However, in order to continue the education and protection of our members, we must address the practice of timber theft. New York Farm Bureau has been working with the New York Forest Owners Association, the Empire State Forest Products Association And The Department Of Environmental Conservation through their tree farm system. We believe that this cooperation and dialogue is the first step to increasing awareness about timber theft in New York State. A distinct first step and a prominent objective of ours is clear communication. Outreach to our members will hopefully inform both farmers and rural landowners that it is important to manage forests, but it is also important that private property be upheld and adequate timber prices are received.
Timber theft can occur several ways.
The most apparent way a dishonest logger will commit timber theft is by trespassing. In this case, a logger will simply intentionally cross property lines and continue to cut timber on an adjoining property owner's land. Another scenario of timber theft in New York State, which is much more common, is a payment by a logger to a farmer which is well below the market rate. Increased enforcement and penalties for trespass and timber theft may be a deterrent to these practices. To date, the department of environmental conservation has been very helpful in enforcing the current law.