funding, and offered a 
consolidated payment option 
to the States to reduce the 
paperwork and delay 
associated with the 
then-current reimbursement 
procedures. Though funding 
for certain programs, such 
as the Forestry Incentives 
Program and the Rural 
Community Fire Program, is 
still included in Agriculture’s 
appropriation rather than the 
Interior and Related Agencies 
bill (which contains the Forest 
Service appropriations), the 
authorities are now clear for 
administering the programs. © 
Rural Forestry Assistance 
The technical assistance 
programs of the individual 
States vary to meet their 
needs, but all follow the 
same general pattern. Forest 
landowners can receive 
advice and technical 
assistance on the 
management of their forest 
lands. Professional foresters 
of the State forestry 
organization will visit the 
owner and make an 
inspection of the property as 
a basis for providing further 
help. Each State has 
guidelines that limit the 
activity and the time that can 
78 
be spent with any one owner. 
Where tract size and forest 
values are too large to be 
handled by the State "service 
forester," Owners are referred 
to consultants. 
Typical services provided to 
owners include the 
preparation of forest 
management plans, 
explanation of appropriate 
forest management activities, 
timber marking, marketing 
assistance, taxation advice 
on forestry operations, 
discussions of multiple-use 
aspects of land management, 
help with cost-share 
programs, and advice on 
forest products utilization. 
Technical experts are 
available to assist loggers 
and primary forest-products 
manufacturers in improving 
the efficiency of their 
operations protecting the 
environment. 
Where vendors are not 
available, the State may 
provide at cost such services 
as site preparation, planting, 
herbicide application for 
release or timber stand 
improvement, and prescribed 
burning. Timber salvage 
programs following storms 
and insect epidemics usually 
