Conservation Practices for Forests Forest Stand Improvement

Forest stand improvement is the modification of tree species, sizes and density by removing selected trees. The purpose is to increase the quality of future forest products, reduce wildfire risk, improve forest health and wildlife habitat. Activities include girdling or felling trees and using herbicides to kill trees. Related practices include Brush Management and Prescribed Burning. FY2018 EQIP payments include $219 per acre for single stem, $304 per ac for clearcuts and $426 per ac for wildlife and health.

Tree and Shrub Establishment

Tree and shrub establishment is planting seeds, seedlings or cuttings of woody plants. The purpose is to create forest products, wildlife habitat, erosion control, storing carbon and aesthetics. Activities include planting desired species in appropriate locations and densities by hand or with mechanical planters. Related practices include Tree and Shrub Site Preparation and Herbaceous Weed Control. FY2018 EQIP payments vary from $0.75 per seedling to $4.52 per tree with tree protectors.

Brush Management

Brush management is the removal of woody plants including invasive and noxious species. The purpose is to modify the plant community, improve wildlife habitat, protect soil and manage fuel loads. Activities include killing brush by mechanical, biological and chemical methods. Related practices include Integrated Pest Management, Prescribed Grazing and Prescribed Burning. FY2018 EQIP payments include $22 per acre for chemical, $50 per ac for hand tools and $314 per ac for mechanical.

Tree and Shrub Pruning

Tree and shrub pruning is the removal of selected branches and roots. The purpose is to improve forest health and reduce fire or safety hazards. Activities include removing branches or severing root grafts to disrupt oak wilt. Oak wilt should be confirmed by sending samples to the MSU Plant Diagnostic Lab. Related practices include Forest Stand Improvement and Woody Residue Treatment. FY2018 EQIP payments include $2.84 per linear foot for root pruning for oak wilt control.

Stream Crossings

Stream crossings are a structure to provide travel for people, animals or equipment across a stream. The purpose is to provide access, reduce erosion and improve water quality. Stream crossings include bridges, culverts and fords that span the bank full width. Stream crossings should discourage livestock from loafing in the stream. All stream crossings require a permit (usually $50) from the Department of Environmental Quality. Related practices include Forest Trails and Access Road. FY2018 EQIP payments vary from $41 to $87 per foot for culverts.

Forest Trails and Landings

Forest trails and landings provide routes and cleared areas for infrequent travel by people or equipment for forest management activities. Forest trails must meet the guidelines in the “Michigan Forestry Best Management Practices for Soil and Water Quality” because trails are a major source of sediment into streams. Trails should be at least 100 feet from riparian areas and constructed to minimize erosion. Related practices include Access Road, Conservation Cover, Sediment Basin and Stream Crossing. FY2018 EQIP payments vary from $1 to $10 per foot.

Prescribed Burning

Prescribed burning is applying controlled fire at a specific time to a predetermined area. The purpose is to remove unwanted vegetation, improve forest health, enhance seed production, improve habitat and restore fire-dependent communities. Activities include developing a burn plan, setting fire to the area and ensuring that the fire is out. Related practices include Firebreak. FY2018 EQIP payments vary from $16 per acre for understory burn to $134 per acre for steep terrain with herbaceous fuels.

Firebreak

Firebreak is a strip of bare land to slow the movement of fire. The purpose is to reduce the spread of wildfire and contain prescribed burns. Activities include planting sod, tilling soil, removing woody pants and prescribed burning. Related practices include Conservation Cover, Prescribed Burning and Access Control. FY2018 EQIP payments include $0.03 per foot for light equipment, $1.12 for hand construction on steep slopes and $2.87 per foot for constructed wide and bladed.

Landowners can apply for financial assistance at their local Natural Resources Conservation Service office.

Foresters are available to help plan and implement conservation practices. More information is at www.nrcs.usda.gov.

United StatesDepartment ofAgriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service

Get Started with NRCSDo you farm or ranch and want to make improvements to the land that you own or lease? Natural Resources Conservation Service offers technical and financial assistance to help farmers, ranchers and forest landowners.

To get started with NRCS, we recommend you stop by your local NRCS field office.

We’ll discuss your vision for your land.

NRCS provides landowners with free technical assistance, or advice, for their land. Common technical assistance includes: resource assessment, practice design and resource monitoring. Your conservation planner will help you determine if financial assistance is right for you.

We’ll walk you through the application process. To get started on applying for

financial assistance, we’ll work with you:

• To fill out an AD 1026, which ensures a conservation plan is in place before lands with highly erodible soils are farmed. It also ensures that identified wetland areas are protected.

• To meet other eligibility certifications. Once complete, we’ll work with you on the application, or CPA 1200.

Applications for most programs are accepted on a continuous basis, but they’re considered for funding in different ranking periods. Be sure to ask your local NRCS district conservationist about the deadline for the ranking period to ensure you turn in your application in time.

As part of the application process, we’ll check to see if you are eligible.

To do this, you’ll need to bring:

• An official tax ID (Social Security number or an employer ID)

• A property deed or lease agreement to show you have control of the property; and

• A farm tract number.

If you don’t have a farm tract number, you can get one from USDA’s Farm Service Agency. Typically, the local FSA office is located in the same building as the local NRCS office. You only need a farm tract number if you’re interested in financial assistance.

NRCS will take a look at the applications and rank them according to local resource

concerns, the amount of conservation benefits the work will provide and the needs of applicants.

If you’re selected, you can choose whether to sign the contract for the work to be done.

Once you sign the contract, you’ll be provided standards and spec-ifications for completing the practice or practices, and then you will have a specified amount of time to implement. Once the work is implemented and inspected, you’ll be paid the rate of compen-sation for the work if it meets NRCS standards and specifications.

To find out more, go to: www.nrcs.usda.gov/GetStarted

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