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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.
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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 www.dnr.cornell.edu/ext/forestrypage 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 2nd 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 • 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)
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. www.dnr.cornell.edu/ext/forestrypage