February 23, 2004

Sign Up For The Forest Land Enhancement Program

by James L. Cummins

Mississippi's nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) owners have a new tool to assist them in the long-term management of their natural resources. It is the Forest Land Enhancement Program (FLEP). The program was authorized by the 2002 Farm Bill.

The USDA Forest Service will provide national administration of the program with state program administration being carried out by the respected state forestry agencies such as the Mississippi Forestry Commission (MFC). The MFC will utilize the FLEP to provide a wide array of services to NIPF owners. These services will include educational outreach as well as technical and financial assistance. The program is voluntary and is available to NIPF owners including private individuals, groups, associations, corporations, Indian Tribes or entities. Program administration by the MFC will involve 10 percent of the funds available to Mississippi. This will cover program administration and oversight of the FLEP in the state including processing applications, issuing payments and maintaining records and other documentation. The remainder of funding for the state will be utilized to provide financial assistance to NIPF owners.

Administration of FLEP in Mississippi will be done in conjunction with the Forest Resource Development Program (FRDP). The two programs will compliment each other with the main focus of FLEP being multiple resource management and FRDP being timber production. Priority for funding under FLEP will be for those multiple resource activities that are not covered by FRDP. Those practices that are eligible for financial assistance under FLEP include: Forest Stewardship Plans, Afforestation/Reforestation, Forest Stand Improvement, Agroforestry, Water Quality Improvement and Watershed Protection, Fish and Wildlife Habitat, Forest Health and Protection, Invasive Species Control, Fire and Catastrophic Risk Reduction, Fire and Catastrophic Event Rehabilitation and Special Practices.

To participate in the FLEP, the project area must be at least 10 acres in size with funding to be considered on tracts less than 10 acres if the project area is part of a larger area of land that is 10 acres or larger. Cost-sharing under FLEP cannot exceed 50 percent of the total cost for that practice. The maximum amount of funding under FLEP for an individual NIPF owner for all practices is $3,000 per year. If a landowner is participating in both the FRDP as well as the FLEP, their cost-share is limited to $7,000 per year.

A landowner is limited to receiving cost-sharing for treatment of no more than a total of 1,000 acres per year and must maintain those practices for a minimum of 10 years unless a shorter duration is specified in the management plan.

The Forest Land Enhancement Program has the potential of being one of the most beneficial programs available to Mississippi's private landowners in the long-term management of the natural resources. The Mississippi Forestry Commission and the Mississippi Forest Stewardship Committee have worked hard to insure the program's success and are dedicated to working with Mississippi's NIPF owners to implement this program. If you are interested in participating in this program, please contact your local county forester for more information.

James L. Cummins is Executive Director of the Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation in Stoneville, Mississippi. Known as "Wildlife Mississippi," the Foundation is a non-profit, conservation organization founded to conserve, restore and enhance fish, wildlife and plant resources throughout Mississippi. Their web site is www.wildlifemiss.org.