strategic plan 2010-06-1505/01/2010 7 1.2.1.2 – increase the use of available federal excess...

VirginiaDepartmentof

Forestry

StrategicPlanHarnessingtheWindsofChange

June2010

05/01/2010 2

Contents

Goal1:Protectthecitizens,theirpropertyandtheforestresourcefromwildfire ............... 6GoalSummaryandAlignment................................................................................................6

Objective1.1–Wewillreducetheforestlandburnedbywildfires. ............................................................... 6Objective1.2–Provideavailablefinancialresourcestoruralvolunteerfiredepartmentsfortrainingandtheacquisitionofsmallequipmentandwildlandfirepersonnelprotectiveequipment. ............................... 6Objective1.3–Continuelonghistoryofproactivefirepreventionefforts,particularlyinidentifiedpriorityareas............................................................................................................................................................... 7

Goal2:Protect,promoteandenhanceforestedwatersheds,non‐tidalwetlandsandriparianareas. .................................................................................................................... 7GoalSummaryandAlignment................................................................................................7

Objective2.1–Increasetheamountofforestlandprotectedand/orestablishedinVirginiawatersheds,withapriorityonsignificantwatersheds. ...................................................................................................... 7Objective2.2–WewillprotectandenhancewaterqualitybyincreasingcompliancewithBMPsonforestharvestsites. .................................................................................................................................................. 8Objective2.3–Mitigatethewaterqualityimpactofurbanandsuburbanstormwaterandimpervioussurfaces .......................................................................................................................................................... 9

Goal3:ImprovetheStewardship,HealthandDiversityofForestResources ....................... 9GoalSummaryandAlignment................................................................................................9

Objective3.1–Wewillincreasethenumberofforestmanagementprojectsimplementedonprivatelandandpromotecost‐sharefundingforallappropriateprojects. ....................................................................... 9Objective3.2–IncreaseurbanforestmanagementinVirginiacommunities,particularlystateandlocalcapacitytoaddressurbanforestryissuesandconcerns. ............................................................................. 10Objective3.3–IncreasetheamountofforestmanagementassistanceonprivatelandsintheCommonwealth. ........................................................................................................................................... 11Objective3.4–ImplementactionstoprotectVirginia’sforestresourcefromspecieslossandfromtheimpactsofdetrimentalnativeandinvasiveplantsandpests. ..................................................................... 11

Goal4:Conservetheforestlandbase................................................................................ 13GoalSummaryandAlignment..............................................................................................13

Objective4.1–Increasethenumberofacresofforestlandprotectedfromconversion,focusing,wherepossible,onlandsrankedashighin“ForestConservationValue.”Includeexpandingeffortsinnon‐permanentconservation. ............................................................................................................................. 13Objective4.2–Increaseawarenessoftheimportanceofandneedforforestlandconservationamonglandownersandlocalgovernments. ............................................................................................................ 14Objective4.3–Managethestateforestlandsonasustainablebasisforresearch,demonstration,educationandmultiple‐usebenefitswhilestayingwithintheallowableforestharvestlevels.................... 14Objective4.4–Promotealarger,connectedforestlandscape.................................................................... 15

Goal5:Promoteforestindustryanddiversifiedmarketsforforestlandowners,includingecosystemservicemarkets. .............................................................................................. 15GoalSummaryandAlignment..............................................................................................15

Objective5.1–Promotediversificationofforestmarketsandahealthyforestindustrytokeepforestlandinforests....................................................................................................................................................... 15Objective5.2–Increaseawarenessofecosystemservicesprovidedbyforestlandandurbanforesttreecanopytofostermarketdevelopmentandincorporationintoland‐useplanning....................................... 16

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Objective5.3–Managethenurseriestoprovidethebestqualityseedlingtypesdemandedbythecustomer....................................................................................................................................................... 17Objective5.4–ImprovetheefficiencyofVDOFseedlingnurseryproduction. ............................................. 17Objective5.5–PromotestakeholdercooperationingrowingVirginia’sGreenEnergysector. ................... 17Objective5.6–Facilitateopportunitiesforforestcertificationamongprivateforestlandowners. ............ 18

Goal6:Collect,maintainanddisseminateforestresourceininventoryinformationandappliedresearch. .............................................................................................................. 18GoalSummaryandAlignment..............................................................................................18

Objective6.1–ProvideresearchinformationonforestresourcesinVirginiatoallstakeholders. .............. 19Objective6.2–ProvideaninventoryofforestnaturalresourcesinVirginiaonacontinualbasis................ 19

Goal7:Manageagencyresourcestoeffectivelyandefficientlyaccomplishthestrategicinitiatives.......................................................................................................................... 20GoalSummaryandAlignment..............................................................................................20

Objective7.1–Ensureresourcesareusedefficientlyandprogramsaremanagedeffectively,andinamannerconsistentwithapplicablestateandfederalrequirements. ........................................................... 20

Goal8:Strengthenthecultureofpreparednessacrossstateagencies,theiremployeesandcustomers......................................................................................................................... 21GoalSummaryandAlignment..............................................................................................21

Objective8.1–WewillbepreparedtoactintheinterestofthecitizensoftheCommonwealthanditsinfrastructureduringemergencysituationsbyactivelyplanningandtrainingbothasanagencyandasindividuals. ................................................................................................................................................... 21Objective8.2–WewilltesttheVDOFContinuityofOperationsPlan(COOP)sufficientlyenoughtoencompassheadquarters,regions,StateForestsandnurseriesanddetermineitseffectivenessinatrueemergency.................................................................................................................................................... 22Objective8.3–Developthecapacityofstateandlocalurbanforestprogramsandprofessionalstoprepareforandrespondtonaturaldisastersaffectingurbanforests....................................................................... 22

ResourcesNecessarytoAddressStatewideStrategies ...................................................... 23

AppendixA 27

USForestServiceForestLegacyProgram–VirginiaProgramGuidelines .......................... 27Introduction..........................................................................................................................27Virginia’sForestLegacyProgramOverview .........................................................................27ProgramEligibilityCriteria....................................................................................................28ProgramPriorityAreas(ForestLegacyArea)........................................................................28ProgramRequirements ........................................................................................................29ProgramProcedures.............................................................................................................30

ForestLegacySub‐committee ...................................................................................................................... 30ProgramPromotion...................................................................................................................................... 30Application ................................................................................................................................................... 31

AppendixA‐1:AssessmentofNeedInterimRevisionsProcess(2007‐2008) .......................40RevisedEligibilityCriteria ............................................................................................................................. 40RevisedForestLegacyAreas ........................................................................................................................ 40PublicInput................................................................................................................................................... 40CallforTargetAreas..................................................................................................................................... 40ChangeinFLADetermination....................................................................................................................... 41TargetAreasSubmitted ............................................................................................................................... 41

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FinalizingtheFLA ......................................................................................................................................... 41GISDataLayers ............................................................................................................................................ 42

AppendixA‐2:SampleRequestforApplications ..................................................................45Introduction.................................................................................................................................................. 45BackgroundandPurpose ............................................................................................................................. 45PriorHistoryofForestLegacyinVirginia ..................................................................................................... 45ForestLegacyAreas...................................................................................................................................... 46EligibilityCriteria .......................................................................................................................................... 46ForestLegacyProgramRequirements.......................................................................................................... 46Pre‐ApplicationDueDate ............................................................................................................................. 47ApplicationDueDate ................................................................................................................................... 47CompletingtheApplication/ApplicationRanking ........................................................................................ 47ApplicationRequirements(andnumberofdocuments)............................................................................... 48ProcessforApplicantstoSubmitApplications ............................................................................................. 48ApplicationReview/RankingProcess ........................................................................................................... 48AdditionalSourcesofInformationandAssistance ....................................................................................... 49

AppendixA‐3:SamplePre‐Application.................................................................................50AppendixA‐4:SampleApplication .......................................................................................51AppendixA‐5:SampleLandownerInspectionConsentAgreement.....................................55AppendixA‐6:ProjectEvaluation .........................................................................................56AppendixA‐7:EasementMonitoringReport .......................................................................59

AppendixB 62

VirginiaForestStewardshipOperatingPlan ...................................................................... 62StatementofPurposeandCooperatingOrganizationAgreement.......................................62ForestStewardshipCoordinatingCommittee ......................................................................63ProgramImplementation .....................................................................................................64

StateLevel .................................................................................................................................................... 64RegionalLevel .............................................................................................................................................. 65

PriorityAreas ........................................................................................................................66Level1–Landscape‐LevelPriorityAreas...................................................................................................... 66Level2–Area‐BasedPriorityAreas.............................................................................................................. 68

DeliverySystemtoNIPFLandowners ...................................................................................70PlanPreparationProcedures................................................................................................71

Eligibility ....................................................................................................................................................... 71ProgramEnrollment ..................................................................................................................................... 71

ProfessionalQualificationstoPrepareFSMPs......................................................................72InvolvementofConsultantForesters............................................................................................................ 72QualificationsforOtherNaturalResourceManagementSpecialists ........................................................... 73

PlanPreparationFormatandPlanElements........................................................................73AfterthePlanisCompleted..................................................................................................77FuturePlanRevisionorAddendums ....................................................................................77PlanRevisionandAddendumProcedures............................................................................77StewardshipForestCertificationCriteria .............................................................................78

Eligibility ....................................................................................................................................................... 78InspectionProcedure.................................................................................................................................... 79Nomination .................................................................................................................................................. 79

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Award ........................................................................................................................................................... 79Follow‐UpRe‐inspection............................................................................................................................... 79

MinimumStandardsandBasicGuidelinesforCertification .................................................79PreliminaryStandardAccomplishments....................................................................................................... 80TimberProduction........................................................................................................................................ 80Wildlife ......................................................................................................................................................... 81EnvironmentalAndRecreation..................................................................................................................... 81SoilAndWater.............................................................................................................................................. 82

MonitoringForestStewardshipPlanImplementation .........................................................83AppendixB‐1:SampleForestStewardshipPlan...................................................................84

SampleResourceManagementActivityRecord........................................................................................... 88

FiguresFigure1:ForestLegacyArea....................................................................................................................................... 29Figure2:ConservationValueIndex(Ranking:1(lowest)to12(highest)).................................................................. 43Figure3:ForestLegacyAreas(July2008)................................................................................................................... 44Figure4:GeneralizedForestStewardshipPriorities .................................................................................................. 68Figure5:ForestResourcePriorityforVirginiafromtheSouthernForestLandAssessmentExcludingUrban,Water

andPublicLand–StateNaturalBreaks .................................................................................................... 69Figure6:ForestResourcePriorityforVirginiafromtheSouthernForestLandAssessmentExcludingUrban,Water

andPublicLand–RegionalNaturalBreaks .............................................................................................. 70

TablesTable1:ResourceNeedsMatrix................................................................................................................................. 23Table2:VirginiaForestLegacyEligibilityCriteria ....................................................................................................... 43Table3:VirginiaForestLegacyGrantHistory............................................................................................................. 46Table4:AgenciesandOrganizationsInvitedtoServeontheVirginiaForestStewardshipCoordinatingCommittee64

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Goal1:Protectthecitizens,theirpropertyandtheforestresourcefromwildfire

GoalSummaryandAlignmentTheCommonwealth’sforestlandswillbeprotectedfromdamagesresultingfromwildfires.Virginiawillbeanational leader intheeffortbyensuringtheVDOFhasadequatesuppressionequipmentand radio communications to effectively interoperate with local, state and federal agencies;sufficiently trainedpersonnel; anappropriate firepreventionprogram,and staff trained inarsoninvestigationandlawenforcementwhoarepreparedforthechangingneedsinwildfireprotectionandwildland/urban interface. This goal aligns directly with the Agency’smission to protect theforestresources.

Objective1.1–Wewillreducetheforestlandburnedbywildfires.Measure1.1.1:Reducepercentageofhuman‐causedfires

Target:94.7percentorlower

Strategies1.1.1.1–Complete12newCommunityWildfireProtectionPlans(CWPP)andcarryout

12wildfirehazardmitigationprojectsinhighwildfireriskcommunities.

Target:12plansand12projects

1.1.1.2–AgencyForestFireReadinessandmobilizationplanwillbeinplaceduringthespringandfallfireseasonstomaintainastateofhighwildfirereadiness.

1.1.1.3 – Reduce arson‐causedwildfires by providing advanced law enforcement andfire investigation training to all special forest wardens and by maintaining abloodhoundprogram.

Objective1.2–Provideavailablefinancialresourcestoruralvolunteerfiredepartmentsfortrainingandtheacquisitionofsmallequipmentandwildlandfirepersonnelprotectiveequipment.Measure 1.2.1: Increase percentage of eligible rural volunteer firedepartmentsreceivingstateandfederalfinancialassistance.

Target:40.0percentorgreater

Strategies1.2.1.1–Maintainandupdateannually thecontact foreachvolunteer firedepartment

withinthecountytotheregionaldatabase.

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1.2.1.2– Increase theuseofavailableFederalExcessproperty toVDOFandvolunteerfiredepartmentswithinidentifiedhighfireriskareas.

1.2.1.3 – 20 percent of the Commonwealth’s rural volunteer fire departments willreceiveVDOFpass‐throughfinancialassistanceonanannualbasisbasedonneedsandcurrentwildfireresponsecapabilities.

1.2.1.4–Promotecontinueddevelopmentandexpansionofbothstateandlocalwildfiresuppressioncapacities.ProvidelocalizedwildlandfiretrainingineachVDOFregionandat least one statewide training academy to improve the efficiencyofwildlandfireresponse.

Objective1.3–Continuelonghistoryofproactivefirepreventionefforts,particularlyinidentifiedpriorityareas.Measure1.3.1:Numberoffirepreventionpresentations,seminarsand/oroutreachprogramsprovidedbyVDOFpersonnelinidentifiedhigh‐riskareas.

Target:30programs/year

Strategies1.3.1.1–IdentifywildfirehazardsandrisksacrossVirginiaandestablishpriorityareas

forwildfirepreventionandmitigationefforts.

1.3.1.2–CreateapartnershipbetweenVirginia’spublicschoolsandVDOFtopromotewildfirepreventionandpublicsafety.

Goal2:Protect,promoteandenhanceforestedwatersheds,nontidalwetlandsandriparianareas.

GoalSummaryandAlignmentProvide technical services; best management practices information, and silvicultural activityenforcementontheCommonwealth's forestwatersheds,non‐tidalwetlandsandriparianareas tohelpensurethequalityofdrinkingandrecreationalwatersfromtheseareasforfuturegenerations.

Objective2.1–Increasetheamountofforestlandprotectedand/orestablishedinVirginiawatersheds,withapriorityonsignificantwatersheds.Measure 2.1.1: Number of acres of forestland established and/orprotectedinVirginiawatersheds.

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Target:3,500acres/year

Measure 2.1.2: Number of acres of riparian forest protected (acres inriparianforestbuffertaxcredit).

Target:350acres/year

Strategies2.1.1.1 – Work collaboratively with partners, agencies and groups to establish new

buffersasoutlinedintheRiparianForestBufferImplementationPlan.

2.1.1.2–Provideeducationalopportunitiesforthegeneralpublic,SWCDs,privateforestlandowners, the development community and forest products manufacturersthroughmeetings,publishedliteratureandarticles.Theseeducationalopportunitieswillbeaimedatacombinationofpromotinganincreaseinthenumberofriparianplantings; encouraging wider riparian plantings, when possible, and educatinglandownersinsignificantwatershedsontheimportanceofforeststowaterquality.

2.1.1.3 – Use available grants and cost‐share funds to increase accomplishments ofbuffers in rural and urban areas; fund logger BMP cost‐share, and providewatershedprotectionthroughtheregionalgrantprogram.

2.1.1.4 –Make stakeholders aware of the Riparian Forest Buffer Tax Credit program.VDOF foresterswill actively seekandpromoteareas for the riparian forestbuffertax credit, including pre‐harvest plans; harvest inspection process, and forestmanagementplans.

Objective2.2–WewillprotectandenhancewaterqualitybyincreasingcompliancewithBMPsonforestharvestsites.Measure2.2.1:Costtoconductaforestharvestwaterqualityinspection.

Target:$10.34/acre

Measure2.2.2:PercentageofBestManagementPracticesimplementedontimberharvestingoperations.

Target:90percent

Strategies2.2.2.1–Engagewaterqualityspecialiststoprovidemoreconsistencytoregionalstaff

forimplementationandenforcementofthewaterqualitylaw.

2.2.2.2–UtilizecomprehensiveIntegratedForestResourceInformationSystem(IFRIS)to support the water quality law enforcement program that allows for harvestoperationtrackingfrompointofnotificationtoinspectionclose‐out.

2.2.2.3 – Identify BMP implementation rates by individual BMP practice groups andutilize that information to target specific trainingprograms for theSHARPLoggerProgram.

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2.2.2.4–ImprovestatewideBMPimplementationrateontimberharvestingoperationsby educating forest landowners on the value of BMPs and how to encourageharvestingcontractorstousethemwhereappropriate.

Objective2.3–MitigatethewaterqualityimpactofurbanandsuburbanstormwaterandimpervioussurfacesMeasure2.3.1:Numberofwaterqualityimprovementprojectscompleted.

Target:15projects/year

Strategies2.3.1.1 – Encourage and implement tree planting projects and forest management

strategiesthatmitigatetheeffectsofstormwaterrunoffandimprovewaterstorage.

2.3.1.2 – Encourage municipalities to include using forests and trees as a significantcomponentofstormwatermanagementintheirstormwaterplans.

Goal3:ImprovetheStewardship,HealthandDiversityofForestResources

GoalSummaryandAlignmentProvide information, advice and scientific‐based recommendations to help landowners makeinformeddecisionsabouttheirforestresources,whichresultinhealthy,vigoroustreesandforestsonprivateland.

Objective3.1–Wewillincreasethenumberofforestmanagementprojectsimplementedonprivatelandandpromotecostsharefundingforallappropriateprojects.Measure 3.1.1: Number of forestmanagement projects implemented onprivateland.

Target:650projects/quarter

Measure3.1.2: Percentage of eligible Reforestation of Timberlands (RT)incentivereceivedbylandowners.

Target:95percent

Strategies3.1.1.1 – Regenerate and improve forests, with added emphasis in priority areas by

implementingsilviculturalpracticesasoutlinedinforestmanagementplans.Focusproject implementations on tracts covered by active stewardship or equivalent

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plansandpromotecertificationthroughtheCertifiedStewardshipprocessorothercertificationprogram.

3.1.1.2–Developeducationalmaterialsandprogramsandusethesetoraiselandownerawarenessoftheneedforandmethodsavailableforforestlandmanagement.

3.1.1.3 – Focus efforts on afforestation of non‐forested lands in all areas formultipleresourcebenefits.

3.1.1.4 – Implementwildlife habitat projects per plan guidelines and in considerationwiththeStateWildlifeActionPlan.

3.1.1.5–WewilltargetandidentifysitestobeplantedandimprovedunderRTthroughprioritymapsandbyuseofthelogginginspectionprocess.

Objective3.2–IncreaseurbanforestmanagementinVirginiacommunities,particularlystateandlocalcapacitytoaddressurbanforestryissuesandconcerns.Measure3.2.1:Numberof communities assistedwith forest and/or treeresourcemanagement.

Target:110communities/year

Strategies3.2.1.1 – Categorize Virginia communities into the various program levels using US

ForestServiceguidelines.

3.2.1.2 – Target U&CF grants and technical assistance to communities interested inupgradingtheircommunitytreeprogramtothenext level.Whenrequested,assistlocalgovernmentsinestablishingtreeordinancesandpolicies.

3.2.1.3 – Promote the benefits of urban and community forestry to citizens andcommunityofficialsthroughworkshops,conferences,publicationsandothermedia.

3.2.1.4–Withinconstraintsofavailable fundsandstaffing levels, implementactivitiesoutlined in the Virginia Department of Forestry Urban and Community ForestryProgramAreaStrategicPlan.

3.2.1.5 – Establish comprehensive street tree inventory for major municipalities inVirginia(throughForestHealthGrant).

3.2.1.6 – Partner with Virginia State University to increase involvement in U&CFprograms by traditionally underserved citizens. Recruit greater underservedpopulation participation in urban forestry related opportunities, including theVirginia Urban Forest Council and the Virginia Natural Resources LeadershipInstitute.

