Cost Share Programs

FIP / SIP / FSA

These programs are mutually exclusive. You cannot receive money for the same practice from two programs at once.

Forestry Incentive Program (FIP)

This program is designed to help Maine's private woodlot owners to increase the supply of timber products coming from their lands with emphasis on sustained yield, multipurpose management, and cost effective forest improvement practices. You may receive complete or partial funding, depending on your request and available funds. The requirements of FIP are as follows:

• 10-999 acres of woodland (larger ownerships under special conditions)
• Land able to produce at least 50 cubic feet or 1/2 cord of wood per acre per year
• Land is rural and suited to the growth of trees
• Forest management plan by approved and licensed forester
• Maintain work that is cost-shared for at least 10 years
• At least 5 of the acres in the plan treated each year until plan completed

Funded Activities

• FP1: planting trees
• FP2: timber stand improvement (TSI) and pruning
• FP3: site preparation for natural regeneration

To apply

1. Contact the office representing the US Department of Agriculture for your county, for an application or call 1-800-367-0223
2. Return completed application (address, woodland location, activity description)
3. Arrange for a visit from an approved professional forester of your choice
4. Receive letter of approval
5. Carry out activities in a timely fashion
6. Request certification of completion from a resource professional
7. Return certification forms to ASCS office
8. Receive check

This program is designed to help Maine's private woodlot owners improve timber, wildlife, water quality, and recreation on their property. If you have 10 -999 acres of woodland, you are eligible. The program will pay 50% of the preparation of a resource management plan by an approved professional. SIP calls this plan a Landowner Forest Stewardship Plan (LFSP). This plan is the first step to receiving SIP funds. The plan should address timber, wildlife, soils, water, and recreation for the whole parcel. The program will pay for 75% (up to a $1200 annual maximum) of the following:

• Reforestation and planting of trees
• Pruning, weeding, and precommercial thinning
• Windbreak and hedgerow establishment and maintenance
• Erosion control (vegetation cover and water bars)
• Riparian and wetland protection practices
• Fishery and wildlife habitat improvement
• Recreation enhancement (trails, vistas, aesthetics)

To apply

1. Contact the office representing the US Department of Agriculture for your county, for an application or call 1-800-367-0223
2. Arrange for a visit from an approved professional forester of your choice
3. Receive letter of approval
4. Complete the work and submit a report
5. Receive check for cost-share
6. Maintain practice for 10 years

This program is designed to help Maine's private woodlot owners foster multiple uses, prepare a management plan, and define, plus achieve, management objectives. If you have 10 -999 acres of woodland, you are eligible. The program will pay 50% of the preparation of a resource management plan by an approved professional. Management plans that meet the requirements of the Maine Tree Growth Tax Law may qualify the landowner for a state income tax credit of up to $200. The plan must have locations of water bodies, locations of wildlife habitat that have been identified by Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (deer yards), a forest type map, timber stand improvement recommendations, recommended harvest schedule, and a forest regeneration plan. The following are limits to the price of the plan for cost-sharing:

Acres	Maximum price that will be cost-shared
10-40	$275
41-70	$360
71+	$5/acre

To apply

1. Call 1-800-367-0223 to apply with the Maine Forest Service
2. Receive a package of material (guidelines, list of approved foresters, advice of forester selection, cost-share application)
3. Arrange for a visit from an approved professional forester of your choice
4. Return completed cost-share application
5. Upon approval of cost-share, hire forester to prepare the management plan
6. Receive check for cost-share
   • You are ineligible to receive any other cost-share funding for an approved plan

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