KENTUCKY FOREST INDUSTRIES FLOOD RELIEF FUND

Helping Forest Industry Families

Heavy rains in late July caused devastating flooding in eastern Kentucky, forcing thousands of people to evacuate their homes. As a result, many members of our forest industry community, and their immediate families, have suffered a tremendous loss.

In response, the Kentucky Forest Industries Association Foundation, a section 501(c)(3) public charity, has established a Flood Relief Fund to help our forest industry families with immediate and long-term needs brought on by this disaster.

The Kentucky Forest Industries Flood Relief Fund is specifically for those associated with the forest industry - loggers, saw millers, truckers, support staff, etc. - and their immediate families. The money raised will go directly to those impacted by the recent floods. Donations can be made directly to KFIA or through our Go Fund Me Page which has a link below.
To donate by check, address to:
Kentucky Forest Industries Flood Relief Fund
c/o KFIA
106 Progress Drive
Frankfort, KY 40601-8695

Go Fund Me Page click here: Kentucky Forest Industries Flood Relief Fund

Donations can be made directly to KFIA or through our Go Fund Me Page which has a link below. 
Let’s help our forest industry families rebuild their lives. DONATE TODAY!
Please note that no goods or services were provided in exchange for this donation for tax purposes. Kentucky Forest Industries Association Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charity, and contributions are deductible for income tax purposes to the extent the law allows.
 
A special note from Bob Bauer, KFIA Director:  "As you probably know the recent flooding in eastern Kentucky counties is actually more devastating that what has been shown on the news.  The Kentucky Forest Industries Association has officially started a fund raising effort to assist wood industry related families in eastern Kentucky to assist them in primarily repairing and rebuilding their homes.  We are developing an application for the funds which should be complete this week and includes those employed in support of the wood industry. Any support and assistance you can provide in getting the word out would be very much appreciated."
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Emergency Forest Restoration Program via USDA NRCS

Emergency Forest Restoration Program
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Program - LEXINGTON, Ky, August 11, 2022
The Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) can assist landowners and forest stewards with financial and technical assistance to restore fencing, damaged farmland or forests. [ https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/disaster-assistance-program/emergency-forest-restoration/]
The Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) helps the owners of non-industrial private forests restore forest health damaged by natural disasters. The EFRP does this by authorizing payments to owners of private forests to restore disaster damaged forests.

Is My Forest Eligible?

Read more here

The Farm Service Agency County Committee inspects the damage to determine if forest land is eligible for EFRP. For land to qualify for EFRP funds, the damage from the natural disaster must create new conservation problems that if not dealt with would:

• Harm the natural resources on the land
• Significantly affect future land use

Only owners of nonindustrial private forests with tree cover existing before the natural disaster occurred are eligible to apply. The land must be owned by a private individual, group, association, corporation or other private legal entity that has decision making authority on the land and doesn’t use the land for business purposes.
How Does the Funding Work?Up to 75% of the cost to implement emergency conservation practices can be provided, however the final amount is determined by the committee reviewing the application. The FSA County Committee is able to approve applications up to $50,000 while $50,000 to $100,000 requires state committee approval. Amounts over $100,000 require the approval of the national FSA office. Additionally, a limit on payments of $500,000 per person or entity per disaster applies.
Eligible Forest Restoration Practices
To restore NIPF, EFRP participants may implement emergency forest restoration practices, such as:
• Debris removal, such as down or damaged trees, in order to establish a new stand or provide for natural regeneration;
• Site preparation, planting materials, and labor to replant forest stand;
• Restoration of forestland roads, fire lanes, fuel breaks, or erosion control structures;
• Fencing, tree shelters, and tree tubes to protect trees from wildlife damage; and
• Wildlife enhancement to provide cover openings and wildlife habitat
Owners should check with their local FSA office to find out about EFRP sign-up periods after a natural disaster has occurred.

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On July 28th, Appalachian Eastern Kentucky, Southwestern Virginia, and surrounding areas experienced historic flooding levels. Appalshop is collecting verifiable donation fund and resource information and posting it at https://appalshop.org/news/appalachian-flood-support-resources?fbclid=IwAR1aBW9B1dkPH7gzT-6i24X5a2AruU1Xesuzt4s0Dhp_8n6HqnZPoIzexI