Submitted by kpaul.mallasch on Fri, 07/06/2007 - 7:04pm.
MFP Tags: Indiana Woodland Restoration Program, Indiana DNR, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Classified Forest and Wildlands ProgramTopics: PoliticsTypes: News
MFP Tags: Indiana Woodland Restoration Program, Indiana DNR, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Classified Forest and Wildlands ProgramTopics: PoliticsTypes: News
Division of Forestry Seeks Public Input on Privately Owned Forests in July Meetings
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - With 85 percent of Indiana's nearly 4.3 million acres of forestland privately owned and providing benefits available from no other land use, sustaining these areas is vitally important.
As these lands face increasing pressure to be developed, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry, seeks public input to help assemble a strategic plan to help guide DNR programs related to sustaining these areas.
The public is invited to open meetings in July to hear what state foresters have planned and to suggest changes. John Seifert, state forester, will report on accomplishments resulting from the current plan. He and other DoF staff will also outline the current general direction of the coming plan. The public will be given the opportunity to ask questions and to provide input into the next plan. Written comments can be sent to http://www.forestryinfo@dnr.in.gov/.
The dates and locations for the three sessions are:
- Tuesday, July 10, 6-8 p.m.: Indiana State Museum, 3rd Floor Museum Conference Room, 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis.
- Wednesday, July 11, 6-8 p.m.: Potato Creek State Park – Nature Center, North Liberty. (Please tell gate attendant that you are attending the forestry meeting to have your gate fee waived.)
- Thursday, July 12, 6-8 p.m.: Lawrence County Fairgrounds Community Building. Fairgrounds address: 11261 US Highway 50, Bedford.
The DNR currently provides technical assistance to forestland owners. In addition, various programs are provided to protect forestland from development and to provide monetary incentives for woodland improvement projects. These landowner-assistance activities are paid for through general fund appropriations, property taxes and timber sale revenue.
Major programs include the Classified Forest and Wildlands Program, Indiana Woodland Restoration Program and Forest Legacy Program. The Classified Forest and Wildlands Program provides tax relief in return for forest retention and management. Classified Forests are eligible for “green certification” under the American Tree Farm Program.
The Indiana Woodland Restoration Program provides qualified landowners incentive payments for select forest restoration projects. More than $400,000 has been granted in the past year. The Forest Legacy Program restricts development on forestland through a conservation agreement with participating landowners.
Source: Indiana DNR Press Release
Technorati Tags: News Classified Forest and Wildlands Program Indiana Department of Natural Resources Indiana DNR Indiana Woodland Restoration Program Politics
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