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The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation (FPR) announced recently that Hicks Logging, LLC, a business that performs logging activities in Vermont, was fined $6,000 for failing to file advanced notice of its intent and to obtain a permit to conduct a heavy cut on property located in the Northeast Kingdom town of Concord.
A heavy cut is defined as a harvest leaving a residual stand of healthy trees below the recommended density as defined by the USDA Forest Service silvicultural guides for similar stands. The goal of the Heavy Cut Law is to limit extensive harvesting on large areas of 40 acres or more and to ensure that any such harvesting is guided by an approved forest management plan. Prior to conducting a heavy cut, a Notice of Intent to Cut must be filed and authorization secured from FPR. Any permit issued must include an approved silvicultural plan for the harvest.
In December 2022, FPR staff conducted an inspection of the 52.7-acre property in Concord in response to a complaint of a heavy cut violation. After inventorying the residual stand, FPR determined that the company performed a heavy cut on 45.6 acres without providing FPR with advanced notice of its intent or securing a permit with an approved plan for the cut.
“Heavy cutting without a silvicultural plan can harm forest health and productivity,” said Danielle Fitzko, Commissioner of FPR. “This, in turn, affects wildlife, soils, water quality, and the forest economy.”
Hicks Logging LLC agreed to a fine of $6,000 for the violation. The agreement was incorporated into a Final Judicial Order of the Vermont Superior Court, Environmental Division on January 8, 2025.
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Categories: Press Release
There is no question as to who owns the trees in Vermont There is no property rights in Vermont. The Vermont non elected mafia is running this show and your elected free lunch gang in the Vermont state house are not stopping this extortion.
Someone in the logging industry, please comment. What kind of slap of the hand is this? Light – they will likely do it again because no one is really watching. Or is there some ouch to it – think twice – don’t do it again? Does this happen often? Trees will grow back in time, but our woods are one of our precious and beautiful resources. I’d like to think there’s some ouch to this and other logging companies will know to think twice, too.
The bigger concern to me as a landowner is that the state so completely has control of private land. This was private,not public land. Do I have to submit to the states ides of approved goals and practices on my land? If so, are they planning to pay part of my taxes for me since they have partial control of how I use my land.
Only a 6 Grand fine? Sounds like the violation paid off for the logger. How is that a disincentive?
It sure does not take long for some people to show their true colors.
6 grand fine for cutting 5.2 acres too heavily is insane. If you know what c level stocking is, the defining line for heavy cut, you know the state fine him heavily. It’s only 40 + acres. He cut 45 too heavy. If it wasn’t surveyed and the town had it for 40 acres he would have thought it fine. Town records and tax maps are frequently wrong.
Some wildlife love and thrive from clear cuts, grouse being one of them, deer being another. They want to control everything you do so you are a regulated serf. Notice they didn’t say there were any issues with erosion?
This is a scare piece.