Section 1537.1  Definitions

 

"Advance Regeneration" – tree seedlings and saplings established and growing in the forest understory.

 

"Afforestation" – the establishment of forest trees by planting or seeding an area not previously forested.

 

"Basal Area" or "BA" – a measurement of the cross-sectional area of a tree, taken at breast height (4½ ft.); a term commonly used as a measure of forest density and expressed in square ft./acre.

 

"Base Cost" – the estimated total cost of work for a practice based on the market.

 

"Cancel" – the act of an IDNR Forester cancelling a timber grower's Plan and enrollment in the Program due to:

 

sale of property;

 

failure to follow or implement required practices;

 

failure to adhere to 17 Ill. Adm. Code 1536; or

 

due to a timber grower performing or advocating any act or effort that damages, hinders or destroys forest land or forest resources in the FDA Program.

 

Cancellation removes a timber grower from the Program, thus preluding any benefits of the FDA Program, including preferential property tax assessment levels guaranteed by the program.

 

"Compatible Forestry Use" – lands not having productive forest, but that are permanent natural features or land uses that facilitate, compliment or enhance natural wildlife habitat, natural resource conservation or environmental or site quality, such as a rock outcropping, open wetland, natural grassland, firebreak, food plot or pond.

 

"Contiguous" – continuing without interruption by a nonforestry land use.

 

"DBH" or "Diameter at Breast Height" – the diameter of a tree's trunk measured at 4½ feet above ground level on the uphill side.

 

"Desirable Species" – native or adapted forest trees, shrubs and herbs having desirable attributes as forest products and habitat.

 

"FDA" means the Illinois Forestry Development Act [525 ILCS 15].

 

"Flat Rate Payment" – a lump sum cost-share payment to a timber grower to cover a portion of the cost of a successfully completed practice, according to 17 Ill. Adm. Code 1536 and the Program Agreement.

 

"Forest" – a biological community whose dominant vegetation is trees.

 

"Forestry Best Management Practices" or "BMPs" – practical and economically achievable practices for preventing or reducing nonpoint source pollution.

 

"Forest Management Plan" or "Plan" – a written forest management planning document required of an entity entering the Program described in 17 Ill. Adm. Code 1536 and prepared, by a timber grower, professional forester or natural resource manager, to guide and direct the use and management of a forest property under the FDA, this Part (Section 1537.60 and Exhibit A, Section VIII) and 17 Ill. Adm. Code 1536.  The Plan must be certified by the IDNR Forester.

 

"IDNR Forester" – an employee of the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forest Resources, who is designated by position title as Forest Management Program Manager, Regional Forestry Administrator, Forestry Natural Resource Specialist or Natural Resource Advanced Specialist.

 

"Practice" – specific activities prescribed to be completed in an effort to improve or enhance the health, composition, quality, regeneration and growth of forests.

 

"Program" means the Forestry Development Cost-share Program authorized by the FDA and implemented at 17 Ill. Adm. Code 1536.

 

"Reforestation" – the re-establishment of forest cover by natural or artificial means on areas recently or historically supporting forest cover.

 

"Regeneration" – the renewal of a tree crop by natural seeding, sprouting, planting, harvesting or other methods; also includes young trees that will develop into the future forest.

 

"Silviculture" – the art, science and practice of establishing, tending and regenerating forest stands for the production of goods and services; the theory and practice of controlling forest establishment, composition and growth.

 

"Special Sites" – sites offering unique historical, archaeological, cultural, geological, biological or ecological characteristics.

 

"Stand" – a group of trees that, because of their similar age, condition, composition, management history and soil characteristics, are logically managed together as a single unit.

 

"Stocking" – a function of the number of trees, basal area and quadratic mean diameter per acre in a specific forest area compared to the optimal level to best achieve management objectives.  Stocking may be expressed as a percentage or in relative terms such as understocked, fully stocked or overstocked.

 

"Timber" – trees, standing or felled, and parts of trees, that are capable of attaining a size and form that allows the trees to be sawn into usable lumber products, excluding Christmas tree plantations and woody crops raised primarily or exclusively for use as firewood or biomass.

