12 §8014. Administration of cost-share fund; procedure - Maine Statutes

Title 12: CONSERVATION

Part 11: FORESTRY

Chapter 801-A: FOREST CERTIFICATION INCENTIVE COST-SHARE FUND HEADING: PL 2001, C. 439, PT. KKKK, §1 (NEW); 2005, C. 513, §1 (RPR)

§8014. Administration of cost-share fund; procedure

The bureau shall administer the fund to reimburse eligible persons for a portion of the costs of obtaining independent 3rd-party certification in accordance with this section. [2005, c. 513, §6 (NEW).]

1. Eligibility. The following persons are eligible for cost-share funds:

A. A licensed forester who has obtained independent 3rd-party certification or recertification as a forest resource manager in order that the forester's client landowners may obtain the benefits accruing from such certification; [2005, c. 513, §6 (NEW).]

B. A landowner who owns 1,000 acres or less of forest land statewide and has obtained independent 3rd-party certification or recertification for the land; and [2005, c. 513, §6 (NEW).]

C. A group of landowners who have collectively obtained 3rd-party certification or recertification for their land as long as some or all of the landowners own 1,000 acres or less. [2005, c. 513, §6 (NEW).]

[ 2005, c. 513, §6 (NEW) .]

2. Maximum amount of cost-share funds distributed. The amount of cost-share funds distributed to a person eligible for reimbursement under subsection 1, paragraph A or B may not exceed 50% of the cost of obtaining independent 3rd-party certification.

The maximum amount of cost-share funds distributed to a group of landowners eligible for reimbursement under subsection 1, paragraph C is calculated by multiplying the number of landowners in the group who own 1,000 acres or less of forest land by 50% of the cost of obtaining independent 3rd-party certification and dividing the product by the total number of landowners in the group.

For the purposes of this subsection, "cost of obtaining independent 3rd-party certification" means the fee paid to an external auditor to complete the certification process.

[ 2005, c. 513, §6 (NEW) .]

3. Repayment required. A licensed forester, landowner or group of landowners that accepts cost-share funds in accordance with this chapter but that fails to retain certification for the full certification period shall repay the full amount of the cost-share funds received to the bureau. The bureau may impose a reasonable interest rate on the amount of the funds to be repaid. The bureau shall deposit all repayments and interest received under this subsection into the fund.

[ 2005, c. 513, §6 (NEW) .]

4. Forms. The bureau shall provide application forms for licensed foresters, landowners and groups of landowners seeking cost-share funds pursuant to this chapter.

[ 2005, c. 513, §6 (NEW) .]

SECTION HISTORY

2005, c. 513, §6 (NEW).