Construction of Wet and Dry Storage Facilities for Damaged Wood

With the measure "Construction of wet and dry storage facilities for damaged timber," the Austrian Forest Fund supports operators of agricultural and forestry enterprises, forest owners' associations, agricultural communities, public law corporations, as well as cooperatives. Funding is provided for both the construction and equipment of storage areas and the implementation of transport and logistics concepts for damaged timber. The goal is the rapid removal of infested wood from forests to prevent further spread of forest pests and to secure the quality of the timber resource in the long term. The funding rate ranges from 35% to 100% of eligible costs depending on the measure, with 65% granted for wet timber storage and 35% for dry timber storage in the current guideline version. Eligible costs include investment costs, project-related personnel costs, material costs, transport and handling costs, as well as feasibility studies. Applications can be submitted until January 31, 2027, with payments made no later than January 31, 2029. Prerequisites include legal permits, assessment of suitability on sealed or industrial sites, exclusion of double funding, and for enterprises with more than 100 ha, confirmation of sustainable forest management.

The funding application is submitted online – regionally via the responsible state office or centrally through Agrarmarkt Austria – and requires an enterprise or client number. The application must include a project description, financing plan, proof of all permits, forest management plan or equivalent documents, as well as a declaration to avoid double funding. Following a positive funding commitment, applicants are obliged to comply with a five-year retention period and to maintain the funded infrastructure continuously. Through targeted publicity notices on federal participation, attention is drawn to the commitment of the Federal Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection as well as Regions and Water Management. Thus, the measure makes a significant contribution to the protection and preservation of Austrian forests.