Program Purpose
Development of the nation's forested areas
poses an increasing threat to maintaining the integrity of
our country's valuable forest lands. Intact forest lands supply
timber products, wildlife habitat, soil and watershed protection,
aesthetics, and recreational opportunities. However, as these
areas are fragmented and disappear, so do the benefits they
provide. While local governments commonly guide development
away from the most sensitive areas through traditional land
use controls (like zoning and performance standards), sometimes
these measures are not sufficient to fully protect the forested
component of our natural resource base.
The Forest Legacy Program (FLP), a Federal
program in partnership with States, supports State efforts
to protect environmentally sensitive forest lands. Designed
to encourage the protection of privately owned forest lands,
FLP is an entirely voluntary program. To maximize the public
benefits it achieves, the program focuses on the acquisition
of partial interests in privately owned forest lands. FLP
helps the States develop and carry out their forest conservation
plans. It encourages and supports acquisition of conservation
easements, legally binding agreements transferring a negotiated
set of property rights from one party to another, without
removing the property from private ownership. Most FLP conservation
easements restrict development, require sustainable forestry
practices, and protect other values.
Program Activities
The Forest Legacy Program complements private,
Federal and State programs focusing on conservation in two
ways. First, FLP directly supports property acquisition. Additionally,
FLP supports efforts to acquire donated conservation easements.
FLP funded acquisitions serve public purposes identified by
participating states and agreed to by the landowner.
Eligibility
Participation in Forest Legacy is limited
to private forest landowners. To qualify, landowners are required
to prepare a multiple resource management plan as part of
the conservation easement acquisition. The federal government
may fund up to 75% of project costs, with at least 25% coming
from private, State or local sources. 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.
Program Administration
The USDA Forest Service administers the Forest
Legacy Program in cooperation with State partners. The state
grant option allows States a greater role in implementing
the program. FLP also encourages partnerships with local governments
and land trusts, recognizing the important contributions landowners,
communities, and private organizations make to conservation
efforts.
Goals Identified by State Forest
Legacy Programs
Goals Identified
by State Forest Legacy Programs |
#
of States |
Wildlife, habitat, biodiversity |
35 |
Threatened and endangered species |
17 |
Water quality, wetlands, and riparian
buffers |
37 |
Recreation |
23 |
FLP
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