Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP)

Objective

The purpose of the Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP) is to assist landowners, on a voluntary basis, in restoring, enhancing and protecting forestland resources on private lands through easements, 30-year contracts and 10-year cost-share agreements. The objectives of HFRP are: 1. Promote the recovery of endangered and threatened species; under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) 2. Improve plant and animal biodiversity 3. Enhance carbon sequestration.

Who Can Apply

• Municipality or Township government (inclusive of cities, towns, boroughs (except in Alaska), and villages)
• Land/Property Owner

NRCS, in coordination with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) or National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), will determine whether land is eligible for enrollment and whether once found eligible, the lands may be included in the program based on the likelihood of successful restoration, enhancement and protection of forest ecosystem functions and values when considering the cost of acquiring the easement, 30-year contract, or 10-year cost share agreement and the restoration, protection, enhancement, maintenance, and management costs. Land will be considered eligible for enrollment in the HFRP only if NRCS determines that:(i) Such private land will contribute to the restoration or enhancement of the habitat or otherwise measurably increase the likelihood of recovery for a selected species listed under section 4 of the ESA; and(ii) Such private land will contribute to the restoration or enhancement of the habitat or otherwise measurably improve the well-being of a selected species not listed under Section 4 of the ESA but is a candidate for such listing, or the selected species is a State-listed species, or is a species identified by the Chief for special consideration for funding. NRCS may also enroll land adjacent to eligible land if the enrollment of such adjacent land would contribute significantly to the practical administration of the easement area, but not more than it determines is necessary for such contribution. To be enrolled in the program, eligible land must be configured in a size and with boundaries that allow for the efficient management of the area for easement purposes and otherwise promote and enhance program objectives.

Who Benefits

• Municipality or Township government (inclusive of cities, towns, boroughs (except in Alaska), and villages)
• Land/Property Owner
• Farmer/Rancher/Agriculture Producer

To be eligible to enroll an easement in the HFRP, an individual or entity must (1) Be the landowner of eligible land for which enrollment is sought; (2) Agree to provide such information to NRCS, as the agency deems necessary or desirable, to assist in its determination of eligibility for program benefits and for other program implementation purposes. In the case of acreage owned by an Indian tribe, NRCS may enroll acreage into the HFRP which is privately owned by either the tribe or an individual.

Assistance Types

• Other Financial Assistance
• Cooperative Agreement

Program Contact

Danielle.Balduff@usda.gov
202-720-6168