The Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP) helps landowners restore, enhance & protect forestland resources on private lands through easements and financial assistance.
Through HRFP, landowners promote the recovery of endangered or threatened species, improve plant and animal biodiversity and enhance carbon sequestration.
Benefits
HFRP provides landowners with 10-year restoration agreements and 30-year or permanent easements for specific conservation actions. For acreage owned by an Indian tribe, there is an additional enrollment option of a 30-year contract. Some landowners may avoid regulatory restrictions under the Endangered Species Act by restoring or improving habitat on their land for a specified period of time.
Eligibility
HFRP applicants must provide proof of ownership, or an operator (tenant) must provide written concurrence from the landowner of tenancy for the period of the HFRP restoration agreement in order to be eligible. Land enrolled in HFRP easements must be privately owned or owned by Indian tribes and restore, enhance or measurably increase the recovery of threatened or endangered species, improve biological diversity or increase carbon storage.
How to Apply
To enroll in HFRP, landowners may apply at any time at your local USDA Service Center.
Contact:
Todd C. Hagel
Assistant State Conservationist (Easements)
Ph: (701) 530-2004
Todd.Hagel@usda.gov