Environment DEC
From the November 2003 issue
New Law and Funds to Help Sustain Forests
Governor George E. Pataki has signed legislation that increases the penalties for timber theft and announced the availability of $645,000 in financial, educational and technical assistance for owners of private forests in New York State. Forests in New York encompass more than 18 million acres and cover 62 percent of the land. Private landowners own and manage about 15.4 million acres, or 85 percent of that forest land.
The new law increases legal penalties to help prevent timber theft and encourages the practice of forestry on public and private lands by establishing a "Right to Practice Forestry." The initiative is similar to New York's "Right to Farm" law and will help ensure that legitimate and sustainable forestry activities are not restricted or banned by local regulations or ordinances.
The law also provides that DEC may, in cooperation with the New York State Attorney General's Office and the Office of Court Administration, develop and provide educational programs for municipal justice courts, district attorneys and law enforcement agencies about the control and prosecution of timber theft and trespass. The law will take effect on March 1, 2004.
Funds for Forests
Governor Pataki also announced the availability of $645,000 to encourage sustainable forestry practices on private forest land. As a result of the passage of the federal Farm Security and Rural Reinvestment Act of 2002, the Forest Land Enhancement Program (FLEP) was created to provide financial, educational and technical assistance through public/private partnerships. New York State then worked with stakeholders to develop a State Priority Plan to detail how funds would be used and the technical assistance needed to meet program objectives.
New York's FLEP funding includes nearly $400,000 in financial assistance that will be available on a cost-share basis to non-industrial private owners of forest lands. Sustainable forestry projects supported with FLEP funds will include initiatives that do the following:
- Improve the health and vigor of forest stands
- Reforest idle acres
- Improve fish and wildlife habitat
- Protect water quality
- Control invasive plant species
- Rehabilitate forest lands impacted by storm events and wildfire
Recipients must meet eligibility requirements and contribute at least 25 percent toward the total cost of the funded measure.
Cooperative Venture
DEC, in cooperation with Cornell Cooperative Extension and the New York State Forest Owners Association's (NYFOA) 501(c)3 affiliate-the New York Woodland Steward-will administer the funding and will provide education, outreach and technical assistance to program participants. Public and private sector forestry professionals will also play a significant role by working with forest owners to plan and implement sustainable forestry practices.
Qualified landowners will be eligible for up to $5,000 in financial assistance annually and may implement projects on up to 50 acres of land each year. Sustainable forestry practices must be maintained for at least 10 years.
Information for private forest owners and an application for FLEP funds are posted on DEC's website. Additional information about forest land enhancement and New York State's Priority Plan can be obtained by calling one of DEC's nine regional offices throughout the state or by checking DEC's website. Information also is available on Cornell's Forestry Extension Program website. Links for all of these websites can be found below.
