Healthy Forests Reserve Program

The Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP) is a voluntary conservation program from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. Department of Agriculture that assists private landowners in restoring, enhancing, and protecting forestland resources. NRCS offers three assistance mechanisms: permanent conservation easements, 30-year contracts, and 10-year cost-share agreements.

The program's objectives are to promote the recovery of endangered and threatened species under the Endangered Species Act, improve plant and animal biodiversity, and enhance carbon sequestration. In Fiscal Year 2025, HFRP funds supported conservation easements on 171 acres at the Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio border, restoring critical wetland and forested habitat.

Eligible applicants are private landowners who voluntarily agree to implement an HFRP restoration plan.

AGRICULTURE, DEPARTMENT OF The purpose of the Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP) is to assist landowners, on a voluntary basis, in restoring, enhancing and protecting forestland resources on private lands through easements, 30-year contracts and 10-year cost-share agreements. The objectives of HFRP are: 1. Promote the recovery of endangered and threatened species; under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) 2.

Improve plant and animal biodiversity 3. Enhance carbon sequestration. **Fiscal Year 2025:** Fiscal Year 2025: HFRP funds were allocated to acquire two HFRP easements on an additional 171 acres located at the corner of Michigan, Indiana and Ohio’s border.

Applications were enrolled in spring 2024 with an anticipated spring 2025 closing. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) through their Partners program has restored critical wetland habitats for the copperbelly watersnake and the planned HFRP restoration will establish forested vegetation in areas that are currently cropland.

Under the Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP), the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) purchases conservation easements from or enters into 30-year contracts or 10-year cost-share agreements with eligible landowners who voluntarily cooperate in the restoration and protection of forestlands and associated lands.

To participate in HFRP, a landowner must agree to the implementation of an HFRP restoration plan, the effect of which is to restore, protect, enhance, maintain, and manage the habitat conditions necessary for either of the following: to increase the likelihood of recovery of listed species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA); to measurably improve the well-being of species that are not listed as endangered or threatened under the ESA, but are in any of the following categories: Candidates for such listing; State-listed species; Species identified by the Chief for special consideration for funding.

NRCS may provide cost-share assistance for activities that promote the restoration, protection, enhancement, maintenance, and management of forest ecosystem functions and values. AGRICULTURAL - AP Forestry NATURAL RESOURCES - QP Land and Forest Conservation _These funding amounts do not reflect the award amounts that are displayed on USASpending. gov_ **This listing is funded for the current fiscal year.

** **Fiscal Year 2025:** NRCS has closed 88 easements on 23,538 acres from 2006 through 2025. NRCS continues to manage and steward 88 easements annually.

F010 - Other Financial Assistance, F002 - Cooperative Agreement Under the HFRP, NRCS will purchase conservation easements from, or enter into 30-year contracts or 10-year cost-share agreements with, eligible landowners who voluntarily cooperate in the restoration and protection of forestlands and associated lands.

To participate in HFRP, a landowner will agree to the implementation of a HFRP restoration plan, the effect of which is to restore, protect, enhance, maintain, and manage the habitat conditions necessary to increase the likelihood of recovery of listed species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), or measurably improve the well-being of species that are not listed as endangered or threatened under the ESA but are candidates for such listing, State-listed species, or species identified by the Chief for special consideration for funding.

NRCS may provide cost-share assistance for the activities that promote the restoration, protection, enhancement, maintenance and management of forest ecosystem functions and values. Specific restoration, protection, enhancement, maintenance and management activities may be undertaken by the landowner or other NRCS designee. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.

Municipality or Township government (inclusive of cities, towns, boroughs (except in Alaska), and villages), NRCS, in coordination with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) or National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), will determine whether land is eligible for enrollment and whether once found eligible, the lands may be included in the program based on the likelihood of successful restoration, enhancement and protection of forest ecosystem functions and values when considering the cost of acquiring the easement, 30-year contract, or 10-year cost share agreement and the restoration, protection, enhancement, maintenance, and management costs.

Land will be considered eligible for enrollment in the HFRP only if NRCS determines that:(i) Such private land will contribute to the restoration or enhancement of the habitat or otherwise measurably increase the likelihood of recovery for a selected species listed under section 4 of the ESA; and(ii) Such private land will contribute to the restoration or enhancement of the habitat or otherwise measurably improve the well-being of a selected species not listed under Section 4 of the ESA but is a candidate for such listing, or the selected species is a State-listed species, or is a species identified by the Chief for special consideration for funding.

NRCS may also enroll land adjacent to eligible land if the enrollment of such adjacent land would contribute significantly to the practical administration of the easement area, but not more than it determines is necessary for such contribution.

To be enrolled in the program, eligible land must be configured in a size and with boundaries that allow for the efficient management of the area for easement purposes and otherwise promote and enhance program objectives.

