MD HB1560

Department of Natural Resources must establish a pilot program by October 1, 2027 for ecosystem value-oriented forest management plans, requiring minimum 20-year conservation agreements from private landowners in designated targeted ecological areas

Creates the Forest Ecosystem Value Incentives Fund as a special, nonlapsing fund to finance landowner compensation, with a required $10 million appropriation for fiscal year 2028 and $2 million designated for initial planning and blueprint development

Department must publish a formal methodology by December 1, 2026 to quantify the ecological value of forest land (including carbon sequestration, water quality, biodiversity, and climate mitigation benefits)

Directs the Department to pursue forest ecosystem value impact fees against new data centers, utility line construction serving data centers, and other projects causing significant forest loss, with revenues directed to the Fund

Pilot program administration transfers to the Maryland Forestry Foundation by October 1, 2030 if enrollment increases; the Fund sunsets October 1, 2051 pending a 2050 effectiveness report to the General Assembly