§2103a Forest Stewardship Program

Summary

The Secretary must set up a Forest Stewardship Program with State foresters to help owners of nonindustrial private forest land manage their forests for the long term. The goal was to enroll at least 25,000,000 acres by December 31, 1995. "Nonindustrial private forest lands" are rural lands with trees or able to grow trees, owned by private people, groups, corporations, Indian tribes, or other private entities. The Program gives money, technical help, education, and other support to State foresters so they can help landowners and local groups and universities. It helps owners choose actions to improve timber, wildlife habitat, water quality, wetlands, recreation, and the look of the land; to plant trees and improve poor stands; and to protect forests from fire, insects, disease, and bad weather. Any eligible private forest land not already in a Federal, State, or private assistance program on November 28, 1990, can get help. Land already in such programs can join if management is expanded and the owner agrees to the rules. To join, an owner must give the State forester a forest stewardship plan made by a professional manager, approved by the State forester, and describing how the owner will protect soil, water, wildlife, timber, recreation, and other values while keeping the owner’s goals. The owner must follow the plan. The Secretary is also encouraged to create a recognition program for good stewards. Congress authorized $25,000,000 for each fiscal year 1991 through 1995, and whatever money is needed after that.