Cost Share Programs Available to You

Robert Ross Greene County Service Forester September 11, 2012 (presentation prepared by Sara Thompson)

Primary purpose is to assist landowners with stand establishment (To assume forest productivity & provide environmental protection of the state’s woodlands through cost-sharing with eligible landowners for approved practices.)

FDP: where does the money $ come from?

1. An appropriation by the Legislature to the Forest Development Fund.

2. Assessment on primary forest products.

FDP: who is eligible?

1. Any private individual, group, association, or corporation owning land in N.C. suitable for forestry purposes.

2. Approved FM plan must be on file prior to application of funds.

3. Plan must contain present & future management recommendations to assure forest productivity & environmental protection.

The state will pay 40% up to the prevailing rate for each practice.

 Minimum acreage is 5 acres (New this year)  Maximum acreage is 100 acres  Will Cost Share: Planting, Site Preparation, Release, Stand Improvement Practices

Southern Pine Beetle Prevention Program

 Federal Program (since 2004, administered by the NCFS)  aimed to minimize damage to our forest.

Pays 50% up to the prevailing rate.

The objective of this program is to encourage eligible non-industrial forest landowners in NC to improve forest health & reduce the threat and severity of Southern pine beetle (SPB) attacks through technical assistance and cost sharing of recommended prevention practices.

SPBPP: who is eligible?

1. Any private individual, group, association, or corporation owning non-industrial private forestland located in N.C., owning at least 5 acres of non-industrial private forest land and consisting of at least 70% pine.

2. Approved FM plan must be on file prior to application of funds.

Approved

practices for SPBPP Pre-commercial thinning: Chemical or mechanical means on stands with 700 stems per acre or more (if stand is mixed pine/hardwood then > 70% of stems must be pine).

Stand must be reduced to 300-450 stems per acre.

Limitations:

 $10,000 per landowner OR per ownership, per fiscal state fiscal year.

 Funds cannot be used on CRP, CREP or other Federal cost share stands with an active contract.

 Landowners must complete the practice within one calendar year of the date funded.  Time extensions will not be granted.

 Required 10 year maintenance period.

NRCS Administered Programs

• • • WRP-Wetland Reserve Program WHIP-Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program EQIP-Environmental Quality Incentives Program

FSA Administered Programs

• • CRP-Conservation Reserve Program CREP-Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program