To bring private non-industrial
forest land under intensified management; to increase timber production;
to assure adequate supplies of timber; and to enhance other forest
resources through a combination of public and private investments
on the most productive sites on eligible individual or consolidated
ownership of efficient size and operation.
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:
Direct Payments for Specified Use. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
Cost-sharing
of up to 65 percent of the total cost is available under the Forestry
Incentives Program for tree planting, timber stand improvement,
and site preparation for natural regeneration. Special forestry
practices may be approved if needed for a significant and unique
local condition for which national FIP practices are not adequate.
Owners of non-industrial private forest lands of 1,000 acres or
less, capable of producing industrial wood crops are eligible for
Forestry Incentives Program cost-sharing. In order for an individual
within a county to receive Forestry Incentives Program funds, the
county or a portion of the county must be designated as eligible
for Forestry Incentives Program assistance. This county designation
is made by the State Conservationist, in consultation with the State
Forester. A forest management plan developed by the State Forester
and landowner is required for participation in FIP.
ELIGIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant
Eligibility: A private individual, group, association,
Indian Tribe or other native group, corporation (except corporations
whose stocks are publicly traded) or other legal entity which owns
"non- industrial" private forest lands capable of producing industrial
wood crops is eligible to apply for cost-sharing assistance. Cost-share
agreements are limited to eligible ownership of land of not more
than 1,000 acres of non-industrial private forest land, capable
of producing at least 50 cubic feet of wood per acre per year, except
by special approval. This program is available to eligible landowners
in the United States and Puerto Rico and is also available to eligible
leaseholders in Hawaii.
Beneficiary
Eligibility: A private individual, group,
association, Indian Tribe or other native group, corporation (except
corporations whose stocks are publicly traded) or other legal
entity which owns "non-industrial" private forest lands capable
of producing industrial wood crops is eligible to apply for cost-sharing
assistance. Cost-share agreements are limited to eligible ownership
of land of not more than 1,000 acres of non-industrial private
forest land, capable of producing at least 50 cubic feet of wood
per acre per year, except by special approval. This program is
available to eligible landowners in the United States and Puerto
Rico.
Credentials/Documentation:
Identification as an eligible person, and proof of contribution
to the cost of performing the practice. This program is excluded
from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.
Pre-application
Coordination: None. This program is excluded
from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102 and E.O. 12372.
Application
Procedure: Eligible persons will make application
for annual cost-sharing agreements. Applications may be filed
at any time during the year at the NRCS office for the designated
county in which the land is located. This program is excluded
from coverage under OMB Circular Nos. A-102 and A-110.
Award
Procedure: Not applicable.
Deadlines:
None.
Range
of Approval/Disapproval Time: Generally from
30 to 60 days.
Appeals:
Participants may appeal to the National Appeals Division.
Renewals:
Extension of time to complete a practice may be granted, if requested
by the applicant before approval expires or within 15 days after
the expiration date.
ASSISTANCE
CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula
and Matching Requirements: Essential factors
used to allocate funds to States are based on: (1)the acreage of
private commercial forest land; (2) the potential productivity of
such land; (3) the number of eligible owners in each State; (4)
the need for reforestation; and (5) the enhancement of other forest
resources. Cost- shares under Forestry Incentives Program are limited
to not more than 65 percent of the total cost.
Length
and Time Phasing of Assistance: The Forestry
Incentives Program is based on annual cost-share agreements. There
may be certain restrictions on time limits on certain practices
to be performed. Cost- shares are paid when the practice is performed.
The assistance is awarded by performance.
POST
ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports:
None.
Audits:
Recipients are subject to audit by Office of Inspector General,
USDA.
Records:
Maintained in NRCS office and Federal record centers for a specified
number of years.
FINANCIAL
INFORMATION:
Account
Identification: 12-3336-0-1-302.
Obligations:
(Direct payments) FY 01 $7,296,732; FY 02 est $8,456,000; and
FY 03 est $7,811,000.
Range
and Average of Financial Assistance:
$50 to $10,000 per year. Average: $1,781.
In fiscal year 2001, 7.2 million in cost-share and technical assistance
was awarded to owners of 151,015 acres of forest land in 2001.
REGULATIONS,
GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
Program is announced through news media and notices to all applicants
and private forest owners on record and all interested governmental
agencies and agricultural organizations. Program regulations published
in the Federal Register, Part 701.
INFORMATION
CONTACTS:
Regional
or Local Office: For more information on this
and other related programs, consult the local telephone directory
for location of the USDA Service Center where your land is located.
If a listing is not available, contact the appropriate State NRCS
office.
Headquarters
Office: Natural Resources Conservation Service,
Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 2890, Washington, DC 20013.
Telephone: (202) 720-1845.
