October - December, 2011
Area Available For Best Management Cost Share Expanded
Loggers and landowners can both benefit from a new Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) pilot cost share incentive program called the Best Management Practices (BMPs) Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG). 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. The counties available for the cost share opportunity are shown on the map below.
Best Management Practices were developed as a guide for loggers and landowners to combine safe logging practices with steps that will avoid damage to water quality and soil erosion associated with timber harvesting. By taking steps to learn the BMPs and implement them, the MDC hopes the Conservation Innovation Grant will encourage loggers and landowners to work together in maintaining the best possible forest health and productivity.
According to MDC Forest Program Supervisor, Jason Jensen, The grant is designed to be a partnership between loggers and landowners as they do business together. If approved, the cost share directly pays loggers $10 to $20 per acre to use the BMPs and landowners receive $5 per acre.
"The concept behind splitting the incentive is that the logger has the equipment to implement the BMPs and the responsibility for establishing erosion prevention measures and the landowner owns the property and is responsible for maintenance of the BMPs for a reasonable period of time," Jensen said.
To participate, Jensen says loggers should sign up for the cost share program at their local MDC office. The program requires a that the logger has been through the Professional Timber Harvester (PTH) course offered by the Missouri Forest Products Association or attend a BMP training class with the Department of Conservation.
To find a Department of Conservation office near you, go online to www.MissouriConservation.org.
For a schedule of upcoming PTH training sessions go to www.moforest.org.
