PART ONE
The US Forest Service has announced that timber sales contracts and certain Stewardship Contracts are eligible for up to 2 years of extension, using the Significant Overriding Public Interest (SOPI) provisions of the National Forest Management Act (NFMA.)
Guidance letters and additional background information on these extensions are found in the four links below:
LETTER TO PURCHASE CONTRACTORS
SOPI-LIABILITY RELEASE AGREEMENT
IMPLEMENTATION GUIDANCE FOR COs
It’s important to note that the length of extensions available under the SOPI may be reduced if you have already been granted Market Related Contract Term Additions(MRCTAs.) The SOPI does allow purchasers to extend contracts beyond the general 10-year limit in statute. Even if your company has already taken MRCTA’s, you may be eligible for relief in one of the following ways:
ONE: You may be eligible for a temporary reduction in down payment.
TWO: You may be eligible to delay a required periodic payment
THREE: You may be eligible for additional MRCTA assuming there are additional qualifying quarters (as seems likely.)