EQIP offers help for forest management By Ray Newbold Under the new federal Food, Conservation, Energy Act (2008 Farm Bill), considerable latitude has been built into the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) that will assist forest landowners in accomplishing needed forest management practices. Participants must develop and implement a Forest Management Plan prior to applying and receiving payment for conservation practices. Development of a management plan will itself be eligible for financial assistance whether that assistance is provided by Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF). Professional foresters who are Technical Service Providers (TSPs) will also be able to write Conservation Activity Plans - Comprehensive Forest Management Plans activity plans to assist private landowners manage their forest. The forest management plan is a site specific plan which addresses one or more resource concerns on land where forestry -related conservation activities or practices will be planned or applied. Example of resource concerns can be plant condition: productivity, health and vigor, plants not adapted or suited to the site and conservation practices like tree planting, early chemical release, or mid-rotation release could be applied. Other examples of resource concerns are water quality and soil erosion where Louisiana Forest Best Management Practices are addressed during harvesting operations and management of stream side management zones. Management plans will be designed to help guide the landowners' forest management for at least a ten year period. Tracts within ten years of final harvest will be particularly suited for assistance so that effective site preparation and regeneration can be planned for the next generation of forest. EQIP is a "toolbox" of many options to help install practices as needed. Once approved for cost sharing, practices must be started within twelve months. Stands without approved treatments have twelve months to develop the management plan. A Conservation Program Application must first be submitted to the NRCS providing basic landowner and tract information. Practices that may qualify for assistance at this time include establishing fire breaks and prescribed burning, forest stand improvement, Best Management Practices (BMP's) structures such as water bars or other water diversion features, site preparation, tree planting, pre-commercial thinning, silvopasture establishment, and mid-rotation release. Once established, each feature has a "lifespan" or period during which the landowner agrees to maintain the effectiveness of the practice to achieve its purpose. During the treatment activities, periodic inspections will be made to ensure that objectives are achieved and resource damage is minimized. Follow-up and on-going activities will be monitored to assist the landowner in achieving the desired results. Management plans will be unique to each ownership due to the array of conditions that could initially exist and the landowner's objectives. Tract inventories will be made to assess concerns and opportunities for treatment. At a minimum, tree species, stand stocking, trees per acre, average diameter and understory conditions are determined. Additional information related to site index, soil conditions, access, and other features will be noted and recorded by the planner(s). Armed with this information and the guidance of a professional, the landowner is equipped to define his/her long-term objectives and the strategies to accomplish them. Needed practices are not limited to site preparation and regeneration. Often the regeneration from natural sources is far greater than the site can carry. Pre-commercial thinning can be accomplished is various ways, one of which is by woods workers with brush cutter saws. Reducing the density of trees when they are young enough to respond to the open space can make the difference between stand success and failure Landowners interested in participating in a cost share program should contact the NRCS Office near them for information on the EQIP program. |