management activities. VWA recognizes that valid nuisance claims may exist and supports legislation that offers a presumption of protection for landowners while not precluding legitimate nuisance claims.

Policy Approval

Vermont Woodlands Association is a non-profit (501(c)(3)) organization dedicated to the health and enhancement of Vermont’s working forests. Through education, outreach, and advocacy, we are a Voice for Healthy Forests in the Green Mountain State.

Protecting Woodland Owners’ Right to Practice Forestry was approved by the VWA Board of Directors on February 16, 2018.