3.2.1.7 – Through grant funding, professional development activities and professionalcertificationprogramsof the InternationalSocietyofArboriculture(ISA), continuetopromotedevelopmentoftheurbanforestryprofessioninVirginia.

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Objective3.3–IncreasetheamountofforestmanagementassistanceonprivatelandsintheCommonwealth.Measure 3.3.1: Number of acres of all forest management plan typesachievedonprivateandappropriatepublicforestland.

Target:22,000acres/quarter

Strategies3.3.1.1 – Prepare professional management plans for landowners and cooperatively

workwithconsultingforesters;theVirginiaTreeFarmCommittee,andtheNaturalResources Conservation Service to increase forest management planning throughhigh‐quality management plans. Seek to maintain the number of new foreststewardship plans by focusing landowner outreach and contact in high‐priorityareasandwithnewerlandowners.

3.3.1.2 – Update state lands forest management plans on 10 percent of tracts andinitiaterecommendedprojects.

3.3.1.3 – In cooperationwithVirginia StateUniversity andVirginiaTech, reachout toforest landowners, including specific techniques for reaching traditionallyunderservedlandownergroups.

Objective3.4–ImplementactionstoprotectVirginia’sforestresourcefromspecieslossandfromtheimpactsofdetrimentalnativeandinvasiveplantsandpests.Measure 3.4.1: Number of diminished species establishment orimprovement projects implemented on private and non‐federal publiclandsinVirginia.


Strategies3.4.1.1–Addressactivitiesinlongleafandshortleafpineplans, includingdevelopment

of seed source; targeting and outreach; research; database development, andfunding.

3.4.1.2–Continueeffortstodevelopblight‐resistantAmericanchestnutincooperationwithpartnerorganizations.

3.4.1.3 –Utilize available cost‐share funding and technical assistance to establish andimprove longleaf and shortleaf pine and other diminished species, whenappropriate.

3.4.1.4–Promotediminished species restorationeffortson largerblocksof landwithhigher ecosystem services values and within the known historic range of thespecies. Focus diminished species restoration efforts on the greater speciesecosystemtype.

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Measure 3.4.2: Number of activities conducted that are designed toidentify,protectand/orrestoreidentifieddiminishedspecies.


Strategies3.4.2.1–Workingwithnewandexistingpartners,continueto identifyandprotectthe

remaining individual trees or populations of the most threatened native species,such as American chestnut and longleaf pine. Maintain awareness (throughinventory data and mapping) of other declining species, such as shortleaf pine,Atlanticwhite‐cedarandeasternhemlock.

3.4.2.2 – Encourage private conservation of diminished species by promotinglandowner interestandconservationeasementson landswheretargetspeciesareidentified.

3.4.2.3–Developoutreachandeducationalopportunitiesformasternaturalists,mastergardeners, tree stewards, tree farmers, landowners and other stakeholdersimportanttothesuccessofconservationandrestorationefforts.

3.4.2.4–Conductresearchandestablishmethods,goalsandtargetsforre‐establishingspecifictreespeciesandecosystems.

3.4.2.5 – The potential for climate change is a real threat to both current diminishedspeciesandtoothertreespeciesinVirginia,particularlythoseatthesouthernlimitoftheirrange.VDOFwillcontinueitseffortstorestoreexistingdiminishedspecies,andalsomonitorthepotentialeffects.

Measure 3.4.3: Number of surveys and monitoring projects aimed atnativeandexoticinsect,diseaseandweedpests,aswellasotherforestdisturbances.

Target:10majorpestssurveyed/year

Strategies3.4.3.1–Continueaerialandgroundsurveyeffortstomonitortheextentandimpactof

nativeand invasive forestpestsandwork toward localizederadicationof invasiveweeds inhighpriority areas. Survey and/ormonitor for specieswhose entry intoVirginiarepresentsanimminentthreat.

3.4.3.2–Coordinate surveyandmonitoringefforts amongagencypersonnel via IFRISreporting as well as other federal, state, municipal and public agencies, asappropriate.Researchanddevelopmoreefficientmeansofdetectingandmeasuringforesthealthproblemsusingremotesensing.

3.4.3.3 – In conjunction with the appropriate state and federal agencies, develop acitizens’reportingsystemtobroadenthescopeofdetectionofforesthealthissues.

3.4.3.4 – Provide forest health education and outreach to agency personnel and thepublic via publishing the Forest Health review and other publications; pesticiderecertification courses; landowner conferences; regional meetings; MasterNaturalisttraining,andotherappropriategroupsandvenues.

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Measure 3.4.4: Implement forest management practices aimed attreatmentorpreventionofsignificantpestproblems


Strategies3.4.4.1 – Provide cost‐share and other assistance for thinning of priority overstocked

pineplantationstomitigatetheimpactsofsouthernpinebeetleandrelatedpests.

3.4.4.2 – Target implementation of invasive weed eradication and pine restorationactivitiesonstateforestlandsandappropriatenon‐industrialprivateforestlands.

3.4.4.3 – Develop a rapid response system to deploy against new invasive speciesthreats.AssistsisteragenciesinupholdingquarantineeffortsforforestpestswithintheCommonwealth.

Goal4:Conservetheforestlandbase

GoalSummaryandAlignmentVDOF will reduce the rate of conversion of forestland to other uses by providing technicalassistance and information on the importance of forestland and on the conservation methodsavailable to protect it. The VDOF will protect forestland from conversion by accepting workingforest conservationeasementsand fee simpleacquisitions.TheVDOFwill identify forestedareasthat provide the greatest combination of economic and environmental benefits and that are themostthreatenedbyconversionandwillfocuseffortsonprotectingthoseacresfirst.

Objective4.1–Increasethenumberofacresofforestlandprotectedfromconversion,focusing,wherepossible,onlandsrankedashighin“ForestConservationValue.”Includeexpandingeffortsinnonpermanentconservation.Measure4.1.1:Numberofacresprotectedfromconversion.


Strategies4.1.1.1–UtilizeGISanalysistorankallforestedacresinthestatebypriorityforforest

conservationbasedonthemultiplebenefitsprovidedbythatforestandthethreatofconversionofthatforestedarea.

4.1.1.2 – Assist landowners in placing working forest conservation easements onforested properties, particularly for lands ranked as high in forest conservationvalue.

4.1.1.3 – Utilize funding from federal, state and other sources when available topurchase conservationeasementsor fee simple interest in land, focusingon landsrankedashighinforestconservationvalue.

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4.1.1.4 – Develop and promote voluntarymitigation strategies and plans that includeforestmanagement practices to helpmitigate the loss of forestland as a result oflanddevelopmentandlandconversion.

4.1.1.5–Workwithconservationpartners, localgovernmentsandotherauthoritiestoidentifylandconservationstrategies(i.e.greeninfrastructure)thatcouldfindwiderapplicationatthestateorlocallevel.

Objective4.2–Increaseawarenessoftheimportanceofandneedforforestlandconservationamonglandownersandlocalgovernments.Measure 4.2.1: Number of workshops, presentations, articles and othercontactsdeliveredbyVDOFregardingforestlandconservation.

Target:15eventsorarticles/year

Strategies4.2.1.1–Workwithlegislators,localgovernmentsandlandownerstoencourageforest

conservation through zoning; comprehensive plan updates, and land‐use policies.Include information covering, indetail, emergingecosystemservicesandmarkets.ForestlandConservationDivisiontocoordinatewiththePublicInformationDivisionfor development of language for inclusion in county comprehensive plans. Workwithregionstoidentifylocalitiesthatareconsideringupdatingplansorordinancesandbecomeinvolvedintheprocesstoadvocateforforestconservation.

4.2.1.2–Developeducationmaterialsandprogramsandusethesetoraiseawarenessofthe need for and methods available for forestland conservation. Include specialpromotionoftheVirginialandconservationtaxincentive.

Objective4.3–Managethestateforestlandsonasustainablebasisforresearch,demonstration,educationandmultipleusebenefitswhilestayingwithintheallowableforestharvestlevels.Measure4.3.1:Percentageofannualallowableharvestactuallyharvested.

Target:80percent

Strategies4.3.1.1–DevelopacomprehensiveannualworkplanthatwillmeetthegoalsoftheState

ForestSystemplan.

4.3.1.2 – Develop a survey to assess the best public uses of state forestlands and thereasonsthepublicvisitstheStateForests.

4.3.1.3–DefinethebestlocationsforpublicuseonStateForeststhatcomplementforestmanagementobjectivesandtimbersales.

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Objective4.4–Promotealarger,connectedforestlandscape.Measure 4.4.1: Ability to accurately measure and seek to reduce forestcoverlossinVirginia.

Target: Construction and adoption of appropriate tool to measure annual change inforestcoverfortheCommonwealth.

Strategies4.4.1.1 – Assist localities, development associations and other stakeholders in

understandingwhere key conservation priorities should be, and broadening theirunderstandingoftheimportanceofconnectingforestsacrossparcels.Workingwithpartner agencies, assist localities in mapping their local green infrastructureresources.

4.4.1.2–Promoteestablishmentofregionalandstatewideforestcovergoals,includingurban tree canopy goals,where appropriate. Encourage localities towork towardmeetingthesegoals.

4.4.1.3 – Support and promote state and local greenway initiatives, including GISsupportthroughagency’spublicGISprogram,whendeveloped.

Goal5:Promoteforestindustryanddiversifiedmarketsforforestlandowners,includingecosystemservicemarkets.

GoalSummaryandAlignmentTheforestindustryisthelargestmanufacturingsectorinVirginiaandprovideseconomicbenefitstocommunitiesandcitizensineverycountyandcityinthestate.ThemajorityoftheforestlandinVirginia is owned by private citizens. If forest landowners are to continue to own and manageforestsinahealthy,sustainableway,theywillneedtoreceivebenefitsorforestsmaybeconvertedintootheruses.By fostering a strong forestproducts industry andprovidingdiversifiedmarketsandbenefits,thisgoalalignswiththeagency’smissiontoprotectanddevelophealthy,sustainableforest resources. Markets for ecosystem services, such as water quality, air quality and carbonsequestration, provide a financial opportunity for forest landowners.Thesemarketswill grow inimportanceandcanprovideadditionaltoolsandincentivestocurbthelossofVirginia’sforestland.

Objective5.1–Promotediversificationofforestmarketsandahealthyforestindustrytokeepforestlandinforests.Measure5.1.1: Number of presentations,workshops, events, projects oractivitiespromotingforestindustry,forestproductsormarkets.


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Strategies5.1.1.1–PromoteVirginiaforest industryandproducts.Maintainup‐to‐dateeconomic

andindustrydataontheimportanceofforestsandforestindustry.

5.1.1.2–Workwithexistingforestindustryandotherpartnerstoidentifyconcernsandopportunities,andidentifynewandchangingmarkets.

5.1.1.3 – Develop and participate in conferences, workshops and demonstrations onmarketopportunitiesforlandownersandindustry.

5.1.1.4 – Work with Southern Group of State Foresters, SUM Taskforce MarketingCommittee, andotherpartners topromoteVirginia’s forest industryandproductsandtohelpestablishforestproductsbusinessesinVirginia.

Objective5.2–Increaseawarenessofecosystemservicesprovidedbyforestlandandurbanforesttreecanopytofostermarketdevelopmentandincorporationintolanduseplanning.Measure 5.2.1: Number of presentations, workshops, conferences andprojectsdevelopedtopromotemarketopportunitiesforlandowners.


Strategies5.2.1.1 – Develop and participate in ecosystem services workshops, seminars and

presentationsfor landowners,naturalresourcesmanagersandotherstakeholders.Ensurefullrangeofecosystemservices,bothfromrural forestlandandurbantreecanopy,areaddressedandvalued.

5.2.1.2 – Develop user‐friendly, publicly available tools for quantifying ecosystemservicesthatcanbeusedinland‐useplanning;mitigatinglandconversionactivities,andmarketparticipation.

5.2.1.3 – Participate in various efforts, such as climate change initiatives andmarketdevelopment, thatpromoteecosystemservices.During thisparticipation,promoteinclusion of appropriate financial rewards, including forest carbon sequestration,for private forest landowners thatwillmake forestmanagementmore profitable,productiveandsustainable.

5.2.1.4 – Create awareness of ecosystem services and emerging opportunities formarketingtheseserviceswithforestlandownersbyincludingpertinentlanguageinForestStewardshipManagementPlans.

5.2.1.5–Toincreaseecosystemservicesfromurbanareas,continueurbantreecanopy(UTC) initiative in selected Chesapeake Bay watersheds. Include non‐Baycommunitiesiffundingpermits.

05/01/2010 17

Objective5.3–Managethenurseriestoprovidethebestqualityseedlingtypesdemandedbythecustomer.Measure 5.3.1: Percentage of customers who rate the quality of VDOFseedlingsassatisfactory.

Target:95percent

Strategies5.3.1.1 – Obtain future seedling sales projection and obtain best seed to produce

seedlings.

5.3.1.2 – Implement annual work plan to assure all seed are selected and managedappropriatelyandtimely.

5.3.1.3–Whenpossible,growandsellnurserystockfordiminishedspeciesrestoration.

Objective5.4–ImprovetheefficiencyofVDOFseedlingnurseryproduction.Measure5.4.1:Percentageincreaseinnetrevenuegeneratedbythestatenurseries.

Target:5percent

Strategies5.4.1.1–DevelopandimplementaStateNurserybusinessplan.

5.4.1.2 – Enhance the seedling application, moving toward a complete nurserymanagementinformationsystem.

Objective5.5–PromotestakeholdercooperationingrowingVirginia’sGreenEnergysector.Measure 5.5.1: Number of presentations, workshops, conferences andprojects developed to promote woody biomass energy use,developmentanddefinition.


Strategies5.5.1.1 –As efforts to formulate a consensus‐basedandworkabledefinitionofwoody

biomassmoveforward,VDOFwillparticipateintheseeffortsandseektoinfluencedecisions in ways that will increase benefits for forest landowners. For thedefinition,VDOFwillseektoincludeurbanwoodwasteandstormdebris;in‐woodswaste from all land ownerships, and all materials sustainably harvested fromprivatelands,ataminimum.

05/01/2010 18

5.5.1.2 – Identify and promote opportunities for forestland owners, industry and thepublic to participate in the use of bio‐energy. Work to ensure future biomassproductionisconductedinasustainablemanner.

5.5.1.3–Developandprovideincentivesforlandownerstocultivateandharvestforestproducts suitable for energy production, and for forest industry and otherstakeholders to promote the sustainable use of woody biomass. Where possible,make these incentives comparable in nature to similar incentives for other forestproducts.

Objective5.6–Facilitateopportunitiesforforestcertificationamongprivateforestlandowners.Measure 5.6.1: Number of presentations, workshops, conferences andprojects developed to promote greater participation by non‐industrialprivate forest landowners in existing or emerging certificationprograms.


Strategies5.6.1.1–Withinexistingcertificationsystems,pursueadditionalopportunitiesthatwill

makeforestlandownerparticipationfeasible,practicalandaffordable.

5.6.1.2 – Pursue an expanded role for VDOF in certification by either establishing amethodtocertifyforestlands,ortakingamoreactiveroleincertificationenrollmentandmonitoring.

Goal6:Collect,maintainanddisseminateforestresourceininventoryinformationandappliedresearch.

GoalSummaryandAlignmentVDOF will deliver spatial and statistical forest resource data, coordinated with accurate, timelyfield‐based forestresource information,dedicatedtoremotesensing,andWeb‐based informationandmarketingoutreachtoassurethepublic'sawarenessofthevalueandimportanceofVirginia'sforestsand to improve thehealthandqualityof life forVirginiacitizens.Thisgoalalignsdirectlywiththeagencymissiontoprotectanddevelophealthy,sustainableforestresourcesforVirginians.

05/01/2010 19

Objective6.1–ProvideresearchinformationonforestresourcesinVirginiatoallstakeholders.Measure 6.1.1: Number of research reports and informationalpresentationsissuedorprovidedannually.

Target:15reportsorpresentations/year

Strategies6.1.1.1 – Develop and implement research projects that apply to a wider landowner

base;addresspracticalforestmanagementproblems,andachieveappropriatedataresultsintimetoaddressemergingissuesandproblems.

6.1.1.2 – Provide and communicate new information and research results tocontinuously improve the health, sustainability and conservation of Virginia’sforests.

6.1.2.1 – Provide demonstration and training opportunities to employees, othertechnicalexperts,studentsandlandowners.

Objective6.2–ProvideaninventoryofforestnaturalresourcesinVirginiaonacontinualbasis.Measure6.2.1:Numberofforestinventorypanelsmeasuredannually.

Target:1panel/year

Strategy6.2.1.1–OrganizeandequiptheFIAinventoryteamtocollectandentertheforestdata

foreachpanelforUSFSanalysis.

Measure6.2.2:Accuracyofforestdatacollectedstatewide.Target:87percent

Strategies6.2.2.1 – Ensure statewide crew average accuracy percentage of collected forest

inventorydatameetsorexceedsUSFSstandards.

6.2.2.2 – Provide appropriate training opportunities and performance feedback fromauditedplotstocorrectanydeficienciesandpromoteimprovedaccuracy.

05/01/2010 20

Goal7:Manageagencyresourcestoeffectivelyandefficientlyaccomplishthestrategicinitiatives.

GoalSummaryandAlignmentEnsure VDOF has sufficient employees with the right skills and knowledge to be a world‐classforestry organization capable of meeting the challenges and needs in Virginia and who areequipped with technology and tools and possess excellent communication skills to provide thehighest quality forest management assessments and recommendations and ensure a betterinformedprivatelandowner.ProvideforthemosteffectiveandefficientmanagementofVDOFStateForestandNurseryproductionresources.

Objective7.1–Ensureresourcesareusedefficientlyandprogramsaremanagedeffectively,andinamannerconsistentwithapplicablestateandfederalrequirements.Measure 7.1.1: Percent of administrative measures marked by “MeetsExpectations”fortheagency.

Target:100percent

Strategies7.1.1.1–Wewill continue toauditpagesandapplicationsat randomusing theonline

W3CMarkupValidationTool.

7.1.1.2 – We will attract and maintain a talented workforce. Target recruitingadvertisementtoobtainmorefemaleandminorityapplicants.

7.1.1.3–Seekadditionalfundingtoenableouragencytopaycompetitivesalariestotheareaforesters;foresttechnicians;seniormanagers,andexecutivemanagers.

7.1.1.4–Strengthentheinternalcontrolenvironmentbycombiningtheexpertiseofthefiscalandprocurementfunctions,andprovideimmediatefeedbacktothebuyeronissuesofnon‐compliancewithDepartmentofAccountsandDepartmentofGeneralServicesregulationsaspartofthepre‐auditfunction.

7.1.1.5–Wewill followtheCommonwealthITAccessibilityStandard(ITRMGOV103‐00)whencreatingandeditingWebpagesandapplications.

7.1.1.6–Wewillcontinuetoreviewouragency’ssummaryofwebsiteaccessibilityontheVirginiaDepartmentofRehabilitativeServices(DRS)website.

7.1.1.7–Wewillpromotefairnessandequity.

7.1.1.8 – We will annually review positions for eligibility to telework or work analternative schedule and continue to encourage employees in eligible positions toteleworkorworkanalternativeschedule.

05/01/2010 21

7.1.1.9 – Comply with all federal and state regulations, including but not exclusivelylimitedtolegal,fiscal,procurementandcollectionpracticesauthorizedbytheCodeof Virginia, and whose rules are administered through the state agencies of theOffice of Attorney General; Department of Accounts; Auditor of Public Accounts;DepartmentofPlanning&Budget;theDepartmentofGeneralServices,andothers,andthroughappropriatefederalagencies.

7.1.1.10–WewillcontinuetofollowtheCommonwealthInformationSecuritypolicies,standards and guidelines as presented and directed by the Virginia InformationTechnologyAgency(VITA)whencreatingandeditingWebpagesandapplications.

7.1.1.11 – We will continue to review our agency’s summary in the annual VITACommonwealth of Virginia Information Security Report and make changes asappropriate.

