LAKE GEORGE, N.Y. (AP) — Thousands of landowners could lose tax breaks as New York regulators consider changes to a program that rewards property owners for good forestry practices.

Charles Stackhouse, president of the New York Forest Owners Association, said numerous landowner groups are opposing the Department of Environmental Conservation’s proposed changes to the “480-a” forest tax law and have reached out to legislators about it, the Glens Falls Post-Star (http://bit.ly/1bgGny2) reported.

Some of the changes would increase expenses for landowners, who would face more red tape and high fees to have their management plans certified, Stackhouse said.

One of the proposed changes would squeeze out those who own less than 1,000 acres. The current minimum is 50 acres. Another proposed change would limit the maximum assessment reduction to 40 percent. Chris Gearwar, owner of Lake George Forestry, told the newspaper he knows of some local woodland owners who qualify for breaks of up to 80 percent now. 

There could also be changes in the types of land eligible.

The agency says part of the rationale is to protect the interest of taxpayers who absorb the tax shift that results from assessment reductions to others. DEC told the newspaper the agency has discussed “conceptual reforms” and is considering feedback before deciding how to proceed.

New York state is 63 percent forested, with 74 percent of the state’s 19 million acres of forest privately owned, according to DEC. The state enacted the 480-a tax law in 1974 to encourage the long-term management of productive woodlands where timber is harvested according to a plan prepared by a professional forester.