COLLEGE STATION, Texas –
Texas A&M Forest Service is now accepting applications for the 2018
Southern Pine Beetle (SPB) Prevention Program Thinning Cost-Share. Through this
program, eligible forest landowners can receive financial and technical
assistance with forest thinning in order to reduce the threat of future SPB
infestations and outbreaks.
Funds provided by USDA Forest Service-Region 8 and Forest
Health Protection can assist landowners with conducting first thin operations
in overly dense, pulpwood-sized pine stands in 21 East Texas counties. “Our
goal is to reduce the potential for SPB attacks on our forests while simultaneously
increasing tree growth and vigor,” said Program Leader Shane Harrington.
Since the inception of
the SPB Prevention Program, over 100,000 acres have been treated throughout
East Texas. “This program has a successful history of helping forest landowners
reduce their potential for hosting future SPB attacks, as well as increasing
overall forest health and resiliency, which is what sound forest management is
about,” said Harrington.
Eligible landowners may
receive up to $50.00 per acre (100 acre maximum) to assist in conducting first
thin operations. The forested property must meet several criteria and be
located within one of the 21 priority counties which include: Angelina, Cass,
Cherokee, Hardin, Harrison, Houston, Jasper, Liberty, Marion, Nacogdoches,
Newton, Panola, Polk, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby,
Trinity, Tyler and Walker.
All approved thinning
projects must be completed within 12 months of the approval date. Applications are
due by December 31, 2018
and can be submitted to: Shane Harrington, Program Manager, Texas A&M Forest Service, 200 Technology Way, Ste. 1281, College Station, TX 77845.
Interested landowners
can view additional program criteria and download an application by visiting http://tfsweb.tamu.edu/SPB
or contact their local Texas A&M Forest Service Office for more information.
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Contacts:
Shane Harrington, Program
Leader, Texas A&M Forest Service, sharrington@tfs.tamu.edu,
(979) 458-6650
Texas A&M Forest Service Communications Office, newsmedia@tfs.tamu.edu,
(979) 458-6606