Spring 2006
CLASSIFIED FOREST PROGRAM: IMPROVING FOR THE FUTURE
Indiana’s Classified Forest Program is one of the nation's longest running and most successful forest land conservation program. Since 1921,when the program was initiated, Indiana's Classified Forest Program has been working with landowners to better manage their forests and protect watersheds. In return for agreeing to follow standards of good forest management, the landowner receives professional technical assistance, priority for some cost share programs and a property tax break. Over7,700 landowners and 475,000 acres are currently enrolled in the program. Within the next year or two, the program should reach a half million acres of forest protected.
Occasionally during its long history, changes have been made to the program to keep current with the times. During the most recent legislative session, changes were made to the Classified Forest Act to reflect the goals and direction outlined in the Division of Forestry’s 2005-2007 Strategic Plan.
One of Forestry’s goals is to simplify government. The Classified Forest Program has a sister program, the Classified Wildlife Habitat Program, administered by the Division of Fish and Wildlife. The two programs are very similar. With the law change, the Classified Forest Program and the Classified Wildlife Habitat Program are being combined into the Classified Forest and Wildlands Program. Landowners and county officials will only have to deal with one agency. On July 1, 2006, the kickoff of the joint program, landowners can enter forest and wildlife habitat areas as one parcel resulting in one tax bill, one comprehensive management plan, and one annual report to fill out. The Division of Forestry will manage the joint program and utilize the expertise of the wildlife biologists to help manage the wildlands.
Another goal is to focus our efforts on and to invest in long-term, sustainable forest management. We want to attract landowners who view their forests as a long-term investment. For those landowners who see the program only as a way to reduce their property taxes, we want to make the program less appealing. To that end, lands classified after June 30,2006 will have additional withdrawal fees: current fee (up to 10 years back taxes with interest) and the new fee ($100 plus $50/acre withdrawn). The new withdrawal fee will be used to support counties (25%) and to fund a new state incentive program (75%). Classified lands will have priority for the incentive program.
It is the Division of Forestry’s goal and duty to keep accurate records of lands in the Classified Forest Program. When Classified Forest parcels are added on to, divided, or partially withdrawn, the parcel descriptions can get very difficult and inaccurate. For this reason, when the boundaries of a parcel change, a new parcel description, written by a licensed surveyor, will be required and a modified application be recorded. The original date of classification will not change.
If you have questions about the Classified Forest Program in general or the law changes, contact your District Forester or contact Brenda Huter, Classified Forest Program Manager (317) 232-0142 or e-mail: bhuter@dnr.IN.gov.