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Minnesota Forests for the Future
Conserving Minnesota’s working forest lands to meet the state’s future recreation, economic, and ecological needs
Strategic Report of the DNR Commissioner’s Advisory Committee on the Minnesota Forests for the Future Program
Andy HoldsworthRichard PetersonKeith Wendt
1. Assess parcelization and other trends impacting the state’s working forest lands.
2. Review the state’s forest conservation easement activities.
3. Make recommendations for creating a multi-partner state program to use conservation easements and other tools to retain Minnesota’s working forest lands.
Committee ChargeThe Committee
Members
Mark Johnson, co-chair Minnesota Deer Hunters Association
Bud Stone, co-chair Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
Wayne Brandt Minnesota Forest Industries
Dennis Fink St. Louis County Commissioner
Tom Landwehr The Nature Conservancy
Chuck Lepper Koochiching County Board Chair
Susan Schmidt Trust for Public Land
Tom Umphress National OHV Conservation Council
Laurie Martinson DNR Deputy Commissioner
Craig Engwall DNR Northeast Regional Director
Dave Epperly DNR Division of Forestry Director
Dave Schad DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife Director
Marty Vadis DNR Division of Lands & Minerals Director
The Committee
3 - part Report Framework
1. Strategic Report
2. Implementation Report
3. Annual Performance Report
The Committee
A Comprehensive Forest Conservation Strategy
Challenge
A. Maintains large, intact forest landscapes
B. Protects & reconnects fragmented forest landscapes
Changing Forest OwnershipChallenge
2004 Boise Cascade sale
Other corporate land
Public land
Private non- industrial land
Conservation Easements
• Voluntary
• Individually negotiated
• Legally binding
• Land remains in private ownership
• Land stays on local tax rolls
• Most are permanent
Opportunity
An effective tool
Building on Success
Minnesota Forest Legacy Program Funding Sources: 1999-2004 vs. 2005-2008
0
5
10
15
20
25
Owner Private State Federal Total
Mili
ons
of D
olla
rs
1999-2004
2005-2008
Opportunity
Minnesota Forest Legacy Program
Mil
lio
ns
of
Do
llars
Th
ou
san
ds
of
Acr
es
Funding Sources: ’99 - ’04 vs. ’05 - ’08
Cumulative Acres Protected
Rice County Big Woods Case
Study 1Protecting and reconnecting fragmented forests in S. Minnesota
County Administered LandsForest Legacy ProjectsState Administered LandsSection LinesRoads
Acres: 1250 acres
Cost (18 projects): $3.7 million
Koochiching-WashingtonCase
Study 2Protecting large, intact forest blocks for multiple public benefits
Lakes
RoadsCounty Administered LandsState Administered LandsTribal LandsConservation Easement
Acres: 51,163 acres
Cost (1 project): $12 million
Establish Forests for the Future
MN Forests for the Future
1999
• Single partner (USFS)
• Small landowner focus
• Federal guidance
• Multiple partners
• Forest landscape focus
• MN Stakeholder guidance
Federal Forest Legacy
- 2008
Response
Minnesota Forests for the Future Program established 2008
Minnesota Forests for the Future Program
Minnesota Statutes Chapter 84.66
Purpose Establishment Land eligibility Land interests Application Landowner
responsibilities Advisory team Monitoring,
enforcement, and damages
Response
Program Focus
Promoting an interconnected network of sustainably managed private and public forests.
Response
OutdoorRecreation
Economic Development
Natural Resources Protection
Minnesota Forests for the Future
Program Goals
1. Conserve forests with high public benefits
2. Promote strategic conservation of private forests
3. Practice sustainable forestry and maintain productive forest lands
4. Establish and maintain sound and accountable program processes, practices, and procedures
5. Implement a comprehensive easement stewardship program
6. Establish and maintain diverse partnerships
Response
Acreage TargetsResponse
Short-term (2009): 75,000 acres
Target Range
Laurentian Mixed Forest
Eastern Broadleaf
Forest
Total
Low End 250,000 20,000 270,000
Upper End 500,000 30,000 530,000
Preliminary Long-term (up to 25 years):
Project SelectionResponse
Core Criteria (in review):
1. Project Size2. Strategic Location3. Recreational Importance4. Economic Importance5. Ecological Importance6. Additional Considerations
Early SuccessProtecting large, intact forest blocks for multiple public benefits
Upper Mississippi Forest Project Acres: 187,277L-SOHC $18M - FY 2010; $18M - FY2011
A New Era
A New Era for Forest Conservation
Protecting large, intact forest blocks for multiple public benefits
A New Era
Program Application is Open
Program Areas for federal funds
www.mndnr.gov/forestlegacy/programinformation.html
(Due Sept. 30 for possible federal fiscal Year ‘11 funding)
More information
www.mndnr.gov/forestlegacy/mff/
Andy.Holdsworth@state.mn.us
Richard.Peterson@state.mn.us
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