80 FR 60876 - Request for Applications: The Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 195 (October 8, 2015)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, State and Private Forestry, Cooperative Forestry staff, requests applications for the Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program (CFP). This is a competitive grant program whereby local governments, qualified nonprofit organizations, and Indian Tribes are eligible to apply for grants to establish community forests through fee simple acquisition of private forest land from a willing seller. The purpose of the program is to establish community forests by protecting forest land from conversion to non-forest uses and provide community benefits such as sustainable forest management, environmental benefits including clean air, water, and wildlife habitat; benefits from forest-based educational programs; benefits from serving as models of effective forest stewardship; and recreational benefits secured with public access. Eligible lands for grants funded under this program are private forests that are at least five acres in size, suitable to sustain natural vegetation, and at least 75 percent forested. The lands must also be threatened by conversion to non-forest uses, must not be held in trust by the United States on behalf of any Indian Tribe, must not be Tribal allotment lands, must be offered for sale by a willing seller, and if acquired by an eligible entity, must provide defined community benefits under CFP and allow for public access.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 195 (Thursday, October 8, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60876-60879]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-25725]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Request for Applications: The Community Forest and Open Space 
Conservation Program

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Request for applications.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, State and 
Private Forestry, Cooperative Forestry staff, requests applications for 
the Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program (CFP). This is 
a competitive grant program whereby local governments, qualified 
nonprofit organizations, and Indian Tribes are eligible to apply for 
grants to establish community forests through fee simple acquisition of 
private forest land from a willing seller. The purpose of the program 
is to establish community forests by protecting forest land from 
conversion to non-forest uses and provide community benefits such as 
sustainable forest management, environmental benefits including clean 
air, water, and wildlife habitat; benefits from forest-based 
educational programs; benefits from serving as models of effective 
forest stewardship; and recreational benefits secured with public 
access.
    Eligible lands for grants funded under this program are private 
forests that are at least five acres in size, suitable to sustain 
natural vegetation, and at least 75 percent forested. The lands must 
also be threatened by conversion to non-forest uses, must not be held 
in trust by the United States on behalf of any Indian Tribe, must not 
be Tribal allotment lands, must be offered for sale by a willing 
seller, and if acquired by an eligible entity, must provide defined 
community benefits under CFP and allow for public access.

DATES: Interested local government and nonprofit applicants must submit 
applications to the State Forester. Tribal applicants must submit 
applications to the appropriate Tribal government officials. All 
applications, either hardcopy or electronic, must be received by State 
Foresters or Tribal governments by January 15, 2016. State Foresters or 
Tribal government officials must forward applications to the Forest 
Service Region, Northeastern Area or International Institute of 
Tropical Forestry by February 19, 2016.

ADDRESSES: All local government and qualified nonprofit organization 
applications must be submitted to the State Forester of the State where 
the property is located. All Tribal applications must be submitted to 
the equivalent Tribal government official. Applicants are encouraged to 
contact and work with the Forest Service Region, Northeastern Area or 
International Institute of Tropical Forestry, and State Forester or 
equivalent Tribal government official when developing their proposal. 
Applicants must consultant with the State Forester and equivalent 
Tribal government official prior to requesting technical assistance for 
a project. The State Forester's member roster may be found on http://www.fs.fed.us/spf/coop/programs/loa/cfp.shtml. All applicants must also 
send an email to [email protected] to confirm an application 
has been submitted for funding consideration.
    State Foresters and Tribal government officials shall submit 
applications, either electronic or hardcopy, to the appropriate Forest 
Service Regional/Area/Institute contact noted below.

Northern and Intermountain Regions

Regions 1 and 4 (ID, MT, ND, NV, UT)
Janet Valle, U.S. Forest Service, 324 25th St., Ogden, UT 84401, 801-
625-5258 (phone), 801-625-5716 (fax), [email protected].

Rocky Mountain Region

Region 2 (CO, KS, NE, SD, WY)
Claire Harper, U.S. Forest Service, 740 Simms Street, Golden, CO 80401, 
303-275-5239 (phone), 303-275-5754 (fax), [email protected].

