Webinar to Examine Timber Trespass Laws

By Ramie Parsons, UA Division of AgricultureFAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The National Agricultural Law Center will host an upcoming webinar, “Timber Trespass Statutes,” from 11 a.m. to noon Wednesday, June 17.The webinar will provide an overview of timber trespass statutes enacted by states across the country to address unlawful timber harvesting and protect rural landowners with valuable standing timber on their property.Because forested lands are often remote and property boundaries may not be clearly marked, landowners can face significant challenges when timber is harvested without authorization. Many states have enacted timber trespass statutes that provide remedies for affected landowners, including enhanced damages designed to deter unlawful harvesting activity.The webinar will examine how state laws address timber trespass claims, including the types of conduct covered under these statutes and the damages that may be awarded. The program will also discuss how laws distinguish between innocent and willful conduct, along with legal issues involving valuation disputes and boundary conflicts.The program will be presented by Ross Pifer, clinical professor of law at Penn State Dickinson Law, where he serves as director of the Center for Agricultural and Shale Law and director of the Rural Economic Development Clinic.“Timber trespass disputes can involve significant economic losses for landowners and raise difficult legal questions regarding damages and intent,” Pifer said. “This webinar will provide an overview of how states approach these disputes and the protections available through timber trespass statutes.”Pifer teaches courses on agricultural law, oil and gas law, and property law. Prior to joining the faculty at Penn State Dickinson Law, he served as an attorney-advisor for the United States Department of Agriculture’s Office of the General Counsel. He has presented nationally and internat...