3.1.2 PRIME FOREST LAND

 

Federal Agencies shall consider the existence and location of National Forests, State Forests and State Game lands and impact of the project on any such resources, when assessing the impact of their actions on the environment.

 

The Farmland Protection Policy Act was set up to protect significant forestlands in private ownership as well as important farmland resources.  USDA Departmental Regulation 9500-3, "Land Use Policy.” Rural Development shall avoid the unwarranted conversion of Prime Forestland. Rural Development shall advocate, in coordination with other USDA agencies, the retention of Prime Forestlands whenever proposed conversions to other uses are (1) caused or encouraged by actions or programs of a Federal Agency, or (2) require licensing or approval by a federal agency, unless other needs clearly override the benefits derived from retention of such land.

 

Rural Development should advocate the retention of important forestlands whenever conversions to other uses are proposed, unless other needs clearly override the benefits derived from retention of such lands. The Nation's forestlands are unique natural resources providing fiber and wood necessary for the continued welfare of the people of the United States and protection from floods. Each year, large amounts of this land are converted to other uses.

 

Continued conversion of the Nation’s forestlands may impair the ability of the United States to produce sufficient fiber and wood to meet domestic needs and the demands of export markets. Rural Development should not authorize, fund, or carry cut a proposed action (1) involving the conversion of a forestland or (2) adversely affecting the unique values and benefits of forestlands unless there is clearly no practical alternative to the action. Whenever a proposed action is determined to have the potential for impacting a forestland, the U.S. Forest Service or the Bureau of Land Management should be consulted, as appropriate, early in the environmental impact analysis process to evaluate the possible consequences of and protective requirements necessary concerning the action.

 

Definitions of timberland are found in USDA Departmental Regulation 9500-3. DR 9500-3 is included in Rural Development Instruction 1940-G as Exhibit A.

 

Definitions are as follows:

Prime Timberland is land that has soil capable of growing wood at the rate of 85 cubic feet or more/acre/year (at culmination of mean annual increment) in natural stands and is not in urban or built-up land uses or water. Generally speaking, this is land currently in forest, but does not exclude qualifying lands that could realistically be returned to forest.

Unique Timberland is land that does not qualify as prime timberland on the basis of producing less than 85 cubic feet/acre/year, but is growing sustained yields of specific high value species or species capable of producing specialized wood products under a silvicultural system that maintains soil productivity and protects water quality.

Timberland of Statewide Importance is land, in addition to Prime and Unique Timberlands that is of statewide importance for the growing of wood. Criteria for defining and delineating these lands are to be determined by State Forestry planning committee or appropriate State organizations.

 

For National Park Service-managed land, consult with the Park Supervisor for the affected park. See the National Park Service Web Site for National Park locations:  http://www.nps.gov/

 

Consult with the USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, or National Park Service for assistance in determining if forestland is prime, unique or of statewide importance on land under their respective jurisdictions.

 

Consult with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for assistance on privately-owned forestlands.

 

Full text of the Farmland Protection Policy Act and Departmental Regulation 9500-3, Land Policy at http://www.usda.gov/rus/water/ees/toc.htm#Statutes

 

Web sites: www.fs.fed.us/ or http://www.fs.fed.us/other_fs_sites.shtml

      

Delaware Listing of State Forests: 

http://dda.delaware.gov/forestry/forest.shtml

Maryland Listing of State Forests:

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/all.html

 

There are no National Forests listed in DE or MD

 

STATE FORESTS IN DELAWARE:

 

Click here for Maps

 State Forests

The Forest Service manages three state forests totaling over 15,000 acres; Blackbird Forest near Smyrna, Taber Forest near Harrington, and Redden Forest near Georgetown. The forests are managed for a variety of objectives including: timber production, wildlife habitat enhancement, forest management demonstration, and recreational opportunities. Blackbird and Redden contain our northern and southern field offices, outdoor educational trails, and wildland fire suppression equipment. All three state forests are open to the public for a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, horseback riding, and in-season hunting.

Rules and Regulations

picture of people sitting around fire in woods at night

picture of hunter in country side

people walking in country side

 

Blackbird

for more information: James.Dobson@state.de.us

 
  • Blackbird State Forest, located on the border of New Castle and Kent Counties, is Delaware's northernmost state forest. It is only a 30-minute commute from Wilmington and Newark. It has nine tracts totaling over 4,800 acres and contains a mixture of oaks, yellow-poplar, maple, gums, and hickories. Our northern regional office is located on the Tybout Tract on Blackbird Forest Road.
  • Blackbird is a popular site for outdoor recreation. Its 40 miles of trails are used extensively for hiking, running, bicycling, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. There is also a 2,200 foot paved nature trail designed for wheelchair accessibility. The trail system at Blackbird interconnects five primitive campsites and four picnic sites, available on a first-come, first-served basis. Blackbird is also open to hunting and catch-and-release fishing

 

Taber

for more information: John.Schwalm@state.de.us

 
  • Taber State Forest lies in southwestern Kent County and is the smallest of Delaware's State Forests at 1,240 acres. It is managed primarily for timber production and wildlife habitat. Situated in a secluded, rural setting, Taber is a very popular hunting site. The major timber types on Taber State Forest are loblolly pine and mixed upland hardwoods. Our office is located on Burrsville Road, south of High Stump Road.