Southwestern Region

Region 3 (AZ, NM)
Alicia San Gil, U.S. Forest Service, 333 Broadway SE., Albuquerque, NM 
87102, 505-842-3881 (phone), 505-842-3165 (fax), [email protected].

[[Page 60877]]

Pacific Southwest Region

Region 5 (CA, HI, Guam, American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia 
and Other Pacific Islands)
Chris Fischer, U.S. Forest Service, 1323 Club Drive, Vallejo, CA 94592, 
707-562-8921 (phone), 707-562-9054 (fax), [email protected].

Pacific Northwest, and Alaska Regions

Regions 6 and 10 (AK, OR, WA)
Karl Dalla Rosa, U.S. Forest Service, 120 Southwest 3rd Ave., Portland, 
OR 97204 or P.O. Box 3623, Portland, OR 97208-3623, 503-808-2913 
(phone), 503-808-2469 (fax), [email protected].

Southern Region

Region 8 (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA)
Mike Murphy, U.S. Forest Service, 1720 Peachtree Rd., NW., Suite 700B 
850S North, Atlanta, GA 30309, 404-347-5214 (phone), 404-347-2776 
(fax), [email protected].

International Institute of Tropical Forestry

(PR, VI)

Magaly Figueroa, U.S. Forest Service, Jardin Botanico Sur, 1201 Calle 
Ceiba, San Juan, PR 00926-1119, 787-766-5335 x 222 (phone), 787-766-
6263 (fax), [email protected].

Northeastern Area

(CT, DC, DE, IA, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, 
RI, VT, WI, WV)

Neal Bungard, U.S. Forest Service, 271 Mast Road, Durham, NH 03824-
4600, 603-868-7719 (phone), 603-868-7604 (fax), [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions regarding the grant 
application or administrative regulations, contact Maya Solomon, 
Program Coordinator, 202-205-1376, [email protected].
    Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) 
may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 twenty-four 
hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    CFDA number 10.689: To address the goals of Section 7A of the 
Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2103d) as 
amended, the Forest Service is requesting proposals for community 
forest projects that protect forest land that has been identified as a 
national, regional, or local priority for protection and to assist 
communities in acquiring forestland that will provide public 
recreation, environmental and economic benefits, and forest-based 
educational programs.
    Detailed information regarding what to include in the application, 
definitions of terms, eligibility, and necessary prerequisites for 
consideration can be found in the final program rule, published October 
20, 2011 (76 FR 65121-65133), which is available at www.fs.fed.us/spf/
coop/programs/loa/cfp.shtml and at www.grants.gov (Opportunity number 
CFP-FS-1002016).

