[ODF_Private_Forests] USDA NRCS funding available for private forestlands

[WEEKS Kevin]

Private Forests News members:

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service currently has funding available to assist non-industrial forest owners with development of forest management plans -- news release about the program is attached. Landowners or forestry consultants with specific questions should work directly with their local (county) NRCS District Conservationist.

FYI

Kevin Weeks
Public Information Officer / Private Forests Division
Oregon Department of Forestry
kweeks at odf.state.or.us<mailto:kweeks at odf.state.or.us>
(503) 945-7427

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United State Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service
1201 NE Lloyd Blvd., Suite 900
Portland, OR 97204
www.or.nrcs.usda.gov


CONTACT: Todd Peplin, Farm Bill Specialist, Todd.Peplin at or.usda.gov  (541) 923- 4358

Funding Available for Conservation Planning on Forest Lands until May 29

Funding is available to private, nonindustrial forest landowners to develop Forest Management Activity Plans in Oregon. This is a special signup under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) open statewide until May 29, 2009.

A Forest Management Activity Plan is a site-specific conservation plan prepared by a professional forester. The plan identifies and describes management actions and conservation practices that will help the landowners meet their objectives, maintain production, meet regulatory requirements, and enhance natural resources.

Forest Management Activity Plans provide specialized management and conservation strategies that meet NRCS conservation planning standards for USDA programs and help the operator address requirements of cultural resource, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and other regulations.

After enrolling in EQIP, program participants develop their plans with Technical Service Providers (forestry consultants) who are approved by NRCS. Once the plan is complete, the participant may receive a program payment of up to 75 percent of the estimated cost of plan development.

Participants must enroll in EQIP before their Forest Management Activity Plan is developed; payment is not retroactive.

Additional information and payment rates can be found on the NRCS Web site at:  http://www.or.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/CAP.html.

EQIP is a voluntary program of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Through EQIP, growers and landowners apply for assistance to plan and install measures to protect natural resources on working agricultural and forest lands. Those who enroll into the program receive funding and professional expertise for measures that protect natural resources while ensuring sustainable production.

For questions or to submit an application, please contact the local NRCS office listed online at:  http://www.or.nrcs.usda.gov/contact/basindir.html.

More information about EQIP is online at:  www.or.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/EQIP.

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NRCS-Helping people help the land.

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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