Forest Management Funding Opportunity through USDA

Bangor, ME – July 21, 2009 – Are you interested in receiving planning assistance to manage your forest? The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has a new opportunity through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program that may provide you funds to help get a Conservation Plan that will support your forest management.

A Forest Management Plan is developed to assist a non-industrial private forest landowner implement a system of conservation practices which assist the landowner to manage their forestland. The plan must meet NRCS quality criteria for soil erosion, water quality, and other identified natural resource concerns.

Through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, NRCS will pay up to 75% of the cost of a Forest Management Plan. The plan will be developed by a Technical Service Provider, who is certified by NRCS and placed on an “approved list” to provide technical assistance to farmers and others for specific conservation programs administered by USDA.

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis. The application deadline for this year’s funding is August 7, 2009. Applications will be funded as requests are received and eligibility has been determined. A total of $200,000 is available in Fiscal Year 2009 for the development of conservation activity plans.

Since 1935, the Natural Resources Conservation Service has provided leadership in a partnership effort to help America's private land owners and managers conserve their soil, water, and other natural resources. NRCS employees provide technical assistance based on sound science and suited to a customer's specific needs and provides financial assistance for many conservation activities.

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