 

"Timber Grower" – the owner, tenant or operator of land in this State who has an interest in, or is entitled to receive any part of the proceeds from, the sale of timber grown in this State and includes persons exercising authority to sell timber.

 

"Timber Stand Improvement" or "TSI" – a combination of intermediate cultural treatments designed to improve the growth, condition and composition of the forest.

 

"Treatment" – the act or effort of performing and successfully completing a practice or a combination of practices included in the Plan.

 

"Tree Shelter" – a constructed or commercially purchased shelter that is at least 4' in height designed to protect a tree from wildlife damage and/or enhance growth.  Tree shelters must conform to 17 Ill. Adm. Code 1536.65(c)(1).

 

"Wetlands" – those areas inundated or saturated by surface water or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted to life in saturated soil conditions.

 

(Source:  Amended at 41 Ill. Reg. 15790, effective December 18, 2017)

 

Section 1537.2  Forest Management Plan Development

 

Timber growers or their representatives may develop a 10-year Forest Management Plan (proposed Plan) and submit it to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forest Resources, IDNR Forester serving the county in which the land is located.  The IDNR Forester will review and certify the proposed Plan in accordance with this Part.  An outline listing all the required content, format and order of an eligible Plan is in Exhibit A.  Plans must adhere to this Part, including Exhibit A.  Forest practice standards and specifications recommended or required by the Plan preparer must meet those outlined in 17 Ill. Adm. Code 1536.

 

(Source:  Amended at 41 Ill. Reg. 4306, effective March 31, 2017)

 

Section 1537.5  Eligibility

 

The Illinois Forestry Development Act creates a voluntary cost-share program.

 

a)         A minimum of 90% of lands designated in the Plan must physically and biologically support forests and timber.  Land not supporting forest or growing timber may total up to 10% of Plan acreage if it is a compatible conservation use or important to conservation and timber management and occurs as an integrated, inseparable or adjacent natural resource.

 

1)         Lands used as field windbreaks, commercial nut/fruit orchards, commercial farmland, landscape nurseries, Christmas trees or similar nonforestry uses are not eligible for enrollment.

 

2)         Annual food plots or similar wildlife openings in or adjacent to the forest that are tilled, worked and seeded or planted annually or occasionally may not exceed 2 acres and may not occur at a density greater than 2 total acres of plot per 40 acres.  No existing forest may be cleared to create a food plot or wildlife opening.

 

b)         A timber grower must own or operate at least 10 contiguous acres of land that is systematically managed for the production of timber and natural resource conservation.  No acre on which a permanent building is located shall be included in calculations of acreage for the purpose of determining eligibility.  Once eligibility of the 10 contiguous forest acres is met, additional forested acres one acre in size or larger located on contiguous or adjoining parcels under the same ownership are eligible to be included in the Plan.  Non-forested areas adjoining the 10+ qualifying contiguous acres may be included in the Plan for Compatible Forestry Use under subsection (a)(2). 

 

c)         The timber grower must agree to implement the Plan and demonstrate progress in completing the required practices of that Plan.  Participants must allow field inspections by the IDNR Forester to ensure Plan compliance.

 

d)         All acreage and status changes or Plan modifications must be documented on an original or new Certification Form signed by the IDNR Forester and the timber grower.

 

e)         Grandfathered parcels; Timber growers owning less than 10 acres who were enrolled prior to 2009 and have maintained continuous participation, meeting program requirements, may participate as grandfathered parcels until such time as they withdraw or are cancelled by an IDNR Forester.  Those growers may not reduce enrolled acreage. Grandfathered acreage may be re-enrolled and may be transferred to another grower if the grandfathered acreage changes ownership.