Goal8:Strengthenthecultureofpreparednessacrossstateagencies,theiremployeesandcustomers.

GoalSummaryandAlignmentThis goal ensures compliance with federal and state regulations, policies and procedures forCommonwealthpreparedness,aswellasguidelinespromulgatedbytheAssistanttotheGovernorforCommonwealthPreparedness,incollaborationwiththeGovernor’scabinet;theCommonwealthPreparedness Working Group; the Department of Planning and Budget, and the Council onVirginia’s Future. The goal supports achievement of the Commonwealth’s statewide goal ofprotecting the public’s safety and security; ensuring a fair and effective system of justice, andprovidingapreparedresponsetoemergenciesanddisastersofallkinds.

Objective8.1–WewillbepreparedtoactintheinterestofthecitizensoftheCommonwealthanditsinfrastructureduringemergencysituationsbyactivelyplanningandtrainingbothasanagencyandasindividuals.Measure8.1.1:AgencyPreparednessAssessmentScore.

Target:75percent

Strategies8.1.1.1–VDOFwillcompletetwoannualexercises,withafter‐actionreviews,toidentify

areastoimplementpossibleimprovements.

8.1.1.2–Theagencyemergencycoordinationofficerwillstayinregularcommunicationwith the Office of Commonwealth Preparedness; the Virginia Department ofEmergencyManagement(VDEM),andotherCommonwealthPreparednessWorkingGroupagencies.

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Measure 8.1.2: Agency firefighters and cooperators trained annually tomeet national standards as set by the National Wildfire CoordinatingGroup.

Target:85percent

Strategy8.1.2.1 – VDOF will provide its employees with focused training that meets national

NWCG standards in the areas of wildland fire suppression; all‐risk emergencyresponse,andincidentmanagement.

Objective8.2–WewilltesttheVDOFContinuityofOperationsPlan(COOP)sufficientlyenoughtoencompassheadquarters,regions,StateForestsandnurseriesanddetermineitseffectivenessinatrueemergency.Measure8.2.1:IncreaseinagencyCOOPAssessmentscore.

Target:5percent

Strategy8.2.1.1–UpdatetheCOOPPlanannually.

Objective8.3–Developthecapacityofstateandlocalurbanforestprogramsandprofessionalstoprepareforandrespondtonaturaldisastersaffectingurbanforests.Measure 8.3.1: – Number of communities incorporating urban forestplanninginlocalresponseplans.

Target:3communities/year

Strategies8.3.1.1 – Continue to promote urban forest inventory and master plan development.

WorkwithVDEMtoencourageurbanforestplanninginlocalresponseplans.

8.3.1.2–Assistcommunitiesindevelopingurbanforestemergencyresponseplans.

8.3.1.3–DevelopVDOFcapacity torespondtourban forestemergenciessituationsbytrainingappropriatestaffinUrbanForestStrikeTeamprotocols.

ResourcesNecessarytoAddressStatewideStrategies

Table1:ResourceNeedsMatrix

Objective

StateResourcesinPlaceand

Adequate

IncreaseinStateFunding

IncreasedorNewLocal

Funding

ContinuedFederal

FundingatCurrentLevels

ModerateIncreaseinFederalFunds

SignificantIncreaseinFederalFunds

FederalFundingforaNew

Initiative

Collabora‐tive

LeadershipfromUSDA‐FSorOtherFederalAgency

Collabora‐tionwithOther

StateandLocal

Govern‐ments/Agencies

StateLegislativeAction

FederalLegislativeAction

1.1–Wewillreducetheforestlandburnedbywildfires.

*** ***

1.2–Provideavailablefinancialresourcestoruralvolunteerfiredepartments.

*** *** ***

1.3–Continuelonghistoryofproactivefirepreventionefforts.

*** *** *** *** ***

2.1–Increasetheamountofforestlandprotectedand/orestablishedinVirginiawatersheds.

*** *** *** *** ***

2.2–WewillprotectandenhancewaterqualitybyincreasingcompliancewithBMPsonforestharvestsites.

*** *** *** ***

2.3–Mitigatethewaterqualityimpactofurbanandsuburbanstormwaterandimpervioussurfaces.

*** *** *** *** *** ***

Objective


Adequate


IncreasedorNewLocal

Funding

ContinuedFederal





Initiative

Collabora‐tive



StateandLocal




3.1–Wewillincreasethenumberofforestmanagementprojectsimplementedonprivatelandandpromotecost‐sharefundingforallappropriateprojects.

*** *** *** ***

3.2–IncreaseurbanforestmanagementinVirginiacommunities,particularlystateandlocalcapacitytoaddressurbanforestryissuesandconcerns.

*** *** *** *** ***

3.3–IncreasetheamountofforestmanagementassistanceonprivatelandsintheCommonwealth.

*** *** *** ***

3.4–ImplementactionstoprotectVirginia'sforestresourcefromspecieslossandfromtheimpactsofdetrimentalnativeandinvasiveplantsandpests.

*** *** *** *** *** ***

4.1–Increasethenumberofacresofforestlandprotectedfromconversion.

*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***

4.2–Increaseawarenessoftheimportanceofandneedforforestlandconservationamonglandownersandlocalgovernments.

*** *** *** *** ***

Objective


Adequate


IncreasedorNewLocal

Funding

ContinuedFederal





Initiative

Collabora‐tive



StateandLocal




4.3–Managethestateforestlandsonasustainablebasisforresearch,demonstration,educationandmultiple‐usebenefits.

*** *** *** ***

4.4–Promotealarger,connectedforestlandscape.

*** *** *** *** *** ***

5.1–Promotediversificationofforestmarketsandahealthyforestindustry.

*** *** ***

5.2‐Increaseawarenessofecosystemservicesprovidedbyforestlandandurbanforesttreecanopy.

*** *** *** *** *** ***

5.3–Managethenurseriestoprovidethebestqualityseedlingtypesdemandedbythecustomer.

*** *** *** ***

5.4–ImprovetheefficiencyofVDOFseedlingnurseryproduction.

*** ***

5.5–PromotestakeholdercooperationingrowingVirginia'sgreenenergysector.

*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***

5.6–Facilitateopportunitiesforforestcertificationamongprivateforestlandowners.

*** *** *** ***

Objective


Adequate


IncreasedorNewLocal

Funding

ContinuedFederal





Initiative

Collabora‐tive



StateandLocal




6.1–ProvideresearchinformationonforestresourcesinVirginiatoallstakeholders.

*** *** *** ***

6.2–ProvideaninventoryofforestnaturalresourcesinVirginiaonacontinualbasis.

*** ***

7.1–Ensureresourcesareusedeffectivelyandprogramsmanagedeffectively,andinamannerconsistentwithapplicablestateandfederalrequirements.

*** *** ***

8.1–WewillbepreparedtoactintheinterestofthecitizensontheCommonwealthanditsinfrastructureduringemergencysituations.

*** *** *** ***

8.2–WewilltesttheVDOFCOOPsufficientlyenoughtoencompassHQ,regions,stateforestsandnurseries,anddetermineitseffectivenessinatrueemergency.

*** *** ***

8.3–Developthecapacityofstateandlocalurbanforestryprogramsandprofessionalstoprepareforandrespondtonaturaldisastersaffectingurbanforests.

*** *** *** *** ***

05/01/2010 27

AppendixA

USForestServiceForestLegacyProgram–VirginiaProgramGuidelinesUpdatedApril2010

IntroductionThis Virginia Program Guidelines document for the Forest LegacyProgram(FLP) inVirginia ispartof the largereffortbytheVirginiaDepartment of Forestry (VDOF) to undertake a StatewideAssessment of Forest Resources. This FLP document is beingincorporatedintotheassessmentdocument,andisintendedtostatetheprogram’sEligibilityCriteria;ForestLegacyArea;requirements,and procedures. This Virginia ProgramGuidelines document, alongwith the associated Statewide Assessment of Forest Resourcesdocument, supersedes the Virginia Forest Legacy ProgramAssessment of Need, dated September 2000, and the Assessment ofNeed(AON)Revisions,datedApril25,2008.

ThisVirginiaProgramGuidelinesdocumentisintendedtocomplementthebookletentitledForestLegacy Program Implementation Guidelines, dated June 30, 2003, and the booklet entitled ForestLegacyProgramUsers’Guide,datedJune2006,bothofwhichareUSForestService(USFS)guidingdocumentsfortheFLP.Thesethreedocuments,usedjointly,guidetheFLPinVirginia.

TheFLPisoneofseveralfederalprogramsthattheVDOFpartnerswiththeUSFSinimplementing,andisaprogramcriticalfortheconservationofimportantforestlandswithintheCommonwealth,anemphasisofStateForesterCarlE.GarrisonIII.

Interim FLP program changes related to the Eligibility Criteria and the Forest LegacyAreawerepresented to the USFS for approval in April 2008, and approved in July 2008. These interimrevisionsareincorporatedintothisdocument,andinaddition,theprocessesfollowedduringtheserevisions are found in the Appendix to fully inform the reader as to the processes followed indevelopingtheEligibilityCriteriaandForestLegacyArea.

Finally, these program procedures include detailed information on: 1) the FLP advisory sub‐committee; 2) program promotion; 3) the application process; 4) project prioritization; 5) grantmanagement; 6) due diligence; 7) deed preparation; 8) closing, and 9) easement monitoring.Previously,detailedFLPprocedureshavenotbeenpresentedinVirginia’sFLPguidingdocuments.

Virginia’sForestLegacyProgramOverviewVirginia’s forests are extremelydiverseandprovideamultitudeof economic, environmental andsocial benefits to Virginians. Of the Commonwealth’s more than 16 million forested acres,approximately 77 percent are in private ownership. The importance of forests in cleansing air;purifyingwater;providingtraditionalforestproducts,andfosteringopportunitiesforrecreationis

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unparalleled.OneprimarygoaloftheFLPinVirginiaistomakeavailabletothecitizensofVirginiathese “working forests” across the Commonwealth providing the multiple benefits inherent tohealthy,productiveforests.

Of Virginia's 25.3 million acres of land area, 15.7 million acres are classified as commercialforestland. Additional forested acreage found in parks;wilderness areas, and scenic and historicresourcesresultinacombinedtotalofmorethan16millionforestedacresprovidingvaluetothecitizensofVirginiaandtheUnitedStates.WhileVirginiansannuallyenjoy,andarebenefitedby,thisabundance of forestland, a sobering fact is that approximately 27,000 acres are lost annually byconversionofforestlandstourbanandsuburbandevelopment.Whilemanyoftheseacresremainforested,theyareessentiallylostasworkingforests,andtheotherforestamenitiesofcleanwater;wildlifehabitat;recreationopportunities,andscenicvistasaresignificantlydiminished.

The FLP assists state governments in the identification of, and protection of, important privateforest tracts that are threatened by conversion to non‐forest uses. The primary protection toolundertheprogram,theconservationeasement,isaneffectivemeansofinfluencingthedispositionofimportantforestlandwhilecontinuingprivateownership.Theprogramalsofundsthefeesimplepurchaseofpropertiesasstateforestsandotherstate‐ownedlandsprotectedfromdevelopment.

TheFLPwasinitiatedinVirginiainOctober1999,whenthen‐Gov.JamesS.GilmoreIIIdesignatedthe VDOF as the state lead agency for the program. The VDOF is responsible for managing theprogramandtheassociatedfederalgrantfundsfortheconservationofimportantstateforestlands.The VDOF believes that diverse, well‐managed working forests are the healthiest and the mostproductiveand,consequently,providethemostpublicbenefitwhenprotectedfromtheeconomicpressurefordevelopment.

ProgramEligibilityCriteriaThe Eligibility Criteria for Virginia’s FLPwere revised during 2007 and 2008 during an interimrevisiontotheprogram’sAssessmentofNeeddocument(seeAppendixA‐1).ThecurrentEligibilityCriteriaforVirginia’sFLP,definedatthetimeoftheseinterimrevisions,are:

♦♦ Threatened by conversion to non‐forest use (fragmentation and reduction inlinkages);

♦♦ Continued production of timber and other forest commodities (local and regionaleconomicbase);

♦♦ Consideration of natural heritage resources (e.g., natural communities; habitat forrare,threatenedandendangeredspecies;significantgeologicfeatures),and

♦♦ Watershed values (water quality;wetlands; riparian buffers; groundwater recharge;publicwatersupplies).

ProgramPriorityAreas(ForestLegacyArea)TheFLPmustbefocusedtobeeffectivewithlimitedfundingavailabilityandtomeetthedemandsof a competitive grant application and approval process. By identifying areas of the state thatpossess thehighestconservationvalue(basedon theprogram’sEligibilityCriteria), limitedgrantfundingcanbebestutilizedtoconservethoseareasmostdeservingofconservation.Thisstrategyalsoputsthestateinapositiontocompetewellatthenationallevel.

Beginning in 2007, Virginia undertook a process to identify the priority areas for the state (seeAppendixA‐1).ThisprocessresultedinthedesignationofarevisedForestLegacyAreaforthestate

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in 2008, as shown in Appendix A‐1, based on the revisions to the Eligibility Criteria, and theresultingGISanalysisatthattime.

Inmid‐2009,itbecameapparentthattheGISanalysisin2008wasflawedbecausesomeofthedatainoneof themodelsusedwasnot converted from100x100meter resolution to30x30meterresolutionbeforetheanalysiswasdone.OncethischangewasmadeinJanuary2010,andtheGISanalysis was repeated, additional hydrologic units ranked highly enough to be included in theForest Legacy Area using the same parameters as in 2008. These corrections resulted in a 19percent increase in land area for theForest LegacyArea for a total areaof 16.0million acres, ofwhich 11.7million acres are forested. The Forest Legacy Area is 63 percent of the land area inVirginia.

Figure1:ForestLegacyArea

ProgramRequirementsBelowarethebasicrequirementsfortractsandlandownersintheVirginiaFLP.

EachtractapprovedintheFLPmustmeetthefollowingstipulations:

♦♦ Thetractoflandmustbeatleast50acresinsize;

♦♦ The tract must be at least 75 percent forested (see note regarding tree planting inlandownerrequirementsectionbelow)[forested landasdefinedbytheStateForesterunder theauthorityof§58.1‐3230etseq.of theCodeofVirginia,andpublished in themostcurrentversionofthe“ManualoftheStateLandEvaluationAdvisoryCouncil”];

♦♦ Thetractmustbewithin,orpartiallyintersect,theForestLegacyArea;

♦♦ Thetitletothelandmustbefreeandclearofanyliensand/orencumbrances,and

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♦♦ For tracts offered for easement, existing mortgage holders must be willing tosubordinatethemortgagetotheeasement.

LandownersparticipatingintheFLPmust:

♦♦ Be“willingsellers;”

♦♦ Bewillingtoparticipateinaperpetualeasementthatallowsforannualmonitoring,orbewillingtoselltheirpropertyinfeesimple;

♦♦ AllowtheForestLegacyMonitoringTeamaccesstothetractforevaluation;

♦♦ Be willing to plant trees on portions of the tract if the tract is less than 75 percentforestedatthetimeofapplication;

♦♦ Bewillingtoselltheeasementorfeesimplerightsatabargainpricenotexceeding75percent of the appraised value according to federal appraisal standards (UniformAppraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions; commonly called a Yellow Bookappraisal);

♦♦ Be willing, if necessary, to pay the due diligence costs necessary to acquire theconservationeasementorlandinfeesimple,andtoacceptlessthanthefull75percentallowedundertheprogramtocoverthesecosts[thesecostsareforrequiredtitleworkand closing fees; an environmental site examination; a timber cruise; an appraisalmeeting federal standards;a forestmanagementplanorForestStewardshipPlan (foreasements),andoccasionallyasurvey];

♦♦ Bewilling to sign an option contract or sales contract, prior to national competition,showing commitment and interest in placing a conservation easement restrictingdevelopment rights on their land, or selling their land, to remain as forestland inperpetuity,and

♦♦ In the case of an easement, provide a Forest Stewardship Plan, or multiple‐resourceforest management plan, for review by VDOF and the USFS prior to closing on theeasement.

ProgramProcedures

ForestLegacySubcommitteeThe Forest Legacy Sub‐committee (FLSC) is a sub‐committee of the State Forest StewardshipCoordinatingCommittee(SFSCC).FLSCmembersareaskedtoserveontheFLSCinadditiontotheircontinuedpresenceontheSFSCC.ThemakeupoftheFLSCisintendedtorepresentabroadrangeofforestry stakeholder groups including: landowner; forest industry; land trusts, and state naturalresourceagencies.

BoththeFLSCandtheSFSCCareadvisorycommitteestotheStateForester.

ProgramPromotion

ExternalThepublicismadeawareoftheFLPinVirginiathroughprintedinformation;one‐on‐onecontacts;theVDOFwebsite,andvariouspresentationsmadebyVDOFpersonnel.Additionally,propertiesor

05/01/2010 31

easements acquired utilizing FLP funds are promoted by newspaper articles, media events andduringotherpublicgatherings.

VDOFhasproducedanarrativedocumentandabriefquestionandanswersheet,bothprovidinggeneral information about Virginia’s FLP. These documents are made available to VDOF countypersonnel for distribution to local landowners, or as pass‐out materials at public presentationsessionsregardinglandconservation.

VDOFfieldpersonnelareencouragedtodiscussthetopicoflandconservation,andinparticulartheFLP,duringone‐on‐onecontactswithlandownersintheirrespectivecounties.Theyareinstructedtodirectspecificinterestin,orinquiriesabout,theFLPtothestatelegacymanagerforVDOF.

InformationabouttheFLPisfoundontheVDOFwebsite(www.dof.virginia.gov):

♦♦ GeneralFLPprograminformation;

♦♦ FrequentlyaskedquestionsabouttheFLP;

♦♦ ThetwoFLPinformationaldocumentsnotedabove,and

♦♦ Applicationinformationandmaterials.

OncethisVirginiaProgramGuidelinesdocumentisapproved,itwillbemadeavailableontheVDOFwebsiteaswell.

Upontheacquisitionofapropertyoraneasement,VDOFpromotestheFLPthroughpublicmedia,eventsandsignage.Theseactivitiesincludethesubmissionofnewsreleasesorwrittenarticlestoprintmedia; the coordination of on‐site interviews or public events, and the posting of programsignsonpropertiesacquiredwithFLPfunds.Inaddition,anFLPsignispresentedtolandownersofFLP‐fundedconservationeasementpropertiesandthelandownerisencouragedtopostthesignina conspicuous location. Every effort is made to make the public aware that Legacy funds wereutilizedtoprotectthepropertyanditsassociatedconservationvalues.

InternalThestate legacymanagervisits thethreeVDOFregionsonanas‐requestedbasisandoutlines forregional and field personnel the FLP, the application procedures, and the ranking and approvalprocess.AllpersonnelareurgedtopromoteandprovideinformationabouttheFLPtoclientsatthelocalorregionallevel.

Application

PreApplicationBecause the Forest Legacy Area does not cover the entire geographic area of the state, the FLPRequest for Application document suggests that the applicant submit a Pre‐Application (SeeAppendix A‐3). This enables the state legacy manager to determine, before a full application issubmitted,whetherornotaparticularprojectfallswithintheForestLegacyArea.Thisisanefforttoavoidundueeffortbytheapplicantinpreparingafullapplication,onlytofindthattheprojectisnotwithintheForestLegacyArea.

Thestate legacymanagercompares themapor sketchsubmittedwith thePre‐Application to theForestLegacyArea,andthennotifiesthepre‐applicantofeligibility.

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ApplicationProgramapplicationmaterialsarepostedtotheVDOFwebsite,andanemailmessageregardingtheavailability of these materials is transmitted to land conservation agencies, land trusts andindividuals who have expressed interest in the program in mid‐March of each year. Also, thesematerialsaresenttotheVaULT(VirginiaUnitedLandTrusts)membergroupthroughthatgroup’slist serve. In addition, the applicationmaterials are available by request to thosewhoprefer theindividualelectronicdocuments.

Theapplicationmaterialsinclude:

♦♦ RequestforApplications(includinginstructionsforapplicationsubmission);

♦♦ Pre‐Application;

♦♦ Application,and

♦♦ LandownerInspectionConsentAgreement.

