| Forestry Incentive Programs |
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| Eligibility |
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- Directory of Watershed Resources - a searchable database of funding sources for activities designed to protect or restore watershed health. It provides general program information and several quick-search indices based on keywords like project type, eligibility, type of assistance, and sponsor.sources
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In addition to the programs highlighted below, there are other state, federal, and private conservation incentive programs available to landowners in Oregon. For more information contact one or more of the following agencies:
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| Afforestation Incentive |
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Forest Practices Afforestation Incentive
Goal - Provides some regulatory certainty to encourage landowners to plant and grow merchantable stands of timber on previously nonforested lands where commercial forest production is the main objective.
Parcels qualify if:
- It has not been used to grow commercial forest since July 1, 1972.
- It carries less than 25 square feet of basal area per acre in forest tree stocking.
- There are at least five contiguous acres established in timber.
The incentive is the assurance that no state forest practices regulation will prohibit harvesting most of the planted timber established and grown in the first crop rotation. This is an exemption from most tree retention requirements. The only limitation is that trees must be left alongside certain streams. Harvesting is restricted within 20 feet of large or medium steams of Type F, Type D, or Type N and small Type F or Type D streams. Additionally, all Forest Practice rules applying to other than tree retention must be followed as usual. A parcel or portion thereof may qualify for this exemption only one time.
To participate, a forest landowner must request certification between two and five years after establishing a new stand and supply the following information to the Oregon Department of Forestry office responsible for the area:
- An accurate plat map locating the parcel or portion thereof that had timber established on it; and
- photographs of the area showing that in its pre-establishment condition it was not used for commercial forest production.
Application form: Word PDF
ORS Chapter 526 - browse to 526.490 Afforestation of certain idle lands; harvest requirements; inspection fees; lands subject to Oregon Forest Practices Act.
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| Bark Beetle Mitigation |
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Bark Beetle Mitigation Funds
Goal - To assist family forestland owners in prevention and restoration of areas affected by bark beetles.
- Projects may include the thinning of stands to reduce susceptibility to beetle attacks as well as site preparation or re-planting of previously affected areas.
- Projects should be focused on prevention or restoration.
- Bark Beetle Mitigation funds are limited.
- Funds are subject to local availability in areas of Eastern, Central, and Southern Oregon.
- Areas adjacent to current bark beetle outbreaks or those deemed to be under imminent threat will receive the highest priority in selection.
- 50% cost-share (cost reimbursement) will be provided to all landowners with qualified projects.
- Costs of pruning or profitable salvage operations are not eligible.
- Project specifications and technical assistance provided by the local ODF stewardship forester.
For additional program details and information contact your local ODF stewardship forester.
Application form
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| Conservation Reserve Program |
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Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
Goal - To assist family forestland owners in prevention and restoration of areas affected by bark beetles.
- Projects may include the thinning of stands to reduce susceptibility to beetle attacks as well as site preparation or re-planting of previously affected areas.
- Projects should be focused on prevention or restoration.
- Bark Beetle Mitigation funds are limited.
- Funds are subject to local availability in areas of Eastern, Central, and Southern Oregon.
- Areas adjacent to current bark beetle outbreaks or those deemed to be under imminent threat will receive the highest priority in selection.
- 50% cost-share (cost reimbursement) will be provided to all landowners with qualified projects.
- Costs of pruning or profitable salvage operations are not eligible.
- Project specifications and technical assistance provided by the local ODF stewardship forester.
For additional program details and information contact your local ODF stewardship forester.
Application form
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| Environmental Incentives |
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Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
Goal - Encourage landowners to implement management practices to conserve soil, water, and related natural resources.  
- Up to 75% funding ($10,000 maximum per owner per year, $50,000 per contract period).
- Landowner must be actively engaged in livestock or agricultural production including forestry and complete a 5- to 10-year conservation plan.
Information and applications are available from your local Farm Service Agency office. Information is also available from your local Natural Resource Conservation Service office.
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| Forest Resource Trust |
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Forest Resource Trust (FRT)
Goal - Encourage landowners to establish and maintain healthy forests on underproducing forestlands - lands capable of growing forests but currently in brush, cropland, pasture or very poorly stocked (and not subject to a reforestation requirement of the Oregon Forest Practices Act).
- The Forest Resource Trust provides monies for the direct cost payments of site preparation, tree planting, seedling protection, and competitive release activities.