 

(Source:  Amended at 41 Ill. Reg. 4306, effective March 31, 2017)

 

Section 1537.6  Cover Page and Certification Form

 

All Plans must include the first page as a cover page with the following minimum correct information:  timber grower's and Plan preparer's name, address, phone number and email address (if available), date of the proposed Plan preparation, number of acres covered under the Plan and duration of the Plan.  Additionally, proposed Plans must be accepted and signed by the timber grower and certified by the IDNR Forester in writing on the Forest Management Plan Certification Form (Exhibit B).  The IDNR Forester will notify the timber grower and proposed plan preparer of the certification, or the reasons that prevent the proposed Plan from being certified, within 60 days after receiving it.  Upon Plan certification, the timber grower may have the IDNR Forester submit a Plan Certification Form to the Illinois Department of Revenue and the county assessor will be notified quarterly in accordance with Section 10-150 of the Property Tax Code [35 ILCS 200].

 

(Source:  Added at 41 Ill. Reg. 4306, effective March 31, 2017)

 

Section 1537.10  Property Location and Description

 

The minimum legal description of the property to be managed must include quarter section, section, township, range and county.  Plans must describe the relationship of the forest property in context to the surrounding properties.  A minimum property description should include a geographic location, access to the property and forest, significant features, management history and restrictive easements.

 

(Source:  Amended at 41 Ill. Reg. 4306, effective March 31, 2017)

 

Section 1537.12  Goals and Objectives

 

A timber grower's goals or objectives regarding management of the forest or land and any natural resource concerns must constitute a section of the Plan and must be compatible with the FDA, this Part and 17 Ill. Adm. Code 1536.  The FDA program participation requires the production of timber as an ongoing goal.  Specific stand recommendations and requirements in the Plan are to be based on the goals, objectives or concerns stated in that section of the Plan.  Management goals, objectives or concerns stated in that section should be clear, time specific, achievable and expressed in terms that are measurable.

 

(Source:  Amended at 41 Ill. Reg. 15790, effective December 18, 2017)

 

Section 1537.15  Maps

 

Aerial photography or maps clearly depicting the property and forest stands and the soils within the stands, as well as other important features, are required for each Plan.  Maps must include at least the information and specifications listed in Section 10 of Exhibit A.

 

(Source:  Amended at 41 Ill. Reg. 4306, effective March 31, 2017)

 

Section 1537.18  Soils Information

 

All Plans must include a description of soil properties and features affecting forest growth and productivity.  Information may be generalized over the property when soil conditions are uniform or addressed on a stand-by-stand basis and mapped on aerial photography.  Soil information must include the soil names, mapping units, site index and timber yield productivity for primary tree species.  Information should include facts about drainage, erodability or other management limitations.

 

(Source:  Added at 41 Ill. Reg. 4306, effective March 31, 2017)

 

Section 1537.20  Stand Description and Analysis

 

a)         A description is required for each forest stand regardless of size in acres.  The information and data must be described and interpreted in detail and include all items listed in Section 5 of Exhibit A for each forest or reforestation stand.

 

b)         Systematic Inventory

A systematic inventory of each forest stand must be conducted and must include all forest trees of 2 inch diameter or larger.

 

1)         For each forest stand under 10 acres, data may be collected through any valid systematic or professional methodology agreed upon by the IDNR Forester.

 

2)         Each forest stand 10 acres or greater requires that a detailed forest inventory be conducted.  Inventory data must be analyzed by statistically sound software programs or hand calculation based on forest measurement principals.  Inventory-analysis programs must be approved by the IDNR Forester.  Criteria for forest inventory accuracy are ±10% of the basal area/acre and ±10% of the volume/area using a 90% statistical confidence level.   

 

c)         Copies of inventory plot data and field notes must be delivered to the IDNR Forester for review upon request.  The IDNR Forester will determine if all of the required inventory data meets accuracy requirements.  Forestry inventory data is considered valid for 10 years from the growing season it was recorded.  Use of older data is not allowed unless specifically approved in writing by the IDNR Forester in advance of Plan preparation.