Examplesofthelatterthreeofthesedocuments,fromtheFY2011year,areshowninAppendicesA‐3,A‐4andA‐5.

Inaddition, theVDOFwebsite includes links to theprojectscoringcriteriaand theForestLegacyAreamaptoassistapplicantsinapplicationconsiderationandpreparation.

DueDatesandApplicationRequirementsPre‐applicationsaredue inearly‐MayandincludethePre‐Applicationandamaporsketchof theproposedproject.Fullapplicationsaredueinlate‐Juneandrequire:

♦♦ Oneoriginal,andsixcopies,ofanApplicationforeachownership(tract)representedintheproject;

♦♦ One original, signed Landowner Inspection Consent Agreement for each ownershiprepresentedintheproject,and

♦♦ Additional items (photos, maps, legal description, etc.) found at the end of theApplication.

OptionalApplicationMethodsApplicationscanbewrittenandsubmittedinoneofthreeways:

1. A conservation group (such as a land trust or conservation organization) completes theapplicationreflectingtheattributesofallthevarioustractsinaproject,andindividualtractlandownersprovidealetterwiththeapplicationstatingthattheyunderstandtheirlandisbeingpresentedforFLPconsideration,or

2. A conservation group can have each individual tract owner complete and sign anapplicationandprovidetheassociatedmapsanddocuments; theconservationgroupthencompiles the individual tract applications into one packet and submits the compiledapplication,or

3. Anindividuallandownercancompleteandsubmitanapplicationfortheirownership(oneormorecombinedtractsorparcels).

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ApplicationReceipt,ReviewandAcceptanceFLPapplicationswillbeacceptedthatfall,whollyorpartially,withintheboundariesoftheForestLegacyArea.

Uponreceiptofanapplication,thestatelegacymanager:

1. SignsanddatesthebeginningoftheApplication;

2. SignsanddatestheLandownerInspectionConsentAgreement;

3. ReviewstheApplicationtomakecertainallessentialinformationhasbeensubmitted;

4. ConfirmsthattheprojectfallswithintheForestLegacyArea,and

5. Notifiestheapplicantoftheapplicationacceptanceorrejection.

EvaluationandPrioritizationofProjects

SiteVisits

Thestatelegacymanagervisitsthesiteofallprojectspresentedfortheprogram.Thevisitincludesmeetingwith theprojectapplicant (ifavailable) todiscussspecificsof theprojectand toaddressquestions the state legacy manager may have about the project or property. Additionally, theproperty visit includes becomingmore familiarwith the site and the surrounding area or othernearbyconservedproperties,photographingkeysitesandstructuresatthesiteforpresentationtotheFLSC,andscoringtheproject.

FieldScoringofProjects

Duringthesitevisit,thestatelegacymanagerscorestheprojectaccordingtothescoringguidelinespresented in theProject Scoring section, utilizing theProject Evaluation shown inAppendixA‐6.ThisscoresheetisusedtoprovideabeginningscoretoeachprojectforconsiderationbytheFLSCduringthestateprojectrankingprocess.

PresentationtoFLSC

ProgramapplicantsareinvitedtothefallFLSCmeetinginlate‐Augusttopresenttheirprojecttothecommittee. The state legacymanager assists with this presentation, when needed, by providingphotographs of the site and additional helpful information gained by the site visit and priordiscussionswiththeapplicant.

ProjectRankingbyFLSC

The FLSC considers themerits of each project; reviews the Project Evaluations for each project;considerstheamountofFLPfundingrequested;rankstheprojectsbasedonthisinformation,andmakesrecommendationstotheSFSCCbasedontheserankings.

PresentationtoSFSCC

ThestatelegacymanagerpresentstheprojectstotheSFSCCattheirfallmeetinginearly‐October;provides theFLSCproject rankings,andanswersanyquestions thatmayarise.TheSFSCCmakesthefinaldecisiononwhichprojects,andinwhatorder,arerecommendedtotheStateForester.

RecommendationtotheStateForester

The state legacymanagerprovides the recommendationsof the SFSCC to the StateForester, anddetermineshis/herdecisionregardingtheprojectsthatshouldbeofferedfornationalcompetition,

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and the rank order of the projects. Virginia usually, but not always, offers the top three rankedprojectsforconsiderationbytheNationalPanel.

InitialDataEntryintoForestLegacyInformationSystem

The state legacymanager enters project information into the Forest Legacy Information Systembeforetheannualdeadline(usuallytheendofNovember).

AssistancetotheNationalPanel

Thestatelegacymanagermakeshimself/herselfavailableduringthetwodaysoftheNationalPanelmeeting(usuallyinJanuary)toprovideadditionalinformationandassistance,ifneeded,duringtheongoingpaneldiscussionsandnationalprojectranking.

GrantManagement

ReceiptofGrantFunding

OnceFLP fundsareappropriated, theVDOFFiscalDivisionreceives thegrantaward letter,alongwith anAwardApproval/Obligation/Acceptance document. The State Forester signs and returnsthe acceptancedocument to theUSFS, obligating theVDOF toutilize andexpend thegrant fundsaccordingtoFederalguidelinesasstatedintheawardletterandothergrant‐relatedstandards.

TrackingofGrantFunding

TheVDOFFiscalDivisiontracksFLPgrantfundsthroughaseriesofspreadsheets.Bothlandgrantfundsandadministrativegrantfundsaretrackedbythismethod.

Filing,RecordKeeping,andReporting

The VDOF Fiscal Division keeps original grant documents, with copies held by the state legacymanager. In addition, both the VDOF Fiscal Division and the state legacy manager maintainspreadsheetsofadministrativegrant fundbalances foreachgrantyear.Thestate legacymanager(in consultation with the VDOF Fiscal Division) submits an annual report for land andadministrative funds to the regional legacy manager (in Atlanta). In addition, the VDOF FiscalDivisionsubmitsannualgrantbalancereportstoappropriatefederalgrantpersonnel.

DataEntryinForestLegacyInformationSystem

Uponawardofgrantfunding,theForestLegacyInformationSystemisupdatedbythestatelegacymanager(orhis/herdesignee)toreflectthegrantfundsandtoupdatetheprojectstatus.

DueDiligence/ProgramRequirements

StateCapitalProjectForms

OnceFLPgrantfundsareawarded,thestatelegacymanager,inconsultationwiththeVDOFFiscalDivision, files a CO‐2 form with the state Bureau of Capital Outlay Management. This form isrequiredbeforetheVDOFcanexpendfundsforFLPprojectduediligencecostsorpurchasecosts.

Title

TractsfundedbytheFLPmusthaveatitlesearch,andsaidsearchmustproveatitlefreeandclearof any encumbrances or clouds on the title. Title insurance, in the dollar amount paid for theeasement or fee, is required. The state legacy manager arranges for the title search and titleinsurance.

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Appraisal

An appraisal to UASFLA (Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions) standards(commonlycalledaYellowBookappraisal)isrequired.Thestatelegacymanagercontractsforthisappraisal. The appraisermustmeet the qualifications found in Appendix H of the Forest LegacyProgram Implementation Guidelines, dated June 30, 2003. In addition to these requirements,preferenceisgiventoanappraiserwhohasearnedtheMAIdesignationawardedbytheAppraisalInstitute.

Theappraisalguidelines foundonpages19and20of theForestLegacyProgramImplementationGuidelines, dated June 30, 2003, are followed during the hiring of an appraiser and during theappraisalprocess.

AppraisalReview

The appraisal must be subjected to a technical review to determine if the appraisal meets theYellowBookappraisalstandards.Thisreviewdoesnotconsider,orcommenton,thevaluesfoundintheappraisal.Thisappraisalreviewcaneitherbeconductedbyafederalappraisalreviewer,orbyanappraisalreviewercontractedbytheVDOF.IfcontractedbytheVDOF,theappraisalreviewermustmeet the qualifications found in Appendix H of theForest Legacy Program ImplementationGuidelines,datedJune30,2003.Whencontractingwithanappraisalreviewer,preferenceisgiventoa reviewerwhohasearned theMAIdesignationawardedby theAppraisal Institute.TheStateLegacyManagermakesarrangementsforthisappraisalreview.

The appraisal review guidelines found on pages 19 and 20 of the Forest Legacy ProgramImplementationGuidelines,datedJune30,2003,arefollowedduringtheappraisalreviewprocess.

TimberCruise

SinceallFLPprojects includeproperties thatare forested,a timbercruise isusuallynecessary toprovide timber value information for use by the appraiser. TheVDOF contracts for a cruise, andprovidesittotheappraiserforproperincorporationintotheappraisalreport.

EnvironmentalAssessment

Tracts are examined during the on‐site visit during the Evaluation and Prioritization of Projectsphasepreviouslydescribed.Thestatelegacymanagerexaminesthesiteonfoot,andalsoexaminesaerialphotographyof thesite,duringthispropertyexamination. Inaddition, theownersof tractsacceptedintotheprogramareexpectedtocompleteashortquestionnaireabouttheirknowledgeofanypastorpresenthazardouswastedumpingonornearthetract.

For a conservation easement, if on‐site scoping indicates a potential issue of concern, a Phase IEnvironmental Site Assessment is performed as part of due diligence for the tract. For a feeacquisition,aPhaseIEnvironmentalSiteAssessmentisrequiredbystateacquisitionguidelines.

StewardshipPlan

Conservation easement properties require a Stewardship Plan, or multiple‐resource forestmanagementplan,forthetract(s)beingofferedpriortoclosing.TheVDOFcanpreparethisplaninsome cases, but if the plan cannot be completed by a VDOF forester due to workload or otherfactors, thestate legacymanagerassists the landownerbyprovidinga listofconsultant foresterswhocanprepare thisplan.TheplanmustbeapprovedbyVDOFprior toclosing.Thisplan isnotrequiredforfeeacquisitionproperties.

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Survey

Tracts offered for the program that are full‐tax parcels (or combinations of full‐tax parcels) aredescribedinthelegaldescriptioninthedeed,anddonotrequireasurvey.Fortractsofferedthatareonlyaportionofataxparcel,asurveyisusuallyrequiredtodefinethelandareabeingoffered.Tractsofferedasafeesimpleacquisitionrequireasurveytomeetstateacquisitionrequirements.

PaymentofDueDiligenceandOtherCostsFLPadministrativegrantfundsareutilizedtopaythecostsofthenecessaryduediligenceandotheracquisition costs. This includes the costs for: 1) title work, title insurance and closing; 2) theappraisal and appraisal review; 3) the timber cruise; 4) the Phase I ESA, if needed, and 5) theStewardshipPlan.

FLPadministrativegrantfundsarefixedeachfiscalyear,soiftheduediligenceandothercostsforatractexceedtheadministrativefundsavailable,thelandownermaybeaskedtopayalloraportionofthesecosts,ortoacceptalesseramountforhis/herlandoreasementtocoverthesecosts.ThelandowneragreestothispaymentarrangementintheApplicationfortheprogram.

Ifasurveyisnecessarytodefinetheareatobeplacedundereasement,thelandownerisexpectedto pay this cost. The landowner agrees to this payment arrangement in the Application for theprogram.TheFLPwillfundrequiredsurveysforfeesimpleacquisitionsundertheprogram.

DeedLanguageandNegotiationsAswithanyrealestatetransaction,adeed isnecessarytorecordthetransferof theproperty(orrightstothepropertyinthecaseofaconservationeasement).AdeedforafeeacquisitionundertheFLP is fairly typical to a standard real estate transaction. However, with the purchase ofdevelopmentrightsunderaconservationeasement,thedeedlanguagenegotiationprocesscanbemore arduous, and requires additional effort by both parties so both can be satisfied by thelanguagefoundinthedeed.

VDOF recommends that legal counsel be sought by landowners entering into a real estatetransaction,andinparticular,aconservationeasement.TheFLPdoesnotpayforthiscounsel;itisacostthatmustbebornebythelandowner.

The FLP requires language in the deed (whether fee simple or easement) that: 1) states thepurposesoftheForestLegacyprogramandthefederalcodesection;2)allowsforreversionofthefundstotheFLPshouldthelandoreasementbesold,exchangedorotherwisedisposedof,and3)requires that a governmental entity hold the property/easement. In addition, an easement deedmustplacetheeasementrestrictionsoverthepropertyinperpetuity.

PreClosingActivities

BaselineDocumentationReport(ConservationEasementsOnly)

In the case of a conservation easement, within a few weeks prior to closing, the state legacymanagervisitsthepropertytoascertaintheconditionoftheproperty(land,forestandstructures)atthetimeoftheeasement.Thisvisitinvolvesbothwrittennotesandphotographyofthesite.

ThestatelegacymanagerpreparestheBaselineDocumentationReportandpresentstwooriginalsofthereporttothelandownerforreviewandconfirmationsignatureimmediatelypriortoclosing.OneoriginaliskeptbythelandownerandtheotherisretainedbyVDOF.

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ProgramLevelApproval

Prior to closing, the state legacy manager submits copies of the deed, title insurance binder,appraisal and appraisal review report to the regional legacy manager for review and approval.Additionally,forconservationeasements,acopyoftheStewardshipPlan,BaselineDocumentationReportandmatchletterareprovided.

OptionalFiscalProcesses

If fundsarenotavailablewithintheVDOFforclosing, theVDOFFiscalDivisionfilespropergrantformswiththeUSFSgrantpersonneltoreceiveanadvanceonthenecessaryfunds.

Closing

Deed

The finaldeed,agreed tobybothparties, iscirculated forsignatures,and is thenprovided to thesettlementagent(atitlecompanyorattorney),forclosing.

Closing

The settlement agent prepares a settlement statement, and circulates it and other requireddocumentation to both parties for signatures. The VDOF Fiscal Division wires funds to thesettlementagentapproximatelytwodaysbeforeclosing.Thesettlementagentrecordsthedeedanddisbursesfundstotheseller.

PostClosingActivities

DocumentFiling

Uponreceiptoftheoriginalrecordeddeedandtitleinsurancepolicyfromthesettlementagent,thestatelegacymanagerfilestheoriginaldeed;theoriginalBaselineDocumentationReport;theVDOForiginalsettlementstatement,andthetitleinsurancepolicyinthefireprooffilingcabinet.

DataEntryinForestLegacyInformationSystem

Afterclosing,theclosingdateandfinaltractacreage,costandconservationvaluesinformationareenteredintotheForestLegacyInformationSystem.

StateCapitalProjectForms

Onceclosingoccurs,thestatelegacymanager,inconsultationwiththeVDOFFiscalDivision,filesastateCO‐14formwiththestateBureauofCapitalOutlayManagementtoreportactualexpendituresfortheproject.

OptionalFiscalProcesses

If an advance on grant funds prior to closing was not necessary, the VDOF Fiscal Division filesproper grant forms with the USFS grant personnel to receive a reimbursement of the fundsnecessaryforclosing.

EasementMonitoring

EasementTracking

RecordedFLPeasementsareaddedtoaVDOFeasementrecordsspreadsheet,anddenotedasbeingfundedbytheFLP.Auniqueeasementnumberisassignedtotheeasement.

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MonitoringScheduleandFieldMonitoringVisits

FLP easements are monitored annually. Upon closing, the state legacy manager records theeasement in a monitoring record file which is used to prompt the state legacy manager, orappropriateVDOFfieldpersonnel,whentheannualmonitoringvisitshouldbescheduled.

Prior to themonitoring visit, every attempt ismade to contact the landowner and to encouragetheirpresenceduringthevisit.

MonitoringReportsandFiling

Monitoring reports are completed during the visit through a series of notes and fill‐in‐the‐blankquestionsonthereportform,andexampleofwhichisshowninAppendixA‐7.Uponreturntotheoffice,thereport iscompletedelectronicallyandthentwooriginalreportsareprintedandsignedby the employeewho performed themonitoring. One original is kept in the permanent file; theotherisprovidedtothelandowner.

ProgramParameterRevisions

EligibilityCriteriaRevisions

TheFLSCmayrecommendamendingtheEligibilityCriteriaonaperiodicbasistoensuretheyarekeptcurrentwithstatewideresourceprioritiesandneeds.

Revisions to the Eligibility Criteria should, at the same time, include a re‐consideration of themodelsandweightsusedinGISmodelingfortheForestLegacyArea,andarevisiontotheForestLegacyArea.

Asaminimum,theEligibilityCriteriaarere‐consideredbytheFLSCduringtheprocessofrevisingtheoverarchingStatewideAssessmentofForestResources.

ForestLegacyAreaRevisions

TheFLSCmayrecommendamendingtheForestLegacyAreaperiodicallyto:

1. FullyencompassapprovedtractswhosegeographicboundariesonlypartiallyintersectthecurrentForestLegacyArea(aminorrevision).

2. UpdatetheForestLegacyArea(amajorrevision):

a. DuetochangestoprogramEligibilityCriteria;

b. TotakeadvantageofnewGISmodelsthatmaybecomeavailable;

c. Tokeepcurrentwithachangingresourcebaseorotherparametersthatmayaffectthedesignationofpriorityconservationareas,and

d. Toincorporateupdatestoconservationpartnergroupfocusareas.

Asaminimum, theForestLegacyAreashouldbereconsideredby theFLSCduring theprocessofrevisingtheoverarchingStatewideAssessmentofForestResources.

MinorForestLegacyAreaRevisionstoIncorporateEntireTracts

Tracts(withinaproject)thataresubmittedforconsiderationundertheprogramare individuallycomparedtothecurrentForestLegacyArea.TractsthatpartiallyintersecttheForestLegacyAreaareconsidered“in,”andareeligibleforparticipationintheFLP.Inthiscase,aminorrevisiontotheForestLegacyAreaismadetoincorporatetheentiretract.

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SubmissionofGISFiles

InthecaseofeitheraminorormajorForestLegacyArearevision,revisedshapefilesaresubmittedbythestatelegacymanagertoUSFSGISpersonnel.

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AppendixA1:AssessmentofNeedInterimRevisionsProcess(20072008)BeginninginJanuary2007,VirginiaembarkedonanextensiveprocesstoamendtheAssessmentofNeed(AON)fortheForestLegacyProgramintheCommonwealth.ThisprocessinvolvedrevisionoftheprogramEligibilityCriteria(EC)andForestLegacyAreas(FLA),andwellassomeproceduralchanges.

The following sections provide a brief overview of the process undertaken by the Forest LegacySub‐committee (FLSC); the State Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee (SFSCC); the StateForester, and the forest legacymanager to develop the interim changes to theAON approved in2008.

RevisedEligibilityCriteriaChanges to the EC for Virginia’s programwere considered by the FLSC during its January 2007meeting; confirmed by the SFSCC at itsMarch 2007meeting; approved by the State Forester inMarch2007,andapprovedbytheUSFSinJuly2008.Furtherdetailsaboutpublicinputregardingtheserevisionsarefoundbelow.

Thisprocess resulted in the currentEC forVirginia’sprogramstated in thePurposeofVirginia’sForestLegacyProgramsectionabove.

RevisedForestLegacyAreasBasedontherecommendationofthetwocommittees(FLSC,SFSCC),andtheapprovaloftheStateForester, the revised ECwere subjected to GIS analysis using variousmodels and tools (see GISData Layers) during July and August 2007 to derive draft FLA for Virginia. The GIS analysis, asdirected by the committees, weighted the four criteria equally, and ranked the land area of theentirestateaccordingtoconservationvaluesfrom1to12(seeFigure2).Usinghydrologicunitasthe defining geographic unit, a draft FLAmap showing hydrologic units that had a conservationvaluerankingofsixorgreaterwasofferedforpubliccomment.

PublicInputThe proposed revisions to the EC and FLA were distributed for widespread review by landconservationprofessionalsviaemail,andtothepublicviatheagencywebsite,beginninginOctober2007.Theinputreceivedbyemail,letterandinpersonataJanuary2008publicinputsession,wasconsideredbytheFLSCandtheSFSCCindeterminingthenextstepstotakeinrevisionstotheECandFLA.

CallforTargetAreasBased on the information received, the importance of the inclusion of target areas of landconservation stakeholders across the state became apparent. In January 2008, the FLSCrecommendedtotheStateForesterthatthelandconservationcommunitybegiventheopportunitytosubmitGISdataandshapefilesoftheirtargetareasforpossible inclusioninthenewFLA.ThedeadlineforsubmissionwaslateFebruary2008.Submissionsfrom10groupswerereceived.

