An Educator’s Guide to the Forest Land Enhancement Program (FLEP) in New York

1. An Educator’s Guide to the Forest Land Enhancement Program (FLEP) in New York www.dnr.cornell.edu/ext/forestrypage Source: Cornell Cooperative Extension & NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

2. Outline • Program Description and Objectives • Program Authority and Guidance • Technical Assistance – resources & goals • Financial Assistance – cost sharing • Who’s who • Eligibility • Approved Practices • Reimbursement procedure • Educational Assistance – goals & tools

3. 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”

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

5. Why FLEP? • Private forest lands important to the nation and NY • History of federal programs in support of private forests • SIP, FIP, etc.

6. How Does FLEP Work? State Priority Plan (www.dec.state.ny.us) developed by State Forester & State Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee • Balanced Program • Cost Share Assistance • Technical Assistance • Educational Programming • $100 million nationally over 5 years

7. What Will FLEP Accomplish? Improve the practice of sustainable forestry on private lands by enhancing and restoring forest resources. Specifically…. • Improve forest tending and reforestation efforts • Enhance timber and non-timber resources (wildlife), water and air quality, riparian zone effectiveness • Minimize and mitigate risks of insects and disease, invasive species, and damaging weather

8. Cost-Share Practices FLEP Practice: % cost-share (Priority H = high, M = Medium, L = Low) # 1 - Forest Stewardship Planning: 75% (H) # 2 -Afforestation or Reforestation: 50% (M) # 3 - Forest Stand Improvement: 75% (H) # 4 - Agroforestry Implementation # 5 - Water Quality Improvement 75% (H) # 6 - Fish and Wildlife Habitat Improvement 50% (M)

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

10. 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 (NYWS) • 6 month window for completion

11. Roles and Responsibilities forCost Share Assistance • “DEC Service Representative” (service forester) • Prepare LFSP & practice plans • Approve LFSP on behalf of State Forester • Conduct needs & compliance for C/S requests –authorize obligation of funds and C/S payments • “Service Representative” (private forester) • Prepare LFSP & Practice plans • Provide professional services to landowners to implement sustainable forestry practices

12. 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

13. Landowner Qualifications • Treat up to 50 acres per year ($5,000 in FLEP cost share payments annually or $25,000 in total through 2007) • Maintain practice for 10 years • Advance approval of practice by DEC

14. Steps for Cost-Share • Application • DEC approval and submission • Funds obligated, paid upon completion • Without funds • Notification of short-fall • 6 month window for completion(1 potential extension for unique circumstances)

15. Technical Assistance Goal – provide guidance to private forest owners on technical issues. • Assist with technical skills for landowners • Provide one-on-one learning • DEC Service Foresters • FLEP Foresters (Cornell & DEC) • Potsdam and Allegheny • Private Sector Foresters

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

17. Educational Development for Forest Owners • Awareness of opportunities • FLEP, neighbors, FO, newsletters, brochures, press release • Interest – who can help with what • MFO, FO, articles, workshops, etc. • Evaluate and Learn • Service Foresters, field days, workshops, demo • Try and Adopt • Sustainable Forestry & Stewardship are in-grained

18. Education Program Activities • Press release • FLEP brochure • Web page • MFO refresher and training • Woods walks • Forester training • Conferences/workshops • Township presentations

19. Educator’s Role • Be aware of FLEP details • Be aware of other Farm Bill programs • Meet foresters in your area • Share what you can do, collaborate on woodswalks, etc. • Conduct educational events (FLEP and “expanded”)

20. FLEP Resources • Education Program Summary • Frequently Asked Questions • FLEP Practices Comparison Chart • Landowner’s Guide • Working with Foresters • FLEP Application • Powerpoint Presentations • Landowners • Education program • Foresters • Educators (today’s presentation)

21. Questions ?Comments ?Discussion ?