 

(Source:  Amended at 41 Ill. Reg. 15790, effective December 18, 2017)

 

Section 1537.21  Stand Practices

 

A detailed narrative description and interpretation of recommended and required silvicultural practices based on the designated silvicultural system and stand specific objectives is required for each forest or reforestation stand regardless of size in acres.  Silvicultural treatments or prescriptions should be integrated with timber grower objectives and management of surrounding stands.  Recommendations and information must include all practices required for the following 10 years and include all items listed in Section 6 of Exhibit A.

 

a)         Timber harvest prescriptions must achieve goals of the silvicultural system for forest regeneration and the Plan.  Harvest prescriptions must include strategies to assure timely regeneration of forest stands.  Forest practices that establish advanced regeneration prior to harvest are considered a priority to the Division of Forest Resources.  A timber harvest projection must be made if a harvest is not prescribed in the 10 year schedule.  All timber harvesting activities must adhere to the laws of Illinois and follow the Illinois Forestry Best Management Practices (BMPs).  A copy of the BMPs (June 2007, or most current version) is available on the University of Illinois, Southern Illinois University and IDNR websites.

 

b)         Reforestation and afforestation practices must address site preparation, planting methods, vegetation control, species selection, species quantities, spacing and planting design.  FDA Certification may be cancelled in accordance with Section 1537.72 if the reforestation is not completed by the second planting season, unless delayed due to circumstances beyond the control of the timber grower.

 

(Source:  Amended at 41 Ill. Reg. 15790, effective December 18, 2017)

 

Section 1537.25  Harvest Schedule Projected 10 Years (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 41 Ill. Reg. 4306, effective March 31, 2017)

 

Section 1537.30  Reforestation And Afforestation (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 41 Ill. Reg. 4306, effective March 31, 2017)

 

Section 1537.35  Afforestation Plan (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 14 Ill. Reg. 18222, effective October 29, 1990)

 

Section 1537.38  Conservation Opportunities, Constraints and Concerns

 

Plans must address the resource values and items outlined in Section 7 of Exhibit A and integrate forestry practices with conservation of habitats, natural resource features and the greater landscape.

 

(Source:  Added at 41 Ill. Reg. 4306, effective March 31, 2017)

 

Section 1537.40  Forest Regeneration (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 41 Ill. Reg. 4306, effective March 31, 2017)

 

Section 1537.42  Recreational Use and Aesthetics

 

a)         Recreation and aesthetic use and visual quality considerations that are compatible with forestry practices, goals and objectives are encouraged.  Intensive uses such as commercial campgrounds, off-road vehicle parks, or similar endeavors are not permitted.  Passive and/or nonintensive recreational and aesthetic activities that may produce revenue are allowed.

 

b)         Air, soil and water quality conservation must consider soils, topography and riparian areas when choosing silvicultural treatments and practices.  Measures to reduce and stabilize soil erosion shall be included.  Implementation must adhere to federal, State, county and local laws and regulations.

 

c)         Wetlands described in the Plan must be conserved and considered when choosing silvicultural treatments and practices.  Ecological values of conserving wetlands and forested wetlands shall be discussed.

 

d)         Fish, wildlife and biodiversity habitat practices that enhance terrestrial and aquatic species should be integrated into the Plan. Prescriptions should be consistent with the Illinois Wildlife Action Plan.

 

e)         Forest health and protection concerns are to be integrated into stand prescriptions and practices.  Forest health threats or conditions must be addressed, as well as appropriate procedures to detect and adjust management for significant biological and environmental concerns.

 

f)         Threatened and endangered plant and animal species, as well as special cultural, historical and archaeological resources, must be identified to the extent possible by consulting the Ecological Compliance Assessment Tool (EcoCAT) inventory database available on the IDNR website, through field observations and via communication with timber growers and natural resource specialists.  Management recommendations and requirements for rare, threatened or endangered species must be discussed with qualified experts and, if a federally listed species requiring habitat protection or special Illinois cultural sites exist, the Plan will be adjusted.

