Private Landowner Mountain Pine Beetle Infested Tree Removal Program

The Program:

Currently, we are experiencing a forest-wide epidemic of mountain pine beetles that continue to ravage our green forests.  The landowner infested tree removal program was created by the US Forest Service & The South Dakota Department of Agriculture to incentivize landowners to treat trees infested by the mountain pine beetle on their property.  Essentially, it offers two options for landowners to treat their property, both of which are proven methods in combating these tiny tree killers.

The first option is to treat infested trees onsite by cutting & chunking, peeling the bark, or chipping the infested trees.  The mountain pine beetle lives just under the bark of infested trees, and by using the aforementioned methods, the intent is to dry the wood pieces to separate the bark, thus exposing the beetles to the elements, where the vast majority of them will die.

The second option is harvesting the trees and having them hauled to a sawmill.  This typically involves logging equipment and a contractor.  When the logs are processed in a sawmill, the logs are debarked, and the beetles are killed.

Specifics:

• Landowners must first contact South Dakota Department of Ag – Resource Conservation & Forestry (605-394-2395) to sign up and have a state certified tree marker begin marking infested trees on their property.
• Landowners are the only ones who can be reimbursed.
• Vouchers will be honored from any landowner whose infested trees were marked by state certified markers. 
• Payments will be made only for the number of trees marked.
• Priority for reimbursement will be given to private landowners with property adjacent to Black Hills National Forest lands.
• Payments will be made on a first come, first served basis until funds are exhausted.
• Onsite treatment of infested trees includes at least one of the following:
• Cutting and Chunking - Cutting the trunk (up to a 4” diameter top) into pieces 24” or less in length and scattering the pieces.  Pieces cannot be piled. 
• Bark Peeling - Cutting the tree down and peeling all bark from the trunk of the tree up to a 4” top diameter
• Tree Chipping - Chipping of the trunk (up to a 4” diameter top) and scattering the chips to a depth of 3” or less.

To be Reimbursed:

Landowners will need the following documentation, as applicable, to receive reimbursement for treating infested trees:

• A completed and signed South Dakota Department of Ag (SDDA) voucher.
• A paid receipt showing one or more of the following:
• The number of infested trees cut and chunked (or treated, as mentioned above), the total cost, and the name of the company or contractor that provided the service.
• The number of infested trees  that were harvested and hauled to a sawmill, the total number of loads, the total cost, and the name of the company or contractor providing the service.
• A completed state form W-9.

Payments Methods:

Payment of $14 per tree for cutting and onsite treatment (as mentioned above) of infested trees if the work is done by the landowner.

Payment of $18 per tree for cutting and onsite treatment of infested trees if the work is done by a contractor and verified by a paid receipt.

OR

Payment of 50% of total cost, not to exceed $70 per load (truck & pup), for trees cut and hauled to a sawmill for processing, verified by a paid receipt.

Landowners will not be reimbursed for:

• Cutting red-needled trees as these trees are not currently infested
• Trees treated onsite (i.e. cut & chunk, bark peeled, or chipped) after March 1st, 2011
• Infested trees cut for harvest (i.e. to be hauled to a sawmill) after June 15th, 2011

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