FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANNING
Why Is It Important?
Forest management planning provides a logical and systematic means of achieving a property owner’s goals. The process begins with a discussion between the landowner, stakeholders, and forester, usually on-site. Landowners discuss why they own the property, primary uses of the property, and what they foresee as happening on the property over time, among other topics. This information is critical for understanding the landowners’ objectives and formulating management goals.
Forest management planning provides a logical and systematic means of achieving a property owner’s goals. The process begins with a discussion between the landowner, stakeholders, and forester, usually on-site. Landowners discuss why they own the property, primary uses of the property, and what they foresee as happening on the property over time, among other topics. This information is critical for understanding the landowners’ objectives and formulating management goals.
How Does It Work?
The next step is performing a field survey, which includes a formal forest inventory commonly referred to as a timber cruise, in which data is gathered systematically across the property to obtain a statistical representation of the forested conditions on the property. Data recorded include tree species, tree diameter and height (which yields board foot volumes), and tree health and quality (often referred to Acceptable and Unacceptable Growing Stock). Other data might include the number of tree seedlings, the number of suitable wildlife trees present, etc. Qualitative observations typically include the occurrence of non-native, invasive plants; presence of insects or disease; general decline in the forest; erosion concerns; and wildlife habitat conditions.
Following the inventory, a draft plan is prepared for and reviewed by the landowner to ensure that concerns and goals have been accurately addressed. Forest Management Plans are not only useful for planning purposes, but they also serve as a baseline report that might assist the landowner with obtaining funding for the implementation of specific management practices. Furthermore, they can provide a basis for tax planning when a scheduled harvest is undertaken, or if a loss of timber is suffered due to a natural disturbance.
Following the inventory, a draft plan is prepared for and reviewed by the landowner to ensure that concerns and goals have been accurately addressed. Forest Management Plans are not only useful for planning purposes, but they also serve as a baseline report that might assist the landowner with obtaining funding for the implementation of specific management practices. Furthermore, they can provide a basis for tax planning when a scheduled harvest is undertaken, or if a loss of timber is suffered due to a natural disturbance.
Types of Plans
REAL PROPERTY FOREST TAX LAW 480A FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN
REAL PROPERTY FOREST TAX LAW 480A FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN
Real Property Forest Tax Law 480a is a New York State Law, whereby qualifying properties can receive up to an 80% reduction in property taxes once enrolled in the program. Requirements of 480a include:
Prior to enrolling in the program, landowners should carefully consider the costs and benefits of the program and discuss the estimated tax benefits with the local assessor.
- Must have at least 50 contiguous qualifying forested acres.
- Must adhere to a Forest Management Plan for 10 years.
- Enrolled property must be capable of producing a forest crop within 30 years. Forest crops can include saw logs, veneer logs, pulp wood, firewood, and whole tree chips.
- Requires a yearly commitment filed with the local assessor.
- Requires that property boundaries be easily identifiable in the field.
- Requires that a 6% severance tax be paid to the county when forest products are sold.
Prior to enrolling in the program, landowners should carefully consider the costs and benefits of the program and discuss the estimated tax benefits with the local assessor.
FOREST STEWARDSHIP PLANS
Forest Stewardship Plans (FSP) are similar in content to 480a plans, but they often provide more information regarding non-timber aspects of the forestland. These non-timber aspects might include wildlife concerns, management and control of invasive plants, recreational enhancement, and mitigation of environmental concerns such as erosion and sedimentation of wetlands and watercourses. FSP’s might also include documentation and management of riparian areas or cultural features (stone walls, former dwellings, etc.), as well as a summary of historic land use. In some cases, it is possible to obtain funding for a FSP that will allow for little or no out-of-pocket expense to the landowner.
Forest Stewardship Plans (FSP) are similar in content to 480a plans, but they often provide more information regarding non-timber aspects of the forestland. These non-timber aspects might include wildlife concerns, management and control of invasive plants, recreational enhancement, and mitigation of environmental concerns such as erosion and sedimentation of wetlands and watercourses. FSP’s might also include documentation and management of riparian areas or cultural features (stone walls, former dwellings, etc.), as well as a summary of historic land use. In some cases, it is possible to obtain funding for a FSP that will allow for little or no out-of-pocket expense to the landowner.
BASE LINE DOCUMENTATION
A Base Line Documentation (BLD) report is an informal, non-quantitative report of a property similar to a FSP, but without the planning aspect. BLD reports generally provide information related to forest cover type and age; wetland and watercourse features; agricultural features; structures (barns, houses, etc.); presence of cultural features; and wildlife observations. They are useful for properties under consideration for a conservation easement. A BLD report would also be useful for a real estate broker who wishes to provide more information when selling larger tracts of forested property.
A Base Line Documentation (BLD) report is an informal, non-quantitative report of a property similar to a FSP, but without the planning aspect. BLD reports generally provide information related to forest cover type and age; wetland and watercourse features; agricultural features; structures (barns, houses, etc.); presence of cultural features; and wildlife observations. They are useful for properties under consideration for a conservation easement. A BLD report would also be useful for a real estate broker who wishes to provide more information when selling larger tracts of forested property.