An Educator’s Guide to the Forest Land Enhancement

Program (FLEP) in New York

Source:Cornell Cooperative Extension & NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

www.dnr.cornell.edu/ext/forestrypage

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

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

• Defines The Forest Land Enhancement Program (FLEP)

• State-level implementation

• USFS administers through state forestry agency (NYS DEC)

Why FLEP?

• 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 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

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

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)

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:

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

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

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 in FLEP cost share

payments annually or $25,000 in total through 2007)

• Maintain practice for 10 years

• Advance approval of practice by DEC

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)

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

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

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

Education Program Activities

• Press release• FLEP brochure• Web page• MFO refresher and

training• Woods walks• Forester training• Conferences/workshops• Township presentations

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”)

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)

Questions ?Comments ?Discussion ?