Frederick County Forest Banking Program

Easement Purpose:
To protect and enhance hydrological systems in Agricultural environments and to protect other critically sensitive environments.

Type of Easement:
Perpetual, forest protection.

Eligibility Factors and Criteria:
Acceptance into program requires creeks, wetlands, floodplain areas for protection located in Agricultural areas.

Minimum Size Property:
No size minimum.

Limitations on Development:
No development within forest easement areas. Although relatively liberal use of timber cutting for firewood and use for passive recreational purposes.

Easement Value:
Separate accounts established for "existing" forest and "newly planted" forest. Forest acre credits are sold to developers who need to plant forest in association with Forest Conservation Act of 1991. Credits are sold on a free-market basis.

Stewardship:
Applicant is required to allow perpetual forest growth in the easement areas. County inspection only occurs if there is a suspected violation of the forest easement area.

Source = Frederick County Planning Department