Forest Conservation Easement Program Act of 2025

Support for Underserved Landowners: The bill requires that, to the maximum extent practicable, 10 percent of funds be used to enroll land owned by beginning, socially disadvantaged, veteran, or limited resource forest landowners (Section 1267D(a)(1)).

Financial Assistance for Conservation: The Secretary is directed to provide cost-share assistance for purchasing forest land easements, with a Federal share of 50 percent of the fair market value, which can increase up to 75 percent for specific groups like veterans and socially disadvantaged landowners (Section 1267B(b)(1)-(2)(C)).

Habitat and Species Protection: The program aims to promote the restoration and improvement of habitats for threatened and endangered species, as well as other at-risk species (Section 1267(b)(3)).

Water Quality and Security: The program's purposes include protecting and restoring watersheds for improvements in water quality and quantity (Section 1267(b)(6)).

Protection for Military Installations: One of the stated purposes of the program is to prevent encroachment around military bases and installations (Section 1267(b)(7)).

Safe Harbor Protections: Landowners whose conservation activities result in a net conservation benefit for certain species can be provided with safe harbor or similar assurances and protections (Section 1267C(e)(1)).

Land Use Restrictions: Enrollment in a forest land easement involves conveying an interest in land to an eligible entity for the purpose of protecting natural resources and the forest nature of the land (Section 1267A(4)(A)).

Limitations on Land Use: Forest land easements may include terms and conditions that limit the amount of impervious surfaces allowed on the land (Section 1267B(4)(C)(iv)).

Restrictions on Federal and State Land: The program prohibits using funds to acquire easements on land owned by Federal agencies or land owned in fee title by a State, agency, or local government (Section 1267D(b)(1)).

Potential for Program Termination: The Secretary has the authority to approve the termination of an interest in eligible land if it is determined to be in the interest of the Federal Government (Section 1267D(c)(3)(A)).