 

(Source:  Amended at 41 Ill. Reg. 15790, effective December 18, 2017)

 

Section 1537.45  Soil and Water Conservation Goals (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 41 Ill. Reg. 4306, effective March 31, 2017)

 

Section 1537.50  Forest Wildlife Habitat Enhancement (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 41 Ill. Reg. 4306, effective March 31, 2017)

 

Section 1537.55  Protection Measures (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 41 Ill. Reg. 4306, effective March 31, 2017)

 

Section 1537.60  Management Practice Activity Schedule

 

All Plans must include a table of the recommended and required forestry practices to include all items listed in Section 8 of Exhibit A.  Recommended practices shall be listed immediately preceded by the word optional.

 

(Source:  Amended at 41 Ill. Reg. 15790, effective December 18, 2017)

 

Section 1537.65  An Estimate of the Practice Costs (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 41 Ill. Reg. 4306, effective March 31, 2017)

 

Section 1537.70  Forest Management Plan Approval (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 41 Ill. Reg. 4306, effective March 31, 2017)

 

Section 1537.71  Plan Review

 

Active Plans may be modified by the IDNR Forester and/or by agreement of the timber grower and the IDNR Forester to address new forest conditions, concerns or management strategies.

 

a)         Plan reviews are required biennially.  The IDNR Forester is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Plan by the timber grower.  Timber growers must submit a written statement biennially, upon request of the IDNR Forester, stating the present status of the forest and all progress in carrying out the current Plan prescriptions.

 

b)         Plans are valid until cancelled by the IDNR Forester.  Plans must be reviewed at the 10 year anniversary date.  A new plan or modified plan must be submitted to the IDNR Forester for renewal of the certification.

 

c)         Plans may be modified to adjust acreage or management activities, if approved by the IDNR Forester.  Modified Plans remain valid for their original 10 years or, with newly collected forest inventory data and results, a new 10 year period can be established.

 

(Source:  Added at 41 Ill. Reg. 4306, effective March 31, 2017)

 

Section 1537.72  Cancellation Process

 

a)         If a timber grower or property under a Plan is found to be out of compliance for the reasons stated in subsection (b), the Plan may be cancelled or put on probationary status.  The timber grower will be notified in writing regarding the specific problems resulting in the cancellation and will be given up to 45 days to respond.  Probation may allow up to one year to comply with existing, new or modified schedules of management practices approved by the IDNR Forester.  If the timber grower is found to be out of compliance for the reasons stated in subsection (c), the Plan will automatically be cancelled.

 

b)         The Plan will be cancelled or placed on probationary status if the timber grower fails to:

 

1)         follow the requirements outlined in the Plan;

 

2)         protect the land from domestic livestock grazing and fire, unless prescribed in the Plan;

 

3)         submit the written statement required by Section 1537.71;

 

4)         successfully afforest/reforest required planting sites by the second available planting season, unless delayed due to circumstances beyond the control of the timber grower;

 

5)         follow Illinois Forestry BMPs during harvest operations.

 

c)         The Plan will be automatically cancelled for the following reasons:

 

1)         the timber grower requests to be removed from the FDA Program;

 

2)         the timber grower no longer meets the minimum criteria or eligibility for certification, except for active, grandfathered parcels;

 

3)         the property is sold or transferred, unless the subsequent timber grower assumes the existing Plan;

 

4)         death of the timber grower, unless the subsequent timber grower assumes the existing Plan;

 

5)         harvest of timber when it was not prescribed in the Plan;

 

6)         failure to follow timber harvest prescriptions or selling trees not designated, marked or approved by the IDNR Forester;

 

7)         the timber grower fails to respond to a letter discussing probation or fails to correct problems that initiated probationary status in the time allowed.

 

d)         Upon cancellation of a Plan, the Illinois Department of Revenue and the county assessor will be notified quarterly in accordance with Section 10-150 of the Property Tax Code [35 ILCS 200].  If cancellation occurs within the life span of cost-shared practices, monies received by timber growers from State cost-share programs will be subject to recapture pursuant to State and federal law.

