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Financial relief is now available to assist timber owners in Alabama who suffered damages from the southern pine beetle this summer.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) has announced that all 67 Alabama counties have been approved for the Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) to restore and rehabilitate private forest lands impacted by severe drought and related insect infestation damage. The EFRP signup period runs from Sept. 30, 2024, to March 31, 2025.

The Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) has identified 10,253 southern pine beetle (SPB) spots affecting approximately 3.1 million trees across the state. These numbers equate to an estimated 3.5 million tons of dead wood on the landscape. At current stumpage prices, this is a value loss of approximately $87.5 million.

The AFC encourages adversely affected forest landowners to promptly contact their local FSA offices to request funding through the EFRP during the signup period. After EFRP applications are submitted, local FSA county committees determine land eligibility based on on-site inspections performed by a local forester who will assess the type and extent of damage, and the restoration activities needed to restore forest health. FSA will approve applications based on the onsite restoration need.

Financial assistance is not provided upfront. Cost-share is reimbursed at no more than 75 percent of the lesser of the actual costs incurred or allowable cost after a restoration activity is complete. If an EFRP application is approved, the program participant is expected to perform restoration and conservation practices based on the FSA-848A Cost-Share Agreement and the restoration plan provided. The minimum qualifying cost of restoration is $1,000 and the EFRP payment limitation is $500,000. A qualified forest is defined as one acre in size, 120 feet across, with 10 percent tree cover.

Complete EFRP eligibility information and program participation requirements can be found under News and Events at forestry.alabama.gov.

The Andalusia Service Center’s Farm Service Agency Office is located at 23952 Alabama Highway 55.

For more information email Drew.Roney@al.usda.gov or call 334-222-3519 ext. 2.