Owning and managing forest lands is an inherently legal endeavor. From forest acquisition to deeds and boundaries, from timber sales to bequests, few things can be done without confronting laws, rules, regulations, and traditions that define acceptable and unacceptable practices. For most owners, managing forests is a learn-as-you-go proposition, and too often a crash course in law follows a disagreement.
Legal Aspects of Owning and Managing Woodlands is both an accessible overview of the privileges, rights, and obligations that accompany forest ownership, and a guidebook to help active forest managers use laws to their advantage and avoid the pitfalls of expensive and exhausting litigation.
Chapters examine all aspects of woodland ownership and management, from general issues to specific concerns, including:
- private property and public interest
- acquiring and owning forest lands
- surveys and boundaries
- managing and using forest lands
- forest management contracts
- ethics in forestry practice
- forest taxation
- planning for woodlands in your estate
- settling disputes and shopping for a lawyer
The book breaks new ground by examining legal matters in practical, everyday language. It provides clear and concise descriptions of often confusing concepts and difficult subjects, and addresses issues in a competent yet conversational tone. It is not intended to take the place of legal advice, but it will help forest owners understand an essential body of law, enabling them to ask the right questions of their attorneys, consulting foresters, and all those they encounter in the complex task of owning and managing land.
