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Membership News - October 5, 2007

Urgent Reminder

Rules of the Road for Industrial Logging Roads

There have been several potentially serious near miss accidents on Maine's remote logging roads recently. Our friends in the forest products industry are happy to share their roads, and have provided us with the following "Rules of the Road" to ensure everyone's safety.

These rules apply to all road users.

1. Give all logging trucks the right of way. Pull over and let them pass. Give them the same respect you would for an ambulance or fire truck.
2. Obey all posted speed limits and signs: Maximum speed 45 MPH
3. Seat belt use is mandatory for all operators.
4. Be prepared to stop at all checkpoints and reduce speed not to exceed 10 MPH.
5. Lights on for safety.
6. In areas of limited visibility, always drive on the right side of the road and reduce speed. Zero visibility is common on dry and dusty roads.
7. Be prepared to stop at all times.
8. Never stop on a corner. Allow at least 500 feet of visibility in both directions.
9. Do not linger on roads or stop on bridges.
10. Park vehicles well off the road.
11. Never block side roads. Even roads that seem unused may be needed because of an emergency.
12. Reduce speed on freshly graded roads. You are more likely to blow a tire or lose control because of the loose gravel.
13. All drivers must have a valid state or provincial driver's license with the appropriate rating for the vehicle they are operating.
14. All vehicles must yield right of way to loaded trucks.
15. All traffic must yield to equipment working in road, pass only after operator's acknowledgement.
16. For additional safety, drivers should use MURS radios or CB radios (each region may be different) to call out mile markers and landmarks. Be aware that communication systems are sometimes unreliable and are not a substitute for prudent driving. Marine Radios are not allowed!
17. Drivers must be in control of their vehicles at all times.
18. All vehicles operating on logging roads must be in mechanically safe condition for the work that is being accomplished.
19. Load weights must be within the safe design capacity of the truck.
20. All pieces of wood must be below the height of a minimum of two stakes.
21. A minimum of two chains or straps must be used to secure each tier of wood (Tree length loads are required to have a minimum of three chains or straps).

These are minimum standards on industrial logging roads. Appropriate local, state and provincial laws apply to all other road systems.

These Rules of the Road are supported by all landowners and managers, including:

• Clayton Lake Woodlands, GP
• Domtar Woodlands
• Dunn Timberlands, Inc.
• Huber Resources Corp.
• Irving Woodlands, LLC
• Katahdin Forest Management, LLC
• Katahdin Timberlands LLC
• LandVest Inc.
• Maine Department of Conservation
• North Maine Woods
• Northwoods Management LLC
• Orion Timberlands
• Plum Creek
• Prentiss and Carlisle Management Co.
• Seven Islands Land Company
• St. Aurelie Timberland Co. Ltd.
• Stetson Timberlands, Inc.
• The Nature Conservancy
• Wagner Forest Management Ltd.

Help MPGA Stay Involved:

MPGA strives to keep guides' collective interests at these and many more meetings and events. It is vital that policy makers hear from us. This can only happen if MPGA has the funds to support the effort. That takes your help.

Now is the best time to sell Super Raffle Tickets!

Your hunters will buy them - all you need to do is show them your recent MPGA newsletters, and then -

• Explain that the money goes toward MPGA's lobbying effort in Augusta to maintain their privilege to continue hunting in Maine.
• Explain how MPGA lead the fight to protect bear hunting in Maine.
• Explain how MPGA created the Deer Task Force to re-build northern Maine's deer herd.
• Explain how MPGA created the Sportsman/Forest Landowner Alliance to maintain access for hunting opportunities.
• Explain how MPGA participates in numerous Task Forces and Committees to maintain access for hunting, fishing and boating. Including:
  • The Governor's Task Force on the Management of Public Lands.
  • The Governor's Task Force on Access for Traditional Uses.
  • The Allagash Advisory Council.
  • The Maine Tourism Commission.
  • The Governor's Nature Tourism Task Force.
  • The Bureau of Parks & Lands Management Planning Committees.
  • The Land for Maine's Future funds that buy lands and access rights for hunting.
  • The Governor's Green Infrastructure Committee.
  • The Land Use Regulatory Commission.

The Super Raffle is our major fundraiser. Its success is vital to MPGA's continued efforts in Augusta.

For info on the prizes, and a printable ticket order form, visit MPGA's Super Raffle website.

For other information, and for pre-printed tickets, contact Bert Goodman at (207) 528-2320.

Super Raffle Incentive Program:

NEW - Prizes will be awarded to anyone who sells tickets!

• Sell $1,500 in tickets - win a Marlin Guide Gun with MPGA emblem.
• Sell $1,000 in tickets - win a $200 LL Bean Gift Certificate.
• Sell $500 in tickets - win a $100 LL Bean Gift Certificate.

For info on the incentive program, and a printable contest entry form, visit MPGA's Super Raffle Contest webpage.

For other information on the incentive program, and for pre-printed tickets, contact Bert Goodman at (207) 528-2320.

Visit the MPGA Website for more news and info.