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ChangeinFLADeterminationAtthetimethatthecallfortargetareaswasmade,theFLSCalsorecommendedthatconsiderationbegiventotheideathat:

1. All areas of the state that possess a high conservation value in the GIS analysis shouldautomaticallybeincludedintheFLA;

2. Targetareasthatfallwithinareasofthestatewhereconservationvaluesrankedinamid‐rangeshouldalsobeincludedintheFLA,and

3. TargetareasthatfallwithinareasofthestatethathavelowconservationvalueintheGISmodelingshouldbeexcludedfromtheFLA.

TargetAreasSubmittedTargetareasubmissionswerereceivedfromthefollowinglandconservationstakeholders:

♦♦ VirginiaDepartmentofConservationandRecreation♦♦ VirginiaDepartmentofGameandInlandFisheries♦♦ NorthernVirginiaConservationTrust♦♦ NewRiverLandTrust♦♦ PotomacConservancy♦♦ PiedmontEnvironmentCouncil♦♦ ShenandoahValleyBattlefieldFoundation♦♦ TheNatureConservancy♦♦ ValleyConservationCouncil♦♦ WestPiedmontPlanningDistrictCommission

Thetargetareasreceivedshowedsignificantoverlapbetweentheareassubmittedbythevariousgroups,andthedraftFLApresentedforpublicreview.

FinalizingtheFLAFollowing the submissionof targetareas,GISmapswereprovided to theFLSC for consideration.These maps included both the hydrologic units that ranked highly and would automatically beincludedintheFLA,andthetargetareasthatweresubmitted.

InApril2008,after considerationof thenewmaps, theFLSCrecommended to theStateForesterthat the revisedFLA should includeareaswith a conservationvalue rankingof sevenor greater,andthetargetedlandsthatfallwithinareasrankedfromfivetoseven.

The resultingFLAmap (shown inFigure3) included13.8million total acres –55percent of thetotal land area in the state – and9.9million acres of forestland,which is 63percent of the totalcommercialforestlandstatewide.

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GISDataLayers

PurposeIdentify areaswhere forestsmeeting the conservation values identified in the Eligibility Criteriashouldbeconserved.

DataLayers1. Streams,shorelinesandfloodplainforests–createdEuclideandistancemodel forNHD

dataandoverlaidstreambuffersupto500meterswithforestedwetlands.

2. Forests in headwaters and steep slopes – ran Euclidean distancemodel onwatershedboundarydataset (usedboundary linesbetweenwatersheds)andoverlaidwithslopes>=25percent.

3. Forest protecting drinking water supplies – used surface water protection areasprovidedbyDOH.

4. Large continuous blocks of forest – used VANLA (Virginia Natural LandscapeAssessment)dataandextractedforestswithatleast100acresofinteriorconditions.

5. Sustainable,managedworkingforests–usedforesteconomicmodeldevelopedbyVDOF–basedonwoodlandsoilproductivity,foresttypesandeconomicvalueoftimber.

6. Index of terrestrial integrity – based on NLCD 2001 data; area of natural cover, river‐streamcorridor,areaofroadsandimperviousness:

a. Indexofterrestrialintegrity=(0.75*NatCov)+(0.25*River/Stream)–(0.25*Roadarea)–(0.25*Imperviousness).

7. Index of aquatic integrity –Greg Garman of the Center for Environmental Studies andDepartment of Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, provided Modified Index ofBiotic Integrity (mIBI) for thesixthorderhydrologicunitsof theVirginiaChesapeakeBaywatershed.

The mIBI is computed from six metrics that are used to determine watershed bioticintegrityacrossbroadspatialscales:

♦♦ Numberofintolerantspecies;♦♦ Nativespeciesrichness;♦♦ NumberofRTEspecies;♦♦ Numberofnon‐indigenousspecies;♦♦ NumberofCritical/Significantspecies,and♦♦ NumberofTolerantSpecies.

8. ThreatofForestConversion–basedonTheobald’shousingdensitymodel

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Table2:VirginiaForestLegacyEligibilityCriteria

VirginiaForestLegacyEligibilityCriteria

GISDataLayer

(1)Threatened

ByConversion

(2)Timber&

OtherForestCommodities

(3)NaturalHeritageResources

(4)WatershedValues

(5)PercentWeightinModel

Streams,shorelines&floodplainforests

2 2 4

Forestsinheadwaters&steepslopes

3 3

Forestprotectingdrinkingwatersupplies

4 4

Largecontinuousblocksofforests

6 5 4 15

Sustainable,managedworkingforests

4 2 6

TerrestrialIntegrity 15 4 4 23AquaticIntegrity 12 8 20Threatofforestconversion

25 25

25 25 25 25 100

Figure2:ConservationValueIndex(Ranking:1(lowest)to12(highest))

ConservationValueIndex

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Figure3:ForestLegacyAreas(July2008)

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AppendixA2:SampleRequestforApplicationsCommonwealthofVirginiaForestLegacyProgramProgramYear20111

FORESTLEGACYREQUESTFORAPPLICATIONS

Pre‐ApplicationDeadline:May22,2009ApplicationDeadline:July17,2009

IntroductionThe Forest Legacy Program assists state governments in identifying and protecting importantprivate forestland across the Commonwealth through conservation easements and fee‐simplepurchases.Conservationeasementsallowprivateindividualstoretainownership,whileprovidingfor theconservationofworking forests.Fee‐simplepurchasesprovide foradditionalStateForestproperties that will be maintained and managed as working forests. Both tools allow theCommonwealth of Virginia’s private landowners the opportunity to help conserve importantworkingforests,inperpetuity,forfuturegenerations.

TheVirginiaDepartmentofForestry(VDOF)seeksapplicationsfortheForestLegacyProgramforthefederal2011fiscalyear.Successfulapplicantsmaybeawardedagrantinanamountupto75percentofthefederallyapprovedappraisedvalue.

BackgroundandPurposeThe Forest Legacy Program was created to allow private individuals the opportunity to placeconservationeasementsontheirlandorselltheirlandtoremainasforestlandintoperpetuity.TheUSDA Forest Service delivers the program funding and provides guidance to states. Virginiacompletedall requirements forForestLegacy in2000with the full supportof theGovernor.TheVirginiaDepartmentofForestryadministersVirginia’sForestLegacyProgram.

Virginia’sForestLegacyProgramemphasizesenvironmentallyimportantworkingforests.Workingforests, as noted in the original Virginia Forest Legacy Assessment of Need document, datedSeptember2000,areforeststhatprovidetimberproductsaswellasotherforestcommodities,suchascleanair;purewater;wildlifehabitat,andrecreationalopportunities.

PriorHistoryofForestLegacyinVirginiaVirginia landowners have been awarded Forest Legacy grant funds. Virginia has been verysuccessfulinreceivingForestLegacygrantfunds.ThefollowinglistingprovidesgrantinformationsinceVirginiabecamepartoftheprogram.

1SampleRequestforApplicationsisforprogramfiscalyear2011.

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Table3:VirginiaForestLegacyGrantHistory

VirginiaForestLegacyGrantHistory

Year AmountNumberofApprovedProjects

Type

2001 $967,800 2 FeeSimple&Easement2002 $1,012,000 1 FeeSimple2003 $1,167,000 2 FeeSimple&Easement2004 $2,981,000 2 FeeSimple&Easement2005 $829,000 2 FeeSimple&Easement2006 $229,000 1 Easement2007 $2,100,000 3 Easement2008 $1,485,000 2 FeeSimple&Easement2009 $490,000 2 Easement2010 GrantApprovalsPending

ForestLegacyAreasApplicationswillbeconsideredfromareasoftheCommonwealththatarelocatedwithintheForestLegacyAreas(FLA)forthestate.AmapofthecurrentFLAisattached.Pleaseexaminethemaptodetermineiftheproposedprojectappearstobewithintheseareas.

EligibilityCriteriaTheFLAwasdefinedfortheCommonwealth,usingGeographicInformationSystemanalysisbasedonthefollowingEligibilityCriteria:

♦♦ Threatenedbyconversiontonon‐forestuse(fragmentationandreductioninlinkages);

♦♦ Continued production of timber and other forest commodities (local and regionaleconomicbase);

♦♦ Natural Heritage Resources (e.g. natural communities; habitat for threatened andendangeredspecies;significantgeologicfeatures),and

♦♦ Watershed Values (water quality; wetlands; riparian buffers; groundwater recharge;publicwatersupplies).

ForestLegacyProgramRequirementsEachtractapprovedintheForestLegacyProgrammustmeetthefollowingstipulations:

♦♦ Thetractoflandmustbeatleast20acresinsize.

♦♦ Thetractmustbeatleast80percentforested.

♦♦ Thetitletothelandmustbefreeandclearofanyliensand/orencumbrances.

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LandownersparticipatingintheForestLegacyProgrammust:

♦♦ Be“willingsellers;”

♦♦ Bewillingtoparticipateinaperpetualeasementthatallowsforannualmonitoring,orbewillingtoselltheirpropertyinfeesimple;

♦♦ AllowtheForestLegacyMonitoringTeamaccesstothetractforevaluation;

♦♦ Bewillingtoselltheeasementorfeesimplerightsatabargainpricenotexceeding75percent of the appraised value according to Federal appraisal standards (UniformAppraisalStandardsforFederalLandAcquisitions);

♦♦ Be willing, if necessary, to pay the due diligence costs necessary to acquire theconservationeasementorlandinfeesimple,andtoacceptlessthanthefull75percentallowedundertheprogramtocoverthesecosts[thesecostsareforrequiredtitleworkand closing fees, an environmental site examination, a timber cruise, an appraisalmeetingFederalstandardsandoccasionallyasurvey];

♦♦ Bewilling to sign an option contract or sales contract, prior to national competition,showing commitment and interest in placing a conservation easement restrictingdevelopment rights on their land, or selling their land, to remain as forestland inperpetuity,and

♦♦ In the case of an easement, provide a Forest Stewardship Plan or multiple‐resourceforestmanagement plan for the property for review by VDOF and the USFS prior toclosingontheeasement(theremaybeacosttohavethisplanprepared).

PreApplicationDueDateAllpotentialapplicantsmaysubmittheattachedPre‐ApplicationDataSheetandamap,orsketch,oftheproposedproperty(project)toVDOFfordeterminationastowhethertheprojectislocatedwithinthecurrentFLA.Thesemaps/sketcheswillbecomparedbyVDOFtoGeographicInformationSystem shape files of the FLA tomake this determination. Potential applicants who submit thissheetwillbenotifiedbyVDOFwithintwoweeksofreceiptofthesheetwhetherornottheirprojectis located within the FLA, and thus eligible for participation in the 2011 program. Potentialapplicantscanthenbeginpreparationofafullapplicationfortheprogram.

TheattachedPre‐ApplicationDataSheetandassociatedmap/sketchmustbereceivedbyVDOFbynolaterthanFriday,May22,2009.

Youdonotneed to submit apreapplication to apply for theprogram; thepurposeof thepreapplicationistoletyouknowbeforehandifyourprojectfallswithintheFLAandcanbeconsideredfortheprogram.

ApplicationDueDateToassurethatallqualifyingapplicationsfortheForestLegacy2011programyearcanbeevaluatedandconsidered,theVDOFmustreceiveapplicationsbynolaterthanFriday,July17,2009.

CompletingtheApplication/ApplicationRankingA completed application for the program, and all associated documents listed in the application,mustbesubmittedbytheduedatelistedabove.

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Theapplicationincludesasectionwheretheapplicantprovidesinformationabouthowimportant,threatenedandstrategictheprojectis.AttachedisadraftoftheLegacyscoringcriteriathatwillbeusedduringtheapplicationreviewandrankingprocesses.Byprovidinginformationabouthowtheprojectmeetsthesecriteria,theapplicantcanhelptoimprovetherankingoftheproject.

Ifspecificdocumentsarereferencedintheapplicationwrite‐up,pleaseincludewiththeapplicationcopiesofthespecificpagesinthedocumentthatarereferredto,butnottheentiredocument.Asanexample,ifyoureferencethezoningordinanceforthecounty,onlyincludecopiesofthepartsyoureference,nottheentiredocument

Inadditiontoconsideringtheimportance,threatandstrategicnatureofaproject,itisalsogivenareadinessranking.Theproject’sreadinessrankingisimprovedifoneormoreofthefollowingitemshavebeenaccomplished:

♦♦ Informationhasbeendocumentedtosupportcostestimate,suchascompletedmarketanalysis;preliminaryappraisal,orappraisal;

♦♦ Landownerandeasementholderhaveagreedtoeasementorfeeacquisitionconditions;

♦♦ Cost‐sharecommitmenthasbeenobtainedfromaspecifiedsource;

♦♦ Signedoptionorpurchaseandsalesagreementwiththestatehasbeenexecuted;

♦♦ Titlesearchiscompleted,and

♦♦ Stewardshipplanormulti‐resourcemanagementplaniscompleted.

ApplicationRequirements(andnumberofdocuments)Eachapplicationpacketmustincludetheitemslistedbelow:

♦♦ OnecompletedandsignedLandownerInspectionConsentAgreement,and

♦♦ One manually signed original, and six copies, of a Forest Legacy Application, and allattachedmaterials(aerialphoto,maps,etc.).

ProcessforApplicantstoSubmitApplicationsAllapplicationsmustbecompleted inconformancewithrequirementssetout in thisRequest forApplications. Failure to complete all parts of the requirements found here could result in yourapplicationnotbeingacceptedforreviewandrankingfor2011.

All applicantsmustmail ordeliver theirwritten applications toVirginiaDepartmentof Forestry,Attn: LarryMikkelson, 900NaturalResourcesDrive, Suite 800, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903. Ifhanddeliveringyourapplicationmaterials,youmaydeliverthemtothereceptionistlocatedonthefirstfloorof900NaturalResourcesDrive,Charlottesville,VA22903.

Wewillnotaccept facsimileoremaildocuments, asalldocumentsmustbe clearand legibleandappearwithoriginalsignaturesontheapplication.

ApplicationReview/RankingProcessAll application documents will be reviewed by VDOF to assure that they meet the minimumrequirements outlined here. Applications thatmeetminimum requirements will be evaluated inmore detail. The information provided in the applicationmaterials, and information and photos

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secured from a field visit to the project site,will be provided to the Virginia Forest Legacy Sub‐Committee forreviewandrankingat itsAugust18,2009meeting.Applicantswillbeaskedtomake a presentation to the subcommittee on this date. The top three (or less) rankedapplicationswillbeforwardedtotheVirginiaForestStewardshipCommitteeforreview.

The recommendations from theVirginiaForest StewardshipCommitteewill be forwarded to theStateForester for finalreview,approvaland finalranking.TheStateForester’srecommendationswillbeforwardedtotheUSFSforconsiderationbyaNationalPanelfromtheacrossthecountryinJanuary 2010. The final decisions from theNational Panelwill be forwarded to theOffice of thePresidentforfederalfiscalyear2011budgetconsideration.

AdditionalSourcesofInformationandAssistanceUSDAForestServiceForestLegacy;http://www.fs.fed.us/spf/coop/programs/loa/flp.shtml–thiswebsiteprovideslinkstoadditionalinformationabouttheForestLegacyProgram.

VirginiaDepartmentofForestry;http://www.dof.virginia.gov/mgt/index‐flp.shtml–thiswebsitehascompleteapplicationdocumentsfordownloading.

UnitedStatesHouseDistrict;http://www.house.gov–thiswebsitewillprovideCongressionaldistrictinformation.

ContactInformationLarryMikkelson–ForestLegacyManagerPhone(434)220‐9091FAX(434)296‐2369Email–[email protected]

Attachments♦♦ MapofForestLegacyAreas♦♦ Pre‐Application♦♦ ForestLegacyApplication♦♦ LandownerInspectionConsentAgreement♦♦ ScoringCriteria(draft)

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AppendixA3:SamplePreApplication

CommonwealthofVirginiaForestLegacyProgramProgramYear2011

FORESTLEGACYPRE‐APPLICATION

DescriptionoflandbeingconsideredforapplicationfortheForestLegacyProgram:

County:

LandownerName(s):

GeneralLocation(stateroutename/number;nearbytown,directionfromtownorotherlandmark,etc.):

TotalAcreageofProperty:

AcreageBeingConsideredforForestLegacyProgram:

TaxMapNumber(s):

Attachmaporsketchshowingthepropertyboundaries.Indicatetheareatobeofferedfortheprogramifitislessthantheentireproperty.

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AppendixA4:SampleApplication

FOROFFICEUSEONLY

ReceivedBy: Date:


FORESTLEGACYAPPLICATION

APPLICANTINFORMATION

Landowner’sName(s)(listallownersofrecord):

Landowner’sMailingAddress:

DaytimeTelephoneNumber:

Email:

Landowner’sAgent:

Landowner’sAgentMailingAddress:


Email:

Doestheagenthaveauthoritytomakedecisionsinbehalfofthelandowner? Yes No

U.S.HouseDistrict:

PROPERTYINFORMATION

CountyofRecord:

TaxMapParcelNumber(s):

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DeedReferenceBook/Page:

PlatReferenceBook/Page:

CurrentLocalZoningWherePropertyisLocated:

CurrentTaxValuationorRecentAppraisalValue(attachifavailable):

TaxParcelAcreage:

AcreageofForestedLand:

AcreageofCleared/OpenLand:

AcreageOfferedforForestLegacyProgram:

Note:AreaofferedforForestLegacyProgrammustbeatleast80%forested.Plantingoftreesonopenlandtomeetthisrequirementisacceptable.

LANDOWNERGOALSANDOBJECTIVESYouranswerstothefollowingquestionswilldeterminetheimportanceofyourapplicationtotheForestLegacyProgram.Includespecificinformationandsupportingreferencesifavailable.DescribewhyyoubelieveitisimportantthatthispropertybeconsideredfortheForestLegacyProgram.Importantisdefinedasthepublicbenefitsgainedfromtheprotectionandmanagementofthepropertyincludingtheecologicalvaluesandtheeconomicandsocialaspects.

DescribewhyyoubelievethispropertyisthreatenedandshouldbeconsideredfortheForestLegacyProgram.Threatenedisdefinedasconversiontonon‐forestusesislikelyorimminentandwillresultinalossofforestvaluesandpublicbenefits.

DescribewhyyoubelievethispropertyisstrategicandshouldbeconsideredfortheForestLegacyProgram.Strategicisdefinedasfitswithalargerconservationplan,strategy,andinitiativeandenhancespreviousconservationinvestments.

Provideinformationaboutthereadinessoftheproject.ExamplesofthedocumentsortasksthatmayaffectreadinesscanbefoundintheRequestforApplicationsdocument.

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Describeyourlong‐termgoalsandobjectivesfortheproperty.

Describewhathavebeenthetraditionaluse(s)oftheforestlandontheproperty.

Pleasecheckoneofthetwooptionsbelow: Iamwillingtosellmypropertyinfeesimple(sellmylandtothestate).

Iamwillingtosellonlymydevelopmentrightsbyplacingmypropertyunderaconservationeasement(Iwillretainownershipofthelandandalsomyotherrights,suchasfarming,timbering,sellingthepropertyorpassingittomyheirs,etc.).

Pleaseinitialeachstatementbelowtoindicatethatyouhavereadandunderstandthem:

TheForestLegacyProgramwillpayme(us)amaximumof75%oftheappraisedvalueofmy(our)property(oreasement)asappraisedundertheFederalYellowBook(UASFLA)appraisalstandards.

TheForestLegacyProgramrequiresa25%matchtotheFederaldollarsgrantedundertheprogramandI(we)willbeaskedtosignastatementindicatingthatI(we)agreethatthe25%oftheappraisedvaluethatIforegocanbeusedastherequiredmatchfortheprogram.

Itmaybenecessaryforme(us)topaysomeoftheduediligencecosts(appraisals,titlesearch,environmentalsiteassessment,etc.)requiredduringtheacquisitionprocess,andifso,theamountoffundsI(we)receiveformy(our)land(oreasement)willbereducedbythecostoftheseservices.

