Cornell Forestry Extension Partnership with County CCE Master forest owner Forest owner awareness –Articles –Web page –Brochures Forest owner knowledge and skills –Workshops –Bulletins Maple syrup –Tree to tongue

A Landowner’s Guide to the Forest Land Enhancement Program (FLEP) in New York Source: Cornell Cooperative Extension & NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

2002 Farm Bill Signed May 13, 2002 Goals: Agricultural –Produce food and fiber –Steward agric lands and waters –Market farm products –Enhance rural economy –Research for efficiency and innovation –9 “titles”

Title VIII - Forestry Forestry Title defines FLEP The Forest Land Enhancement Program State-level implementation USFS administers through state forestry agency (NYS DEC)

What Will FLEP Accomplish? Establish, restore, protect, manage, maintain, and enhance the health and productivity of private forest lands. Specifically…. Improve forest tending and reforestation efforts Enhance timber and non timber resources, water and air quality, riparian zone effectiveness Minimize and mitigate risks of insects and disease, invasive species, and damaging weather

Why FLEP? Mandated within the 2002 Farm Bill Private forest lands important to the nation and NY History of federal programs in support of private forests –SIP, FIP, etc.

How Does FLEP Work? State Forest Stewardship Steering Committee Balance among existing investment –Technical Assistance –Cost Share Assistance –Educational Programming $100 million nationally over 5 years

Technical Assistance Goal – provide guidance to private forest owners on technical issues. Public Service Forestry through DEC Private Sector Foresters Supplements “Forest Stewardship” initiative

Cost-Share Assistance Goal – provide financial assistance, through reimbursement, as incentive to initiate appropriate forestry practices DEC pre-approval required Specific practices emphasized 50% or 75% maximum reimbursement - through NYFOA 6 month window for completion

Educational Assistance Goal – increase awareness among landowners and foresters to opportunities within FLEP Education is the 2 nd greatest motivator for landowner activity (behind tax reform) Multiple activities Widespread awareness vs. focused skill/attitude enhancement Through Cornell’s Forestry Extension program

Cost-Share Practices FLEP # 1 - Forest Stewardship Planning: 75% # 2 -Afforestation or Reforestation: 50% # 3 - Forest Stand Improvement: 75% # 4 - Agroforestry Implementation # 5 - Water Quality Improvement 75% # 6 - Fish and Wildlife Habitat improvement 50%

Cost-Share Practices Continued # 7 - Forest Health Practices: 75% # 8 - Invasive Species Control 50% # 9 - Wildfire and Catastrophic Risk Reduction # 10 - Wildfire and Catastrophic Event Rehabilitation 50% # 11 - Special Practices:

Landowner Qualifications Non-industrial private forest 5 acre min. ownership (practices have thresholds) Must have a “Landowner Forest Stewardship Plan” (LFSP) for the tract, Oct 2000 standards Plans cost-shared for tracts up to 1000 acres

Landowner Qualifications Treat up to 50 acres per year ($5,000) Maintain practice for 10 years Advance approval of practice by DEC

Who Helps with FLEP Technical Assistance –Technical Service Providers –NYS DEC Bureau Private Land Services - Application –Public Service Forester –Private Sector Forester Cost Share Assistance –DEC Regional Foresters –New York Forest Owners Association Educational Programming –Cornell Cooperative Extension –New York Forest Owners Association

Steps for Cost-Share 1.Application 2.DEC approval and submission 3.Funds obligated, paid upon completion 4.Without funds Notification of short-fall 5.6 month window for completion (1 potential extension for unique circumstances)

Your Next Step? Contact DEC for confirmation, up-grade, or development of a stewardship plan. Review “working with foresters”. Identify ownership objectives. Select a forester. Clarify work schedule and apply for obligation of funds for approved cost-share practices.

Questions ? Comments ? Discussion ?