Forestry

The LLCOA operates a tree farm on about 600 of our 660 acres. This allows us to keep this acreage in a more-or-less wild state while lowering our property tax liability dramatically, compared to what we would be paying if it were assessed as residential or commercial property. We have to show “active devotion to agriculture.” This means we can’t just leave the woods alone to grow, but must do things a farmer would do, including harvesting and weeding. Our “Woodland Management Plan,” which you can download just below, explains all this in detail. It was prepared by our new foresters, Andy Bennett and his team at Ridge and Valley Forest Management.
LLCOA Woodland Management Plan (For years 2022 onward)
LLCOA Woodland Management Plan, App. A
LLCOA Woodland Management Plan, App. B and C

There’s often a lot going on in Forestry, and to help keep anyone who is interested up to date, you can download the current LLCOA Newsletter Forestry Report here: 2022 Forestry Report

As explained in detail in the 2022 Newsletter report, we have qualified to receive funding for our forestry work from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), who funded our Habitat Project. However, to receive that funding, we must convert our forestry activities from the Woodland Management Plan (just above) to a new “Forest Stewardship Plan.” A fairly clear description of the history of New Jersey laws in this area and the differences between the two sorts of plans is in this document, coauthored by a lawyer and a forester:
NJ_Woodland_Stewardship&ManagementActs

During the summer of 2022, Ridge & Valley will develop our new “Forest Stewardship Plan,” compliant with the NRCS requirements for funding and which will allow us more flexibility in showing income. The Forestry Committee will work with Ridge & Valley to be sure the new Plan is consistent with the LLCOA’s needs and resources, and it will be posted here.
The Forestry Committee, which currently consists of Dick Leigh (Chair), Paul French, Jeff Galloway, Feliks Kiselyuk, Ken Rosenfeld, and Dave Zavracky, is open to anyone who would like to join. Contact Dick at rwleigh@earthlink.net.

Finally, the Woodland Management Plan (above) has replaced the previous plan” which guided us for over twenty years. That plan was prepared by our previous forester, Duke Grimes, who has retired. If you are curious, you can download this previous plan here:
LLCOA Forest Stewardship Plan (Years 1990 – 2021)
Duke amended his plan in 2015 to incorporate the timber work and other activities associated with the Golden Winged Warbler Habitat Project, and that amendment is in this link:
Habitat Project Amendment to FSP