BEMIDJI — Time is almost up for woodland owners interested in restoring their storm-impacted forests to apply for a partial reimbursement from the government.
Following the major windstorm that felled an estimated 9 million trees in the area on June 21, 2025, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources successfully applied for the Emergency Forest Restoration Program from the U.S. Department of Agriculture on behalf of storm-impacted residents.
Through the program, woodland owners can be reimbursed up to 75% for clearing storm-damaged trees and replanting efforts. The program is specific to this particular storm and available for private woodland owners in Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Hubbard, Itasca and Mahnomen counties.
The application portal opened in February and will close on Friday, June 5.
Gary Michael, the DNR's cooperative forest management supervisor, said only 123 applications have been received so far.
"We sent out letters to about 9,000 landowners, private woodland owners," Michael said during a Wednesday, May 27, phone interview.
"It was kind of a dual purpose: when and where you can burn slash and brush and when you can't, and then just to inform them about this program that was coming up.”
While spring green-up is nearly complete, much of Northern Minnesota remains under burning restrictions and high fire danger as of Thursday.
Activities eligible for reimbursement through the Emergency Forest Restoration Program include the removal of down or damaged trees; site preparation, planting materials and labor to replant forest stands; 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 habitat enhancements.
USDA Farm Service Agency county committees will determine land eligibility using on-site damage inspections to assess the type and extent of damage. Eligible lands must be owned by any nonindustrial private individual, group, association, corporation or other private entity.
“Basically, you just show up at your Farm Service Agency and tell them you're interested in the Emergency Forest Restoration Program, or EFRP, and they'll get you started,” Michael said. “There's a few things they [the landowner] have to provide, but the Farm Service Agency helps them through that.”
The cost-share payments are limited to $500,000 per person or entity.
The area farm service agencies are:
- Beltrami County Farm Service Agency: Bemidji Service Center, 3217 Bemidji Ave. N., Bemidji, 218-751-1942
- Clearwater County Farm Service Agency: Bagley Service Center, 312 Main Ave. N., Bagley, 218-694-6584
- Hubbard County Farm Service Agency: Park Rapids Service Center, 603 N Central Ave., Park Rapids, 218-732-9723
- Mahnomen County Farm Service Agency: Mahnomen Service Center, 935 N US Hwy 59, Mahnomen, 218-935-2561
- Cass and Itasca counties’ Farm Service Agency: Baxter Service Center, 7118 Clearwater Rd., Baxter, 218-829-5965
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