 

(Source:  Amended at 41 Ill. Reg. 15790, effective December 18, 2017)

 

Section 1537.75  Appeals

 

a)         Any timber grower whose property is considered ineligible, whose initial certification is denied, whose Plan is cancelled or whose practice is not approved by the IDNR Forester may appeal to the Regional Review Committee (see 17 Ill. Adm. Code 2530).  The Regional Review Committee is composed of the Regional Administrator, an IDNR Forester from another district in the Region and the Forest Management Program Manager.

 

b)         The appeal must be made in writing within 45 days from the date that the Plan was cancelled or practice was not approved to the Forest Management Program Manager at the address listed in Section 1537.85.

 

(Source:  Amended at 41 Ill. Reg. 4306, effective March 31, 2017)

 

Section 1537.80  Annual Review Process (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 41 Ill. Reg. 4306, effective March 31, 2017)

 

Section 1537.85  Information

 

Anyone wishing additional information may contact the Department of Natural Resources at the following address:

 

Illinois Department of Natural Resources

ORC – Division of Forest Resources

One Natural Resources Way

Springfield IL 62702-1271

 

(Source:  Amended at 41 Ill. Reg. 4306, effective March 31, 2017)

 

Section 1537.90  Amended Plans (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 41 Ill. Reg. 4306, effective March 31, 2017)

Section 1537.EXHIBIT A   Forest Management Plan Outline

 

I.          Cover Page   

A.        Timber grower's name, address, phone number and email

B.        Plan preparer's name, address, phone number and email

C.        Plan preparation date

D.        Plan acreage

E.         Plan duration and Plan expiration date

 

II.        Signatures and Approval Page (IFDA Certification, Exhibit B)

 

III.       Property Location and Description

 

A.        General land description

1.         Quarter section, section, township, range

2.         Name of township and county

B.        Specify how to access property (include GPS coordinates)

C.        Adjacent land use to the north, south, east and west of this property

D.        Land use and/or management history

E.         Acknowledgement of easements, legal land designations or encumbrances

 

IV.       Forest Management Goals and Resource Concerns

 

V.        Stand Descriptions and Analysis

 

A.        Existing forestland

1.         Stand # and acreage

2.         Topographic features and aspect

3.         Soils

a.         Soil mapping units

b.         Site index

c.         Annual timber productivity or yield (bd.ft./acre or ft³/acre)

4.         Society of American Foresters cover type or IL natural community type

5.         Stand age class or structure

6.         Tree size classes and canopy position

7.         Invasive and/or exotic species

(Provide separate assessments for woody and herbaceous species)

a.         Species present and relative size

b.         Percent ground and/or canopy cover

c.         Average number of woody stems per acre

8.         Advanced regeneration and understory conditions

9.         Forest inventory data (stand and stock tables)

a.         Stand-level summary data

a.1.      Trees/acre

a.2.      Basal area/acre

a.3.      Volume/acre

a.4.      Quadratic mean diameter (QMD) or average diameter

a.5.      Stocking level

a.6.      Percent stocking

b.         Species-level summary data, by stand

b.1.      Trees/acre

b.2.      Basal area/acre

b.3.      Volume/acre

b.4.      Average diameter

10.       Timber quality and timber production assessment

11.       Timber harvest and forest practices history

12.       Active conservation practices or projects

B.        Afforestation or reforestation land (if applicable)

1.         Stand or field # and acreage

2.         Existing vegetative cover

3.         Topographic features and aspect

4.         Site limitations

5.         Soils

a.         Soil mapping units

b.         Site index

c.         Annual timber productivity or yield (bd.ft./acre or ft³/acre)

d.         Soil drainage class

 

VI.       Stand Prescriptions

 

A.        Existing forestland

1.         Designation and description of the silvicultural system

2.         Stand-specific objectives

3.         Narrative description of silvicultural practices and treatments necessary to achieve stand objectives and desired future conditions

