Forest Management Cost Share Programs
Your forestlands are an important natural resource...
Yet if you're like many landowners, you may not be reaping their full benefits or providing adequate long term protection. Do they provide maximum watershed protection and erosion control? Do you have abundant, healthy populations of wildlife? Do timber harvests provide maximum yields? If not, you may qualify for cost share assistance through federal programs geared toward private forests.
Forestland Enhancement Program (FLEP) provides incentive funds for the enhancement and/or establishment of conservation practices such as tree planting, follow-up weed control, and timber stand improvement. Maximum refund rates range up to 50% of your cost as approved by a district forester. All programs require that you follow a plan approved by a district forester and that you participate for at least 10 years.
To inquire about these programs, contact your district forester. If your land qualifies, a district forester will assess your needs, suggest a program and management strategy, provide guidelines and determine your maximum refundable cost.
What Can Be Cost Shared?
Practices covered under these programs include:
- Timber Stand Improvement
- Tree Planting
Component parts for which you may be reimbursed include:
- Plantation Site Preparation
- Nursery Stock
- Planting of Trees
- Weed Control
- Cull Tree Removal
- Crop Tree Release
- Pre-commercial Thinning
- Vine Control
- Site Preparation for Natural Regeneration
If you plant trees for reforestation, future timber harvest or erosion control you may qualify for cost share assistance. For qualified land owners, FLEP may refund up to 50% of planting costs. Under FLEP at least 10 acres of trees must be planted for upland hardwood plantings, or at least 5 acres must be planted for bottomland planting, or at least 1 acre must be planted if the planting is adjacent to at minimum of 9 acres forested land.
For all programs, refundable cost limits are determined by a district forester. For any tree planting contact a professional forester for technical advice.
Timber Stand Improvement
Timber Stand Improvement, or TSI, focuses on the future supply of wood products. Generally, trees grow faster and straighter if they are grown as a crop. This requires vine control, weed tree removal, thinning, site preparation for natural regeneration, and pruning. Your woods will also be more productive and profitable.
Under FLEP you may be refunded up to 50% of the cost for TSI. You are also required to do TSI on at least 10 acres.
Implementation
To participate in a cost-share program you can either do the work yourself or hire a consultant forester. If you do the work you should follow the directions of your district forester.
If a consultant is hired, be aware that the maximum allowable financial assistance will not change. You will be paid 50% of the cost approved by the district. If a consultant charges more than this, your refund will not increase. For your own protection, verify the actual project cost before starting. Upon completion, the landowner, must pay the consultant. You will be reimbursed by the IDNR upon receipt of your bill. You may wish to receive financial help for several forestry projects or for a project which will cost more than the maximum allowable refund. If so, ask about Long Term Agreements.
If you are interested in applying for FLEP funds, please contact your District Forester.
