480-a Enrollment Incentive Program

WAC pays toward the cost of a forester-written Forest Management Plan needed to enroll in New York's 480-a Forest Tax Law program (50+ wooded acres, up to 80% property tax reduction), and toward the required 5-year plan updates, for forest landowners in the NYC Watershed. Landowner submits the WAC incentive application, has a Watershed Qualified Forester write the plan, and sends the DEC Certificate of Approval to WAC for payment.

Forest landowners in the New York City Watershed owning at least 50 wooded acres seeking or continuing 480-a enrollment.

Payment to landowner or forester after DEC Certificate of Approval / Update Certificate; funds reallocated if not used within one year.

Published amounts: Dollar amount not published on page or application; 'Landowners in the New York City Watershed qualify for WAC funding to help pay for their management plan and required updates.'

Complete the 480-a Enrollment Incentive Application (or Update Incentive Application) and send to WAC Forestry Program (forestry@nycwatershed.org or 33195 State Highway 10, Walton, NY 13856); after DEC approval send COA, plan, work schedule and W9 to WAC for payment.

Deadline text on the page: No deadline; funding must be used within one year of approval (application PDF: 'I will have one year from the approval date to enroll in 480-a or my funding will be reallocated').