Beginning with the owner's objectives, we complete a map for the property showing the various land uses and forest stands. We complete a statistical inventory of the woodland, and based on that inventory, soils considerations, water and wetlands considerations, wildlife considerations, and the owner's objectives, we formulate recommendations for a ten year period on the property. Currently, there are two types of Forest Management Plans that can be developed for a given property:
Woodland Management Plan
The requirements for a woodland management plan are specified in the Farmland Assessment Act (as revised in 1986). The regulations for woodland management plans were written by the Department of Treasury's Division of Taxation and have remained more or less unchanged for over 20 years. Gracie and Harrigan plans greatly exceed those minimum requirements in terms of environmental and stewardship planning, and we are glad to create a plan that meets your specific objectives within this framework.
Forest Stewardship Plan
The general objectives of a forest stewardship plan are set forth in the NJ Forest Stewardship Act, however the specific requirements might not be published by the Department of Environmental Protection until January 2011. There is also a federal Forest Stewardship program, but it is currently unclear how these two programs will operate together. In brief, until the DEP sets the requirements for these plans, we are encouraging clients to remain in woodland management plans.
For additional information on the NJ Forest Stewardship Act, see the downloads section.
