§ 230.36 - State priority plan—purpose and scope.

(a) The State priority plan shall be used to guide FLEP implementation in each participating State through fiscal year 2007 and can be revised as needed.

(b) The State priority plan must describe the various roles and responsibilities of the State Forester, State Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee, and other agencies and organizations in FLEP planning, delivery, and accountability to the program objectives.

(c) The State priority plan must contain the following:

(1) Data from standard forest inventory and analysis reports on the forest resources found within the State;

(2) A description of concerns, issues, problems and threats related to resource management for all nonindustrial private forest and agroforestry resources;

(3) Identification of the desired objectives and environmental, economic, and social values and public benefits to be derived from FLEP;

(4) An explanation of how FLEP funds are to be used to complement efforts of sustainable forestry management already in place within the State;

(5) A rationale for, and a proposed distribution of, funds for the FLEP elements listed at section 230.35 that the State plans to implement; and

(6) A description of the public participation process used in the development of the plan, including outreach efforts to landowners with limited resources.

(d) If an existing State Forest Stewardship plan, as described at section 19(b)(3) of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act (16 U.S.C. 2101, et seq. ), adequately addresses some or all of the required information, it may be incorporated into the State priority plan by reference.

(e) The State priority plan must also outline the State FLEP priorities, policies, and procedures that will be implemented to encourage landowners to practice sustainable management and to actively conserve and enhance their forest resources.

(f) Each FLEP element described in the State priority plan must clearly state objectives and measurable outcomes to be achieved.

(g) All activities performed using FLEP funds must be consistent with the purpose of the program.