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Forest Legacy Program, or FLP, is a voluntary initiative that enables landowners to safeguard their forestland for perpetual timber production, offering financial incentives similar to selling for development. Owners retain their land, pay property taxes, and manage timber harvesting. This ensures a steady supply of industry sawlogs and fiber, mitigates wildfire risks, and prevents sprawl in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI).

The Forest Legacy Program bolsters local economies by safeguarding rural jobs and enhancing recreational access, while preserving wildlife habitat, water quality, and scenic landscapes. Keeping forests working helps ensure a reliable fiber supply for industry and future mill infrastructure investments. Together with endowment forestland, FLP helps sustain long-term fiber availability for mill operations, as well as sustaining jobs within our communities.

Headshot of Jennifer Barker
Jennifer Barker, Forest Legacy Program Manager
Forestry Legacy Conservation Land logo

Idaho’s industrial forestland owners are eager to expand private land enrollment in FLP. Idaho is ready to compete for a share of the $700 million national fund allocated for FLP projects.

Eligible properties must be privately owned, over 5 acres, 75% forested, and within Idaho’s priority landscape areas, as per the Idaho Forest Action Plan. Funding is awarded through a competitive, nationwide process.

Under FLP, forestland owners sell their development rights but retain ownership, management, and profits from their land, while reducing development in the WUI. Idaho holds these rights in trust and counties still receive tax revenues from these lands. FLP requires a Forest Stewardship Plan and sustainable management per Idaho’s Forest Practices Act, which reduces vulnerability to catastrophic fires.

Landowners: Where to start

Landowners can start by reaching out to a local land trust, a non-profit specializing in land acquisition for public benefit, as all FLP applications need a land trust sponsor. Visit the Idaho Coalition of Land Trusts for more information.

Forest Legacy project funding - No General Funds used

Funding stems from congressional authorizations and offshore oil drilling royalties. Participating landowners contribute a 25% match, typically via tax-deductible donations.

Benefits to Recreation and Wildlife

Since 2003, FLP has made 93,339 of its 103,252 timberland acres (90%) available for public recreation. As Idaho grows and demand for recreation access increases, FLP incentivizes private landowners to offer public access in line with their forest management goals.

Priority areas in FLP often overlap with crucial habitats for threatened species. Maintaining forested land supports wildlife habitats and creates corridors for movement, aiding in the recovery of species like Bull Trout. Fewer residential structures in these areas also minimize wildlife-human conflicts.

Frequently Asked Questions

FLP ensures a steady supply of industry sawlogs and fiber, mitigates wildfire risks, and prevents sprawl in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI). It bolsters local economies by safeguarding rural jobs and enhancing recreational access, while preserving wildlife habitat, water quality, and scenic landscapes.

Under FLP, forestland owners sell their development rights but retain ownership, management, and profits from their land, while reducing development in the WUI. Idaho holds these rights in trust and counties still receive tax revenues from these lands.

FLP keeps working forests working, helping to ensure a reliable fiber supply for industry and future mill infrastructure investments. Together with endowment forestland, FLP helps sustain long-term fiber availability for mill operations, as well as sustaining jobs within our communities.

Since 2003, FLP has made 93,339 of its 103,252 timberland acres (90%) available for public recreation. As Idaho grows and demand for recreation access increases, FLP incentivizes private landowners to offer public access in line with their forest management goals.

Additional Information

Contact

Jennifer Barker
Forest Legacy Program Manager
Idaho Department of Lands
2384 W Industrial Loop, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815
Office: (208) 666-8671
jbarker@idl.idaho.gov

To find and contact your closest Idaho Department of Lands office see our Supervisory Area map.

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