La péréquation intercommunale au secours des forêts | The equalisation scheme between communes helps the forests

As a reaction to the reduction in financial aid from the Confederation, the canton of Vaud has organised a scheme whereby forestry costs are equalised between the communes. It is a system of redistribution, which makes it possible to assist the communes with poorer financial resources, often situated in rural or mountainous areas. It is based on the communal tax rate, a value fixed by tax revenue and population. It is a very simple administrative tool, which has the advantage of making payments in function of the tax revenue and the results of the forestry accounts, whilst encouraging forest owners to improve their forest management. The system has been in place since 2006 and has proved its worth. It reinforces solidarity between the communes and helps to compensate unpaid services. In 2009, it concerned 44% of the communes having forest land, and it made up a total of 27% of public aid to forest management.