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Forestry Programs Page Updated: 2008-12-09 06:49:07 Forest Stewardship | Cost Share | Tax Incentive | Forestry Services | Easement | Grants | Tree Farms This page is devoted to listing some of the Maryland Forest Service forestry programs available to Calvert forest landowners. If you have questions about any of these programs please send an e-mail to forester@calvertforestry.org or call Mr. Brian Stupak, Maryland Forest Service at 410-535-1303. To jump to the Maryland Forest Service Stewardship web page, click HERE. Brochure on services offered by the Maryland Forest Service, download HERE Many consultant foresters also provide similar services. In addition, consultant foresters can also provide services such as timber sale appraisal and management, surveying, wetland delineation, forest taxation, land acquisition and forest litigation. For a full list of Maryland consultant foresters and services provided click HERE.
Forest Stewardship Plan – Prepared by MD DNR Forest Service personnel, this long-range plan provides management recommendations that incorporate landowner’s objectives and the capability of the resource. It may include wildlife, forestry, recreation, soil and water management recommendations. The plan will provide you with an assessment of the present condition of your forest and offer long-term recommendations on how to best manage the resource to receive the intended results. This type of plan is required to apply for State and Federal fund cost-share programs and for participation in a Forest Conservation and Management Agreement (FCMA). To download the forms supporting this program click HERE. To download the form to initiate a Forest Stewardship Plan in Calvert County, please click HERE
Cost-share programs are available to assist landowners in the costs of reforestation, site preparation and wildlife enhancement activities. Funding for some programs may be available on a limited basis. Fees charged by the MD DNR Forest Service for plan development and some technical services may NOT be cost-sharable. EQIP Environmental Quality Incentive Program: The program offers cost-shares up to 50% for some forestry practices. Apply for this program through your local Natural Resource Conservation (NRCS) Office. For more information click HERE. CRP and CREP Conservation Reserve (Enhancement) Program: These programs provide financial incentives to establish vegetative buffers along waterways and establish cover on highly erodible lands (i.e. planting trees). Apply through your local NRCS office to determine if your farm acreage qualifies. For more information click HERE. WIP Woodland Incentive Program: This state cost-share program provides 65% funding for forestry practices on private non-industrial forest land ownerships 5 to 1,000 acres in size. Apply through your local Forest Service office. For more information click HERE.
FCMA Forest Conservation and Management Agreement: This program currently has property tax assessments for woodland at $125.00 per acre assessed value. The minimum woodlot size is five acres (six acres with house on property) and the minimum time limit for the agreement is 15 years. FCMA’s are inspected for compliance once every five years for a fee of $100.00 per inspection. Entrance fees for the FCMA are based on assessed property values with a minimum $100.00 entrance fee plus a recordation fee of $40.00. For more information click HERE. Woodland Assessment Counties allow the use of a Forest Stewardship Plan prepared by a licensed forester as indication of ongoing forestry activities as long as forestry management in included in the stewardship plan. As such, property tax assessments will be based on the woodland tax rate for the county. The woodland tax rate is currently assessed at $187.50 per acre. The county assessor will require a letter of inspection from a forester every three years. It must state the forestry work in the plan has been followed. If this service is provided, there is a $50 to $100.00 fee depending on acreage for each inspection and the follow up letter to the county assessor. There are no entrance or recordation fees associated with this program. MD Income Tax Modification The program allows woodland owners to deduct double the cost for reforestation and timber stand improvement practices from the Federal adjusted gross income on the MD tax return. This deduction is applicable for approved practices on properties with a total forest ownership of 10 to 500 acres. For more information click HERE Public Law 96-451 This Federal law allows for a 10% investment tax credit and a seven-year amortization for reforestation projects.
