Landscape-scale Conservation through the Forest Legacy Program Presented at the Forest Land Conservation in the 21 st Century: Strategy and Policy June 7, 2011.

Presenter Deirdre Raimo U.S. Forest Service Northeastern Area Forest Legacy Program

Purpose: To ascertain and protect environmentally important forest areas that are threatened by conversion to nonforest uses USDA Forest Service Forest Legacy Program Connecticut Lakes Headwaters – New Hampshire

1990 In 1988, the sell-off of northern forest industrial timberland sparked the realization that forest landownership was changing. The subsequent “Northern Forest Lands Study” promulgated recommendations that included the establishment of Forest Legacy Program.

The Forest Legacy Program Is Administered by the US Forest Service State and Private Forestry USDA Forest Service Chief National Forest System ResearchState and Private Forestry OperationsPrograms and Legislation

The Forest Legacy Program Is Strictly Voluntary As of June 1, 2011: 49 States and 5 U.S. Territories have joined the Forest Legacy Program.

Participating States

Conservation Easements Are the Forest Legacy Program’s Primary Tool Conservation Easement: a legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust or governmental agency that permanently limits the uses of the land to protect its conservation values, while the landowner continues to own it

Conservation Easements Are Binding on Subsequent Landowners The conservation easement is perpetual and is recorded at the local records office so that all future owners should learn about the easement and landowner responsibilities when they obtain title reports.

Forest tracts within the Forest Legacy Area (FLA) may be eligible for the Forest Legacy Program. Forest Legacy Areas Boundaries must include forest lands with significant environmental values. Minnesota FLA’s Delaware FLA’s Connecticut FLA’s

States and regions identify important forest areas. When conservation easements are used, sound forest stewardship is encouraged and the land remains privately owned. The lands and interests are held in perpetuity. There is no loss of the Federal investment resulting from changes in ownership. Stewardship or multi-resource management plans are prepared on all tracts. Land trusts, private landowners, communities, and forestry and conservation organizations are active partners. Benefits

Values Protected WildlifeTraditional RiparianScenic RecreationalCultural

Conservation easements may allow forest management activities, including timber management… Timber Management

Federal Role State and Private Forestry Overall guidance Grants to States Oversight National Forest System Acquisition activities for some States Appraisal review Green River Reservoir – Vermont

State Role State lead agency Solicits applications Reviews and prioritizes applications Submits for funding Prepares grant application Works with landowner and/or partners Monitors easement lands Acquisition of lands Negotiates conservation easement language if not full fee purchase Survey Title work Appraisal Closing Maintain records

State Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee Chaired and administered by the State Forester Cooperates with the State lead agency to prepare the AON Identifies eligibility criteria Identifies proposed Forest Legacy Areas Selects priority tracts to be considered for enrollment in the program SFSCC Site Visit – Indiana

Conservation Organization Role Participates on the SFSCC Seeks out landowners and cultivates interest in the Forest Legacy Program Brokers land or interests in land acquisition deals Monitors tracts through agreements with governmental entities Baraboo Hills – Wisconsin

Landowner Role Conveyance of lands or interests in lands to achieve the conservation objectives of the FLP Responsible for preparation of a stewardship or multi- resource management plan Manages the land to achieve the conservation objectives of the FLP Landowners Jenness and Jim Robbins – Nicatous Lake – Maine

Monitoring and Enforcement States agree to monitor Forest Legacy tracts upon joining the program. –Baseline documentation Enforcement is the responsibility of the conservation easement holder. FLP Program Review – Minnesota

Forest Legacy Program Funding History - Current Year funds- Use of Prior Year funds

FLP Land Protected to Date StateProjectsTractsAcresTotal CostFLP Contribution Alabama4713,35420,004,66710,974,688 Alaska574,9285,474,6712,841,451 Arizona126302,052,4261,530,526 Arkansas2218,0309,707,8894,752,000 California111423,52344,410,9298,633,214 Colorado4512,01719,866,00010,546,000 Connecticut9298,05217,491,8486,970,820 Delaware162,40919,711,90310,925,000 Florida224,74225,340,0002,743,000 Georgia91536,69392,045,13723,541,711 Hawaii4537,05527,106,6857,560,000 Idaho6961,56223,338,27416,562,136 Illinois494933,179,8982,329,424 Indiana12247,65611,985,9269,025,450 Iowa8111,9862,906,9441,684,681 Kentucky273,4916,762,4925,242,863 Maine ,500115,512,73751,693,504 Maryland592,0147,844,1644,613,000 Massachusetts26607,92826,809,28815,597,148 Michigan38150,10730,077,0009,925,750 Minnesota833138,69936,006,32215,950,950 Missouri111541,510,180500,000 StateProjectsTractsAcresTotal CostFLP Contribution Montana ,44380,400,14237,010,533 Nevada ,000438,000 New Hampshire ,42451,496,13733,349,072 New Jersey10136,51047,735,41715,083,000 New Mexico457,7066,262,6684,247,571 New York13 135,82034,264,82412,060,400 North Carolina7107,83523,623,07510,980,269 Ohio227,4028,046,1315,398,000 Oregon ,197460,000 Pennsylvania344,42211,785,8336,515,833 Puerto Rico5192,8574,037,6752,387,400 Rhode Island15223,58322,495,8958,107,900 South Carolina91375,864109,939,63536,482,467 Tennessee162139,53737,676,37521,329,607 Texas2313,6365,473,0003,855,250 Utah163466,92558,854,38425,227,863 Vermont155876,68628,668,53519,858,901 Virginia7179,70216,765,46810,562,581 Washington154041,76362,642,14127,476,179 West Virginia233,4135,156,1242,751,593 Wisconsin62779,18841,363,49019,098,000 Projects Tracts Acres Total Cost FLP Contribution TOTAL ,189,875 $1,207,412,526 $526,823,735

Accomplishment by State

What about the FLP is Successful: Leverages funds On average, 50% of total costs are nonfederal; Due diligence high standards in appraisals & title search have kept news stories of the FLP positive; Identified Values in the purpose statement of the FLP project. Partnerships help develop a large constituency for the FLP; and Clear roles Federally-funded conservation easements allow private forest conservation while requiring sustainable management.

Deirdre Raimo Forest Legacy Manager USDA Forest Service Northeastern Area 271 Mast Road Durham, NH Phone: (603) 868– For More Information