Procedures for payment and settlement of forest environmental service fees.

(Baonghean) - According to Guidance Document No. 1087/HD-SNN.KL dated May 11, 2016, issued by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on "Guidelines for implementing the policy on payment for forest environmental services in the province," the procedures for settling and paying for forest environmental services are as follows:

1. Regarding cash advances, DVMTR is entitled to two advances per year (the first advance is a maximum of 50% of the value; the second advance is a maximum of 20% of the value). The required documents for the advance include:

- For group 1, it includes:The submission of a proposal from the district-level payment organization; the payment plan; the forest protection management plan; the technical design dossier with a 1/10,000 scale map approved by the competent authority; the commitment to provide forest environmental services (FES) to the commune-level People's Committee (for forest owners who are households, individuals, or village communities that have been granted land use rights certificates or land/forest allocation decisions); the contract signed by the commune-level People's Committee with the forest protection contractor for the forest area managed by the commune-level People's Committee (if the forest is managed by the Forest Ranger Station, the Forest Ranger Station signs the contract); the list of forest owners providing FES approved and confirmed by the district-level People's Committee; the confirmation form for the forest area providing FES (according to the mẫu of Joint Circular 62/2012/TTLT-BNNPTNT-BTC). Report on the results of the previous advance payment of DVMTR funds and the plan for the next payment, along with a list of previous DVMTR payments and related verification documents (if requesting a second advance payment or a final payment).

- For forest owners in group 2:The submission includes: a report; a payment plan; a list of forest owners providing forest ecosystem services approved and confirmed by the Provincial People's Committee; a plan for using the payment for forest ecosystem services for areas of forest not under contract but where the forest owner organizes protection themselves, approved by the direct management agency (if any); a commitment from the forest owner (organization) to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to protect the forest and provide forest ecosystem services; a forest management plan; technical design documents for the forest protection area providing forest ecosystem services, accompanied by a 1/10,000 or 1/25,000 scale map approved by the competent authority; a table determining the area of ​​forest providing forest ecosystem services (according to mẫu số 06, Joint Circular No. 62/2012/TTLT-BNN&PTNT-BTC); a contract for forest protection and provision of forest ecosystem services with the contractor, confirmed by the commune-level People's Committee; and a contract for payment of forest ecosystem services between the provincial Forest Protection Fund and the forest owner (organization). Report on the results of the previous advance payment of DVMTR funds and the plan for the next payment, along with a list of previous DVMTR payments and related verification documents (if requesting a second advance payment or a final payment).

2. Payment of DVMTR fees:

a) For forest owners in group 1:In addition to the required documents for the advance payment, there must also be a payment request form from the paying organization (Forestry Department) at the district level; the results of the acceptance inspection for the contracted area from the Commune People's Committee (or Forestry Department if the forest is managed by the Forestry Department); and a summary of forest protection results from the forest owner, whether a household, individual, or village community, as confirmed by the Forestry Department.

b) For forest owners in group 2:

In addition to having complete documentation such as advance payment procedures, there must also be a payment request form from the forest owner; and the results of the facility inspection and management.

3. Settlement of DVMTR (Forest Protection and Development Fund) payments:

a) Settlement procedure:

- Forest owners who are organizations and district-level payment organizations are responsible for paying the forest protection and development contractors, including households, individuals, village communities, and commune-level People's Committees, within 20 days of receiving the forest environmental service payment from the Provincial Forest Protection and Development Fund.

- State-owned forest owners must prepare and submit final settlement reports to their direct management agency for review. Non-state-owned forest owners must comply with the final settlement reporting regulations applicable to their type of organization. After the final settlement is approved, one copy must be sent to the Forest Protection and Development Fund for compilation, monitoring, and final settlement for the entire province.

- The district-level payment organization compiles and verifies the records of payments made for forest environmental services to eligible recipients, and the management costs allocated by the provincial Forest Protection and Development Fund are settled with the provincial Forest Protection and Development Fund. Specifically, 10% of the management costs are deducted and settled with the district People's Committee, and a settlement report is sent to the provincial fund.

- The Provincial Forest Protection and Development Fund is responsible for compiling the total funds for payment of forest environmental service fees throughout the province and settling accounts according to regulations.

b) Settlement documents:

- For administrative expenses: The settlement documents are invoices and other legal documents prepared in accordance with current financial regulations;

- Regarding payment documents for forest environmental services: The accounting documents include the signed list of recipients of forest environmental service payments and other related documents.

- The list of recipients of DVMTR funds must ensure: The amount and name of the recipient recorded in the signed payment list must match the actual amount disbursed to the recipient. In case of receiving on behalf of someone else, a power of attorney certified by the local commune government is required; for illiterate individuals, a fingerprint or affixed signature is acceptable.

- The units directly responsible for paying for forest environmental services are solely responsible for the honesty, legality, and accuracy of the records, data, and results of payments to beneficiaries; and the area and quality of forests providing forest environmental services.

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