N.C. Forest Service - Lease-to-Own Temporary Bridges for Forestry Crossings Program

What: A time-limited lease-to-own program to support the purchase of temporary bridges.

Goal: To minimize streambed and streambank disturbance by incentivizing the use of a temporary bridge for crossing streams during forestry operations.

Where: This program is available statewide. 

Eligibility: Applicants must have a business address in North Carolina and be a forest harvesting operator, wood processing mill, timber buyer or another primary or secondary forest product operator. 

Application Submission Period: July 1, 2026 to Aug. 31, 2026.

How: A random draw system will be used to allocate funding to program applicants.

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Program Overview

Program applicants must apply within the announced two-month window by submitting an electronic application. The N.C. Forest Service will randomly select from accepted applications and notify each program applicant whether their application was selected for funding. Selected applicants may then choose their preferred bridge supplier and acquire a bridge quote, ensuring the bridge meets the program’s minimum specifications. Selected applicants must submit the quote, executed lease-to-own agreement, lease-to-own payment and W-9 to the North Carolina Forestry Association. The lease-to-own payment will be the difference in cost between the quote and the lesser of $12,500 or 75% of the invoice total. Following the one-day lease period, the applicant will own the temporary bridge.