The Forest Land Protection Act program (FLPA) and conserving forestland in Georgia

• Main Authors: Izlar, R.L (Author), Li, Y. (Author)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V. 2021
• Subjects: Computer Programs; Conservation; Econometric model; Forest conservation; Forestry; Georgia; Land; Major factors; Participation rate; Playing fields; Pressure; Private forest landowners; Productivity; Property taxes; Protection; Site productivity; State property tax incentive program; Sustainability; Sustainable development; Taxation
• Online Access: View Fulltext in Publisher

 This study analyses the implementation of the Forest Land Protection Act (FLPA) program in Georgia, USA and assesses the effectiveness of the program in forest conservation and sustainability. The program extended property tax relief to corporate and other large private forest landowners, improved uniformity in timberland taxation, and leveled the playing field for private forest landowners in the state. We examine the effectiveness of the program in conserving forests through participation rate, average size and site productivity of enrolled forestland, and trends in forest area. An econometric model is created to investigate the major factors affecting participation of the program. We found that the FLPA program is effective in attracting larger forest tracts, suggesting a positive contribution of the program to forest conservation and sustainability. It is also attractive to eligible forest lands that are under pressure from recreational uses. However, the effectiveness of the program is limited in attracting higher-productivity forest lands and lands having potential development uses. © 2021 Elsevier B.V.