- The landowner commits to establishing a healthy "free-to-grow" forest stand and takes responsibility for seeing that the work gets done.
- The stewardship forester provides technical assistance on how to complete the reforestation project and is available to provide direction with respect to the landowner’s
project management responsibility.
- If timber is harvested from the forests created with trust monies, participating landowners repay the trust (up to set amounts) with a portion of the profits.
- Landowner's pass back the rights to the carbon dioxide emission reduction offsets that can be credited to the new forests for the purpose of marketing these offets as a means to raise additional funds for the Forest Resource Trust.
- Eligible underproducing land must be at least 10 contiguous acres, zoned for forest or farm use, located in Oregon, and part of a private forestland ownership of no more than 5,000 acres.
- The trust can fund 100% of the reforestation cost up to $100,000 every two years.
To learn more about this program, including download access to an application, click here.
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| Forest Stewardship Plan (FSP) |
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Goal - To assist family forestland owners document their objectives, stewardship decisions, and recommended resource practices. To provide family forest landowners with a multidisciplinary, action-oriented natural resource stewardship plan.
- 75% cost-share (up to certain maximum rates) for professional natural resource consultant written plans.
- Cost-share must be pre-approved by ODF prior to creation of stewardship plan.
- Plans must be reviewed and approved by the local ODF stewardship forester.
- Minimum plan size is 10 acres.
- Stewardship plans apply to rural land suitable for growing trees, or existing rural forestland.
The Forest Stewardship Program does NOT fund "on-the-ground" stewardship projects. Funding to carry out projects recommended in stewardship plans may be available through the various incentive programs mentioned in this website.
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| Noxious Weed Control |
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Noxious Weed Control Grants
The Oregon State Weed Board guides state noxious weed control priorities. The board awards grants for landowners, public agencies, and others to control noxious weeds. Grant applications and more information are available by contacting the Oregon State Weed Board.
Note: Noxious weed control grant application forms are usually available at the Oregon State Weed Board webpage. However, the form for the current application cycle (application deadline of January 9, 2006) is available only by contacting the Oregon State Weed Board directly.
Additional information on noxious weed control is available from the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) Plant Division.
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| Tax Credit |
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Oregon's 50% Tax Credit (Underproductive Forestland Conversion Tax Credit)
Goal - Encourage landowners to establish and maintain healthy and productive fore sts.
- 50% of the cost of establishing a stand of trees on underproductive forestland may be applied as a credit against Oregon state taxes.
- Applies on brushland, grassland, or on very poorly stocked forestland.
Additional information is available from the local Oregon Department of Forestry stewardship forester.
To download an application form and learn more about this and other tax programs click here.
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| Watershed Enhancement Board |
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Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB)
Goal - Encourage landowners to manage riparian and associated upland areas to improve water quantity and quality for all beneficial uses -- including fish and wildlife. 
- Up to 100% funding, but cost-share from landowner or other partners is favored.
- Project must be part of an adopted resource management plan.
Information and applications are available from your local Soil & Water Conservation District office or from the OWEB office (503) 378-3589, Ext. 827, FAX: (503) 378-3225, Leilani.Birkholz@odf.state.or.us.
Information is also available from the local Oregon Department of Forestry stewardship forester.
OWEB Local Innovation Fund
The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) has established The Local Innovation Fund to support creative, innovative initiatives that benefit and provide connections between the local watershed, economy, and community.
Additional information about The Local Innovation Fund or the grant application process, is available here.
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| Wetlands Reserve Program |
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Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP)
Goal - Restore and protect wetlands on private property.
- Grant of 75% total cost for restoration agreement, with landowner or other partners cost-sharing remainder.
- Landowner should own the land at least one year (exceptions) prior to enrollment, and must agree to limit certain land uses in the contract period.
- Land must be restorable and suited for wildlife benefits.
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| Wildlife Habitat Incentive |
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Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP)
Goal - Establish and improve fish and wildlife habitat on private lands.
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- Grant of up to 75% total cost, with landowner or other non-federal partners cost-sharing the remainder.
- Land must not be used for mitigation or other specified exceptions, and not currently enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program, Wetlands Reserve Program, or similar programs.
- Landowner agrees to prepare and implement a habitat development plan, to maintain implemented practices for the 10+ year contract period, and to allow administrative access for effectiveness monitoring.
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