Louisiana's Forest Productivity Program (FPP) has funded 3078 private timberland owners for $11.8 million since it was begun in 1998, according to Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Bob Odom.

FPP was approved by the 1997 Louisiana Legislature and went into effect July 1, 1998. The 50-50 matching funds were made available by the Legislature from part of the state's portion of timber severance taxes.

Odom said FPP is designed to substantially increase the amount of reforestation following a forest inventory that revealed, for the first time ever in Louisiana, more timber was being harvested that was actually being replanted.

Odom is impressed by the amount of interest in FPP, noting that funding has steadily increased every year since 1998.

In its first year, there were 955 participants for $3.4 million, 916 in 1999 for $3.7 million, and 1,207 in 2000 for $4.7 million.

"Reforestation is our number one priority to ensure a steady supply of timber moving into Louisiana's $5 billion a year paper making and wood products industry," Odom said.

Small, private landowners own about 60 percent of Louisiana's merchantable timber land. "In order to support our paper and wood products industries, we must make reforestation funds accessible," Odom said. "FPP opens a wide range of possibilities for the small timber land owner to maintain or replenish his forest acreage."

Under the program, forest landowners apply on a first come, first served basis for 50-50 cost sharing money. The maximum al lowed per landowner is $10,000, and the minimum size tract available for reforestation is five acres.

Applications for FPP are available from any district forestry office or forestry's headquarters at the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, 225-925-4500 or P.O. Box 1628, Baton Rouge, LA 70821.