Bill > S1050

This bill establishes the Forest Conservation Easement Program (FCEP) within the Food Security Act of 1985, creating a new federal initiative designed to protect and conserve forest lands. The program offers two primary types of easements: forest land easements and forest reserve easements, which allow landowners to maintain working forests while receiving financial assistance and technical support for conservation efforts. The bill provides funding of $100 million annually from fiscal years 2025 through 2029 and allows eligible entities like state and local governments, Indian Tribes, and qualified conservation organizations to participate. Key purposes include protecting working forests, enhancing forest ecosystem functions, promoting habitat restoration for threatened and endangered species, and limiting negative effects of non-forest land uses. The program offers cost-share assistance, with federal contributions ranging from 50% to 75% of an easement's fair market value, depending on the specific circumstances. Landowners can receive financial support for developing forest management plans and implementing conservation activities, with priority given to projects that provide significant environmental benefits, such as improving biodiversity, restoring native forest ecosystems, and increasing carbon sequestration. The bill also repeals the existing Healthy Forests Reserve Program, transitioning its existing contracts and agreements into the new Forest Conservation Easement Program.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1050/all-info