4.         Appropriate quantified practice and treatment targets based upon stand objectives, silviculture and desired future conditions

a.         Stocking or density

a.1.      Basal areas to remove and retain

a.2.      Avg. # of crop trees/acre to release and retain

a.3.      Avg. # of trees/acre to remove and retain

b.         Desired species composition

c.         Desired stocking percent

d.         Exotic/invasive species control prescriptions and required targets of treatment

d.1.      Expected post-treatment results, including residual population structure and density for each prescribed treatment

e.         Underplanting specifications

e.1.      Planting stock species

e.2.      Planting stock type, source and quantity

e.3.      Location and spacing

e.4.      Site preparation

e.5.      Competing vegetation control and maintenance

f.          Quantified wildlife habitat specifications

g.         Advance regeneration specifications, composition and quantity

h.         Prescribed burning specifications or plan, if applicable (Prescribed burn plans must be submitted to the IDNR Forester prior to application for cost share assistance)

5.         Timber harvest schedule and harvest projections

B.        Afforestation or reforestation land (if applicable)

1.         Planting stock species

2.         Planting stock type, source and quantity

3.         Planting stock size or specifications (other than required)

4.         Planting method

5.         Site preparation specifications and cover crop needs

6.         Row spacing (between and within)

7.         Vegetation control and maintenance

8.         Post-planting care and management

9.         Minimum performance standards

a.         Survival of planted stock per acre

b.         Suppression of grasses and weeds

 

VII.     Conservation Opportunities, Constraints and Concerns

 

A.        Recreation and aesthetics

1.         Address timber grower's goals and objectives

2.         Visual impacts (aesthetics) or recreational use impacts resulting from applied management activities (if any)

B.        Air, soil and water quality conservation

1.         Presence or absence of forest structure, condition and concerns affecting air, soil and water quality

2.         How the affecting condition can be maintained or modified to have positive influence on the air, soil and water conservation

3.         Prescribe site-specific Illinois Forestry Best Management Practices necessary to conserve soil and water quality

C.        Wetland protection

1.         Presence and location of possible wetlands on the property; the Plan is not an official determination of wetlands

2.         Management activities necessary to protect streams, ponds or wetlands

3.         Prescribe site-specific Illinois Forestry Best Management Practices necessary to conserve wetland functions and features

D.        Fish, wildlife and biodiversity

1.         Address timber grower's specific goals and objectives

2.         Consistent with IDNR State Wildlife Action Plan (available on the IDNR website)

E.         Forest health and protection

1.         Detection and/or management of existing and imminent insects and diseases

2.         Implications of relevant or existing invasive/exotic species

3.         Physical or environmental threats or damage

4.         Livestock management and/or exclusion recommendations if applicable

F.         Threatened and endangered (T&E) species

1.         Search Ecological Assessment Tool (EcoCAT) database, available on the IDNR website

2.         Explain records or facts of existing and likely T&E species

3.         Management implications or constraints of existing T&E species

4.         Management for federally listed species requiring habitat protection

G.        Identify and protect special sites

1.         Summarize findings from field reconnaissance with regard to special sites (unique historical, archaeological, cultural, geological, biological or ecological characteristics)

2.         Provide protection and mitigation measures from planned forest management activities for documented special sites

 

VIII.  Practice Schedule (of all prescribed forest management practices)

 

A.        List the practices planned for each stand for the next 10 years; list these practices in priority order; use a table format

B.        Use one table row for each unique treatment in order of treatment priority

C.        Include the following information under column headings

1.         Year practice prescribed

2.         Stand

3.         Treatment description

4.         NRCS practice code

5.         Treatment units

6.         IFDA requirement? (yes or no)

7.         Proposed completion date

                       

D.        Practices that are recommended for good forest management but not required shall be listed, preceded by the word optional

 

IX.     Considerations Specific to the Forest Development Cost-Share Program

 

A.        Plan entitlements for timber grower or subsequent timber growers

1.         Eligible for technical assistance from the IDNR Forester

2.         Eligible for IDNR nursery stock, pending availability

3.         Eligible for cost-share funds to help implement planned practices

B.        Plan requirements of timber grower or subsequent timber growers

1.         Afforested/reforested area must maintain a minimum stocking level of 300 live, desirable trees/acre during establishment

