Modifies current law regarding the forestry riparian easement program. This act clarifies certain definitions of parties subject to the program. This act allows the small forest landowner office to make final determinations on applications to the easement program and the appropriate compensation due to the landowner based on volume and value of the timber being set aside. This act makes any use of the program subject to available funding. This act also provides for a review of the program and investigation into new, long-term funding sources for the program. (Companion: SB 5551).   Official Text and Analysis.

Removes a requirement that a participant in the FREP must have owned the land prior to July 1, 2011, and must have the land enrolled in a forest certification program or be the subject of a forest stewardship plan. The substitute bill limits the DNR from using more than 50 percent of appropriations to the FREP for determining the volume of unharvested trees. The substitute bill changes the maximum amount of money that may be spent on easements for timber located on unstable slopes from $100,000 in a four-year period to $50,000 in a two-year period. The substitute bill requires participants in the FREP to repay their payments if the land subject to the easement is sold within 10 years to a landowner who is not qualified to participate in the FREP.

To expand compensation for certain unharvested trees in the Forest Riparian Easement Program (FREP). Limits participation in the FREP to non-governmental, for-profit legal entities. Requires a recipient of funding from the FREP to repay the total amount received if the recipient sells his or her land within 10 years to someone who would not qualify for participation in the FREP.

To add a new section requiring DNR, by November 1 of each even-numbered year, to submit a list of all FREP applications to the Governor and the Legislature for funding in the capital budget. Changes the date from October 31, 2011, to May 31, 2012, for when DNR must report the findings and recommendations to the Legislature on potential long-term funding sources for FREP. Adds an emergency clause with an effective date of July 1, 2011, to coincide with the biennial capital budget.

To adopt the amendments made by the Natural Reseources & Marine Waters committee.

Expand compensation for certain unharvested trees in the Forest Riparian Easement Program (FREP). Limits participation in the FREP to non-governmental, for-profit legal entities. Requires a recipient of funding from the FREP to repay the total amount received if the recipient sells his or her land within 10 years to someone who would not qualify for participation in the FREP. This bill requires DNR, by November 1 of each even-numbered year, to submit a list of all FREP applications to the Governor and the Legislature for funding in the capital budget. Changes the date from October 31, 2011, to May 31, 2012, for when DNR must report the findings and recommendations to the Legislature on potential long-term funding sources for FREP. Adds an emergency clause with an effective date of July 1, 2011, to coincide with the biennial capital budget.

House concurred with Senate amendments. This bill expand compensation for certain unharvested trees in the Forest Riparian Easement Program (FREP). Limits participation in the FREP to non-governmental, for-profit legal entities. Requires a recipient of funding from the FREP to repay the total amount received if the recipient sells his or her land within 10 years to someone who would not qualify for participation in the FREP. This bill requires DNR, by November 1 of each even-numbered year, to submit a list of all FREP applications to the Governor and the Legislature for funding in the capital budget. Changes the date from October 31, 2011, to May 31, 2012, for when DNR must report the findings and recommendations to the Legislature on potential long-term funding sources for FREP. Adds an emergency clause with an effective date of July 1, 2011, to coincide with the biennial capital budget.