Eligibility
Non-industrial landowners, which means any private individual, group, association, corporation, Indian tribe or other native group, other private legal entity, excluding corporations whose stocks are publicly traded or legal entities principally engaged in the processing or manufacturing of wood products. Minimum practice size is 10 acres.
Forestry Practices Covered
Includes non-commercial thinning, pine release, prescribed burning, and southern pine beetle control.
Pay Rate
A per acre pay rate is based on 40% of the average cost of the practice. Pay rates cannot exceed 75% of the documented, actual cost. There is a limit of $10,000 per landowner for tree planting practices and $5,000 per landowner for prevention practices. Reforestation cost share will reimburse landowners at $100 an acre and eligible species include loblolly pine, slash pine, shortleaf pine, eastern white pine, longleaf pine, and commercial hardwoods. Prevention practices offered– non-commercial thinning of loblolly/shortleaf pine stands ($70/acre), the release of loblolly/shortleaf pine stands($40/acre), prescribed burning of loblolly/shortleaf pine stands or longleaf stands 10 years old or less ($5/acre).
Contract Length
A period of ten (10) years unless the practice is so noted on the SPBPRS Resource Practice Plan that a lesser number of years are determined for maintenance.
Application Process
This program is administered by the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) with US Forest Service funds. Additional information can be provided by contacting your local GFC forester.