Forest Stewardship Program 
Purpose: Provide land management assistance to private landowners who own ninety percent of Maryland’s forest land. Forest land is one of our greatest natural resources and taken care of, can offer long term benefits for everyone. 
Scope: All owners of five or more acres of forest land or non-forest land that can be planted to trees.
Description: Private landowners are encouraged to practice forest stewardship and leave the land and its resources in better condition for future generations. Managing forest resources ensures the continuation of many forest benefits including improved water quality, wildlife species and habitat diversity, recreation, timber, aesthetics and air quality. A well thought out resource conservation plan helps landowners identify and recognize the value of their forest land and better predict the effects of any resource activity. Many resource management options are available to landowners and assistance is available from a variety of sources. Forest land can be managed with an emphasis on wildlife, fisheries, streams, wood production, recreation opportunities or with an eye to keeping a healthy woodlot for aesthetic enjoyment. Any or all combinations of a landowner’s goals and objectives for the land can be incorporated into a stewardship plan that will help the landowner leave the land in better condition than it was found.
Annual Accomplishments: Over the course of an average year, foresters for the Maryland Forest Service will prepare 400 plans on 20,000 acres.

Forest Management Notes
Maryland DNR Forest Service Cost Share Assistance
The Farm Services Agency (USDA-FSA) and the Maryland DNR Forest Service (MDNR-FS) provide cost share assistance programs to landowners to help defray the cost of forest improvement practices. The Maryland DNR Forest Service is responsible for providing technical assistance to the landowner, helping find vendors to do the work, and reporting completion of the practice.
Five cost share programs and one grant program are available to you to help defray the costs of accomplishing recommended forestry practices. The cost share programs are targeted at different goals depending on the landowner objectives. Eligibility depends on the size of your property and the availability of funds. In most cases, the first step is to have a forest stewardship management plan written for the property. Depending on what is recommended in the plan, you may be eligible for cost share assistance. Cost share assistance is usually in the form of a percentage of your total cost to accomplish the practice. You will get back a portion of the total cost of the practice, usually between 50% and 65%. The grant program provides funding, up to $300 per acre, for buffer plantings.
Funding must be allocated prior to the beginning of any work. Contact your county forester for assistance and details. The forester can provide help by furnishing technical specifications and setting up the recommended practices. Contract crews may be available to perform the recommended practice.

Forest Management Note
Maryland DNR Forest Service Forestry Assistance to Landowners
Landowners receiving forestry services from the Maryland Forest Service will be charged a fee to partially underwrite the cost of delivering these services.

Forest Stewardship Plan 
The Forest Stewardship Plan provides the landowner with professional and technical information needed to manage and conserve forest resources. The Forest Stewardship Plan acts as a working plan and is a guide to the proper management. The Forest Stewardship plan is necessary to qualify for various tax programs, such as the Forest Conservation Management Agreement, and to qualify for cost share assistance. Parcels which are contiguous and have identical ownership can be combined into one plan.
Rates:
Under 5 acres $100.00
5-25 acres $200.00
26-50 acres $225.00
51-100 acres $250.00
101-500 acres $275.00
501 or more acres $300.00
Note: Plans prepared by the DNR Forest Service are not eligible for cost sharing under SIP 1.

Management Plan Inspections 
Management plan inspections are necessary to provide verification of a landowner's compliance with a written management plan to satisfy the Department of Assessment and Taxation requirements. This applies to those landowners receiving an agricultural use assessment that is not under a Forest Conservation Management Agreement. Inspections for voluntary programs such as the Tree Farm Program are not included.
Rate: 1-10 acres is $50, 11 or more acres is $100.

Planting Site Examinations 
Those landowners that request an on site examination of any fields or open areas they wish to plant trees or shrubs will be charged a flat fee of $40. If the landowner orders tree seedlings from the John S. Ayton Tree Nursery within four months of the exam, then they will receive a $10 credit against the cost of the seedlings.
Rate $40.00

Timber Stand Improvement Marking 
This involves the physical marking of trees for firewood, pulpwood, seed tree designation, routine thinnings, etc.. The Forest Service cannot mark sawtimber (trees > 12" DBH), do volume estimates, or determine appraised value.
Rate(s):$12.00 per acre

Forestry Services Coordination 
Forest Service professionals are available to coordinate forestry activities that are provided by private sector vendors. This includes tree plantings, site preparation, aerial spraying, non-commercial timber stand improvement, etc.
Rate:
$4.00 per acre

Forestry Equipment Rental 
Certain specialized forestry equipment is available for rent by private landowners for use on both public and private lands. Renter will need to demonstrate proficiency in the use of the type of equipment being rented. Tree planting jobs of less than five acres will be charged a flat rate of $30.00 per day.
Equipment                             Rate/Acre      Delivery/mile

Drum Chopper                            9.50              1.50
Bedder                                  7.50              1.50
Tree Planter                            6.00              1.00
Single Disc                             7.50              1.50
Tractor                                20.00              1.50
Power Auger                             2.00               .30
Bedding w/State Equipment              40.00              1.50
Note: All fees for services listed above are subject to change
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service wants to know if this service is helpful
for you or your company, please send comments and/or suggestions to Maryland DNR

Forest Conservation and Management Program
Purpose: Encourage landowners to manage their forest land in return for a reduced and/or frozen property tax assessment.
Scope: Any owner of five or more contiguous acres of forest land may enter the program. House sites, crop land and other non-forest open space is not eligible. Open land that was recently planted to forest tree seedlings can be included in the program after one growing season. Land used to grow Christmas trees is also eligible if the trees will be cut at harvest.
Description: The program is a legal agreement between the landowner and the Department of Natural Resources and is recorded in the land records of the county in which the property is located. The landowner agrees to manage their forest land according to a management plan that is prepared for the property. The minimum acreage is five acres and the minimum length of the agreement is fifteen years. The property tax assessment on the forest land in the agreement is generally reduced and frozen at a low agricultural rate. If the agreement is broken through failure to follow the plan, sale of the property to someone unwilling to assume the responsibility or if the landowner just wants to be out of the program, back taxes will be levied and will be computed back to the beginning of the agreement. The agreement can be amended to increase or decrease acreage and it can be transferred to a buyer if the buyer is willing to assume the responsibilities of the agreement.
Accomplishments: There are approximately 1,300 agreements in effect covering approximately 96,300 acres.

Income Tax Modification Program
Purpose: Provide financial incentive for forest landowners to manage their forest land by allowing them to deduct double the cost of reforestation and timber stand improvement from their federal adjusted gross income for Maryland income tax purposes.
Scope: Participants must own or lease between 10 to 500 acres of forest land capable of growing more than 20 cubic feet of wood per acre per year, which is available for the primary purpose of growing and harvesting trees. Christmas tree and ornamental tree operations are not eligible. Only forest management practices installed on 10 to 100 acres may receive the tax modification in any one year.
Description: This program allows eligible participants to deduct double the cost of reforestation and timber stand improvement practices, less any cost-share assistance received through other programs (FLEP, WIP, EQIP, etc.). This is reported on the Maryland tax return as a subtraction from the federal adjusted gross income. Practices receiving the modification must remain in effect for at least 15 years. Periodic inspections will occur. If they are not maintained, the tax savings must be repaid.
Annual Accomplishments: Approximately 30-50 landowners participate annually.

Other Federal and Industry Cost-Share Programs
Purpose: Provide cost-share assistance for reforestation, site preparation and timber stand improvement practices.
Scope: Programs are available to private landowners who meet certain eligibility requirements. Federal programs will pay up to 75% of costs for eligible practices. Forest industry cost-share programs generally pay for half the costs of seedlings for reforestation.
Description:
Forest Land Enhancement Program (FLEP) - A federal program that provides up to 75% cost-share assistance for reforestation, site prep and timber stand improvement. Landowners must own at least 1 acre of forest land but no more than 1,000 (up to 5,000 with a waiver).
Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) - A federal program that provides cost-share assistance for numerous practices with environmental benefits.
Glatfelter Pulpwood Company - program to pay for half of the seedlings used in reforestation efforts. Program varies by county for eligibility and number of seedlings available.
Annual Accomplishments: More than $100,000 is expected to be distributed annually to landowners through FLEP.

