CAL FIRE is seeking applications for its California Forest Improvement Program (CFIP) to encourage private and public investment in, and improved management of, California forest lands and resources.
Donor Name: CAL FIRE
State: California
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline (mm/dd/yyyy): 02/28/2022
Details:
This focus is to ensure adequate high-quality timber supplies, related employment and other economic benefits, and the protection, maintenance, and enhancement of a productive and stable forest resource system for the benefit of present and future generations.
The program scope includes the improvement of all forest resources including fish and wildlife habitat, and soil and water quality. Cost-share assistance is provided to private and public ownerships containing 20 to 5,000 acres of forest land. Cost-shared activities include:
- Preparation of a Forest Management Plan by a Registered Professional Forester (RPF)
- RPF Supervision of the following:
- Reforestation
- Site Preparation
- Trees and Planting
- Tree Shelters
- Stand Improvement
- Pre-commercial Thinning or Release
- Pruning
- Follow-up (includes mechanical, herbicide and/or slash disposal follow-up)
- Forestland conservation practices / fish and wildlife habitat improvement
- Reforestation
Eligibility Restrictions
Eligible Landowners
To be eligible for CFIP, landowners must own at least 20 acres of forestland but not more than 5,000 acres of forestland in California. The 20-acre minimum does not apply to forestland zoned timber production zone. As per PRC 4793(e), forestland means land at least 10 percent occupied by trees of any size that are native to California, including native oaks, or formerly having had that tree cover and not currently zoned for uses incompatible with forest resource management.” To determine that at least 10 percent of the property is occupied by trees, the average canopy cover of native species across the property shall be used to determine whether the property meets the definition. Developed areas such as structures, landscaping, and gardens shall not be excluded from the 20-acre minimum property size and shall be included in the calculation of average canopy cover.
Eligible landowners include private owners, government agencies, businesses, corporations, and non-federally owned Native American lands.
Eligible Forestland
The intent of the California Forest Improvement Act of 1978 is to ensure that investments in timber stand improvement funded by CFIP will yield future marketable forest products and/or improved natural resources. Land must be zoned for uses compatible with forest resource management. Land in Agricultural Preserve (Williamson Act) or Timberland Production Zone (TPZ) qualifies. Properties with conservation easements or zoned for residential and/or commercial development may be eligible if the easements or zoning place no restriction on forest management practices. If the land is not zoned for timber production, the owner must maintain funded practices for at least ten years. A notice to this effect will be filed with the County Recorder. If the land is sold this provision is binding on the new owner or the CFIP grant must be paid back with interest.
Commercial Timber Operations
CFIP projects are non-commercial operations typically used to modify sub-merchantable trees or ones with no commercial value. Commercial timber operations require the approval of a timber harvest plan, non-industrial timber management plan, emergency notice or exemption by CAL FIRE. CFIP projects may be approved adjacent to commercial operations if they are outside the plan boundaries
For more information, visit California Forest Improvement Program.
