Does anyone know anything about the USDA Forest Legacy Program to identify
and protect private forestlands?  The state of Iowa is
preparing an Assessment of Need.

A public hearing on this AON will be held on Monday, September 10, from 6:30
p.m. to 8 p.m. at the State Forest Nursery, 2404 South Duff Ave, Ames.

One of the eligibility criteria they have listed in the AON is:
"Provides opportunities for continuation of tradtional forest uses, such as
forest management, timber harvesting, other commodity uses."

According to their assessment, all the listed criteria must be met.  In
another section of the assessment, "ability of the forest to sustain
tradtional forest management or special forest product development."

I questioned the state forestry director about this requirement for
"traditional forest uses" and he told me that it was a federal requirement.
I asked if that meant logging had to take place.  He assured me it didn't
mean that.

But I am very hestitant to see it listed as a "must be met".

Does anyone know if this is a "federal" requirement for this program?

If you have time to go into the Web and read this, the only part that
concerns me is the part that mentions the management plan and commodity
products.  Mike Brandrup told me yesterday that would not mean logging was
required, but he said the federal government required that to be in the
application, but I still don't feel comfortable with it being in there.

Can anyone attend the meeting Monday night?  I will try to go.

DNR SEEKING COMMENTS ON NEW FORESTRY EASEMENT EFFORT

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources - Division of Forests and Prairies
in partnership with the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Iowa Chapter of
the Nature Conservancy and the State Forest Stewardship Committee are
developing an application for inclusion into a USDA Forest Service program
called "forest legacy".  Forest Legacy is a program to assist state forestry
program to provide incentives to private woodland owners to sell their
development rights to their forests through conservation easements.

In order for Iowa's Forest Legacy program to get started, the DNR is
developing an Assessment of Need application that must be approved by U.S.
Secretary of Agriculture Anne Veneman.  The DNR is seeking comments on this
application, which can be viewed at the DNR Forests and Prairies website at
www.state.ia.us/forestry.

"This a federal/state program was created to protect private forestland at
risk to conversion to non forest uses, to ensure future generation of the
benefits of forestland.  We are requesting your input in establishing the
direction and guidelines for this program here in Iowa," said Mike Brandrup,
Iowa's State Forester.

 "This draft document details requirements and designated Forest Legacy
Areas within the State of Iowa.  Iowa's private forest landowners interested
in this program made application to the Iowa State Forester who with the
State Forest Stewardship Committee will review and make recommendations for
inclusion into the Forest Legacy Program when funding is available," he said

Thanks,
Jane Clark

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