Healthy Forest Reserve Program. The purpose of the HFRP in Oregon is to provide additional suitable habitat for the spotted owl. The goals of the program are to:
1) Provide financial incentives that support the connection between spotted owl habitat, biodiversity, carbon sequestration and sustainable timber harvest;
2) Promote mutual benefits of spotted owl habitat and sustainable timber harvest practices;
3) Provide long-term protections for spotted owl habitat on forestlands in Oregon; and
4) Provide direct incentives to forest landowners willing to extend their harvest rotations and increase biodiversity on their land for the improvement of spotted owl habitat. In Oregon, the HFRP offers two enrollment options:
1. A 10-year restoration agreement for which the landowner may receive 50 percent of the average cost of the approved conservation practices;
2. A permanent easement option for which landowners may receive 100 percent of the easement value of the enrolled land plus 100 percent of the average cost of the approved conservation practices. HFRP easement holders will be required to re- enroll in this Agreement when their certificate expires, or participate in another similar safe harbor-like assurance if the Agreement is no longer in existence. It is important to note that landowners are not required to enroll under this Agreement if they wish to participate in ODF’s Stewardship Agreement without specific consideration for spotted owls, or accept NRCS financial assistance other than HFRP. Participating in this Agreement is at the discretion of the landowner. However, HFRP participants will be required to work with ODF and NRCS to develop a Stewardship Agreement and to enroll under this Agreement as a condition of their participation in the program. The Stewardship Agreement and land management plan will have to meet the requirements for both the HFRP and the Safe Harbor Agreement-related ESA Permit and Certificate of Inclusion.