Municipality or Township government (inclusive of cities, towns, boroughs (except in Alaska), and villages), Farmer/Rancher/Agriculture Producer To be eligible to enroll an easement in the HFRP, an individual or entity must (1) Be the landowner of eligible land for which enrollment is sought; (2) Agree to provide such information to NRCS, as the agency deems necessary or desirable, to assist in its determination of eligibility for program benefits and for other program implementation purposes.

In the case of acreage owned by an Indian tribe, NRCS may enroll acreage into the HFRP which is privately owned by either the tribe or an individual. Architectural and Engineering, HFRP restoration agreements and easements are designed for working forest lands.

HFRP is a voluntary program to assist landowners in restoring, enhancing and maintaining forest ecosystems on private lands through easements, contracts, and restoration agreements.

Easements, contracts and restoration agreements shall be maintained in accordance with HFRP goals and objectives for the duration of the restoration agreement and easement including the restoration, protection, enhancement, maintenance, and management of habitat for listed species within a forest ecosystem's functions and values.

Funding may only be used to purchase conservation easement rights; restore, repair, maintain, manage, steward, and enforce the easement. Funds cannot be used for fee ownership purchases. Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines Preapplication coordination is required.

Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E. O.

12372. Any owner meeting eligibility criteria may submit an application for participation. Applications are accepted in local USDA Service Center Offices during announced enrollment sign-up periods.

USDA will establish criteria to evaluate and rank applications for easement and restoration agreement enrollment, criteria will be detailed in the sign-up notice. NRCS will identify through a sign-up notice process the geographic scope and ranking priorities for that particular sign-up. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program.

Based on the specific criteria set forth in a sign-up announcement and the applications for participation, NRCS, in coordination FWS and NMFS, may consider the following factors to rank properties: (1) Estimated conservation benefit to habitat required by threatened or endangered species listed under section 4 of the ESA; (2) Estimated conservation benefit to habitat required by species not listed as endangered or threatened under section 4 of the ESA but that are candidates for such listing, State-listed species, or species identified by the Chief for special consideration for funding; (3) Estimated improvement of biological diversity, if enrolled; (4) Potential for increased capability of carbon sequestration, if enrolled; (5) Availability of contribution of non-Federal funds; (6) Significance of forest ecosystem functions and values; (7) Estimated cost-effectiveness of the particular restoration cost-share agreement, contract, or easement, and associated HFRP restoration plan; and (8) Other factors identified in a HFRP sign-up notice; (a) NRCS may place higher priority on certain forest ecosystems based regions of the State or multi-State area where restoration of forestland may better achieve NRCS programmatic and sign-up goals and objectives.

(b) Notwithstanding any limitation of this part, NRCS may enroll eligible lands at any time in order to encompass project areas subject to multiple land ownership or otherwise to achieve program objectives.

Similarly, NRCS may, at any time, exclude otherwise eligible lands if the participation of the adjacent landowners is essential to the successful restoration of the forest ecosystem and those adjacent landowners are unwilling to participate.

(c) If available funds are insufficient to accept the highest ranked application, and the applicant is not interested in reducing the acres offered to match available funding, NRCS may select a lower ranked application that can be fully funded.

In cases where HFRP funds are not sufficient to cover the costs of an application selected for funding, the applicant may lower the cost of the application by changing the duration of the easement or agreement or reducing the acreage offered, unless these changes result in a reduction of the application ranking score below that of the score of the next available application on the ranking list. Offers of enrollment.

Based on the priority ranking, NRCS will notify an affected landowner of tentative acceptance into the program. This notice of tentative acceptance into the program does not bind NRCS or the United States to enroll the proposed project in HFRP, nor does it bind the landowner to convey an easement, or to contract or agree to HFRP activities.

The letter notifies the landowner that NRCS intends to continue the enrollment process on their land unless otherwise notified by the landowner. Acceptance of offer of enrollment.

An agreement to purchase or a restoration cost-share agreement or contract will be presented by NRCS to the landowner which will describe the easement, agreement, or contract area; the easement, agreement, or contract terms and conditions; and other terms and conditions for participation that may be required by NRCS. Effect of the acceptance of the offer.

After the agreement to purchase or restoration cost-share agreement or contract is executed by NRCS and the landowner, the land will be considered enrolled in the HFRP.

For easements, NRCS will proceed with various easement acquisition activities, which may include conducting a survey of the easement area, securing necessary subordination agreements, procuring title insurance, and conducting other activities necessary to record the easement or implement the HFRP, as appropriate for the enrollment option being considered.

For restoration cost-share agreements and contracts, the landowner will proceed to implement the restoration plan with technical assistance and cost-share from NRCS. Withdrawal of offers.