Forest Land Enhancement Program
Purpose: Provide cost sharing assistance for eleven major practices that are designed to provide a wide range of possibilities and concerns of managing forests for all their values.
Scope: The program is available to landowners who are implementing an approved Forest Stewardship Plan. The practices being implemented must impact at least one acre.
Description: The Forest Land Enhancement Program provides a means of accomplishing active forest management practices through a financial assistance program for private forest owners. Incentives in the form of cost sharing will be offered to participants who agree to adopt and carry out a Forest Stewardship Plan. Each plan will be based on realistic management objectives that match the landowner’s interests and goals with the capability of his/her land. The practices that are recommended in the plan and have received cost share assistance must be maintained for a minimum of ten years. The maximum amount a landowner may receive in a year is $10,000. The eleven broad practices are:
·         FLEP 1 - Forest Stewardship Plans
·         FLEP 2 - Afforestation/Reforestation
·         FLEP 3 - Forest Stand Improvement
·         FLEP 4 - Agroforestry
·         FLEP 5 - Water Quality Improvement & Watershed Restoration
·         FLEP 6 - Fish & Wildlife Habitat
·         FLEP 7 - Forest Health Protection
·         FLEP 8 - Invasive Species Control
·         FLEP 9 - Fire & Catastrophic Risk Reduction
·         FLEP 10- Fire & Catastrophic Event Rehabilitation
·         FLEP 11- Special Practices
FLEP Priority Plan
   (Adobe Acrobat file 781KB) - To get the free Acrobat Reader go to Adobe.com.
FLEP Application
    (Adobe Acrobat file 157KB) - To get the free Acrobat Reader go to Adobe.com
Annual Accomplishments: Annual funding is expected to be in excess of $100,000.

Woodland Incentive Program
Purpose: Provide cost sharing assistance for tree planting, site preparation and timber stand improvement practices.
Scope: The program pays up to 50 % of eligible practices and is available to owners of at least 10 forest acres but not more than 500 acres that, when appropriate, has the potential to be harvested for products including logs, timbers, pulpwood, firewood, woodchips, poles, piles, posts and other primary forest products, has not been subject to federal cost-share assistance in any of the 5 years preceding application for the same practice and has not received Woodland Incentive Program assistance in any of the 15 years preceding application for the same practice.
Description: Eligible landowners can apply for specific practices through their local forester. If approved, landowners complete the practices and pay for the goods and/or services. The local forester will then inspect the practice to ensure proper implementation. Upon approval by the forester, copies of the invoices and checks used to pay the invoices are submitted to the forester for processing. The landowner will then receive a reimbursement check for up to 50% of their costs. Eligible practices include: thinning, pruning, prescribed burning, crop tree release, site preparation for natural or artificial reforestation, herbicide treatments and planting of seedlings. 
Annual Accomplishments: Approximately $100,000 is distributed to 75-100 landowners for management practices on 1,500 - 2,000 acres.

Caring for Our Forests
Forest landowners in Maryland can receive information and recommendations to better care for their forest land by contacting the MD DNR Forest Service Project in their County. Foresters meet with landowners, gather information from landowners about their forest, and develop forest stewardship plans. They assist landowners in carrying out forest stewardship recommendations. In 1990, more than 8,000 acres were planted with trees. Since 1990, nearly 100,000 acres have been placed under forest stewardship management.
The Stewardship Program recognizes landowners for their forest stewardship and provides financial assistance for forest practices. Land managers provide many opportunities for landowners to learn about their forests. There are many consulting foresters who provide similar assistance working across Maryland.
Urban and rural communities receive assistance and recognition for their commitment to their forest and tree resources from the MD DNR Forest Service. Community groups or associations, town managers and other officials, or interested citizens can obtain technical information about planting trees, insect and disease problems, maintaining inventories, and developing sustainable affordable tree-care plans for their communities. They can receive instructions about selecting appropriate species and planting sites. Assistance is given to teachers to reforest lands surrounding schools, create outdoor laboratories, and build nature trails to encourage students to learn about the environment.
In 1914, the Roadside Tree Law was passed to protect trees in rights-of-way. This Law requires the MD DNR Forest Service to supervise tree maintenance work performed in rights-of-way to maintain electricity, telephone, and other utilities. Licenses are issued and training is provided to tree experts who maintain trees in rights-of-way. Also, permits are issued to citizens who want to care for trees in rights-of-way adjacent to their homes.
Fire departments across the State receive expert training and assistance in preventing, suppressing, and investigating wildland fires from the MD DNR Forest Service. Specialized equipment, including bulldozers and chainsaws, and personnel to operate the equipment are ready to respond to large or difficult wildland fires. Smokey Bear appearances, school programs, and open houses at fire departments are some of the activities promoting the prevention of wildland fires.
The health of our forests depends on what we do now and in the future. Learning about forest health and forest communities will help make us better stewards of the land. If you are considering some type of management activity on your forest land, contact the MD DNR Forest Service for information and assistance.

