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
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 ?