Pleasestatewhetheryouarereadytosignanoptionorsalesagreement,contingentuponfinalappraisalandapprovalforForestLegacyfunding?

Yes No

DoyoucurrentlyhaveaForestStewardshiporotherForestManagementPlan? Yes No

Ifnot,areyouwillingtoobtainaplanpriortoclosing?

Yes No

LANDOWNERCOMMENTSPleaseprovideanyadditionalinformationthatyoubelievemakesyourpropertyagoodcandidatefortheForestLegacyProgram.

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VALUEESTIMATESWhatistheestimatedvalueoftheland(easement)offeredfortheForestLegacyProgram?Howdidyoudeterminethevalue?(appraisal,landownerestimate,taxassessment,etc.)

LEINSANDENCUMBRANCESListanyandallliensandencumbrancesonthepropertyproposedforenrollmentintheForestLegacyProgram(e.g.utilityeasements,publicrights‐of‐way,waterfloworuserestrictions,septicsystemsorwatereasements,deedrestrictions,taxliens,mineralleases,etc.).

AGREEMENT

Theinformationprovidedaboveistruetothebestofmy/ourknowledgeandbelief.ALLTITLEHOLDERSMUSTSIGN.

Name(print) Signature Date

ForestLegacyApplication–AdditionalItems

YourForestLegacyApplicationshouldalsoincludethefollowing:

♦♦ AerialPhoto (canbeobtainedviaGoogleMapsathttp://maps.google.com,or throughyourlocalFarmServicesAgencyoffice)

♦♦ LegalDescription(ifavailable;maybefoundinyourdeedortitleinsurancepolicy)

♦♦ ListofExistingPermanent Improvementson theTract, includinghouses,barns, lakes,ponds,dams,wells, roads,otherstructuresand the totalnumberofacresoccupiedbyimprovements.

♦♦ MapInformation(provideasmuchmapinformationasisavailable):

•• CopyofRoadMapindicatinglocationoftheproperty•• CopyofPlatorSurveyMapoftheparcelindicatinglocationoftract•• Mapidentifyingalldams,dumps,orwastedisposalsitesontheproperty•• CopyofTaxMap,orportionthereof,containingtheparcel

NOTE:Allmaterialsbecome thepropertyof theCommonwealthofVirginiaandarenonreturnable.

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AppendixA5:SampleLandownerInspectionConsentAgreement


FORESTLEGACYLANDOWNERINSPECTIONCONSENTAGREEMENT

I, ,asthelandownerorthelandowner’sauthorizedagent(proofofauthorizationmustaccompanythisdocument),agreetoallowinspection,appraisal,environmentalsiteexamination,timbercruise,andsurveyofmypropertybeingofferedforconsiderationundertheForestLegacyProgram.IagreetoallowemployeesoftheVirginiaDepartmentofForestry(the“Agency”)ormembersoftheVirginiaForestLegacySub‐Committeetoinspectthepropertyasmayberequired,withtheunderstandingthatIshallbenotifiedinadvanceofallinspectionvisits.IagreetoallowcontractorshiredbytheAgencytoenterthepropertytoperformtheserviceslistedabovesolongasIamprovidedcontractorcontactinformationinadvance,andnotifiedinadvanceoftheirvisittotheproperty.

LandownerSignature Date

VirginiaDepartmentofForestrySignature Date

Title

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AppendixA6:ProjectEvaluation


FORESTLEGACYPROJECTEVALUATION

Property/Project:

Landowner(s):

County/City:

Acres:

DateofEvaluation:

Evaluator:

READINESSINFORMATION

Yes No CompletedMarketAnalysisorPreliminaryAppraisal?

Yes No BargainSaleof75%agreedto?

Yes No SignedOptionAgreement?

Yes No SignedPurchaseandSalesAgreement?

Yes No HeldbyThirdParty,atRequestoftheState?

Yes No TitleSearchCompleted?

Yes No MineralsDeterminationCompleted?

Yes No ManagementPlanCompletedfortheProperty(CEonly)?

PROGRAMREQUIREMENTS

Yes No OwnedbyWillingSeller(s)?

Yes No SignedConsentAgreement?

Yes No 25%MatchAvailable?

PercentMatchOffered? %

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IMPORTANCESCORING

ForestryandPotentialForestProductivity:

(0‐2points) LandmanagedaccordingtoaForestManagementPlan

(0‐1point) Landisthirdpartycertified

(0‐2points) Forestryactivitycontributestoresource‐basedeconomy

(0‐1point) Containscharacteristics(slope,soils)tosustainaproductiveforest

ThreatenedandEndangeredSpeciesHabitat:

(0‐3points)

PropertycontainsdocumentedT&Especies(considernumbersshowbelowduringscoring)

NumberofFederally‐listedspecies NumberofState‐Only‐listedspecies

Fish,Wildlife,PlantsandUniqueForestCommunities:

(0‐3points)

Containsuniqueforestcommunitiesasdocumentedbyaformalassessmentorwildlifeconservationplanorstrategy

WaterSupplyandWatershedProtection:

(0‐3points)

Providesapublicdrinkingwatersupplybuffer,containsanaquiferrechargearea,orprotectsanecologicallyimportantaquaticormarinearea

(0‐3points)

Containsimportantriparianarea,wetlands,shorelines,riversystemsorsensitivewatershedlands

PublicAccess:

(0‐3points) Willmaintainorestablishaccessbythepublicforrecreation

Scenic:

(0‐3points)

Islocatedwithintheviewshedofaformally‐designatedscenicfeature,suchasatrail,riverorhighway

Historic/Cultural/Tribal:

(0‐3points)

Containsformerly‐documentedfeaturesofhistorical,culturaland/ortribalsignificance

Non‐TimberEconomicBenefits:

(0‐3points)

Providesnon‐timberrevenuetothelocalorregionaleconomythroughhuntingleases,ranching,non‐timberforestproducts(maplesyrup,pinestraw,ginsengcollection),guidedtours(fishing,hunting,birdwatching)andrecreationalrentals(bikes,boats,outdoorgear)

SUBTOTAL (30pointsmaximum)

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STRATEGICSCORING

ConservationStrategy:

(0‐15points)

Fitswithinalargerconservationplan,strategyorinitiativeasdesignatedbyagovernmentornon‐governmententity

SupportsConservationInvestments:

(0‐15points)

Strategicallylinkedtoenhancedpreviousconservationinvestments(pastFLPprojects,protectedfederal,stateorNGOlands)orotherfederallandprotectionefforts(NRCS,NOAA,etc.)


THREATENEDSCORING

LegalProtection:

(0‐4points)

Legalprotectionsthatcurrentlyexist(zoning,easements);whethertheseprotectionsremovethethreatofconversion,andtowhatextent

LandandLandowner’sCircumstances:

(0‐4points)

Landownercircumstancesincluding:propertyheldinanestate,aginglandowner,futureusebyheirsisuncertain,propertyisforsaleorhasasalepending,purchaseoffersreceived,hasanapprovedsubdivisionplan,orgoodlandstewardinterestedinconservingtheland(nopenaltyforlattertypeoflandowner)

AdjacentLandUse:

(0‐4points)

Useofadjacentlandincluding:currentuseofadjacentland,rateofdevelopmentgrowthorconversion,populationgrowth,rateofchangeinownership

AbilitytoDevelop:

(0‐4points)

Physicalattributesthatwillfacilitateconversion:access,slope,water/sewer,electricity,etc.

ThirdPartyOwnership:

(0‐4points)

Acquiredbyathirdpartyattherequestofthestate(evaluatethreatbasedonsituationbeforethirdpartyacquisition)


TOTAL (80pointsmaximum)

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AppendixA7:EasementMonitoringReport


EASEMENTMONITORINGREPORT

CurrentEasementName:

GENERALINFORMATION

LandownerName:

EasementNumber:

DateofMonitoringVisit:

MonitoredBy:

CONTACTWITHLANDOWNER

Date: Phone Email InPerson

CurrentLandownerInformation(ifchanged):

LandownerName:

MailingAddress:


CellPhone:

Email:

PROPERTYINFORMATION

Location:

NameofOwneronDateofEasement:

DateEasementRecorded:

NameofCurrentOwner:

Page/DateRecorded:

AdditionalPost‐EasementDeeds/Grantee:

Page/DateRecorded:

SubdivisionsofProperty/Grantee:

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Page/DateRecorded:

ConservationValuesProtected:

Restrictions/Requirements:(seeEasementDeedforspecificrestrictionorrequirementlanguage)

Division(describe):

Structures(describe):

Commercial/Industrial(describe):

ForestManagement(describe):

Pesticides(describe):

Grading/Mining(describe):

Trash(describe):

Signs(describe):

RiparianBuffer(describe):

PriorReviewofBoundaryLineAdjustment(BLA)byVDOF:

VDOFtobepartytoBLAdeeds

PriorwrittennotificationtoVDOFbeforebeginninganygroundclearingforconstructionofstructures

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ForestManagementPlanrequiredbeforecommencementofforestmanagementactivities

NotificationtoVDOFbeforeandafteranymaterialforestactivity,includingtimberharvest

PriorreviewbyVDOFofpre‐harvestplans

PriornoticetoVDOFofgrading,blastingorearthremovalgreaterthanoneacre

Deedreferencerequiredindeedsconveyingproperty

PriorwrittennotificationtoVDOFbeforeactionsthatmayhaveadverseaffectonconservationvalues

PriornotificationtoVDOFofsaleaffectingproperty

CompliancewithTermsoftheEasement:

Yes No ComplieswithConservationEasement?

Yes No InvestigationNecessary?

Note:Ifaninvestigationisindicated,afollow‐upreportwillbeissuedaftertheinvestigation.

ADDITIONALCOMMENTSORINFORMATION

ATTACHMENTSTOTHISREPORT

AerialPhoto UpdatedMaps

UpdatedSitePhotos AdditionalPages

Other

Other

VirginiaDepartmentofForestrySignature Date

Title

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AppendixB

VirginiaForestStewardshipOperatingPlan

STEWARDSHIP

The wise application of environmental and economic resourcemanagement principles to maintain and enhance the multiplebenefits of the forest for current and future landowners and thepublic

ThisOperatingPlanwasdevelopedbytheVirginiaDepartmentofForestryincooperationwiththeVirginia Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee to guide forestry professionals in theimplementationoftheForestStewardshipProgram.

StatementofPurposeandCooperatingOrganizationAgreementTheNationalAssociationofStateForestersincooperationwiththeUSDAForestService,StateandPrivateForestryProgram,developedaninitiativecalledtheForestStewardshipProgramin1990.Thepurposeofthisstate‐basedprogramistoimprovethemanagementofPrivateNon‐IndustrialForestlands (PNIF) formultiple resourcebenefits, includingwildlife,water, recreation and forestproducts.

Better coordination and cooperation among resourcemanagement specialists from various stateand federalagenciesand theprivatesectorshouldresult inmoreefficientandeffective technicalassistancetoprivateforestlandowners.Totalmultiple‐useforestresourcemanagementplanswillbepreparedjointlybythecooperatingagencies,consultingforestersorforestindustrylandownerassistanceforestersincorporatingthelandowner’sobjectiveswithsoundconservationpractices.

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Foreststewardsarecustodiansofourbountifulforestresources.Theirthoughtfulmanagementoftheforestsintheircarehelpsprovidemanybenefitstothem;society,andtheworldasawhole.TherighttoownlandisamongthemosttreasuredandmostvaluedrightsofallAmericancitizens.Theownershipoflandnotonlygrantslandownerstheprivilegeofpursuingpersonalgoals,butcarriestheresponsibilityofgoodstewardship.

The increaseddemand for forestamenities,combinedwithashrinking landbaseaccentuates theneed for all forest landowners to actively manage their forested properties. A number ofopportunitiesexistforimprovedresourcemanagement.

PNIF landowners,whoholdnearly11millionacresof forestland inVirginia,present thegreatestopportunity formaking improvementsto thesupplyandconditionof thestate's forestresources.Mostof these forestlandsareunmanaged.Withgoodstewardshipmanagement, these forestlandscouldbetterprovideVirginia'sneedsforcleanwaterandair;healthy, thrivingpopulationsof fishandwildlife;qualityoutdoorrecreationexperiences;essential forestproducts,andtheprotectionofimportantarchaeologicalandotherhistoricresources.Goodstewardshipcontributestonaturalbeauty;guardsagainstsoilerosionanddepletionofsoilproductivity,andprotectswetlands.Goodstewardshipalsoprotects forests from insects,diseases,wildfire,over‐grazingandpoor resourcemanagement.Makingsound,long‐termeconomicdecisionsisalsopartofgoodstewardship.

TheVirginiaForestStewardshipProgramisdesignedtoeducateandguideforestlandownersinthecomplex and rewarding field of resourcemanagement by providing coordinated assistance fromthemanyvariedprofessionalswithan interest inmultiple‐usemanagement.Participatingnaturalresource professionals make a deliberate effort to contact forest landowners to assess theirpersonal objectives and generate interest in stewardshipmanagement. Landowners targeted forcontactareprioritizedasfollows:

1. Thosewhohaveperformedlittleornomanagementoftheirforestlands.

2. Thosewhohavemanagedexclusivelyforoneresourceandwishtodiversifytheiractivities.

3. Thosewho presentlymanage their properties according to the stewardship concept anddeserverecognitionfortheirefforts.

ForestStewardshipCoordinatingCommitteeThe Virginia Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee shall provide direction for theVirginia Forest Stewardship Program administered by the Virginia Department of Forestry. TheCommitteewillmeetbienniallytoaddressstewardshipplanningandimplementationconcernsandoverallprogramcoordination.Normally, committeemembersserve three‐year termsandmaybereappointed for consecutive terms. Terms for persons who by virtue of their positions arecommitteemembers(e.g.,StateConservationists;AgencyDirectors;OfficersofOrganizations,etc.)wouldbeongoingduringtheirtenureintheposition.

Thecommittee’sprimaryresponsibility istoprovidetechnical,proceduralandlogisticalguidancetotheStateForester,whoisresponsiblefortheadministrationoftheForestStewardshipProgram.Therefore,thecommitteewill:

♦♦ ProvideadviceandrecommendationstotheStateForesterconcerningimplementationof the Forest Stewardship Program, and other associated landowner assistance andcost‐shareprograms.

♦♦ Provideassistanceandrecommendationsconcerningthedevelopment,implementationandupdatingoftheStateForestStewardshipOperatingPlan.

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IndividualsfromeachofthefollowingagenciesorgroupsareinvitedtoserveontheVirginiaForestStewardshipCoordinatingCommittee:

Table4:AgenciesandOrganizationsInvitedtoServeontheVirginiaForestStewardshipCoordinatingCommittee

Agencies/OrganizationsVirginiaDepartmentofForestry GeorgeWashingtonJeffersonNationalForestVABoardofForestry VirginiaForestryAssociationVADepartmentofGameandInlandFisheries(DGIF)

USDANaturalResourcesConservationService(NRCS)

VADepartmentofConservationandRecreation(DCR)

USDAConsolidatedFarmServiceAgency(FSA)

VAAssociationofSoil&WaterConservationDistricts

VirginiaTech–CollegeofForestry&WildlifeResources

VADepartmentofEnvironmentalQuality VACooperativeExtensionServiceVADepartmentofHistoricResources ForestIndustryVADivisionofNaturalHeritage EnvironmentalOrganizationsVADivisionofSoilandWaterConservation ForestLandownersConsultingForesters ConservationOrganizationsLandTrustOrganizations LocalGovernment

ProgramImplementation

StateLevelA state forest stewardship coordinator will administer and coordinate the Virginia ForestStewardship Program. The State Coordinating Committee and coordinator may be assisted asneeded by appointed sub‐committees. These sub‐committees should be comprised ofrepresentatives fromthecommitteewithakey interest in foreststewardship,suchasotherstateand federal agencies; trade or professional associations; consulting foresters; industry foresters,andenvironmentalandconservationorganizations.

AdministrativeObjectives

♦♦ To update program policies, procedures and standards contained in the State ForestStewardshipOperatingPlanasnecessary;

♦♦ Todevelopstrategiesthatcanenhancethesuccessoftheprogram;

♦♦ To assist in meeting statewide program goals and objectives and to monitoraccomplishmentofthosegoals;

♦♦ ToprovideinputtotheVDOFfromawidevarietyofnaturalresource‐relatedinterests;

♦♦ Toincorporateprivatenaturalresourceconcernsinprogramimplementation;

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♦♦ Tocoordinateprogramactivitiessoastocomplementthoseofexistingprograms,suchasTreeFarm;PartnersforFishandWildlife;LandownerIncentivesPrograms,andFarmBillPrograms,and

♦♦ To generatewidespread support for the program from forest landowners, concernedgroupsandthegeneralpublic.

RegionalLevelForpurposesof implementing theVirginiaForestStewardshipProgram, thestatewillbedividedinto threeregionscorresponding to theVirginiaDepartmentofForestry'sadministrativeregions.In each region, a VDOF assistant regional forester will serve as the regional stewardshipcoordinatorforactivitiesintheirrespectiveregions.

Theseregional stewardshipcoordinators,workingwith thestatecoordinator,willberesponsiblefor implementing the state program in their region. They will be responsible for coordinatingpublicityandparticipationoffieldpersonnelinStewardshipPlanpreparation,implementationandpropertyinspections.TheywillreviewStewardshipPlans;reviewnominationsforForestStewardCertification;inspectand,ifdeemedappropriate,approvepropertiesforCertification;publicizetheStewardshipprogram,andconductactivitieswhicharisethatwillpromotetheprogram.

PublicityOn the regional level, the regional stewardship coordinators will direct publicity they deemappropriatethroughradio,television,newspapers,otherprintedmedia,speakingengagementsandmailings.

ProgramOutreachVirginiaisbeginningtofocusoutreacheffortsinimportantforestresourceareasthataredefinedinthe statewide assessment and resource strategy. Within those areas, the Forest StewardshipProgramshouldbeaccessibletoalllandowners.Inaddition,outreacheffortswill:

♦♦ Identifyandaddressunderservedcommunitiesandgroups;

♦♦ Balancetheneedsofcurrentparticipantsandpotentialfutureparticipants;

♦♦ Coordinatewithotherlandownerassistanceprogramstoavoidduplicationandsupportongoingeffortsasappropriate;

♦♦ Identify opportunities for landscape‐scale and/or multiple‐landowner planning andtechnicalassistancedelivery,especiallywhereownershipsarerelativelysmall,and

♦♦ Promoteandfosterthedevelopmentofpeer‐to‐peerlandownernetworks.

OutreachForTraditionallyUnderservedLandowners

TheVDOFrecognizesthattherearetraditionallyunderservedgroupsoflandownersthatmayneedspecificoutreachmethods.Eachyear,theagencycooperatesandprovidesfundingtoVirginiaTechfor landowner outreach. A portion of these funds is specifically set aside for outreach to thesegroups. Specific examples of use of these funds have been minority landowner tours and mini‐grants for specific projects. The Virginia Department of Forestry and Virginia Tech work withVirginiaStateUniversity(1890School)intheseefforts.Inearly2010,theVDOF,VirginiaStateandVirginiaTechsignedaMemorandumofUnderstanding tocooperateon forestryresearch.Resultsand application of this research will be targeted at underserved landowners. One of the small

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farmer outreach coordinators with Virginia State University serves on, and is vice‐chair of, theVirginia Reforestation of Timberlands Board. Specific efforts are beingmade to recruitminoritystudents to the annual Virginia Department of Forestry Camp at Holiday Lake. It may beappropriate aswell to include aVirginia State representativeon theVirginiaForest StewardshipCommittee.

The Forest Stewardship Program and associated outreach effortsmust adhere to theUSDAnon‐discrimination policy: The USDA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on thebasisofrace,color,nationalorigin,sex,religion,age,disability,politicalbeliefs,sexualorientation,ormaritalorfamilystatus.

TrainingContinued program orientation for new personnel and participating consultant foresters will beconductedbytheregionalcoordinatorswithassistancebythestatecoordinator.

PriorityAreasThe Virginia Department of Forestry has professional field staff located throughout theCommonwealth.Additionally, as a tax‐supportedpublic service agency,we are tasked toprovideservicetolandownersthroughoutthestateinallareas.Wehaveandwillcontinuetodosobaseduponrequests.However,thereisaneedtoconcentratefinitestafftimeandresourcesinamannerthatwillbemosteffectiveandachievethegreatestresults.Thiswillbedonethroughprioritization.

