This bill establishes the Forest Conservation Easement Program to conserve and restore forests by providing financial and technical assistance for forest land easements and forest reserve easements.
Kirsten Gillibrand
Senator
NY
The Forest Conservation Easement Program Act of 2025 establishes a program to conserve and restore forests by providing financial and technical assistance to eligible entities for purchasing forest land easements from private and tribal landowners, as well as allowing the Secretary to purchase forest reserve easements. This program aims to protect natural resources, promote sustainable forest management, and support socially disadvantaged landowners, while also allowing landowners to participate in environmental services markets. The Act also repeals the Healthy Forests Reserve Program, but ensures the validity and continuation of existing agreements under that program, and authorizes $100 million to be appropriated annually from 2025 through 2029 to carry out the Act.
New Bill Proposes $500M Forest Conservation Program Focusing on Easements and Endangered Species
This proposed legislation, the "Forest Conservation Easement Program Act of 2025," sets up a new federal program aimed at protecting and restoring forest lands across the country. The core idea is to use conservation easements – essentially agreements where landowners limit certain uses of their property to protect its natural resources – backed by $100 million in authorized funding each year from 2025 through 2029. The program aims to conserve forests while often still allowing them to be managed and used productively.
How It Works: Easements Explained
The bill creates two main types of easements. First, Forest Land Easements involve eligible groups like state agencies, local governments, tribes, or conservation non-profits buying easements from private or tribal landowners. The federal government would help fund these purchases, covering 50% of the easement's value generally, but potentially up to 75% if the forest has special environmental significance or if the owner is considered a "socially disadvantaged forest landowner" (defined as belonging to a group historically facing prejudice). Second, Forest Reserve Easements are acquired directly by the Secretary of Agriculture, specifically to restore, protect, and enhance forest land, with a priority given to areas that help endangered or threatened species.
Following the Money Trail
Beyond funding the purchase of easements, the program offers direct financial help. For landowners participating in a Forest Reserve Easement, the government can cover costs for conservation activities outlined in their plan – up to 100% for permanent easements and 50-75% for shorter-term ones, capped at $500,000 per easement or contract. Importantly, the bill states that money received through this program won't count against certain other federal payment limits or income caps. It also explicitly allows participants to earn money from environmental services markets (like carbon credits) without losing program eligibility, potentially letting landowners stack conservation benefits.
Transitioning from an Older Program
The act also officially repeals the existing Healthy Forests Reserve Program (Title V of the 2003 Act). However, it includes important language ensuring that any contracts, agreements, or easements already in place under that old program remain valid. Funding already set aside for those existing agreements can still be used, and the Secretary can even tap into the new Forest Conservation Easement Program funds to keep supporting them under the old rules. This aims to provide continuity for landowners already participating in federal forest conservation efforts.