Forest assistance programs were aimed at increasing timber production. There may be opportunities to fine-tune these programs to encourage better stewardship in addition to their primary purposes. Some incentive programs fail because people are unaware of them and consequently do not apply for them. Marketing or advertising of conservation programs to potential participants is often weak. Existing incentive programs are administered by many different agencies and organizations according to very different guidelines and funding cycles, and no central location exists for information about where to apply for assistance.
Some programs look good on paper but are inadequately funded.
For example, the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund was used in the past to assist state and local governments in purchasing land for recreation and conservation. Congress, however, has not provided funds for this part of the program in recent years. Even if funds are available for landowner assistance, agencies often lack the personnel to administer the programs and to provide the technical assistance needed for successful project design, implementation, and monitoring. The Natural Resource Conservation Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and many state agencies have a significant backlog of requests for assistance. Most existing programs have a narrow focus, specific allocation criteria, limited eligibility requirements, and other complicated features.