Forest Conservation Easement Program Act of 2025

This bill creates a new Forest Conservation Easement Program at USDA. It would help keep private and Tribal forest land as forest, improve wildlife habitat and water quality, store more carbon, and reduce building pressure near military bases. It would also replace the older Healthy Forests Reserve Program and carry over land already enrolled.

The program uses voluntary easements—agreements that keep land as forest and limit development. One part helps eligible groups buy easements from willing landowners; the federal share is usually 50% of the easement’s value, and can go up to 75% for forests of special importance or for beginning, socially disadvantaged, veteran, or limited‑resource forest owners. Another part pays landowners directly to place habitat‑focused easements and do restoration. Permanent easements are paid based on the change in fair‑market value; 30‑year or state‑maximum easements get 50–75% of that amount. Restoration costs can be covered up to 100% for permanent easements and 50–75% for shorter ones, with a $500,000 cap per easement or contract. Tribal lands can enroll through 30‑year contracts paid the same as 30‑year easements, and no more than 10% of funds may go to 30‑year easements.

Projects that help endangered and other at‑risk species, restore native forests, reduce the break‑up of forests, and increase carbon storage get priority. Landowners get technical help and may receive “safe harbor” assurances if their actions create a net benefit for protected species. Participants can also join environmental markets (like carbon programs) and still use other USDA programs for activities not funded here. Funding is $100 million each year from 2026 through 2030, with a goal to use about 10% for beginning, socially disadvantaged, veteran, and limited‑resource forest owners. Federal and state‑owned land is not eligible, and land already under similar protections or with serious conflicts (like hazardous conditions) is also excluded.

• Who is affected: Private and Tribal forest landowners; eligible groups such as accredited land trusts and state agencies.
• What changes: A national program that pays to keep forests in place and restore habitat; offers “safe harbor” protections; allows participation in carbon and other environmental markets; simpler sign‑up.
• What’s not eligible: Federal and state‑owned land; land already covered by similar protections; or land where conditions would undermine the program.
• When: Funded from 2026–2030; existing Healthy Forests Reserve enrollments continue under the new program.