1. An Educator’s Guide to the Forest Land Enhancement Program (FLEP) in New York Source: Cornell Cooperative Extension & NYS Department of Environmental Conservation www.dnr.cornell.edu/ext/forestrypage

2. Outline Program Description and Objectives Program Authority and Guidance Technical Assistance – resources & goals Financial Assistance – cost sharing –Who’s who –Eligibility –Approved Practices –Reimbursement procedure Educational Assistance – goals & tools

3. 2002 Farm Bill Signed May 13, 2002 Goals: Agricultural –Produce food and fiber –Steward agric lands and waters –Market farm products –Enhance rural economy –Research for efficiency and innovation –9 “titles”

4. Title VIII - Forestry Defines The Forest Land Enhancement Program (FLEP) State-level implementation USFS administers through state forestry agency (NYS DEC)

5. Why FLEP? Private forest lands important to the nation and NY History of federal programs in support of private forests –SIP, FIP, etc.

6. How Does FLEP Work? State Priority Plan (www.dec.state.ny.us) developed by State Forester & State Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committeewww.dec.state.ny.us Balanced Program –Cost Share Assistance –Technical Assistance –Educational Programming $100 million nationally over 5 years

7. What Will FLEP Accomplish? Improve the practice of sustainable forestry on private lands by enhancing and restoring forest resources. Specifically…. Improve forest tending and reforestation efforts Enhance timber and non-timber resources (wildlife), water and air quality, riparian zone effectiveness Minimize and mitigate risks of insects and disease, invasive species, and damaging weather

8. Cost-Share Practices FLEP Practice: % cost-share (Priority H = high, M = Medium, L = Low) # 1 - Forest Stewardship Planning: 75% (H) # 2 -Afforestation or Reforestation: 50% (M) # 3 - Forest Stand Improvement: 75% (H) # 4 - Agroforestry Implementation # 5 - Water Quality Improvement 75% (H) # 6 - Fish and Wildlife Habitat Improvement 50% (M)

9. Cost-Share Practices Continued # 7 - Forest Health Practices: 75% (M) # 8 - Invasive Species Control 50% (M) # 9 - Wildfire and Catastrophic Risk Reduction # 10 - Wildfire and Catastrophic Event Rehabilitation 50% (L) # 11 - Special Practices:

10. Cost-Share Assistance Goal – provide financial assistance, through reimbursement, as incentive to initiate appropriate forestry practices DEC pre-approval required Specific practices emphasized 50% or 75% maximum reimbursement - through NYFOA (NYWS) 6 month window for completion

11. Roles and Responsibilities for Cost Share Assistance “DEC Service Representative” (service forester) –Prepare LFSP & practice plans –Approve LFSP on behalf of State Forester –Conduct needs & compliance for C/S requests – authorize obligation of funds and C/S payments “Service Representative” (private forester) –Prepare LFSP & Practice plans –Provide professional services to landowners to implement sustainable forestry practices

12. Landowner Qualifications Non-industrial private forest 5 acre min. ownership (practices have thresholds) Must have a “Landowner Forest Stewardship Plan” (LFSP) for the tract, Oct 2000 standards Plans cost-shared for tracts up to 1000 acres

13. Landowner Qualifications Treat up to 50 acres per year ($5,000 in FLEP cost share payments annually or $25,000 in total through 2007) Maintain practice for 10 years Advance approval of practice by DEC

14. Steps for Cost-Share 1.Application 2.DEC approval and submission 3.Funds obligated, paid upon completion 4.Without funds Notification of short-fall 5.6 month window for completion (1 potential extension for unique circumstances)

15. Technical Assistance Goal – provide guidance to private forest owners on technical issues. –Assist with technical skills for landowners –Provide one-on-one learning DEC Service Foresters FLEP Foresters (Cornell & DEC) –Potsdam and Allegheny Private Sector Foresters

16. Educational Assistance Goal – increase awareness among landowners and foresters to opportunities within FLEP (Cornell, NYFOA, DEC) Education is the 2 nd greatest motivator for landowner activity (behind tax reform) Multiple activities Widespread awareness vs. focused skill/attitude enhancement Through Cornell’s Forestry Extension program

17. Educational Development for Forest Owners Awareness of opportunities –FLEP, neighbors, FO, newsletters, brochures, press release Interest – who can help with what –MFO, FO, articles, workshops, etc. Evaluate and Learn –Service Foresters, field days, workshops, demo Try and Adopt –Sustainable Forestry & Stewardship are in-grained

18. Education Program Activities Press release FLEP brochure Web page MFO refresher and training Woods walks Forester training Conferences/workshops Township presentations

19. Educator’s Role Be aware of FLEP details Be aware of other Farm Bill programs Meet foresters in your area –Share what you can do, collaborate on woodswalks, etc. Conduct educational events (FLEP and “expanded”)

20. FLEP Resources Education Program Summary Frequently Asked Questions FLEP Practices Comparison Chart Landowner’s Guide Working with Foresters FLEP Application Powerpoint Presentations –Landowners –Education program –Foresters –Educators (today’s presentation)

21. Questions ? Comments ? Discussion ?