Virginiawilltakeatwo‐levelprioritizationprocessforpriorityareasforForestStewardship.

Level1–LandscapeLevelPriorityAreasWehaveidentifiedbroadlandscape‐scaleareaswithinthestateinwhichwewillidentifyregionallyspecific goals for stewardship delivery,with particular emphasis placed upon implementation ofrecommendedpractices.Theseare:

1. Cumberland Mountains Mixed Mesophytic Hardwood – Emphasis – Planninginitiation, reclaimed landsmanagement. The area is one of themost heavily forestedareas in Virginia. Land‐use has historically been extractive in nature for timber andminerals(coalandnaturalgas)withahighoccurrenceofdamagingwildfire.Emphasisonlong‐term forest management has been limited. Current (2010) USFS S&PF funding isfocusingonmixedmesophytichardwoodrestorationonminedlands.

2. White Pine Highlands – Emphasis – Diversified landscape management. This is theprimary white pine production area in Virginia with history of management and value‐added industries, including furniture; Christmas trees and greenery, and lumber. Theprivateforestlandscapeisfragmentedwithagriculturalusesandprimaryandsecondhomeconstruction. There is growing interest in diversified management, including a forestrycooperative and through a VDOF‐NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant – Total ForestMakeover.

3. Mountain – Valley, Northern Piedmont – Emphasis – Riparian water quality,afforestation, forest improvement, multipleresource management. This is a wide‐spreading and diverse area where forest management is often passive and secondary toother uses, including grazing (cattle and horses), other agriculture and recreational orestateownership.Somenotableexceptionsoccurnearmajorwood‐usingfacilities.Thereis

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highneedandopportunityfor improvedwatershedmanagementthroughforestedbuffersandtreeplantingonmarginalopenland.OngoingandcurrentprojectsthatexemplifythisaretheChesapeakeBayandSouthernRiversriparianforestbufferemphasisandtheForesttoFaucetswatershedprojectnearCharlottesville.Historichigh‐gradingintheareaprovidesmany opportunities for forest improvement. Highly varied ownership objectives offeropportunitiestodevelopdiverseresourcemanagement,includingwildlifemanagement.

4. Blue Ridge – Emphasis – Enhanced hardwood management, invasive speciesmanagement.Theeastern slopesof theBlueRidgeprovide someof themostproductivehardwoodsitesinthestate.Therearelargecoresofnon‐federalmountainland,aswellasdispersed sites well‐suited for quality hardwood management. Invasive species arebeginningtocomplicatemanagementongoodsites.Central location;goodtransportation,andproximitytometropolitan(smallandlarge)areasmakethisareaattractiveforprimaryandrecreationalhomedevelopmentanduse.ThereisampleopportunitytocoordinatewithNationalForestsalongthecentralBlueRidge.

5. Southside–Emphasis–Workingforestdevelopmentandmaintenance.TheSouthernPiedmont has historic and continuing strong production forestry uses. The landscape isaccessibleandfragmentedwithagriculturalusesandsomeextensive(largelot)scaleruralhome development. This area of Virginia has the greatest potential for continued andimproved utilization‐based forestry as well as complementary agricultural and wildliferesourcemanagement.

6. CentralVirginiaCore–Emphasis–Conservingandmanagingcoreforestblocks.Thesehistorically rural but transitioning counties are on the outer ring of Virginia’s highdevelopment crescent.Here, there are anumberof high‐priority core forest blocks, oftenformer forest industry lands.There isawindowofopportunity for landconservationandcontinuedmanagementinfaceoffuturedevelopmentandfragmentation.

7. CoastalPlain–Emphasis–Conservingandenhancingworking lands.There isahighconcentration here of well‐managed forests on productive sites, accessible, with a goodtransportation network, butwith growth pressure frommajormetropolitan areas. Therearewell‐developedwoodmarkets,buttheyarebeginningtotransition.Forestindustrylandownership transition is nearly complete. There are concentrations of unique anddiminishedanimalandplanthabitats,oftenassociatedwithwetlands.Thereisahighneedfor landconservationandcontinuedmanagement.Efforts includestate forestacquisitionsand private land conservation work through several land trusts; conservationorganizations; county Purchase of Development Rights programs, and VDOF’s TomorrowWoods program. Continued forest management is complementary to the potential foragriculturalandwildliferesourcemanagement.

Within these areas, wewill work to develop and emphasize these resource attributes and theirpotential and values. Thiswill be done in recognition and in concertwith the highly varied anddiverseobjectivesofthecitizens;organizations;businesses,andlocalgovernmentsoftheseareas.

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Figure4:GeneralizedForestStewardshipPriorities

Level2–AreaBasedPriorityAreasThe VDOF agency service organization is county‐based. Within counties, field employees aregeneralistsandfunctioninmanycapacitiestoservicethevariednaturalresourcemanagementandprotectionneedsoflandownersandcitizens.Workloadisoftenrequest‐drivenandgeographicallyrandom.Regionalandfieldstaffwillutilizeregionalandcounty‐levelprioritizationmapsto focuslandowneroutreach,planningandimplementationtopriorityareas,basedupontheanalysisdonethrough the Southern Forest Lands Assessment (SFLA). The agency will use the SFLA RegionalBreaks–excludingurban,waterandpublic land–as theprincipleprioritymap.Areaofficeswillhave access to the State Natural Breaks map as well, that can assist them in further focus andprioritization.Exampleswouldbeschedulinglandownerworkshopsinhigh‐priorityareas,orwhenmakingplanning contacts formanagementpractice implementation, focus first on tracts in high‐priorityareas.

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Figure5:ForestResourcePriorityforVirginiafromtheSouthernForestLandAssessmentExcludingUrban,WaterandPublicLand–StateNaturalBreaks

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Figure6:ForestResourcePriorityforVirginiafromtheSouthernForestLandAssessmentExcludingUrban,WaterandPublicLand–RegionalNaturalBreaks

DeliverySystemtoNIPFLandownersImplementationoftheVirginiaForestStewardshipProgramwillprimarilybetheresponsibilityoftheVirginiaDepartmentofForestry(VDOF).

Although several agencies and resource management specialists from the private sector will becooperating to provide multiple‐use management services, the VDOF will coordinate theseactivities so that the landownerswill have a singlepoint of contact.Thiswill help the individualPNIFlandownersimplementtheirplanmoreefficientlyandeffectively.

Virginiahasanoutstandingrecordofaccomplishmentinmultiple‐useforestrypracticedbyprivatelandowners. The Forest Stewardship Program will focus on three major opportunity areas inVirginiawherethegreatestneedexistsforprovidingenhancedmanagementassistancetoprivatelandowners:

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1. Todevelopprogramsandactivitiestoreachnewlandownersandabsenteelandownerswhoare not practicingmultiple‐use forestry or do not have a forestmanagement plan (FMP).LandownerswhoalreadyhaveaFMPwillbeencouragedtoupgradetheirplanto includeconsideration and activities for comprehensive multiple‐use management in accordancewithForestStewardshipProgramguidelines.

2. To provide funding for special projects and programs identified to inform landowners ofservicesavailable for technicalassistance frombothgovernmentagenciesand theprivatesector.

3. Tobettercoordinatemanagementassistanceactivitiesandcooperationamongthevariousagencies, organizations and interest groups, which provide management programs tolandowners. The Stewardship Committee will continually strive to avoid duplication orcompetitionwithestablishedprograms,whileprovidingacooperativecoordinatingroletoincreaseoverallprogrameffectiveness.

TheVDOFareaforestersandtechnicianslocatedinalmostallcountiesoftheCommonwealthwillbetheprincipalcoordinatorswithPNIFlandownerstopromoteandimplementthisprogram.Theywill provide this "on‐the‐ground" technical assistance and expertise in cooperation with othernatural resource agency professionals and natural resourcemanagement professionals from theprivate sector to develop a Forest Stewardship Management Plan (FSMP) for individual forestlandowners.

Action programs on a state‐level will be developed by the state stewardship coordinator toaccomplishstewardshipgoals.Thecombinationofstate‐levelandlocal‐levelactionprogramswillprovide the successful implementation of stewardship management on private forestlands inVirginiaandenhancetheforestandrelatedresourcesforallcitizensoftheCommonwealth.

PlanPreparationProcedures

EligibilityPNIFlandownerswhoownaminimumof10acresofforestlandandhaveadesiretomanagetheirownerships according to the program standards may participate in the Forest StewardshipProgram.Forestlandisdefinedaslandatleast10percentstockedbytreesofanysizeorformerlyhavinghadsuchtreecoverandnotbuilt‐upordevelopedforagriculturaluse.LandownerswhoareinterestedintheForestStewardshipprogrammustenrolltheirentirecontiguouspropertyintotheprogram; however, open pasture, cropland or water body acreage will not be eligible for planpreparationcost‐shareassistance.Awaterbody,withintheVirginiaForestStewardshipProgram,isdefinedasanaturalorman‐madewaterimpoundmentthatisgreaterthanahalfacreinsize.

ProgramEnrollmentLandownerswhoareinterestedintheStewardshipProgramshouldcontacttheirlocalVDOFareaforester; a participating consultant forester, or the local representative from one of the otherparticipating agencies to learn more about the program. It is the responsibility of the agencyrepresentative and/or consultant to carefully explain to each landowner the benefits of theprogramandtheproceduresinvolvedinthedevelopmentoftheirForestStewardshipPlan.

Thenaturalresourceprofessionalwhomadefirstcontactwiththelandownershouldensurethatafollow‐up letterhighlighting thebenefitsof theprogram is sent to the landowner, ifnecessary.A

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copyoftheForestStewardshipProgrambrochureandanapplicationshouldbeincludedwiththeletter.

Landowners should also understand that the purpose of the program is to encourage activeforestlandmanagement.Thisincludesmeasurestoincreasetimbergrowth,butnotnecessarilytheharvest of timber; improvement of wildlife habitat, but not necessarily for hunting, andopportunitiesforrecreationalpursuits,butnotnecessarilypublicaccessforrecreation.

To enroll in the Forest Stewardship Program, the landownerwill be asked to complete andsign aForest Stewardship application that includes a "Stewardship Pledge" to indicate their good faithintentions tomanage their natural resources in accordancewith good Stewardship principals. Thenext step is for landowners to send the application and amap of the property to their localVDOFareaforesterortothestatestewardshipcoordinatorinCharlottesville.

IftheVDOFareaforesterreceivestheapplication,he/shewill:

1. Sendacopytotheregionalstewardshipcoordinator,and

2. Sendacopytothedesignatedconsultantforester,ifoneisidentified.

Ifthestatestewardshipcoordinatorreceivestheapplicationfromthelandownerortheconsultant,he/shewill:

1. Sendacopytotheregionalstewardshipcoordinator,and

2. Sendacopytothedesignatedconsultantforester,ifoneisidentified.

ProfessionalQualificationstoPrepareFSMPsA Forest StewardshipManagement Plan (FSMP) can be prepared by any Virginia Department ofForestry forester. Consulting foresters; forest industry landowner assistance foresters, andforesterswhohavecompletedtheVirginiaForestStewardshipProgramTrainingOrientation,atastatewidemeeting or individually with a regional stewardship coordinator, can also prepare anFSMP.

All FSMPs must be reviewed by a VDOF regional stewardship coordinator to ensure the planincludesalltheinformationspecifiedintheVirginiaForestStewardshipOperatingPlan.

To use the title of forester in connection with any practice of forestry, the person shall hold abaccalaureateorhigherdegreefromacollegeoruniversitycurriculumaccreditedbytheSocietyofAmerican Foresters, and such degree curriculum shall meet theminimum education criteria setforthbytheSocietyinthefieldsofforestecologyandbiology;managementofforestresources,andforestresourcespolicyandadministration.(CodeofVirginia10.1‐1181.9)

InvolvementofConsultantForestersLandowners,whowishtohaveastate‐approvedconsultantforesterwritetheirplan,mustidentifytheconsultantontheStewardshipApplicationformandtheapplicationmustbeapprovedbythestatestewardshipcoordinatorpriortoanyfieldworkbeingstarted.Whentheplaniscomplete, itmustbesubmittedtotheassistantregionalforesterforreviewandrecording.

VDOF foresters should provide landowners with the approved Stewardship Consultant List.Landownerswillbeencouragedtouseconsultantforesterstopreparetheirplans,unless:

♦♦ No consultants are availablewithin the landowner's immediate area to prepare theirplan,and/or

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♦♦ The landowner does not want to use the services of a private natural resourceconsultant. If this is the case, the landowner will be required to pay the VirginiaDepartmentofForestrytheestablishedperacrecharge.

QualificationsforOtherNaturalResourceManagementSpecialistsIf the landowner has chosen primary or secondary objectives in the areas of Wildlife;Environmental and Recreation, or Soil and Water, then the FSMP recommendations can bemadebyanyresourcemanagementspecialistswhoaredeterminedbytheregionalstewardshipcoordinator to be qualified to provide assistance based on needs and resources of the privatelandowner. The regional stewardship coordinator may call upon the various agencies andorganizationsrepresentedon theVirginiaForestStewardshipCoordinatingCommittee foradviceshouldtherebeaquestionontherecommendationsmadebythespecialist.

Inthecasewhere,inthepreparationofaFSMP,theforesterandwildlifebiologistorotherresourcespecialistmakeconflictingorincompatibleresourcemanagementrecommendations,acompromiserecommendationshouldbereachedwiththelandowner'sprimaryobjectivesastheguidingfactorin the recommendation. If an acceptable compromise cannot be reached, the recommendationdecisionwillbearbitratedbytheVDOFregionalstewardshipcoordinator.

PlanPreparationFormatandPlanElementsA Forest Stewardship Management Plan is a multiple‐use document, which contains integratedstrategiesformanagingeachofthemajorresourcecomponentsonthelandowner'spropertyovera10‐year period. Resource specialists from the administering agency and the private sectorcontributetotheplan.Allforestedpropertyisincluded.

Thelandownershallrankhis/herfirstthreeobjectivesforthepropertyasawhole,whileprovidingfor each of the other objectives in a compatible manner. The plan will be based upon thelandowner’s stated objectives; field examinations; observations, and other data. With thelandowner's objectives known, the professional forester can refer to the appropriate minimumstandardsandbasicguidelineswhendevelopingtheplan.Thefollowingcomponentsconstitutetheminimuminformationthatshouldbeincludedinallplans.

1. CoverPage(SeesampleinAppendixB1)

ThecoverpageshallincludeboldterminologyidentifyingtheplanasaForestStewardshipPlan. It shall also include the landowner’s name; address; telephone number; the countywhere the property is located, and the name; address, and phone number of theprofessionalforesterwhopreparedtheplan.

2. IntroductionLetter(SeesampleinAppendixB1)

This letter will briefly explain the importance of good forest management; managementplanning, and how their Forest Stewardship Plan is organized. This letter should alsocongratulatethelandownerforenteringintotheForestStewardshipProgram.

3. TableofContents

Thistablewillprovideaquickreferencetothespecificsectionsofthemanagementplan.

4. Landowner’sObjectives

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The landowner’s primary management objectives for the property, along with the otherresourceconcerns,areidentifiedinseveralparagraphsorinalistformat.Thesegoalsandobjectives should be identified on the Stewardship application and through personalconversationswiththelandowner.

5. LocationandAccessibility

Thisincludesthelandowner'sname;totalpropertyacreage;thecountywherethepropertyislocated,andreferencetotheclosesttownandmajorhighways.Accessibilitymayincludepublicroadaccesstothepropertyaswelltheconditionofaccessintheforestedareasofthepropertyitself.

6. GeneralPropertyDescription

Describe the boundaries; how well they are marked, and briefly describe the currentwoodlandconditions.Thismay includesuch thingsasageneraldescriptionof the timberconditions;wildlifehabitatpresent;existingrecreationalfacilities;invasivespeciesinfo;etc.

7. SummaryofForestManagementNeedsandOpportunities

This section should contain a few short paragraphs which briefly state (not describe orexplain)whatpracticesshouldbeperformedtoachievethelandowner'sgoals.Thissectionshouldnotduplicatedetailedinformationcontainedinthestandrecommendations.Examplesareasfollows:

a. Timber/Forest Products – Identify target cutting schedule and opportunities forreforestation;improvingtimbergrowth,andharvest,consideringtheoverallobjectives.

b. Fish andWildlife – Identify featured species; presence of listed species according tothe screening procedure; desirable habitat types present, and opportunities forimproving desirable habitat, considering the overall objectives. Reference to anythreatenedandendangeredspecieslistsfortheparticularcountythatisincludedintheappendix.

c. ThreatenedorEndangeredPlantorAnimalSpecies–IdentificationofT&EspeciesobservedonthepropertyoranyspeciesthatareknowntooccurinthegeneralvicinityofthepropertyasidentifiedbytheVirginiaDepartmentofGameandInlandFisheriesT&Elists.

d. NaturalHeritageResources–Identifyanyexistingfeatures.

e. SoilandWaterConservation–

1. Identify areas that have existing erosion problems and areas requiring specialconsideration and monitoring (highly‐erodible areas, wetlands, water features,riparianzones,sinkholes,etc.).

2. NoteapplicableBMPconsiderationsandprovidesupplementalBMPinformationintheappendixifneeded.

f. Recreation–Identificationofexistingrecreationalfacilities;presentandpotentialuses,andgeneralstrategiesforenhancingthelandowner'sdesireduses.

g. Aesthetics–Identificationofareasthatareuniquefromascenic,vegetative,geologicalor historical standpoint. Should also include strategies and goals for enhancing theseamenities.

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h. Cultural and Historic Resources – If artifacts are found or the landowner hasknowledgeofarchaeologicalsitesonhis/herpropertyandwishtorecordthemorareinterested indeterminingwhetherknownsitesexiston theirproperty,he/sheshouldbe provided contact information for one of the four regional preservation offices(located in Roanoke, Stephens City, Newport News and Richmond) for the VirginiaDepartmentofHistoricResources.

i. InvasivePlantSpecies–Identificationofareaswhereinvasiveplantspecieshavebeenfoundandtheimportanceofmonitoringand/orcontrollingthem.

j. Fire – Identification of potential benefits that can be achieved through the use ofcontrolled fireandanysteps that canbe taken toavoidpotentialwildfiredamages totheproperty.

8. ExplanationofSizeClassandForestTypes

Provideabriefdescriptionofsiteindexandforesttypesandhowthisinformationisusedintheplan.

9. TopographyandSoilsDescription

Provide a brief description of the primary soil types, slopes and aspects on theproperty.Includesoildescriptionsandpotentialforestproductivity.Identifyanypotentialequipmentlimitations and/or erosionproblems thatmay limitmanagement opportunities. Include asoilsmapifnecessary.

10.StandManagementDescriptionsandRecommendations

Stand management recommendations should integrate the various resource activitieswhichare tobeperformedover thenext10years.Theseactivities shouldbedesigned tocorrespond with the landowner's objectives. They should describe in site‐specific detailwhat, where, when, why and how to perform practices, supplemented with appendixmaterialwhereappropriate.

Thefollowinginformationshouldbeincludedineachstanddescription,ifapplicable.

a. Acreageb. Foresttypec. SpeciesPresentd. Agee. Sizef. Qualityg. Stockinglevelh. GrowthRatei. StandHistoryj. SoilDescription&SiteIndexk. Topographyl. BMPsforknownHistoricResourcesm. Fishand/orWildlifeHabitatn. UniqueorSpecialAreaso. Recommendedtreatment(s)p. Identificationandcontrolofinvasiveplantspecies

11.FiveYearSuggestedScheduleofManagementRecommendations

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Thisinformationwillbeintableformatandwillincludethelandowner’sname,dateandthefollowingcolumnheaders.

