[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Richmond 12-11-2007 by L.L. No. 2-2007. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Flood damage prevention — See Ch. 120.
Zoning — See Ch. 200.
The purpose of this chapter is to promote the health, safety and welfare of the residents of the Town of Richmond by protecting the natural environment as affected by timber harvesting. The Town of Richmond recognizes that timber resources are of significant value and will be harvested. The Town of Richmond also recognizes that when timber harvesting practices are carried out poorly, direct and significant environmental damage can occur to the property, as well as to adjacent lands and waters. This chapter requires an applicant to be responsible for implementing best management practices as outlined below. Best management practices will mitigate the potential for environmental damage, particularly from soil erosion and sediment-laden runoff. Therefore, the following requirements are intended to regulate those harvesting activities that are most likely to cause environmental damage, such as stream crossings, location of landings, haul roads and skid trails and reclamation efforts.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
APPLICANT
The landowner(s) of the property upon which harvesting activities occur along with any agent representing such property owner(s).
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
Devices and procedures to be considered and utilized as necessary to protect the values and functions of forested land during harvesting and other forest management operations. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Timber Harvesting Guidelines and New York State Forestry Best Management Practices for Water Quality BMP Field Guide are referenced examples of the appropriate best management practices for timber harvesting. Any revised or future editions approved by New York State will be considered the then-current standards.
BOARD FOOT
A measure of lumber of 12 inches by 12 inches by one inch.
CLASSIFIED STREAM
A stream protected under Article 15 of the Environmental Conservation Law. A permit is required from the NYSDEC for any work disturbing a classified stream's bed or banks.
CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
The official designated by the Town Board to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
LANDINGS
An open or cleared area used for loading logs onto trucks or used for any purpose such as storing logs or servicing equipment.
STANDARD CORD
Cut wood stacked measuring four feet in height and four feet in width and eight feet in length.
A. 
A timber harvesting permit, to be issued by the Town Code Enforcement Officer, shall be required before any timber harvesting operation is conducted within the Town. Timber harvesting carried out during any 12 consecutive months to remove more than 10,000 board feet or 25 standard cords, or such equivalents, shall require a permit and be subject to review. Such review shall require a written statement from a Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Forester or Department of Environmental Conservation Recognized Cooperating Consulting Forester or New York State Master Forest Owner.
B. 
Such written statement shall contain:
(1) 
The size of the property affected and the size of the project within that parcel.
(2) 
How the material is to be removed.
(3) 
The season of the year, and duration, the activities will be confined to.
(4) 
Restrictions to activities based upon weather and ground conditions.
(5) 
How streams and watercourses are to be crossed.
(6) 
How any potential erosion is to be mitigated.
(7) 
Public and private roads to be used in connection with the harvesting operation.
(8) 
Proof that proper permits have been granted as to any classified streams.
(9) 
Locations of all landings.
C. 
Notice. Notification of commencement of timer harvesting operations is required as follows:
(1) 
At least 10 days prior to the commencement of timber harvesting, written notice shall be provided to the Town. This notice shall be provided on permit applications available from the Richmond Code Enforcement Officer and shall include, at a minimum, the following items:
(a) 
Expected dates for the timber harvesting operations.
(b) 
Public roads being used within the Town to travel to and from the timber harvesting operation. NOTE: § 302 of Article XI, Miscellaneous Provisions, of Chapter 25 of the State Highway Law reads: "Whoever shall injure any highway or bridge maintained at public expense, by obstructing or diverting any creek, watercourse or sluice, or by dragging logs or timber on its surface, or by drawing or propelling over the same a load of such weight as to injure or destroy the culverts or bridges along the same, or of such weight that will destroy, break or injure the surface to any improved state highway, county road, or town highway or by any other act, or shall injure, deface or destroy any milestone or guidepost erected on any highway, shall for every such offense forfeit treble damages."
(c) 
If exempt from review under this chapter, the reasons for that exemption.
(2) 
Notification of a timber harvesting project shall be made by publication in the official newspaper of the Town at least five days prior to the start of operation.
(3) 
The applicant shall place one poster on the property for which a timber harvest permit is requested. Said poster shall be two feet high by two feet wide and be placed in a location which is easily read from a public street. If the property affected by the application does not front on a public street, then said poster shall be placed on the property in a location visible from the private street to those passing by, and, in addition, a location at the closest public street to the parcel affected which is easily read from the public street.
(4) 
Notification as described in Subsection C(2) above is not required for a timber harvesting operation that will remove less than 10,000 board feet, 25 standard cords or such equivalents.
The provisions for regulating timber harvesting shall not apply to the cutting and storage of timber which is offered for sale as firewood on the same property if all operations are carried out by the owner of the property and as long as the operation does not provide a threat to the health and safety of the adjacent property owners.
A permit application fee shall be paid in an amount deemed reasonable by the Town Board and set by resolution of the Town Board. Chapter 27, Reimbursement of Fees, provides the Town the authority to recoup and be reimbursed for its administrative and out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in the processing of municipal applications. The Town Code Enforcement Officer shall be authorized to hire a professional forester (as described in § 175-3A) to provide consultant services regarding any timber harvesting application. The applicant shall be responsible for these costs and expenses.
This chapter shall be enforced by the Code Enforcement Officer appointed by the Town Board. Pursuant to § 150.20 of the Criminal Procedure Law and in accordance with § 10(4)(a) of the Municipal Home Rule Law, the Code Enforcement Officer of the Town is hereby authorized to issue and serve appearance tickets in respect to any violation of this chapter. Any person violating any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a offense punishable by a fine not to exceed $300 or imprisonment for a period not to exceed 15 days, or both.
In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this chapter shall be held to be the minimum requirements adopted for the promotion of the public health, safety and general welfare. This chapter hereby repeals all other ordinances or local laws of the Town of Richmond in conflict with the provisions of this chapter and are hereby superseded or repealed to the extent necessary to give this chapter force and effect during its effective period.