State Forest Management Program 

The ownership and management of state-owned lands in New Hampshire have a long history of tradition with clear direction provided by state law (RSA 227-G and 227-H). It is within this framework that the management of state land is defined and carried out. The division strives to achieve the goals of management through its forest and land management programs and through cooperative efforts with other state agencies.

State land management has it roots in the 1800's beginning with the New Hampshire State Forestry Commission. The original State Forestry Commission authorized by the General Court on July 29, 1881 determined in its early years that the purchase and management of state forests in New Hampshire would be justified by four benefits:

• State-owned forests would serve as demonstrations of sound forestry principles;
• Public ownership of sensitive mountain tops, cut conservatively, would retain greater value for their effects on soil erosion and stream flow than for timber production;
• A few small tracts of rare natural beauty could be preserved; and
• State would derive revenue from the management of forests which serve the other three purposes.

Under Chapter 227-H, the forest management program carries out forestry activities on more than 167,000 acres of state-owned reservations, more than 11,000 acres of Federal Flood Control Areas under a natural resource management license with the US Army Corps of Engineers, and more than 23,000 acres of Fish and Game Department lands by memorandum of understanding.  The Forest Management Bureau within the Division of Forests and Lands is responsible for forest management activities on woodlands under state jurisdiction.

For information on upcoming timber harvest operations on State lands click here.