|
| |
Healthy forest land in Iowa. The Healthy Forests Reserve Program
provides a bounty of environmental, public health, and economic benefits for
people, ecosystems, and communities. The public has an opportunity to comment on
the latest proposed rule for this important program. The comment period closes
on or before February 13, 2009.
|
USDA Seeks Comments on Healthy Forests Reserve Program
Contact: Terry Bish
202-720-5974
WASHINGTON,
Jan. 14, 2009—The U.S.
Department of Agriculture’s Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is seeking public comments on the
Healthy Forests Reserve Program
(HFRP). The HFRP was signed into law as part of the
Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (105kb
PDF) and was reauthorized by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act
of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill). A proposed rule for the program was published in
today’s Federal Register.
“Through HFRP, landowners can restore and enhance forest ecosystems to promote
the recovery of threatened and endangered species, improve biodiversity, reduce
the risk of catastrophic fire, and enhance carbon sequestration,” said NRCS
Chief Arlen Lancaster. “I invite anyone interested in participating in HFRP to
become familiar with the program and provide comments on the rule during the
public comment period.”
HFRP Project Profile.
Through Healthy Forests Reserve Program
funding, NRCS completed contract agreements with Maine landowners to
manage nearly 191,000 acres of working forest lands for the benefit of
the endangered Canada lynx.
Read more
about this important HFRP project...
|
Restoring and protecting forests contributes positively to the economy of our
nation, provides biodiversity of plant and animal populations, and improves
environmental quality. To be eligible to participate in HFRP, land must restore,
enhance, or measurably increase the likelihood of recovery of a threatened or
endangered species, and must improve biological diversity, and be privately
owned or owned by an Indian Tribe.
USDA encourages written comments on the proposed rule from individuals as well
as governmental agencies and nongovernmental organizations during the 30 day
comment period. The proposed rule can be viewed at
GPO Access. The period for public
comments will close on or before February 13, 2009.
Since its inception in 1935, NRCS’ conservation delivery system continues a
unique partnership, delivering conservation that respects local needs, while
accommodating state and national interests. It is an efficient, interdependent,
locally-based conservation support system. For more information on NRCS,
HFRP,
and conservation programs available in your community, stop by your local USDA
service center, or visit NRCS online.
Links...
See
Federal Register Notice - Healthy Forests Reserve Program Proposed Rule in
HTML and PDF (111kb) formats; a
Summary of the proposed rule is included. To read, get into
GPO Access and enter "Healthy Forests
Reserve Program" in the Quick Search box under the heading 2009 (Volume 74)
Only. Click Submit button.
USDA Seeks Comments on Healthy
Forests Reserve Program news release (formatted)
| |
|
About Us
Back to Top