Green Horizons

Photo by David Stonner, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation

Loggers and landowners can both benefit from a Missouri Department of Conservation pilot cost-share incentive program called the Best Management Practices Conservation Innovation Grant. The grants are focused on encouraging timber harvesters to use good practices that protect soil and water on private land timber sales in 57 counties across the state.

BMPs were developed as a guide for loggers and landowners to combine safe logging practices with steps that avoid damage to water quality and soil erosion associated with timber harvesting. By taking steps to learn and implement BMPs, MDC hopes the grant will encourage loggers and landowners to work together to maintain the best possible forest health and productivity.

According to MDC Forest Products Program Supervisor Jason Jensen, the CIG is designed to be a partnership between loggers and landowners as they do business together. If approved, the cost share pays loggers $10 to $20 per acre and landowners $5 per acre to implement BMPs on their timber sales.

"The concept behind splitting the incentive is that the logger has the equipment and responsibility for establishing erosion prevention measures and the landowner maintains the BMPs for a reasonable period of time," Jensen said.

To participate loggers can sign up for the cost share program at their local MDC office. The program requires the logger to complete the Professional Timber Harvester course offered by the Missouri Forest Products Association, or attend a BMP training class through MDC. The deadline for completion of projects is Sept. 1.

For more information, contact Jensen at 573-522-4115 Ext. 3110, or Jason.Jensen@mdc.mo.gov. To find a local MDC office, visit mdc.mo.gov.