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 https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/SPB or contact their local Texas A&M Forest Service office for more information.