Prescribed Burn Incentive Program

Through funding provided by the ARRA Stewardship Revisit Prescribed Burn Grant, the Georgia Forestry Commission is pleased to announce the Prescribed Burn Incentive Program, which is available to Georgia landowners who currently have a Forest Stewardship Plan for their property. This program will provide landowners an incentive payment of  $20 per acre, up to $2,500, to perform prescribed burning on Stewardship land prior to February 28, 2011. Participants will enter into a contract with GFC, and payment will be made directly to the contracted property owner. Listed below is a schedule of dates, deadlines and general eligibility requirements for participation in this program.

June 7 - August 27, 2010 @ 5:00 PM           Application period (application period closed)

August 31, 2010                                            Random selection of participants by GFC

September 1-3, 2010                                     Notification of those Selected

September 3 - October 31, 2010                   Verify eligibility and sign contracts

November 1 – February 28, 2011                  Perform burning (click to download Payment Request form)

Landowners with multiple Stewardship Plans may submit one application per plan, but the $2,500 maximum payment per owner will apply regardless of the number selected. Participation in other ARRA programs does not disqualify participation in this program, and payments received from other ARRA Grants will not be applied toward the $2,500 limit for this program.

This program is limited to forested acreage currently managed for timber production and/or wildlife management, and the burn must adhere to the objectives and recommendations in the Stewardship Plan. Site prep burns will not qualify.

All burns conducted under this program must be performed by a Certified Prescribed Burn Manager, and all practices must comply with Georgia’s Best Management Practices.

GFC reserves the right to disqualify applicants for reasons such as, but not limited to, the proposed burn would or may result in a risk to public health or safety, the applicant owes GFC for previously rendered services, or the owner is eligible for other cost assistance for similar treatment on the same acreage.

For more information or to print an application, please visit GFC’s website www.GaTrees.org.