Private forest landowners got a new set of tools to help in marketing their timber, with adoption of a set of rules mandating a paper trail recording the harvest, transportation, and ultimate sale of timber.

The rules were adopted in January by a committee under auspices of the Louisiana Office of Forestry, as a protection against timber theft.

Implications of the new rules were discussed by Enforcement Officer Tom Trahan of the Office of Forestry during a landowners forum in Ruston last month. The complete text of the rules is published below, for information of landowners and professionals involved in the harvest and transporting of timber.

Title 7
Agriculture and Animals
Part XXXIX, Forestry
Chapter 15. Timber Harvesting and Receiving Records
§1501. Loaders Log: Required Information; Distribution; Maintenance or Records
A. Loaders Log must be kept on all timber harvesting sites. On any per-unit sale, upon completion of the harvest, the purchaser must provide the timber owner a copy of the loaders log. Loaders log must be maintained for a period of four years.
B. Each loader log must contain the following information:
1. loader make and model-each loader used must be identified on the loaders log book by make and model;
2. load number-each load of timber leaving a cutting site must be assigned a load number. Load numbers for each job site must be in sequence;
3. parish/county and state-the parish or county and state where the timber was severed;
4. landowner's name-the name of the owner of the land where the timber is being severed. On multiple ownership land, the name of the estate, corporation, or what the site is commonly known as, may be entered. On industrial lands, the company tract number may be listed;
5. date and time-the date and time the forest product is loaded on the truck;
6. product-the forest product type must be clearly identified, for instance pine log, pine pulp hardwood log, hardwood pulp, chip and saw, poles. The following symbols may be used; PL-pine logs; PP-pine pulp; HWL-hardwood logs; HWP-hardwood pulp; C&S-chip and saw. Any other forest product must be written out. The severance tax code may also be used to identify the product;
7. destination-the first wood-receiving facility that the forest product is being transported to;
8. loader's name-the name of the individual loading the timber. Name must be as shown on the loaders drivers license. Must be printed and legible;
9. driver's name--the name of the driver transporting the load. Name must be as shown on the drivers CDL. Must be printed and legible.
AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S.3:4278.
HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department Agriculture and Forestry, Office of Forestry, Forestry Commission, LR 26:31 (January 2001).

§1503. Scale/Load Tickets: Required Information; Distribution; Maintenance or Records
A. Information required by the scale ticket regulations may be kept on a load ticket provided that the scale ticket can be cross referenced to the load ticket. When both are used, the load ticket and scale ticket must be maintained for a period of not less than four years.
B. On any per-unit sale the purchaser of the timber must provide the timber owner hard copies of the scale tickets relating to any partial or final settlement made during the course of the harvest. Mill generated settlement sheets may be provided to the timber owner in lieu of a copy of the scale ticket provided it includes the load number, scale ticket number, date and time, product and species description, volume and/or weight.
C. Each scale ticket must contain the following information:
1. scale ticket number--each scale ticket issued at a wood receiving facility must be numbered;
2. parish/county and state--the parish/county and state where the timber was harvested;
3. date and time--date and time that the forest product was received (required on scale ticket only);
4. type and quantity of forest product delivered;
a. type--description of forest product received;
b. quantity--board feet, tonnage, or cords; (The following items must be documented on a scale ticket or documented on a load ticket that can be cross referenced to the scale ticket)
5. timber owner's name--owner or owners of timber at the time it was severed. On a per-unit sale the seller must be listed as the timber owner;
6. landowner--name of the owner of the land where the timber was severed. On multiple ownership land, the name of the estate, corporation, or what the site is commonly known as, may be entered. On industrial lands, the company tract number may be listed;
7. producer--company or individual who is responsible for harvesting the timber;
8. load number--the load number designated by the loaders log book;
9. driver's signature--signature of driver delivering the forest product. Must be legible and as shown on the drivers CDL.
D. Restrictions. Wood-receiving facilities cannot accept any load of timber unless all information required by these regulations is provided at the time of delivery.
AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S.3:4278.3.
HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department Agriculture and Forestry, Office of Forestry, Forestry Commission, LR 26:31 (January 2001)

§1505. Access Requirements
A. Each person, business or entity that harvests, loads, carries, or receives wood shall permit any commissioned officer or other authorized agent of the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Office of Forestry to examine records required by these regulations. However, such records shall not be reproduced by any such commissioned officer or other authorized agent of the department, without the permission of the possessor of the records unless copies of records are required in connection with an ongoing investigation of a specifically identified timber theft or apparent violation of either R.S. 3:4278.3, these regulations or both. The records required by these regulations shall be considered confidential business records and any copies obtained by the department, its officers or agents shall remain such to the extent allowed by law.
AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S.3:4278.3.
HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department Agriculture and Forestry, Office of Forestry, Forestry Commission, LR 26:32 (January 2001)

§1507. Penalty for Violations
A. In the event of a violation of R.S. 3:4278.3 or the regulations promulgated thereunder, the maximum penalty allowed may be imposed after an adjudicatory hearing held in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act. The Louisiana Forestry Commission shall make an initial determination on the matter. Their decision shall be submitted to the commissioner in writing.
B. The commissioner shall make the final determination on the matter. If the determination of the commissioner differs the from commission, the commissioner shall issue a written opinion based on the record of the hearing.
C. Appeals from rulings of the commissioner shall be taken in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act.
AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 3:4278.3.
HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the department Agriculture and Forestry, Office of Forestry, Forestry Commission, LR 26:32 (January 2001).
Bob Odom, Commissioner