State Land Timber Sale Program

The Forest Management Bureau conducts timber sales on State Reservations under authority of RSA 227-H:1 to provide forest benefits and to demonstrate sound forestry principles. Forest benefits are identified in RSA 227-G:1 and include: forest products, a viable forest-based economy, recreation opportunities, scenic values, healthful surroundings, climate mitigation, clean water and biologically diverse populations of plants and animals.

Timber sales have been performed on State lands for over 100 years. Early on timber harvesting was irregularly scheduled and primarily centered around forest and park improvements as State land was acquired; and the salvage of timber after the 1938 hurricane. Since 1950, however, timber sales have occurred regularly as a fundamental tool in the management and maintenance of the timber, wildlife, and other forest resources on State-owned forest lands. Today, there are approximately 20 timber harvests every year on state forests, state parks and wildlife habitat management areas.

All timber sales on state lands go through an extensive planning process and site analysis including review and input from the State Lands Management Team, a group which includes members of other state agencies such as the Department of Fish and Game, the Division of Parks and Recreation, the Division of Historic Resources, the Natural Heritage Bureau and the Bureau of Trails. In addition all timber sales on state lands meet or exceed the recommendations set forth in Good Forestry in the Granite State: Recommended Voluntary Forest Management Practices for New Hampshire and are conducted in accordance with the Best Management Practices for Erosion Control on Timber Harvesting Operations in New Hampshire.

Timber harvests are sold through a public bid process in accordance with procedures adopted by Governor and Council. All interested parties capable of being determined to be a "Responsible Bidder" as defined in RSA 28:8-e will be provided the opportunity to bid on any offered timber sale.

Every state timber sale is prepared and administered under the supervision of a licensed Regional Foresters. All trees to be harvested are marked with paint and tallied in advance of the sale. A showing date is scheduled and notices are sent to prospective bidders. Bidders are provided a prospectus at the showing and have two weeks to submit their bids from the date of the showing.

The successful bidder is required to enter into a Timber Sale Contract and Agreement with the State detailing: the timber included, the price bid and the period of contract; cutting, utilization and scaling specifications; logging and skidding restrictions; site restoration and sanitation requirements; insurance, safety, and indemnification clauses, and any other additional requirements or restrictions particular to the timber sale.

All marked trees are to be cut and utilized in accordance with the contract specifications. All timber is paid for in advance of cutting and a performance bond in the amount of $5,000.00 is posted by the Purchaser and is held by the State during the sale to insure proper compliance with the terms of the contract and site restoration at the completion of the job.