LEWISTON – Forest landowners may be eligible to receive funding in 2008 through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to develop a prescribed forestry plan. The service in Maine has made funds available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program.

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis and funded as long as funds are available.

A landowner would be eligible if they have a minimum of 10 acres in forestland (contiguous), no current plan exists or the existing plan is more than 10 years old, and if the applicant meets all other eligibility criteria.

After the plan has been developed and the incentive payment made, the landowner would be eligible to apply for the eligible practice implementation contained in the plan.

Payment rates established allow for a flat rate of $20 an acre for forestland 10 to 50 acres in size, and a $12 an acre flat rate for forestland greater than 50 acres, with total payments not to exceed $4,000.

“Over 317,000 acres in Androscoggin and Sagadahoc counties are forested, which represents nearly 70 percent of the land base in the counties,” said Autumn Birt, district conservationist for the agency office in Androscoggin and Sagadahoc counties. “Forest land is an important resource and a forest stewardship plan is a tool that aides landowners in making wise decisions on the management of their woodlots.”

The USDA Service Center in Androscoggin and Sagadahoc counties is located at 254 Goddard Road. For more information, contact Birt at 753-7400, ext. 3. For additional program information, visit www.me.nrcs.usda.gov.