Grant Application Requirements

1. Eligibility Information
    a. Eligible Applicants. A local governmental entity, Indian Tribe 
(including Alaska Native Corporations), or a qualified nonprofit 
organization that is qualified to acquire and manage land (see Sec.  
230.2 of the final rule). Individuals are not eligible to receive funds 
through this program.
    b. Cost Sharing (Matching Requirement). All applicants must 
demonstrate a 50 percent match of the total project cost. The match can 
include cash, in-kind services, or donations, which shall be from a 
non-Federal source. For additional information, please see Sec.  230.6 
of the final rule at www.fs.fed.us/spf/coop/programs/loa/cfp.shtml.
    c. DUNS Number. All applicants shall include a Data Universal 
Numbering System (DUNS) number in their application. For this 
requirement, the applicant is the entity that meets the eligibility 
criteria and has the legal authority to apply for and receive the 
grant. For assistance in obtaining a DUNS number at no cost, call the 
DUNS number request line 1-866-705-5711 or register on-line at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform.
    d. System for Award Management. All prospective awardees shall be 
registered in the System for Award Management prior to award, during 
performance, and through final payment of any grant resulting from this 
solicitation. Further information can be found at www.sam.gov. For 
assistance, contact Federal Service Desk 1-866-606-8220.
2. Award Information
    The Administration proposed to fund the CFP at $1.683 million for 
fiscal year 2016. Individual grant applications may not exceed 
$400,000, which does not include technical assistance requests. The 
Federal Government's obligation under this program is contingent upon 
the availability of appropriated funds.
    No legal liability on the part of the Government shall be incurred 
until funds are committed by the grant officer for this program to the 
applicant in writing. The initial grant period shall be for 2 years, 
and acquisition of lands should occur within that timeframe. Lands 
acquired prior to the grant award are not eligible for CFP funding. The 
grant may be reasonably extended by the Forest Service when necessary 
to accommodate unforeseen circumstances in the land acquisition 
process. Written annual financial performance reports and semi-annual 
project performance reports shall be required and submitted to the 
appropriate grant officer.
    Technical assistance funds, totaling not more than 10 percent of 
all funds, may be allocated to State Foresters and equivalent officials 
of the Indian tribe. Technical assistance, if provided, will be awarded 
at the time of the grant. Applicants shall work with State Foresters 
and equivalent officials of the Indian tribe to determine technical 
assistance needs and include the technical assistance request in the 
project's budget.
    As funding allows, applications submitted through this request may 
be funded in future years, subject to the availability of funds and the 
continued feasibility and viability of the project.
3. Application Information
    Application submission. All local governments and qualified 
nonprofit organizations' applications must be submitted to the State 
Forester where the property is located by January 15, 2016. All Tribal 
applications must be submitted to the equivalent Tribal government 
official by January 15, 2016. Applications may be submitted either 
electronic or hardcopy to the appropriate official. The State 
Forester's contact information may be found at http://www.fs.fed.us/spf/coop/programs/loa/cfp.shtml.
    All applicants must also send an email to [email protected] 
to confirm an application has been submitted to the State Forester or 
equivalent Tribal government official for funding consideration.
    All State Foresters and Tribal government officials must forward 
applications to the Forest Service by February 19, 2016.
4. Application Requirements
    The following section outlines grant application requirements:
    a. The application can be no more than eight pages long, plus no 
more than two maps (eight and half inches by eleven inches in size), 
the grant forms specified in (b), and the draft community forest plan 
specified in (d).

[[Page 60878]]

