PENNSYLVANIA ACRE LAW
Sometimes timber harvesting operations run into issues with unauthorized local ordinances. Pennsylvania Law recognizes and protects forestry as a beneficial land use. On July 6, 2005, Act 38 also known as “ACRE” (Agriculture, Communities and Rural Environment) went into effect to ensure that ordinances adopted by local governments to regulate normal agricultural operations (which includes forestry and timber harvesting) are not in violation of state law.
Through ACRE, an owner or operator may request that the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) review a local ordinance that the owner or operator believes to be unauthorized. If the OAG believes that the ordinance violates ACRE, the OAG and the local government work together to bring the ordinance into compliance with state law. If a resolution cannot be reached, the OAG has the option of filing a lawsuit in the Commonwealth Court.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
- FACT SHEET: Pennsylvania’s ACRE law and a Summary of Attorney General Positions on Timber Harvesting
- Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General: ACRE
- 2006 to Present ACRE Acceptance Letters
- Forest Management and Timber Harvesting in Pennsylvania – Information for Citizens and Local Government Officals
- Sustaining and Improving Pennsylvania’s Forest Land through Comprehensive Plans: The Vital Role of Counties and Municipalities
- 2020 PFPA Letter on E&S Plan reviews triggered by illegal municipal ordinances
- 2020 DEP Response to PFPA Letter on E&S Plan reviews triggered by illegal municipal ordinances.