2.         Repay all cost-share monies if Plan is cancelled

3.         Never remove IDNR nursery stock with the roots attached

4.         Timber harvest marking or operations will be only as approved by the IDNR Forester

5.         Modify the Plan or practices within the Plan period only with approval of both the timber grower and IDNR Forester, and documented in writing

6.         Return biennial review letter to maintain enrollment in IFDA Program

7.         Protect Plan acreage from wildfire

8.         Exclude any Plan acreage accessible to livestock unless approved in the Plan

9.         To implement this Plan according to the practice schedule and not contingent upon State or federal funding

10.       Notify IDNR within 30 days of address or ownership changes

 

X.       Plan Maps (copy-ready on 8.5 x 11 inch paper)

 

A.        Property map

1.         North arrow and legend

2.         Map with timber grower name, township, county and scale

3.         Depict property and stand boundaries, roads, fields, water and features

4.         Aerial photo having minimum scale of 1" = 660' or 1:7920

5.         Large properties may adjust scale to fit 8.5 x 11 inch paper

6.         GPS coordinates

B.        Soils map

1.         North arrow and legend

2.         Map with timber grower name, township, county and scale

3.         Forest areas and soil mapping units, roads, fields, water and features

4.         Aerial photo having minimum scale of 1:16,000 or larger

5.         GPS coordinates

 

XI.     Appendices

 

A.        Glossary of technical terminology

B.        Documents cited in the body of the Plan

C.        Forest inventory data, output or report

 

(Source:  Amended at 41 Ill. Reg. 15790, effective December 18, 2017)

 

Section 1537.EXHIBIT B   THE ILLINOIS FORESTRY DEVELOPMENT ACT (FDA) "FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN CERTIFICATION"

 

TIMBER GROWER: ______________________________

 

ADDRESS: __________________________________________________

 

TOWN: _______________________  STATE: ______ ZIP: _________

 

EMAIL: ___________________________

 

FORESTRY PLAN # ____________________        ACREAGE: ________________

County Case File #

 

 

LEGAL LOCATION DESCRIPTION:

 

				T		R
Quarter		Section		Township #		Range #		County

(Fractional Quarter, Quarter, Section, Township #, Range #, County, Principal Meridian)

 

PROPERTY TAX ID NUMBERS:

 

1.______________________________         3.______________________________

 

2.______________________________         4.______________________________

(Required only when plan will be used for preferential tax treatment)

 

I am the owner of the property or entity for which this plan has been prepared.  The plan has been prepared in accordance with the Illinois Forestry Development Act [525 ILCS 15] and meets my requirements.  I understand I am obligated to implement the Plan regardless of the availability of incentives and will follow the prescriptions to the best of my ability.  If any changes in ownership or conditions of the forest occur, I will notify the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forest Resources, IDNR Forester in writing within 30 days.  An approved Forest Management Plan guarantees an equalized assessed valuation of 1/6 of the cropland productivity index for the acreage enrolled in the Program.

 

SHALL THIS CERTIFICATION BE FORWARDED TO THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE FOR PREFERENTIAL TAX TREATMENT?

 

 

YES

NO

(District Forester will forward if YES is checked)

 

Approval of this plan does not guarantee that all projected cultural practices will be approved for cost share payments.  Cost sharing is available on a first-come, first-served basis, as funds are available.  Applications for cost-share assistance must be approved by the District Forester before practices are begun.

 

 

PLAN DEVELOPED BY:				DATE:
TIMBER GROWER ACCEPTANCE:				DATE:

 

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES APPROVAL BY DISTRICT FORESTER:

4306April 12, 2017_____________________________  DATE: __________

< choose one or more >

NEW PLAN ______  RENEWAL ______  

CANCELLATION _______  ACREAGE CHANGE ________  ADDRESS CHANGE _______

FULL TRANSFER _______  PARTIAL TRANSFER _______

 

* attach additional sheets as needed

 

(Source:  Amended at 41 Ill. Reg. 4306, effective March 31, 2017)