<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML><HEAD>
<META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.5764" name=GENERATOR></HEAD>
<BODY>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=145492917-11052009>Private Forests News
members:</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=145492917-11052009></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=145492917-11052009>The USDA Natural
Resources Conservation Service currently has funding available to assist
non-industrial forest owners with development of forest management plans -- news
release about the program is attached.</SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial
size=2><SPAN class=145492917-11052009><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=854291122-08052009> Landowners or forestry consultants with specific
questions should work directly with their local (county) NRCS District
Conservationist.</SPAN></FONT></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=145492917-11052009><FONT face=Arial
size=2><SPAN class=854291122-08052009></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=145492917-11052009><FONT face=Arial
size=2><SPAN class=854291122-08052009>FYI</SPAN></FONT></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=145492917-11052009><FONT face=Arial
size=2><SPAN class=854291122-08052009></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=145492917-11052009><FONT face=Arial
size=2><SPAN class=854291122-08052009>Kevin
Weeks</SPAN></FONT></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=145492917-11052009><FONT face=Arial
size=2><SPAN class=854291122-08052009>Public Information Officer / Private
Forests Division </SPAN></FONT></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=145492917-11052009><FONT face=Arial
size=2><SPAN class=854291122-08052009>Oregon Department of Forestry
</SPAN></FONT></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=145492917-11052009><FONT face=Arial
size=2><SPAN class=854291122-08052009><A
href="mailto:kweeks@odf.state.or.us">kweeks@odf.state.or.us</A></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=145492917-11052009><FONT face=Arial
size=2><SPAN class=854291122-08052009>(503)
945-7427</SPAN></FONT></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=145492917-11052009><FONT face=Arial
size=2><SPAN class=854291122-08052009></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=145492917-11052009><FONT face=Arial
size=2><SPAN
class=854291122-08052009>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=145492917-11052009><FONT face=Arial
size=2><SPAN class=854291122-08052009></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=145492917-11052009><FONT face=Arial
size=2><SPAN class=854291122-08052009>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">United State Department of Agriculture<?xml:namespace
prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"
/><o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Natural Resources Conservation
Service<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:Street
w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">1201 NE Lloyd Blvd., Suite
900</st1:address></st1:Street><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
w:st="on">Portland</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">OR</st1:State>
<st1:PostalCode w:st="on">97204</st1:PostalCode></st1:place>
<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">www.or.nrcs.usda.gov<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">CONTACT: Todd Peplin, Farm Bill Specialist,
Todd.Peplin@or.usda.gov<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>(541) 923-
4358 <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Funding Available for Conservation Planning on Forest
Lands until May 29<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Funding is available to private, nonindustrial forest
landowners to develop Forest Management Activity Plans in <st1:State
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Oregon</st1:place></st1:State>. This is a special
signup under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) open statewide
until May 29, 2009.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">A Forest Management Activity Plan is a site-specific
conservation plan prepared by a professional forester. The plan identifies and
describes management actions and conservation practices that will help the
landowners meet their objectives, maintain production, meet regulatory
requirements, and enhance natural resources. <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Forest Management Activity Plans provide specialized
management and conservation strategies that meet NRCS conservation planning
standards for USDA programs and help the operator address requirements of
cultural resource, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and other
regulations. <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=3>After enrolling in EQIP, program
participants develop their plans with Technical Service Providers<SPAN
class=145492917-11052009> (forestry consultants)</SPAN> who are approved by
NRCS. Once the plan is complete, the participant may receive a program payment
of up to 75 percent of the estimated cost of plan development.
<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Participants must enroll in EQIP before their Forest
Management Activity Plan is developed; payment is not
retroactive.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Additional information and payment rates can be found on
the NRCS Web site at:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>http://www.or.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/CAP.html.
<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">EQIP is a voluntary program of the Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS). Through EQIP, growers and landowners apply for
assistance to plan and install measures to protect natural resources on working
agricultural and forest lands. Those who enroll into the program receive funding
and professional expertise for measures that protect natural resources while
ensuring sustainable production. <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">For questions or to submit an application, please contact
the local NRCS office listed online at:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>http://www.or.nrcs.usda.gov/contact/basindir.html.
<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">More information about EQIP is online at:<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>www.or.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/EQIP.
<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">###<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">NRCS—Helping people help the
land.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">An Equal Opportunity Provider and
Employer.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits
discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color,
national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status,
familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic
information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an
individual<st1:PersonName w:st="on">'</st1:PersonName>s income is derived from
any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of
program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact
USDA<st1:PersonName w:st="on">'</st1:PersonName>s <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">TARGET</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).
To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil
Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call
(800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity
provider and employer.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>