Sandra Scott, the Executive Director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA), announced today that Hamilton County can start accepting applications for the Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) to help with tornado damage.
The EFRP offers financial support to eligible owners of nonindustrial private forest land so they can take quick action to restore areas affected by natural disasters. Applications for the EFRP opened on December 2, 2024, and will be accepted until January 30, 2025.
“It is important that producers apply for EFRP assistance timely because program funds will be allocated based on the number of applications received as well as by on-site inspections that will determine the extent of the damage,” said Scott. “I encourage eligible landowners who haven’t participated in FSA programs to contact the Fultonville FSA office as soon as possible because FSA records will have to be created for these individuals.”
Once applications are submitted, local FSA county committees will check the land’s eligibility by inspecting the damage to determine its type and extent and will then approve the applications.
Eligible restoration activities include clearing debris like downed or damaged trees to create new growth, preparing sites for replanting, providing materials and labor for reforesting areas, restoring roads, fire lanes, fuel breaks, or erosion control structures, and setting up fencing or tree shelters to protect newly planted trees from wildlife. There are also options for improving wildlife habitats.
To qualify, the nonindustrial private forest land must have had tree cover up until the natural disaster and be suitable for growing trees. It must be owned by an individual, group, association, corporation, or other private entity with clear authority over the land. The natural disaster must have caused damage that, if not repaired, would harm the land’s natural resources or impact its future use.
For more information please contact the Fultonville FSA office at (518) 853-4031 or visit farmers.gov/recover.