Timber Stand Improvement Marking This involves the physical marking of trees for firewood, pulpwood, seed tree designation, routine thinnings, etc. The Forest Service cannot mark sawtimber (trees > 12” DBH), do volume estimates, or determine appraised value. Forestry Services Coordination Forest Service professionals are available to coordinate forestry activities that are provided by private sector vendors. This includes tree plantings, site preparation, aerial spraying, non-commercial timber stand improvement, etc.. Planting Site Examinations The Forest Service will conduct an on-site examination of any fields or open areas that landowners wish to plant in trees or shrubs and prepare a planting plan. A flat fee of $40.00 is charged for this service. Orders placed for tree seedlings from the John S. Ayton Tree Nursery within four months of the exam will be credited $10.00 toward the cost of the seedlings. Forestry Equipment Rental Certain specialized forestry equipment is available for rent by private landowners for use on both public and private lands. Please contact the Calvert forestry office for equipment rental information. The Maryland Forest Service charges a fee for some of the services they provide. For a fee schedule click HERE.
A conservation easement is a tool for landowners to protect their natural resources and preserve forest and agricultural land. In essence a landowner gives up certain opportunities or rights for use of their property in exchange for the current market value of these rights. For example, the landowner who provides a development easement removes the right to subdivide and develop their land but still remains the owner. The organization accepting the easement agrees to compensate the landowner and monitors the agreement to ensure compliance. Public access is normally not a component of a conservation easement. Easements typically last in perpetuity. For more information see these easement providers for forest owners in Calvert County. Calvert Agricultural Preservation
Critical Area Reforestation and Evaluation Grants for trees in the Critical Area The Calvert County Critical Area Program requires the County to maintain 100% of existing forest cover within the Critical Area (land within 1,000 feet of tidal waters). When maintenance or replacement of forest cover on site is not possible, a fee is collected to cover the cost of replacement on another tract within the critical area. These fees-in-lieu of replanting are held in the Critical Area Reforestation Fund and subsequently used to plant appropriate sites. The Critical Area Reforestation Evaluation (CARE) Committee reviews all applications for reforestation or tree planting using the Critical Area Reforestation Fund. The reforestation application is for any critical area property owner who has an area on their property they would like to replant with trees to help the County maintain its 100% forest-cover goal. To obtain an application, download HERE. Calvert Environmental Trust for Youth Calvert Environmental Trust for Youth was established in 1996 to provide funding to support youth and environmental activities. Through financial support of both private and public sectors the Trust offers grants for qualified activities proposed by educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, community and civic groups, and other trust organizations interested in promoting the welfare and revitalization of our youth and the environment. For more information click HERE. Forestry Board School Forest In cooperation with the Calvert Critical Area Reforestation and Evaluation Committee the Board sponsors educational tree plantings on County school properties. Students participate in selecting the species of the trees and the tree planting. Normally, School Forest plantings are less than ¼ acre in size and involve 20 – 30 trees. The trees are containerized or balled and burlapped and the average height is about five feet. The Board provides all the tree planting equipment, a sign, and a lesson on why planting trees is important. All schools in the County are eligible. If you do not have a school forest at your location and would like one, please send a note to forester@calvertforestry.org and we’ll help you get started with the application process. Natural Resources Careers Conference This is an educational opportunity for high-school aged students who are interested in learning about careers in natural resource management. The conference is a week long, normally scheduled for July or August and is located at the Hickory Environmental Education Center in Garrett County, Maryland. Two students from each County normally attend. Traditional forestry, with the inclusion of GIS and GPS technology, is the main focus of this educational experience. Urban Forestry comprises an entire day. Watershed ecology and fire management is also emphasized. The week also includes exposure to colleges offering programs in natural resource management. Students may choose to earn two college credits (fees required) from Allegany College of Maryland. To earn the credits, the student must attend the entire week, complete a short exam, and present a team management plan. The credits will transfer to most community colleges in Maryland and several four year colleges and universities. The Board offers full scholarships to attend this educational opportunity. For more information click HERE or send an e-mail using our contact form
Recognition Program; Tree Farm
Active tree farmers may be eligible for the annual Maryland Tree Farmer of the Year award, which can lead to regional and national recognition for good forest management. All tree farms meet the criteria for the Forest Stewardship Program so landowners can take advantage of the many cost-share opportunities. |
The purpose of the Tree Farm program is to encourage forest landowners to practice sound forest management for increased wood production, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, recreation and aesthetic benefits. To qualify for certification, the woodland owner must have 10 or more acres of woodland. They must manage their property for forest products, wildlife, water protection, and aesthetics and protect their woodland from fire, insects, and disease.