Lansing, MI -(AmmoLand.com)- The Michigan Department of Natural Resources today announced the online availability of the application to nominate forest land for enrollment in the state’s Forest Legacy Program enrollment.
The program protects private forest lands from conversion to nonforest uses.
Completed applications, and all required documentation, must be postmarked and submitted to the Forest Legacy Program by Friday, June 17, 2016. The application, a map and other information are available on the DNR website.
Michigan’s Forest Legacy Program uses federal and matching funds to purchase fee ownership or development rights and conservation easements (legally binding agreements transferring a negotiated set of property rights from one party to another) on environmentally important forests within designated geographic areas, known as “Forest Legacy Areas.” This can be accomplished either by bringing the land into public ownership or without removing the property from private ownership.
“Sustainable forest management is as vital to the integrity of private forest land as it is to public land,” said Kerry Wieber, DNR forest land administrator. “The Forest Legacy Program provides an opportunity for private forest landowners to ensure their forest land continues to provide critical wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities, and is managed as a working forest in perpetuity.”
It is important to note that all easements and interests in land acquired by the Forest Legacy Program last forever, and must contain agreements and language to ensure perpetuity of the easements. Michigan’s program also requires that the land be open to the public for non-motorized access at a minimum. Additionally, landowners are required to prepare a management plan for their property.
Participation in Forest Legacy is limited to private forest landowners. The federal government may fund up to 75 percent of program costs, with at least 25 percent coming from private, state or local sources. In addition to gains associated with the sale or donation of property rights, many landowners also may benefit from reduced taxes associated with limits placed on land use.
For more information about the Forest Legacy Program, visit www.michigan.gov/
About the Michigan Department of Natural Resources:
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations.
For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.