    b. The following grant forms and supporting materials must be 
included in the application:
    (1) An Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424);
    (2) Budget information (Standard Form SF 424c--Construction 
Programs); and
    (3) Assurances of compliance with all applicable Federal laws, 
regulations, and policies (Standard Form 424d-- Construction Programs).
    c. Documentation verifying that the applicant is an eligible entity 
and that the land proposed for acquisition is eligible (see Sec.  230.2 
of the final rule).
    d. Applications must include the following, regarding the property 
proposed for acquisition:
    (1) A description of the property, including acreage and county 
location;
    (2) A description of current land uses, including improvements;
    (3) A description of forest type and vegetative cover;
    (4) A map of sufficient scale to show the location of the property 
in relation to roads and other improvements as well as parks, refuges, 
or other protected lands in the vicinity;
    (5) A description of applicable zoning and other land use 
regulations affecting the property;
    (6) A description of the type and extent of community benefits, 
including to underserved communities (selection criteria outlined 
below);
    (7) A description of relationship of the property within and its 
contributions to a landscape conservation initiative; and
    (8) A description of any threats of conversion to non-forest uses, 
including any encumbrances on the property that prevent conversion to 
nonforest uses.
    e. Information regarding the proposed establishment of a community 
forest, including:
    (1) A description of the benefiting community, including 
demographics, and the associated benefits provided by the proposed land 
acquisition;
    (2) A description of community involvement to-date in the planning 
of the community forest acquisition and of community involvement 
anticipated in long-term management of the property;
    (3) An identification of persons and organizations that support the 
project and their specific role in establishing and managing the 
community forest; and
    (4) A draft community forest plan. The eligible entity is 
encouraged to work with the State Forester or equivalent Tribal 
government official for technical assistance when developing or 
updating the Community Forest Plan. In addition, the eligible entity is 
encouraged to work with technical specialists, such as professional 
foresters, recreation specialists, wildlife biologists, or outdoor 
education specialists, when developing the Community Forest Plan.
    f. Information regarding the proposed land acquisition, including:
    (1) A proposed project budget not exceeding $400,000 and technical 
assistance needs as coordinated with the State Forester or equivalent 
Tribal government official (section Sec.  230.6 of the final program 
rule);
    (2) The status of due diligence, including signed option or 
purchase and sale agreement, title search, minerals determination, and 
appraisal;
    (3) Description and status of cost share (secure, pending, 
commitment letter, etc. (section Sec.  230.6 of the final rule) ;
    (4) The status of negotiations with participating landowner(s) 
including purchase options, contracts, and other terms and conditions 
of sale;
    (5) The proposed timeline for completing the acquisition and 
establishment of the community forest; and
    (6) Long term management costs and funding source(s).
    g. Applications must comply with the U. S. Department of 
Agriculture's Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit 
Requirements for Federal Awards also referred to as the Omni Circular 
(2 CFR 400).
    h. Applications must also include the forms required to process a 
Federal grant. Section 6 Grant Requirements references the grant forms 
that must be included in the application and the specific 
administrative requirements that apply to the type of Federal grant 
used for this program.
    A sample grant outline, scoring guidance, the final rule, and 
required forms can be found on the CFP Web site at: http://www.fs.fed.us/spf/coop/programs/loa/cfp.shtml.
5. Forest Service's Project Selection Criteria
    a. Using the criteria described below, to the extent practicable, 
the Forest Service will give priority to applications that maximize the 
delivery of community benefits, as defined in the final rule (see Sec.  
230.2 of the final rule).; and
    b. The Forest Service will evaluate all applications received by 
the State Foresters or equivalent Tribal government officials and award 
grants based on the following criteria:
    (1) Type and extent of community benefits provided, including to 
underserved communities. Community benefits are defined in the final 
program rule as:
    (i) Economic benefits, such as timber and non-timber products;
    (ii) Environmental benefits, including clean air and water, 
stormwater management, and wildlife habitat;
    (iii) Benefits from forest-based experiential learning, including 
K-12 conservation education programs; vocational education programs in 
disciplines such as forestry and environmental biology; and 
environmental education through individual study or voluntary 
participation in programs offered by organizations such as 4-H, Boy or 
Girl Scouts, Master Gardeners, etc.;
    (iv) Benefits from serving as replicable models of effective forest 
stewardship for private landowners; and
    (v) Recreational benefits, such as hiking, hunting and fishing 
secured through public access.
    (2) Extent and nature of community engagement in the establishment 
and long-term management of the community forest;
    (3) Amount of cost share leveraged;
    (4) Extent to which the community forest contributes to a landscape 
conservation initiative;
    (5) Extent of due diligence completed on the project, including 
cost share committed and status of appraisal;
    (6) Likelihood that, if unprotected, the property would be 
converted to non-forest uses; and
    (7) Costs to the Federal Government.
6. Grant Requirements
    a. Once an application is selected, funding will be obligated to 
the grant recipient through a grant.
    b. Local and Indian tribal governments should refer to 2 CFR part 
225, Cost Principles for State,
    Local, and Indian Tribal Governments (OMB Circular A-87) and 7 CFR 
part 3016 (Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and 
Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments) for directions.
    c. Nonprofit organizations should refer to 2 CFR part 215 Uniform 
Administrative Requirements for Grants and Other Agreements With 
Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals and Other Nonprofit 
Organizations (OMB Circular A-110) and 7 CFR part 3019 Uniform 
Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements With 
Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and other Nonprofit 
Organizations for directions.
    d. Forest Service must approve any amendments to a proposal or 
request to reallocate funding within a grant proposal. If negotiations 
on a selected

[[Page 60879]]

project fail, the applicant cannot substitute an alternative site.
    e. The grant recipient must comply with the requirements in section 
Sec.  230.8 in the final rule before funds will be released.
    f. After the project has closed, as a requirement of the grant, 
grant recipients will be required to provide the Forest Service with a 
Geographic Information System (GIS) shapefile: A digital, vector-based 
storage format for storing geometric location and associated attribute 
information, of CFP project tracts and cost share tracts, as 
applicable.
    g. Any funds not expended within the grant period must be de-
obligated and returned to the Forest Service.
    h. All media, press, signage, and other documents discussing the 
creation of the community forest must reference the partnership and 
financial assistance by the Forest Service through the CFP.
    Additional information may be found in section Sec.  230.9 of the 
final rule.

    Dated: October 2, 2015.
Patricia F. Hirami,
Associate Deputy Chief, State and Private Forestry.
[FR Doc. 2015-25725 Filed 10-7-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3411-15-P