Farm Creek Forest Management Program

Please check the "Project Progress" section to find current news and updates on the Farm Creek project.

You can now also find photos of our demonstration sites in the "Demonstration Sites" section!

The Tri-County Regional Planning Commission has secured federal funding to contract with an ecological contractor for private & public landowners within the Farm Creek Watershed for the purposes of restoration of open woodland habitat on forested bluff. Forest management is a means to anchor highly erodible soils on steep slopes and to control excessive stormwater runoff from forested areas. Forest management includes thinning invasive tree species to allow the growth of under-story vegetation that will protect vulnerable soils from eroding. Funding for this program is provided in part by the United States Department of Agriculture Forestry Service, Northeastern Area State & Private Forestry Service.

This program will provide assistance to landowners interested in having forest management work completed on their property. A cash match of 50% of total project costs, or an in-kind match of 100% of total project costs is requried. In-kind labor may be submitted in the form of volunteer hours put towards forest management at a rate of 22.50/hour. The approximate expected cost of forest management is expected to be $900/acre.

For example: If you live on 1 acre of property and it is all being managed it will cost $900.00. If you pay cash it will cost $450.00 as this program will pay the other half. If you choose volunteer labor it will require 40 hours to satisfy the $900.00 requirement. It is necessary that only one method of payment be utilized.

A map of the Farm Creek Watershed can be downloaded here (.pdf).

The consent form for this program can be accessed here (.pdf).  TCRPC will begin accepting these forms July 12, 2009.