Program Description

The Forest Land Enhancement Program (FLEP) replaces the Stewardship Incentives Program (SIP) and the Forestry Incentives Program (FIP).  FLEP encourages the long-term sustainability of non-industrial private forestlands by providing financial, technical and educational assistance by state forestry agencies to assist private landowners in actively managing their land.

Owners of non-industrial private forest (NIPF) must develop and implement a management plan (addressing certain criteria) that provides for the treatment of no more than 1,000 acres of non-industrial private forestlands.  The acreage limit may be increased to 5,000 acres if it is determined that the treatment of additional acres will result in significant public benefit.  The management plan must be for no less than 10 years and must be approved by the State Forester.  All NIPF lands are eligible for technical and educational assistance.

Eligibility

FLEP is available for all NIPF land owners.  The cost-share practices are limited to the treatment of 1,000 acres per year with an aggregate payment not to exceed $100,000.  A waiver for the treatment of up to 5,000 acres is available if significant public benefit is shown.  The waiver is granted through the State Forester and approved by the Regional Forester.  There is no limit to the amount of forest land owned by an individual as long as the person qualifies as and NIPF owner.

For information about how FLEP will operate in your state, please contact your State Forestry agency. Click here for contact information for your state forester.

Additional Program Information

    - FLEP Briefing paper
    - Title VIII FLEP Law
    - Civil Rights Impact Analysis
    - FLEP Interim Rule June 9, 2003
    - FLEP Interim Directive
    - Landowner Comments