TCHULA, Miss.–If you’re a landowner who deals in timber, you could get money to help clear dead trees from your land and as reimbursement for other costs related to the large-scale tree deaths related to last year’s drought and the infestation by the southern pine beetle.
“I am very relieved that forest landowners will be able to access these funds for costs associated with commercial thinning, firebreaks, and debris removal in fighting pine beetles,” Hyde-Smith said, in a hearing questioning Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack.
The money is available through Emergency Forest Restoration Aid, for all 82 Mississippi counties.
“There is still a long road ahead in getting Mississippi forest landowners, homeowners, and municipalities back on their feet, and I’m continuing to explore multiple angles for assistance. Still, this emergency forest restoration authorization is a huge step forward for landowners, and I want to make sure as many eligible Mississippians get help as soon as possible,” she said.
It is estimated that Mississippi has lost 12 million trees so far.
Sign ups are on the USDA website.
