Decree of the President of the Regional Council No. 44 implementing Regional Forestry Act No. 39 of 21 March 2000.

The present Decree lays down measures for the protection of forests, forest areas and lands protected for hydrogeological purposes, in compliance with article 40 of Regional Act No. 39 of 21 March 2000 on forestry. Particular regard is given to forest lands clearing: article 3 concerns the application to be submitted to the competent Province for obtaining the authorization. Article 6 deals with the validity, the suspension and the withdrawal of the authorization. The Decree consists of five Titles. Title II concerns forest protection and lays down detailed rules in matter of land clearing, including the renewal and replacing of certain species as well as forest transformation. Such activities are subject to the previous issuance of an authorization in accordance with the procedure referred to in article 13. Further provisions deal with the periods during which land clearing is allowed (art. 14), certain species which may not be cut so as to protect biodiversity (art. 15), modalities of land clearing to comply with (art. 16), plants pruning (art. 18) and transformation of forests (art. 19). The replacing of autochthonous forest species with exotic species is prohibited. However, it may be authorized by the competent Province for hydrogeological safeguarding and phytosanitary protection purposes. Articles 39-43 regard land clearing for maintenance purposes. The Provinces shall elaborate the plans to determine the surfaces that may be cleared every year (arts. 44 and 45). Holders of the forest plants included in Annex A to Regional Forestry Act No. 39 must immediately inform the competent Province in case of detection of any pest or plant disease. Moreover, in case of destruction or deterioration, holders must manage their own forests in such a way to ensure the restoration and improvement of the affected forest (art. 52). They may also be requested to draw up a cultural plan containing the interventions to be undertaken for the restoration and improvement of the forest. Article 53 deals with forests particularly protected through special measures concerning forms of government and treatment and pasture. Further provisions regard chestnut woods, cork, timber and non-timber products. Title III of the Decree lays down protective measures for forest plants which are not comprised in forests and regards truffle production areas as well. Title V concerns lands particularly protected for hydrogeological purposes. Article 65 regulates grazing conditions.