Federal Forest Restoration Aid Halted Due to Shortfall
The Emergency Forest Restoration Program has suspended payments as assistance requests now exceed the available federal budget.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Emergency Response
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The federal government has stopped disbursements for the Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) because requests for financial assistance have surpassed current funding. This pause impacts landowners across the country, including those in Michigan, who are facing delays in receiving help for disaster-related forest damage.
Why it matters
The EFRP was designed to help private landowners cover up to 75 percent of the costs for restoring woodlands after disasters. With the program now out of funds, owners must either delay critical restoration efforts or risk bearing the total cost of these repairs themselves.
The EFRP covers up to 75 percent of restoration costs, but the $357 million budget appropriated by Congress in 2024 is now insufficient to meet demand. Approximately 600 landowners in Michigan are currently seeking aid following a March 2025 ice storm that impacted 3 million acres.
The players
Farm Service Agency
This federal agency is responsible for administering the EFRP and overseeing the reimbursement process for eligible private landowners.
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
This state agency contracted 25 foresters to perform site visits and help draft restoration plans for applicants impacted by disaster-related damage.
The details
Administered by the Farm Service Agency, the program reimburses costs for clearing debris, replanting trees, and managing invasive species. While Michigan officials have contracted 25 foresters to assist with site visits and restoration planning, the Michigan Farm Service Agency has warned applicants that starting work before federal approval remains a personal financial risk.
Timeline
Congress created the EFRP program in 2008.
Congress last appropriated funding for the program in 2024.
An ice storm caused significant forest damage in northern Michigan in March 2025.
The Michigan FSA first invited local landowners to apply for aid in May 2025.
Parts of the Michigan region experienced another ice storm in the spring of 2026.
Seasonal Patterns
The current funding shortfall marks a significant departure from the support framework originally established by the 2008 Farm Bill. This disruption occurs as extreme weather events, such as the back-to-back ice storms in Michigan, have placed unprecedented pressure on federal disaster relief resources.
Landowners are urged to consult with their local Farm Service Agency office before initiating any forest restoration work, as costs incurred without federal approval are currently non-reimbursable. Residents should keep all project documentation and receipts to potentially qualify for future aid if the program receives a new appropriation.
The takeaway
This funding freeze highlights the difficulty in maintaining long-term restoration support as the frequency of severe weather events increases. Landowners are encouraged to prioritize essential safety clearing while avoiding large capital expenditures until federal budget status is confirmed.
Further reading
For more on how agencies handle disaster relief, visit the Emergency Response section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Grist.
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