The Pejepscot Paper Company contracted with Edwin Cromwell, a sawmill owner on Westport Island, to conduct managed clear cutting on neighboring Macmahan Island. Pejepscot Paper Company forester, Lin Rideout, supervised the operation.

The property was clear cut in patches of about 3/4 acres, each removing from 15 to 20 cords. The clear-cut patches were scattered over the Island woodlands and well apart from each other because of thin soil--typical of ledge-based islands--and possible wind throw.

The operation was sparked by the landowners' association on MacMahan Island who feared that a fire on the island could be devastating. In addition to the clear-cut patches, a defensible fire lane was cut the width of the island, separating the forest from the cottages.