Prior to execution of an agreement to purchase, a restoration cost-share agreement, or contract between the United States and the landowner, NRCS may withdraw the land from enrollment at any time due to lack of availability of funds, inability to clear title, or other reasons. An agreement to purchase will be void, and the offer withdrawn, if not executed by the landowner within the time specified.

Within a Federal fiscal year (October 1 September 30) based on funding availability. If not selected for funding, the land offered may be re-offered in a future sign-up unless the land or landowner is ineligible A person participating in the HFRP may obtain a review of any administrative determination concerning eligibility for participation utilizing the administrative appeal regulations provided in 7 CFR Part 614.

The following 2CFR policy requirements apply to this assistance listing: Subpart B, General provisions Subpart C, Pre-Federal Award Requirements and Contents of Federal Awards Subpart D, Post Federal; Award Requirements Subpart E, Cost Principles Subpart F, Audit Requirements The following 2CFR policy requirements are excluded from coverage under this assistance listing: Additional Information: To enroll land in HFRP through a permanent easement, an easement for the maximum duration allowed under State law, or 30-year enrollment option, a landowner will grant an easement to the United States.

The easement deed will require that the easement area be maintained in accordance with HFRP goals and objectives for the duration of the term of the easement, including the restoration, protection, enhancement, maintenance, and management of habitat and forest ecosystem functions and values.

For the duration of its term, the easement will require, at a minimum, that the landowner and the landowner's heirs, successors, and assignees, will cooperate in the restoration, protection, enhancement, maintenance, and management of the land in accordance with the easement and with the terms of the HFRP restoration plan. In addition, the easement will grant to the United States, through NRCS: 1.

A right of access to the easement area by NRCS or its representative 2. The right to determine and permit compatible uses on the easement area and specify the amount, method, timing, intensity, and duration of the compatible use, if such use is consistent with the long-term protection and enhancement of the purposes for which the easement was established 3.

The rights, title, and interest to the easement area as specified in the conservation easement deed 4. The right to perform restoration, protection, enhancement, maintenance, and management activities on the easement area. The landowner will convey title to the easement which is acceptable to NRCS.

The landowner will warrant that the easement granted to the United States is superior to the rights of all others, except for exceptions to the title which are deemed acceptable by NRCS. The landowner will: 1. Comply with the terms of the easement 2.

Comply with all terms and conditions of any associated agreement or contract 3. Agree to the long-term restoration, protection, enhancement, maintenance, and management of the easement in accordance with the terms of the easement and related agreements 4. Have the option to enter into an agreement with governmental or private organizations to assist in carrying out any landowner responsibilities on the easement area 5.

Agree that each person who is subject to the easement will be jointly and severally responsible for compliance with the easement and the provisions of this part, and for any refunds or payment adjustment which may be required for violation of any terms or conditions of the easement or the provisions of this part. To enroll land in HFRP through the 30-year contract option, a landowner will sign a 30-year contract with NRCS.

The contract will require that the contract area be maintained in accordance with HFRP goals and objectives for the duration of the term of the contract, including the restoration, protection, enhancement, maintenance, and management of habitat and forest ecosystem functions and values.

For the duration of its term, the 30-year contract will require, at a minimum, that the landowner and the landowner's assignees, will cooperate in the restoration, protection, enhancement, maintenance, and management of the land in accordance with the contract and with the terms of the HFRP restoration plan. In addition, the contract will grant to the United States through NRCS: 1.

A right of access to the contract area by NRCS or its representative 2. The right to allow such activities by the landowner as hunting and fishing, managed timber harvest, or periodic haying or grazing, if such use is consistent with the long-term protection and enhancement of the purposes for which the contract was established 3.

The right to specify the amount, method, timing, intensity, and duration of the activities listed in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, as incorporated into the terms of the contract 4. The right to perform restoration, protection, enhancement, maintenance, and management activities on the contract area. The landowner will: 1.

Comply with the terms of the contract 2. Comply with all terms and conditions of any associated agreement or contract 3. Agree to the long-term restoration, protection, enhancement, maintenance, and management of the contract area in accordance with the terms of the contract and related agreements.

A 30-year contract will: 1. Be signed by the participant 2. Identify the amount and extent of cost-share assistance that NRCS will provide for the adoption or implementation of the approved conservation treatment identified in the restoration plan 3.

Include any other provision determined necessary or appropriate by the NRCS representative. Once the landowner and NRCS have signed a 30-year contract, the land will be considered enrolled in HFRP.

**Progress/Performance Reports :**Contract Status Reviews completed on the individual contract/purchase agreement, Frequency: Annually Additional audit requirements: >180 days, Records will be maintained in the county NRCS office, State NRCS office and Federal Record Centers for the length of the agreement.

The easement (deed restriction) and applicable documents will be recorded in the local land records office for the duration of the easement. Agreements are filed with the Agency.

Retention Period: 99 Years Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP) Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP) Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP) Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP) Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP) Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP) Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP) Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP) Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP)