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Natural resources

USDA Announces Emergency Conservation and Forest Restoration Programs for Michigan Counties

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) has announced the acceptance of applications for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) in Alpena, Alcona, and Montmorency counties to address damages from the ice storm that occurred from March 28, 2025, through April 2, 2025. These programs provide cost-share and technical assistance to producers to restore farmland and nonindustrial private forestland damaged by a qualifying natural disaster.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) provides cost-share and technical assistance to restore farmland to pre-disaster conditions, with approved applicants receiving up to 75% of the cost of approved restoration activities, up to a maximum of $500,000 per natural disaster event.
  • The Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) provides financial cost-share and technical assistance to restore nonindustrial private forestland, with approved applicants receiving up to 75% of the lesser of actual costs incurred or allowable costs, up to a maximum of $500,000 per natural disaster event.
  • The programs are available to producers and landowners in Alpena, Alcona, and Montmorency counties who have an immediate need to clean up and restore their operations.
  • Producers who lease federally owned or managed lands, including tribal trust land, as well as state land, are eligible to participate in ECP.
  • Conservation concerns present on the land prior to the qualifying natural disaster event are not eligible for ECP assistance.
  • To participate in EFRP, eligible applicants must complete restoration to meet technical standards established through FSA by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service or the state forestry agency, document and keep records of all costs incurred, and meet eligibility requirements for NIPF land.

Statistics:

  • The ECP signup begins on May 21, 2025, and ends on November 21, 2025.
  • The EFRP has a maximum cost share of $500,000 per natural disaster event.
  • Up to 75% of the cost of approved restoration activities is available to ECP applicants.
  • The cost-share payment must be spent within 60 days for ECP participants.
  • EFRP practices include hardwood forest restoration, softwood forest restoration, and mixed forest restoration.
  • EFRP assistance is not provided upfront, with cost-share reimbursed at no more than 75% of the lesser of actual costs incurred or allowable costs.

Sources:

  • U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA)
  • FSA-848A Cost-Share Agreement
  • USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
  • State forestry agency

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