Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §§9332 and 9333, as enacted by PL 1979, c. 545, §3, are repealed and the following enacted in their place:

§9332. Disposal along highways

A stumpage owner, operator, landowner or agent who cuts or causes or permits to be cut any forest growth on lands that are within or border the right-of-way of a public highway within the State shall dispose of the slash that is within the right-of-way or within 50 feet of the nearer side of the shoulder of the right-of-way as provided in this section.

1.__Slash may not remain.__Except as provided in this section, slash may not remain on the ground within the right-of-way or within 50 feet of the nearer side of the shoulder of the right- of-way.

2.__Slash with diameter of 3 inches or less.__Slash with a diameter of 3 inches or less must be hauled away, burned or chipped.

3.__Slash more than 3 inches in diameter.__Slash that is more than 3 inches in diameter must be removed or limbed and placed on the ground surface so that the pieces are separated and not piled one piece over another.

§9333. Disposal along railroads and utility lines

1.__Stumpage owner.__A stumpage owner, operator, landowner or agent who cuts or causes or permits to be cut any forest growth on lands that are within or border the right-of-way of a railroad, a pipeline or an electric power, telegraph, telephone or cable line may not place slash or allow it to remain on the ground within the right-of-way or within 25 feet of the nearer side of the right-of-way.

2.__Construction.__Slash accumulated by the construction and maintenance of a railroad, a highway, a pipeline or an electric power, telegraph, telephone or cable line may not be left on the ground but must be hauled away, burned or chipped.__Slash may not be left or placed within the right-of-way or within 25 feet of the nearer side of the right-of-way.__If a permit is denied or revoked under this chapter, the director may allow logs that are too large to be chipped to remain in the right-of-way until the director determines that their removal is economically feasible.