USDA Seeks Public Input on Guidance Defining Nonindustrial Private Forest Land Eligibility

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking public input on Nonindustrial Private Forest Land (NIPF) related to technical and financial assistance available through conservation programs of USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

"We want to ensure we continue program consistency across USDA agencies with how we are defining nonindustrial private forest lands," said Scott Edwards, NRCS State Conservationist in Missouri. "NRCS welcomes input from stakeholders in Missouri, to assist with the development of guidance about how to identify NIPF for program enrollment purposes."

This request for input is to improve transparency about how NRCS makes land eligibility determinations with respect to forest lands. Nonindustrial private forest land criteria will be adopted after the close of the 30-day period and after consideration of all comments.

Submitting Comments

NRCS invites input on this technical guidance through January 19, 2021. Electronic comments must be submitted through regulations.gov under Docket ID NRCS–2020–0009. All written comments received will be publicly available on http://www.regulations.gov.