Forest Conservancy District Boards 
In 1906, the Maryland State Board of Forestry was established, and in 1943 the Forest Conservancy District Law was passed to establish a Board in each County. A Board was established in Baltimore City in 1987. Each Board is made up of citizens of the County who work to perpetuate Maryland's forest resource.
Board members are volunteers who provide grassroots leadership for the improvement of the environment. They are community representatives responsible for promoting forest management and education, as well as advising Maryland's Department of Natural Resources Forest Service. Further, they are a sounding board and a liaison between private individuals, forest-related industry, and government agencies.
The Forest Conservancy District Boards, or Forestry Boards, focus their work on educating people about benefits that forests and trees provide and educating school students interested in pursuing careers in natural resources. Also, they are involved with the Chesapeake Bay School Reforestation Project, legislative networking, and reviewing plans to cut trees from forests. You can go to Board members to gather information, or express your concerns, ideas, or complaints, just as they go to representatives of Congress and other legislators. Contact the Forestry Board in your County by calling the Forest Service Project Office.
Forest Health Report Content
This information provided by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service

Forest Management Notes
Maryland DNR Forest Service Cost Share Assistance - FLEP
What is FLEP? 
The Forest Land Enhancement Program is a new program established by the 2002 Farm Bill, otherwise known as the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. It was signed into law on May 13, 2002. It is codified in Title VIII Forestry, Subtitle A-Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978, sec. 8002.
What does it do?
It replaces the Forestry Incentive Program (FIP) and the Stewardship Incentive Program (SIP), which were repealed in the 2002 Farm Bill. FLEP is the new incentive program that encourages long-term sustainability of non-industrial private forestlands by providing financial, technical and educational assistance by State Forest Service Agencies to assist private landowners in actively managing their land.
Who administers the program?
The USDA Forest Service in partnership with State Foresters and State Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committes, and in consultation with other Federal and State natural resource management agencies and a broad range of private sector interests.
What is the Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee (SFSCC)?
A group of approximagely 20 people chosen, in compliance with guidelines delineated in the Maryland Forest Stewardship Program Handbook, that represents a broad spectrum of environmental interests. Their purpose is to work in conjunction with the State Forester in the formulation and implementation of the State FLEP program policies and guidelines.
How is it funded and at what level?
Funding is provided via the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) for a total of $100,000,000 from 10/01/02 - 9/30/07. The CCC is a corporate body with the Department of Agriculture for the purpose of stabilizing, supporting and protecting farm income and prices. Funding for Maryland is expected in the $200,00 to $250,000 range annually.
Who is eligible to receive this funding?
Approved Forestry and Wildlife practices performed on 1 to 1,000 acres non-industrial private forest that have implemented a forest stewardship plan on their property. The acreage maximum may be increased to 5,000 if it is determined that the treatment of additional acres will result in significant public benefit. These plans, approved by the State Forest Service must be written for a minimum of 10 years.
How much can each recipient receive?
Cost-share assistance of up to 75% may be offered for the implementation of activities and practices approved in a State Priority Plan that designates priorities for actions. The State Forester and State Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee are developing the State Priority Plan with a projected completion date of 9/1/03. FLEP allows treatment up to 1,000 acres per year with the aggregate payment per landowner through 2007 capped at $100,000.
When will the funding be available?
On or about 6/1/03 provided all goes according to plan. Prior to that the final draft of the Interim Rule, federally approved regulations to administer FLEP, must be completed and published in the Federal Register. Maryland must have a State Priority FLEP Plan completed. A draft is being prepared. Prior to making FLEP operational, the USDA Forest Service in cooperation with other Federal Agencies is working on the Civil Rights Impact Analysis, Cost Benefit Analysis, Allocation Criteria and Accomplishment Reporting.
Is there a time line associated with this program?
Yes, it is as follows:
5/13/02 -- Farm Bill signed into law
9/10/03 - Completion of State Priority Plan
5/1/03 -- Expected publication of interim rule in Federal Register with a 60-day comment period.
6/1/03 --- Expected start when landowner's applications will be accepted.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service wants to know if this service is helpful
for you or your company, please send comments and/or suggestions to Maryland DNR.

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