Tallahassee, FL – The Division of Forestry at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced today that the Southern Pine Beetle (SPB) Assistance and Prevention Program will accept applications from non-industrial, private forest landowners beginning Monday, May 23, through Monday, June 27.
“Historically, southern pine beetle outbreaks have occurred on a six- to twelve-year cycle in Florida and have resulted in millions of cubic feet of pine timber killed on thousands of acres,” said Jim Karels, Director of the Division of Forestry. “Periods of low activity, as Florida has seen for the past several years, are an excellent time to conduct silvicultural practices that improve the health of pine stands and decrease the likelihood of developing southern pine beetle infestations.”
The program, supported through a grant by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service, offers an incentive payment for landowners who conduct a first pulpwood thinning and partial cost reimbursement for pre-commercial thinning, prescribed burning, mechanical underbrush treatments and planting longleaf pine.
The program is limited to 44 northern Florida counties located within the range of the southern pine beetle.
Qualified landowners may apply for no more than two approved practices per year. Projects must cover at least 10 acres and funding requests may not exceed $10,000.
All qualifying applications received during the submission period will be evaluated and ranked for approval.
To obtain application forms and more information on program requirements and procedures, visit a local Division of Forestry office or www.fl-dof.com.
For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit www.FreshFromFlorida.com or follow Commissioner Putnam on Facebook, www.Facebook.com/AdamPutnam, and Twitter, www.Twitter.com/AdamPutnam.
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