ActivityYear Parcel# SuggestedActivity CostShare

12.TopographicStandMap

The standmap should be computer generated or neatly hand drawn over a topographicmap.Thetopographicstandmapshallincludethefollowing:

♦♦ Northarrow♦♦ Landowner’sname♦♦ County♦♦ Planacreage♦♦ Planpreparer’sname♦♦ Propertyboundaries♦♦ Accessroads♦♦ Directionanddistancetonearesttown♦♦ Roadsortrailswithintheproperty♦♦ Fixedimprovementswithintheproperty♦♦ Bodiesofwaterwithinoradjacenttotheproperty♦♦ Mapscale(nolessthan1":1000',ifpossible)♦♦ Clearly‐definedstandboundaries♦♦ UTMsorlatitudeandlongitudecoordinates

13.OverallTractRecommendations(StandardParagraphs)

Eachplanshallincludeinformationaboutthefollowingtopics.

a. BoundaryLinesb. ThreatenedandEndangeredSpeciesc. ForestHealthd. IntegratedPestManagemente. WaterQualityProtectionf. ForestCarbon,AirQualityg. FireManagementandProtectionh. CulturalandHistoricResourcesi. ForestConservationj. BiologicalDiversityk. Cost‐ShareProgramsl. EnvironmentalEvaluationForm–(NRCSPlansonly)

14.Appendices

EachlandownercopyoftheForestStewardshipplanshouldincludetheForestStewardshipProgramappendixset.Thefollowingadditionalappendicesshouldbeincludedifapplicable.

a. InvasivePlantSpeciesInformation

This appendix should contain information about invasive plant species found on thepropertyandspeciesthatcouldpotentiallyinvadetheproperty.

Short information briefs on invasive plant species are available athttp://na.fs.fed.us/fhp/invasives_plants/weeds/index.shtm)

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AfterthePlanisCompletedTheconsultantforesterortheVDOFareaforesterwillcontacttheForestStewardshiplandownertoencourage and help him/her begin implementing the plan’s recommended practices. The planwriter will also direct him/her to potential sources of financial assistance, such as theReforestation of Timberlands Program (RT); Wildlife Habitat Incentives Programs (WHIP);Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP); Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), orthe Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), should funding be available. Ifnecessary, the resource professional shall return to the site to provide additional technicalassistance.Heorshemayalsohelplandownersfindcontractorstoperformthework,ormaterialsandsuppliestodotheworkthemselves.

FuturePlanRevisionorAddendumsLandowners may request a revision or addendum to their Forest Stewardship Plan under thefollowingcircumstances:

♦♦ Ten years following the plan’s original completion date if/when they have completedtheirmanagementrecommendations;

♦♦ Changeinownershipand/orobjectives,and/or

♦♦ Additionalacreagehasbeenaddedtotheoriginalparcel.

Newplanrequestsduetolandownershipchangeswillbepaidattheregularplanpreparationrates.Allacreageaddendumsandnewplanrequestswillbesubjecttoapprovalbythestatestewardshipcoordinator.

PlanRevisionandAddendumProceduresRevisions and addendums must follow the plan preparation procedures as established in thisoperatingplan.

ThelandownermustcompleteanotherForestStewardshipPlanapplicationformandsendittotheVirginiaDepartmentofForestryheadquartersoffice inCharlottesville.Theword“REVISED”mustbewritten inbold letterson the topof theapplication. Ifaconsultant is involved, the landownermust first receive the approval letter from the state office before the consultant begins thefieldwork.

Asaminimum,updatestothefollowingplancomponentsmustbeincludedinForestStewardshipPlanrevisions.Theseupdatesshouldbeeither incorporatedintothepreviousplanorattachedtotheplanasanaddendum.

1. UpdatedTitlePage–Sameformatastheoriginal,plusthewording“RevisedPlan.”

2. Updated Introduction – Including a short paragraph stating the reasons for the planupdate, defining the scope of the update (i.e.what is includedwithin the update and thelandowner’smanagementobjectives).

3. UpdatedTableofContents–includestheplanupdateasanaddendumtotheoriginalplan.

4. UpdatedForestTypeMap–computergenerated, ifpossible, includinganynewacreage,roadsorchangeinstandtypes.

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5. UpdatedTopographyMap–computergenerated,ifpossible,includingboundarylinesandUTMsorLatitudeandLongitudecoordinates.

6. Updated Stand Descriptions – if the stand characteristics or recommendations havechangedduetomanagementactivitiesorlandownerobjectives.

7. UpdatedFiveyearTimeline–forentireplanacreage.

8. UpdatedOverallTractRecommendations–Includemostcurrentinformationongeneralmanagement recommendations; harvesting recommendations; invasive speciesmanagement;wetlandandriparianzones,andthreatenedandendangeredspecies.

StewardshipForestCertificationCriteriaLandowners who make substantial accomplishments toward implementing their managementrecommendations and reaching their goalswill be recognized as “CertifiedForest Stewards" andpublicly acknowledged for their accomplishments. All landowners enrolled in the ForestStewardshipProgramwillbecomerecipientsofvariousmailingson topicsof interestand shouldremain in close contact with resource professionals so that their accomplishments can bemaintained.

EligibilityTobeeligibleforcertificationasa"CertifiedForestSteward,"propertiesmustbeactivelymanagedwithatrulymultiple‐useforestmanagementapproachbaseduponthelandowner’sprioritiesandobjectives.Thisinvolvesperformingmanagementactivities,whichenhancethefollowingresourceareas:

♦♦ TimberGrowth♦♦ Aesthetics♦♦ SoilandWaterConservation♦♦ WildlifeHabitat♦♦ Recreation♦♦ Historic&CulturalResources

Woodlandlivestockgrazingmayalsobeincludedasoneofalandowner'smanagementobjectivesifaportionofthepropertyisusedforthatpurpose.

It is important tonote thatmultiple‐usebenefitsdonothave tobeobtainedoneveryacre.Someareasmayprovideonlyonebenefit,whileotherareasmayprovidemanyuses.Whenthepropertyisconsideredasawhole,however,thelandownermustdemonstrateactivemanagementforatleasttwo of the above‐mentioned resources. In addition to active management, passive managementwithinforestedwetlandsandstreamsidemanagementzones(SMZ)willbeviewedasgoodoverallmanagementandworthrecognizingduringthecertificationprocess.

Stewardship certification is a subjective decision recommended by the local VDOF area forester;forestry consultant, or other forestry professional, and made by the regional stewardshipcoordinator or the state stewardship coordinator. As a rule of thumb, landowners who havepracticednopreviousactivemanagementbeforeenteringtheprogrammayneedonetothreeyearstobringtheirpropertiesuptoprogramstandards.However, landownersshouldnothavetowaitfor certification until they have performed all practices described in their Forest StewardshipManagementPlans.

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InspectionProcedureAgency representatives, landowners or consultants may request a certification inspection for aparticipatingpropertybycontacting theVDOFarea foresterorregionalstewardshipcoordinator.Thecertification inspection teamwillconsistof theregionalcoordinator; theVDOFarea forester,and any other resourceprofessionalwhohad input into the plan. The landowner should also bepresent,ifpossible.

NominationAny consulting, industrial or VDOF area forester or other natural resource professional who isassistingthelandownerincarryingouttherecommendationsinhisorherFSMPmaynominatethelandownerusingtheForm129VirginiaForestStewardshipCertificationInspectionRecord.

AwardIn recognition of certification as a Forest Steward, the landowner receives a letter ofacknowledgment and congratulations for his/her achievement from the State Forester. Thenominatingforesterschedulesanappropriaterecognitioneventforpresentationofaspeciallaserengravedwalnut Stewardshipplaque; Stewardship lapelpin, anda “StewardshipForest” sign forplacement on the forest property. This special landowner recognition is publicized as deemedappropriatethroughlocalandstatewidemediaandagency/organizationinformationnewsletters.

FollowUpReinspectionThis certificationprogram isongoingand includesperiodic revisitsbyprofessional forestersandother natural resource specialists to keep in touch with the landowner’s progress and to beavailableforfuturestewardshipmanagementactivities.Afteraminimumof10years,theforesterwill revisit the tractwhere an FSMPwas completed and reevaluate the FSMP; the tract, and thelandowner’s progress to ensure that the landowner is continuing to practice good resourcemanagement.

MinimumStandardsandBasicGuidelinesforCertificationThese minimum standards and basic guidelines are designed to help the natural resourcemanager or specialistwith his/her involvement in the Forest Stewardship Program. The naturalresource professional should use these criteria as a measure of the landowner's progress andaccomplishmentstowardsForestStewardshipCertification.

To use the criteria, the natural resource professional must know the landowner's resourcemanagementobjectives.ToqualifyforStewardshipForestcertification,alandownermustmanageoneofhis/herresourcesintensivelyashis/herprimarymanagementobjectiveandalsodesignateatleastonesecondaryresourcemanagementobjective.Withthelandowner'sobjectivesknown,thenaturalresourceprofessionalcanrefertotheappropriateminimumstandardsandbasicguidelinesindeterminingwhetherthepropertyandlandownershouldbecertified.Thoughalandownermaydomuchmorethanthecriterialisted,theseareminimumstandardshe/shemustdotoqualify.Inaddition, a special category of Preliminary Standard Accomplishments is listed. Regardless of a

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landowner'sresourcemanagementobjectives,he/shemustmeetallofthesecriteriatoqualifyforcertification.

PreliminaryStandardAccomplishments♦♦ Protectionfromwildfire,insectsanddisease.

♦♦ Salvage of damaged timber, unless it interfereswith primary and secondary resourcemanagementobjectives.

♦♦ Definite plans to regenerate all lands before final harvest, unless there is a land‐usechange.

♦♦ Primaryandsecondaryresourcesmanaged inaway leastdamagingtootherresourcevalues.

♦♦ WaterqualitymaintainedanderosionminimizedbyfollowingBMPs.

♦♦ Protection of natural heritage resources, including unique plant communities;important wildlife habitat; endangered species habitat; archaeological and historicalresources.

TimberProduction

PrimaryObjectiveCriteria:

♦♦ Activeprotectionofstandfromwildfire,insectsanddiseaseby:

•• Reducingwildfirehazard;•• Salvagingalldamagedtimberinatimelymanner,and•• Managingstandinmannerthatreducesinsectordiseasehazard.

♦♦ Plannedregenerationoccurringsoonafterfinalharvest.

♦♦ Timberharvestedbeforebiologicalmaturityofthestand.

♦♦ Standsthinnedasneededtomaintainvigor.

♦♦ Sizeandshapeofharvestedareascompatiblewithotherobjectives.

♦♦ Treespeciesfavoredandmanagedthatarebestadaptedtospecificsites.

♦♦ Non‐merchantabletreescontrolledascompatiblewithotherobjectives.

♦♦ Standsmanagedtowardachievingfullstocking.

♦♦ LivestockgrazinglimitedtolevelscompatiblewithResourcePlan.

♦♦ ForestryBMPSimplementedwhereappropriate.

SecondaryObjectiveCriteria:

♦♦ Salvageofdamagedtimber,unlessitinterfereswithprimaryobjective.

♦♦ Plannedregenerationoccurringinatimelymannerafterfinalharvest.

♦♦ Standsthinnedasneededtomaintainvigor.

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♦♦ Trees which may reach biological maturity, but harvested before decline becomesevidentinthestand.

♦♦ Tree species favored and managed that are best adapted to specific sites, unless itinterfereswithotherobjectives.

♦♦ Non‐merchantabletreesmanaged,unlessitinterfereswithotherobjectives.

♦♦ Adequate stocking maintained in stands compatible with other objectives and pasthistory.

♦♦ Sizeandshapeofharvestedareascompatiblewithotherobjectives.

♦♦ ForestryBMPSimplementedwhereappropriate.

Wildlife

PrimaryObjectiveCriteria

♦♦ Featurespeciesidentifiedandwildlifemanagementplanfollowed.

♦♦ Enoughsuitablehabitatdeliberatelycreated,maintainedandimprovedtosupportfairlydensepopulationsofdesiredspecies.

♦♦ Wildlifepopulationskeptfrombecomingsodensetheyaredamagingtheirownhabitat,orthehabitatsofotherspecies.

♦♦ Otherresourcesmanagedtoenhancethehabitatoffeaturedwildlifespecies.

SecondaryObjectiveCriteria♦♦ Desiredspeciesidentifiedandwildlifemanagementplanfollowed.

♦♦ Some habitat created, maintained and retained for desired species consistent withprimaryobjective.

♦♦ Wildlifepopulationskeptfrombecomingsodensetheyaredamagingtheirownhabitat,orthehabitatsofotherspecies.

♦♦ Other resourcesmanaged inways that supply some habitat needs of desiredwildlifespecies,consideringthepropertyasawhole.

EnvironmentalAndRecreation

PrimaryObjectiveCriteria♦♦ Develop management plan to protect, enhance, utilize or restore identified natural

heritagehistoricresources.

♦♦ Recreationalusespecifiedandmanagementplanfollowed.

♦♦ Recreationalopportunities,suchaspicnicareas,campsites,ridingorwalkingtrails,orboatdocks,etc.,mustbeactivelymaintained,retainedandcreated.

♦♦ Littercontrolled.

♦♦ Actualrecreationaluseofproperty.

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♦♦ Environmentalimpactofrecreationalactivitiesminimized.

♦♦ Area with hunting as recreational use must show evidence of developing huntingopportunitiesbeyondwildlifemanagement.

♦♦ Significant accomplishments toward maintaining or enhancing aesthetics must beshown.

SecondaryObjectiveCriteria

♦♦ Developmentmanagementplantoprotect,enhance,utilizeorrestoreidentifiednaturalheritageandhistoricresources.

♦♦ Recreationalusespecifiedandmanagementplanfollowed.

♦♦ Recreational opportunities maintained, retained and created as compatible withprimaryobjective.

♦♦ Littercontrolledinrecreationalactivities.

♦♦ Environmentalimpactofrecreationalactivitiesminimized.

♦♦ Areas with hunting as recreation use must show evidence of developing huntingopportunitiesbeyondwildlifesuchashuntingblinds,campingareas,etc.

♦♦ Some accomplishments toward maintaining or enhancing aesthetics must be shown.Examplesincludethefollowing:

•• Retainingtreeswithgoodfallcolors;•• Plantingormaintainingfloweringtrees,shrubsandwildflowers;•• Identifyingandmaintainingscenicoverlooks,uniquegeologicalfeatures,and•• Improvingaccesstoscenicareas.

SoilAndWater

PrimaryObjectiveCriteria

♦♦ Conduct all land management activities on both forest and agricultural lands inaccordancewithBestManagementPractices(BMPs)orfieldofficetechnicalguide(SCS).

♦♦ Significantaccomplishmentstowardsconservingsoilandenhancingwaterqualitymustbeshown.Additionalexamplesincludethefollowing:

•• CompletingprojectssuitableforBMPdemonstrationareas;•• Rehabilitatingcriticalareasandstabilizingoldroads;•• Maintainingstreamsidemanagementzonesandfilterstrips,and•• Managewetlandssoastomaintainorimprovetheirfunctions.

SecondaryObjectiveCriteria♦♦ Accomplishmentmustbe shown toward conserving soil and enhancingwaterquality.

Examplesincludethefollowing:

•• Maintainingcoveronhighlyerodiblelands,and•• UseofBMPsonforestryandotherlandmanagementpractices.

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MonitoringForestStewardshipPlanImplementationSuccessful implementation of landowner Forest Stewardship Management Plans, and thussustainable forestry in practice, provides the best indication that the program is achieving itsprimarypurposeofencouragingthelong‐termstewardshipofnon‐industrialprivateforestlands.

The State Forester will follow a program for periodically monitoring the implementation of arepresentativesampleofcurrent(10yearsandyounger)ForestStewardshipManagementPlansinimportant forest resource areas and other areas as appropriate. Guidelines for an acceptablerandom, representative sampling methodology will be maintained by the State Forester andperiodically reviewedby theUSFS,AtlantaOffice.Acceptable sample sizewill varydependingonthenumber,acreageanddistributionofcurrentForestStewardshipManagementPlans.

Selected propertieswill be visited and assessed by the state forestry staff to verify that currentforest conditions are consistent with landowner stewardship objectives and the result ofsustainablemanagement,asdefinedinthelandowner’sapprovedForestStewardshipManagementPlan.Avisittoapropertywillindicatewhetherornotthatpropertyisbeingmanagedsustainablyas definedby theForest StewardshipManagementPlan.Visits to selectedpropertieswill yield apercentageoftotalacresvisitedthatarebeingmanagedsustainablyasdefinedbyapprovedForestStewardship Management Plans. This percentage will be used as an indication of overallaccomplishmentintermsofacresmanaged.

Visits to selectedpropertiesmaybe conductedby theplanprepareror anothernatural resourceprofessional and the VDOF assistant regional forester. Management plan implementationmonitoring programsmay be conducted in partnershipwith other landowner assistance and/orlandmanagementagenciesandorganizations.

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AppendixB1:SampleForestStewardshipPlan1. CoverPage

FORESTSTEWARDSHIPPLAN

AForestResourcesManagementPlanforthePropertyof

(Mr.andMrs.JohnQLandowner)(DOFTractNumber)

Locatedin(AnyCounty),Virginia

(Address)(Telephone#)

PreparedBy: ForesterAddress: Phone:

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2. IntroductionLetter

COMMONWEALTH of VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY

900 Natural Resources Drive, Suite 800 Charlottesville VA 22903

434.977.6555 ~ Fax: 434.296.2369 www.dof.virginia.gov

October23,2004

Mr.&Mrs.LandownerPOBox#Orange,VA22960

DearMr.&Mrs.Landowner:

Your property has many potential stewardship opportunities. Your strong concern for theenvironment,yourinterestinconservationandyourdesiretocarryoutstewardshipactivitiesistobe commended. In viewof this, I'mpleased toprovideyou thisForest StewardshipManagementPlan.

Theinformationthatfollowsincludestwocomponents.Thefirstsectionisacustomizedplanthatdescribes your property and includes management options and specific recommendations. Itmatchesyourgoalswith thepotentialofyour land.Theremainder is referencematerial foryourgeneraluse.Thisinformationalsowillassistyouwiththespecificdecisionsneededtocarryouttherecommendations.

Feelfreetocontactmeifyouhaveanyquestionsorneedadditionalinformation.

Sincerely,

JoeForesterAreaForester

Carl E. Garrison III State Forester

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3. TableofContents

4. LandownersObjectives

5. LocationsandAccessibility

6. GeneralPropertyDescription

7. SummaryofForestManagementNeedsandOpportunities

a. Timber/ForestProductsb. FishandWildlifec. ThreatenedorEndangeredPlantorAnimalSpeciesd. NaturalHeritageResourcese. SoilandWaterConservationf. Recreationg. Aestheticsh. CulturalandHistoricResourcesi. InvasivePlantSpeciesj. Fire

8. ExplanationofSizeClassandForestTypes

9. TopographyandSoilsDescription

10.StandManagementDescriptionsandRecommendations

a. Acreageb. Foresttypec. SpeciesPresentd. Agee. Sizef. Qualityg. Stockinglevelh. GrowthRatei. StandHistoryj. SoilDescription&SiteIndexk. Topographyl. BMPsforknownHistoricResourcesm. Fishand/orWildlifeHabitatn. UniqueorSpecialAreaso. Recommendedtreatment(s)p. Identificationandcontrolofinvasiveplantspecies

11.FiveYearSuggestedScheduleofManagementRecommendations

ActivityYear Parcel# SuggestedActivity CostShare

12.TopographicStandMap

13.OverallTractRecommendations(StandardParagraphs)

a. BoundaryLinesb. ThreatenedandEndangeredSpecies

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c. ForestHealthd. IntegratedPestManagemente. WaterQualityProtectionf. ForestCarbon,AirQualityg. FireManagementandProtectionh. CulturalandHistoricResourcesi. ForestConservationj. BiologicalDiversityk. Cost‐ShareProgramsl. EnvironmentalEvaluationForm–(NRCSPlansonly)

14.Appendices

a. InvasivePlantSpeciesInformation

Short information briefs on invasive plant species are available athttp://na.fs.fed.us/fhp/invasives_plants/weeds/index.shtm)

SampleResourceManagementActivityRecord

LANDOWNER: COUNTY:

Date TypeofActivity

AcresInvolved

Species Volumes(Cords/BoardFt.)

Income Cost

strategic plan 2010-06-1505/01/2010 7 1.2.1.2 – increase the use of available federal excess...

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