NRCS Announces Signup for Healthy Forests Reserve Program

The program will protect and enhance forested wildlife habitat for threatened and endangered species, and other declining populations of fish and wildlife habitat. “Through this effort, NRCS will help private landowners who are working to restore and enhance forest ecosystems and promote the recovery of threatened and endangered species on private forestlands,” said Lancaster.

To be eligible, interested landowners must develop a forest management restoration plan that includes the implementation of conservation practices necessary to restore and enhance forested habitat for selected species listed as a threatened or endangered species, a candidate species for listing, or a state species of special concern. NRCS will provide technical assistance to help participants develop and implement their HFRP forest management restoration plans.

Three enrollment options will be available to eligible landowners: a 10-year cost-share agreement where the landowner may receive 50 percent of the average cost of approved conservation practices, a 30-year easement where the landowner may receive 75 percent of the easement value of the enrolled land plus 75 percent of the average cost of approved habitat conservation practices, or an easement of not more than 99 years where the landowner may receive up to 100 percent of the easement value of the enrolled land plus up to 100 percent of the average cost of approved habitat conservation practices.

For additional information on HFRP, contact your local USDA Service Center or visit: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/HFRP/ProgInfo/HFRPProgramInfo.html.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources and environment.

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