 

 

Redden

for more information: gail.ingram-smith@state.de.us

 
  • Redden State Forest, Delaware's largest state forest totaling over 9,500 acres is located in central Sussex County just north of Georgetown. Loblolly pine is the primary tree species on the forest, although Redden also has stands of mixed hardwoods, including oaks, maple, and gum.
  • With over 44 miles of trails, the 16 tracts of Redden State Forest are popular for hiking, horseback riding, bicycling, and bird watching. Redden's large timbered tracts are also ideal for deer hunting. Our southern regional office is located at the Headquarters Tract on East Redden Road. This tract also has a limited number of primitive camping sites and a small, catch-and-release fishing pond. The Headquarters Tract also contains a natural resource education facility, formerly a historic carriage house, which opened in 2000 (for more information see the Forestry Education page of our website). Additionally, the historic Redden Lodge, renovated in 1996, is open to the public at a nominal cost. Weekend, daily, and night reservations are available. The Lodge has a complete kitchen and is handicapped-accessible although overnight visitors must bring their own sleeping bags or cots, as there are no sleeping facility.
  • Rental Application (pdf)
    Rental application includes information on Rental Fees, Rules, and Lodge Checklist

 

STATE FORESTS IN MARYLAND:

 

State Forests in Western Maryland

6,781 acres. In Garrett County, 5 miles northwest of Oakland, off U.S. Route 219. The forest contains a diversity of trees, abundant wildlife and beautiful scenery. In 1906 this forest was given to the state of Maryland and was the beginning of our present public lands system.

43,000 acres. In eastern Allegany County, about 22 miles east of Cumberland, Exit 64 on Interstate 68. This vast forest stretches across the mountains of Western Maryland and occupies portions of Town Hill, Polish Mountain and Green Ridge Mountain. Wildlife is plentiful and includes wild turkey, grouse, squirrel and deer. There is an accessible overlook at the forest headquarters with a trail.

11,461 acres. In southeastern Garrett County, off MD Route 135. The Potomac River has its headwaters in this rugged mountain forest where wildlife abounds and there is excellent trout fishing.

53,500 acres. In central and eastern Garrett County, generally south of U.S. Route 40. Savage River State Forest is a strategic watershed surrounding the Savage River Reservoir. This forest is classified as a northern hardwood forest. About 2,700 acres of the forest have been designated as the Big Savage Wildland.

State Forests in Central Maryland

Cecil County (410) 287-5675.

Harford County - Managed by MD DNR Forest Service Bel Air Office at (410) 836-4551.

State Forests in Southern Maryland

10201 Bee Oak Road, Brandywine, MD 20613 (301) 888-1410 3,697 acres. In Prince George's and Charles Counties, about 25 miles south of Washington, D.C., reached by Cedarville Road off U.S. Route 301. Cedarville State Forest offers its visitors a beautiful woodland setting, with freshwater fishing and hiking. A visitors' center at the state's only warm-water fish hatchery is open during the summer.

Charles County (301) 934-2282.

 State Forests in Eastern Maryland

The Chesapeake Forest Lands are most of the former land holdings of the Chesapeake Forest Products Company, comprised of 238 parcels totaling more than 58,000 acres in five lower Eastern Shore counties.

6572 Snow Hill Road, Snow Hill, MD 21863 (410) 632-3732 13,276 acres. In Worcester County, between Shore Hill and Pocomoke City. The forest is famous for its stand of loblolly pine trees. Cypress swamps border the Pocomoke River and the nearby waters provide good fishing. Two areas in the forest, including the swamp, are designated Wildlands Areas.

Talbot County (410) 479-1623.

Wicomico County (410) 543-1950.

 

The Forest Service administers recreation facilities, assists in resource protection programs, provides technical assistance and manages National Forest Lands. Rural Development policy is to not authorize, fund, or carry out any proposal that, as a result of identifiable impacts, direct or indirect, would lead to or accommodate either the conversion of these land uses or encroachment upon them. Whenever a proposed action is determined to have a potential for impacting any National Scenic Area, the U.S. Forest Service, should be consulted as early in the environmental analysis process as possible to evaluate the possible consequences of and protection requirements necessary concerning the action.

 

 

Federal Contact

Forest Servie Department of Agriculutre symbol

USDA Forest Service Phone:      (414) 297-3600
 Eastern Region – R9                  FAX: (414) 297-3808
626 East Wisconsin Ave.            TTY: (414) 297-3507

Milwaukee, WI 53202

 

State Contact

 

Delaware:  OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

                        2320 South DuPont Highway
                        Dover, Delaware 19901
                        Ph: (302) 698-4500
                        Ph: (800) 282-8685 (In Delaware only

 

Maryland:  Steven W. Koehn, State Forester
Tawes State Office Building, E-1 / 580 Taylor Avenue / Annapolis, Maryland 21401
410-260-8531 Fax: 410-260-8595

 

Local Forests:  Consult Natural Resource Conservation Office and maps.

 

 Governing Federal Regulations.

(a) U.S. Department of Agriculture, Departmental Regulation 9500-3, Land Use Policy.

(b) Forest and Rangelands Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974, as amended,

 (PL 93-378).

(c) Renewable Resources Extension Act of 1978 (PL 95-306).

(d) Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (PL 94-579).

(e) Executive Order 11514, Protection and Enhancement of Environmental Quality.

(f) Title 7, Part 1b and lc, Code of Federal Regulations, U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Environmental Policy Act.

(g) National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. 4321.