Forest Renewal Program and other reforestation cost-share
馃嚭馃嚫 SC, United States 路 South Carolina Forestry Commission
State and federal cost-share paying 40 to 90 percent of qualifying practices, mainly site preparation and tree planting on cutover land
The state Forest Renewal Program (FRP), administered by the Forestry Commission and funded mostly by a tax on roundwood processed by South Carolina's forest industry (the other 20 percent from state appropriations), reimburses landowners for part of the cost of practices such as site preparation, tree planting and herbicide application. The Commission also administers the federal Southern Pine Beetle Prevention Program and helps landowners apply for USDA CRP (through FSA) and EQIP (through NRCS). Funds are limited and there is often a waiting list; work must not start before approval. Payment goes to the landowner after a Commission forester verifies the work and invoices are submitted, and landowners have 20 months to 3 years to finish, depending on the program.
Who qualifies
Private landowners whose land can grow at least 50 cubic feet of wood per acre per year (most South Carolina land qualifies). Federal programs are limited to private, non-industrial owners of less than 1,000 acres of qualifying woodland; that acreage limit does not apply to the state Forest Renewal Program.
How to apply
Contact the Forestry Commission project forester for your county (county locator at scfc.gov/about-us/contacts/ or (803) 896-8800). The forester examines the property, prepares or approves a Forest Management Plan and advises which programs to apply for; for FRP, complete and return the application the forester provides. For CRP sign up at the county FSA office and for EQIP at the county NRCS office, bringing your management plan. Current FRP and Southern Pine Beetle cost-share rates are in a brochure linked from the page.
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