| Jim |
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| #1 |
Hi my name is Jim and I own 160 acres in Aitkin county mostly wooded but there is a beaver dam and swamp on the back side of it. I would be interested in planting trees and a possible duck pond is there any cost share programs for that? Is there a website I can look at for managing my property?
Jim |
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| Eli Sagor |
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| #2 |
Jim-
Availability of cost-share funding for tree planting and wildlife habitat improvement is often available. However, there's a lot of fluctuation from year to year in total funds available and which practices are covered. Here are a few sources of more detailed info:
1. If you don't have one already, I strongly recommend getting a Forest Stewardship Plan for your property. The plan will be prepared by a local professional forester and will include a map of your property showing the different woodland stands; age, tree species, and other inventory data; forest health assessments; wildlife habitat considerations; and management recommendations that are based on your personal objectives and vision for the property. You can read more about Forest Stewardship Plans, including how to sign up, at http://www.myminnesotawoods.umn.edu/help/help_planning.html .
In addition to the property-specific recommendations in the plan, having a Stewardship Plan makes you eligible to enroll in either the 2c Managed Forest Lands tax class or the Sustainable Forests Incentive Act. If those programs are right for you, either could more than offset the cost of the plan within a few years. You can learn more about these two programs at http://www.myminnesotawoods.umn.edu/legal/proptax-over.html .
2. Your local DNR Forestry office would be the best point of contact to find out whether funding is available, and for which practices. I suggest you start there.
Aitkin County also has a very active private woodland committee and a small landowner co-operative that may be other good points of connection. Aitkin County SWCD Forester Dennis Thompson (218-927-6565 or dennis.thompson@mn.nacdnet.net) could connect you with both of them. There's a bit more info on cost-sharing, plus a link to SWCD contact information by county, at http://www.myminnesotawoods.umn.edu/help/help_cost.html .
3. As for a website, I may be biased, but I like http://www.MyMinnesotaWoods.umn.edu .
I hope this is helpful.
-eli
Eli Sagor
University of Minnesota Extension
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| Paul Ojanen |
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| #3 |
For any Forestry Cost Share, there needs to be a Forestry Plan in place. You can contact DNR Area Forestry or the local SWCD. Unfortunately, the Governor's budget cut the Forestry Technical Assistance by 50% starting this year, and they are still writing the new program rules. They are due out soon ( It was dropped like a bomb in their lap). As far as a Pond within a wetland, cost share rules are very limited. First, Wetland Conservation Act and Army corps rules about wetland impacts apply, so any proposed impacts will need to be addressed. The rules for wildlife ponds specifically address the details on how the pond needs to be constructed including depth. Cost Share is a separate issue; funds are limited and projects must be evaluated for specific conservation needs. My question would be "Why not just manage the land around the already existing wetland to enhance what is already there?" It costs a lot less than excavation...
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