Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 5IER24-2 - Hurricane Idalia Silviculture Recovery Program

(1) Definitions. For purposes of this rule, the following definitions shall apply.

(a) "Affected county" includes Charlotte, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Suwannee, and Taylor Counties.

(b) "Eligible timber land" means land that is:

1. Located in an affected county and that was damaged as a result of Hurricane Idalia,

2. Classified as agricultural pursuant to s. 193.461, F.S., and

3. Primarily dedicated to the cultivation of timber and related products.

(c) "Program" means the cost-sharing grant program established in Section 24, Chapter 2023-349, Laws of Florida.

(d) "Site preparation work" means those activities that are prerequisite to successfully replanting trees, including the removal of downed trees through both mechanical harvesting and lawful prescribed burning, as well as chemical site preparation and post-planting herbaceous weed control.

(e) "Tree replanting" includes both machine and hand methods.

(2) Grants shall be awarded for up to 75 percent of the costs for site preparation work and tree replanting on eligible timber land. The maximum grant award shall not exceed $250,000.

(a) To participate in the Program, the owner of eligible timber land shall submit Hurricane Idalia Silviculture Recovery Program 2024, FDACS-11275 (01/24), which is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference. Submission may be made through https://IdaliaTimberRecovery.fdacs.gov. The form is also available for review at https://fdacs.gov/Forms. Applications must be received by the Department by 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time), on June 30, 2024.

(b) Grant applications will be reviewed in the order in which they are received. Only eligible timber landowners' applications will be considered. Grants are not guaranteed and will be disbursed until no funds remain. Applicants that have already received duplicative financial assistance from any other federal or state program shall be ineligible for similar financial assistance under this program. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

(c) The Department shall reimburse the applicant for site preparation work and tree replanting that was performed in accordance with Program requirements and completed after August 30, 2023.

(3) Site preparation work and tree replanting shall be conducted in accordance with all applicable laws and rules, including Rule Chapters 5I-2 and 5I-6, F.A.C.

Notes

Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 5IER24-2

Rulemaking Authority Section 24, Chapter 2023-349, L.O.F., 570.07(21), (23), 570.822 (8), 589.277(3) FS. Law Implemented Section 24, Chapter 2023-349, L.O.F., 570.07(23), (32) 570.822, 589.277 FS.

Adopted by Florida Register Volume 50, Number 015, January 23, 2024 effective 1/16/2024 (EMERGENCY).