Forest Legacy |
Frequently Asked Questions about the Forest Legacy Program |
| What is the Forest Legacy Program? What are conservation easements? Who administers the program in my area? How can I get my forest to be part of the Forest Legacy Program? What is a Forest Legacy Area? What is an Assessment of Need? Why protect forests? When can I submit an application? The Forest Legacy Program is a partnership between participating States and the USDA Forest Service to identify and help protect environmentally important forests from conversion to nonforest uses. The main tool used for protecting these important forests is conservation easements. The Federal government may fund up to 75% of program costs, with at least 25% coming from private, state or local sources. What are conservation easements? Forest Legacy conservation easements are legal agreements made with property owners to forever restrict development on their land. The State or Federal government pays for and holds the title to the conservation easement. The landowner is paid the market value of the easement based on an appraisal that is conducted of all Forest Legacy properties. The landowner retains ownership of the land and can continue the activities that occurred on the land in the past as long as they do not conflict with the terms of the easement. The conservation easement remains in place if the land is sold. The new owner is still bound by the terms of the easement and may not convert the land to nonforest uses. In addition to gains associated with the sale or donation of property rights, many landowners also benefit from reduced taxes associated with limits placed on land use. Who administers the program in my area? The USDA Forest Service State and Private Forestry branch administers the program with the states. Currently, not all states participate in the program. Interested landowners should contact their State Forester. State Forester web sites may be found at http://www.stateforesters.org/ How can I get my forest to be part of the Forest Legacy Program? To be included in the Forest Legacy Program, a property must lie partially or entirely within a designated Forest Legacy Area. To have your property considered for the program, first contact your State Forester, who will work with the State lead agency. The State lead agency will meet with the State Forest Stewardship Committee to review landowner applications and decide which ones to forward to the Forest Service for funding. What is a Forest Legacy Area? A Forest Legacy Area is an area that has been identified in the State’s Assessment of Need as containing important forests in need of protection from conversion to nonforest uses. What is an Assessment of Need? An Assessment of Need is a document that a State compiles when applying to participate in the Forest Legacy Program. In this document, the State analyzes its need for the Forest Legacy Program. All Forest Legacy Areas are identified, mapped, and described in the Assessment of Need. Why protect forests? Forests provide wood and fiber for lumber, plywood, paper, firewood, furniture, and numerous other wood products, which represent a major contribution to the economy. Forests provide wildlife habitat and the wildlife corridors connecting these habitats that many species require. Forests provide areas for many popular forms of outdoor recreation such as hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, and bird watching.Forests buffer streams and lakes, filtering water naturally and more cost effectively than commercial filtration systems. When can I submit an application? The timeframe for submitting applications varies by State. The State Forester accepts applications and works with the State lead agency and the State Forest Stewardship Committee on deciding which projects to submit for funding. |