Land owners enrolled in forest stewardship programs: 2001 actual 13,919; 2001 estimate 18,604,000; and 2003 estimate, 36,525,000. Acres of forest stewardship plans: 2001 actual 1,437,000; 2001 estimate 1,916,000; and 2003 estimate 3,914,000. Urban communities assisted: 2001 actual 10,785,00; 2002 estimate 10,785,000 and 2003 estimate 23,356,000. Acres protected from fire: 2000 estimate, 1,050,000; 2002 estimate 1,050,000; and 2003 estimate 1,050,000. Acres of forest insect and disease surveys: 2001 estimate, 575,000,000; 2002 estimate 575,000,000; and 2003 estimate 575,000,000. Acres of insect and disease suppression: 2001 estimate 1,500,000; 2002 estimate 1,500,000; and 2003 estimate 1,500,000. The number of applications received and funded is not available without an additional data gathering effort from among field line units. Grants are not competitive, but are of a continuing nature, annually renewable, and based on negotiated targets. The total percentage of applications received and funded was 100.

Uses and Use Restrictions

To assist State Forester or equivalent agencies in forest stewardship programs on private, State, local, and other nonfederal forest and rural lands.

Programs may include production of timber and efficient processing and use of wood products; developing genetically improved tree seeds; producing and distributing tree seeds and seedlings; reforestation; timber stand improvement; improving wildlife habitat; assisting private woodland owners in harvesting, processing, and marketing activities; conversion of wood to energy; protection and improvement of forest soil fertility; forest insect and disease management; urban and community forestry; Development and transfer of new and improved fire control technologies; organization of shared fire suppression resources, and achievement of more efficient State fire protection; provision of financial, technical and related assistance to local rural fire fighting forces; acquisition and loan of Federal excess property; organizational improvement; forestry resources planning; conservation of forest land; and technology transfer.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

State Forestry or equivalent State agencies, tribes, non-profits, and municipalities are eligible.

All States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, and the territories and possessions of the United States are eligible.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Landowners of nonfederal lands; rural community fire fighting forces; urban and municipal governments, non-profit organizations, tribes and other State, local, and private agencies acting through State Foresters, equivalent State officials, or other official representatives.

Credentials/Documentation

Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments, as implemented by 7 CFR Part 3016.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

An environmental impact statement is required for this program whenever pesticides are to be used.

This program is eligible for coverage under E.O.

12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No.

A-102, as implemented by 7 CFR Part 3016, must be used for this program (i.e., SF-424).

To participate in the Forest Legacy Program interested States must prepare an Assessment of need document for approval by the Secretary of Agriculture.

Application Procedures

Not applicable. Contact Regional or Area Office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.

Award Procedures

Established by the Regional Office.

Deadlines

States and eligible applicants are requested to submit Form SF-424(A) with SF 424 application and other required forms as advised by the Regional Office within 10 to 60 days.

Authorization

Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978, Public Law 95-313; Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990, as amended, Public Law 101-624.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

From 10 to 60 days. State single point of contact will have 30 days from notification of tentative allotments to comment.

Appeals

None.

Renewals

Amend SF-424(A) with SF 424 application is required to amend the allotment amount or length of commitment, other requirements may be established by the Regional Office.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Statistical factors for eligibility do not apply to this program. The amount reimbursed by the Federal Government shall not exceed the amount expended by a State grantee or grantee for all programs except those covered by Section 11 of Public Law 95-313. Cost-sharing ratios for Section 11(a) Management Assistance and Section 11(c), Technology Implementation programs shall be negotiated. Section 11(b), Forest Resource Planning program funds require 20 percent matching by the State. Amount of grant based on negotiated targets to be achieved.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Electronic transfers of payments are encouraged.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Periodic and annual accomplishment reports are required.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records

State and other generally accepted accounting systems are permissible, if acceptable to audit and reconciliation. All grantees need to maintain adequate systems for collecting and recording statistical data.

Financial Information

Account Identification

12-1105-0-1-302.

Obigations

(Grants) FY 07 $40,069,200; FY 08 est not available; and FY 09 est not reported.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$25,000 to $6,000,000. Average: $1,000,000.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

Forest Service Manual- Titles 3000, 3100, 3200, 3300, 3400, 3500, 3600, 3700, 3800, and 3900 available in all Forest Service offices, and State Forestry agency offices. OMB Circular Nos. A-102 and A-87, as implemented by 7 CFR Part 3016, are applicable to State and local government grantees.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Refer to Appendix IV of the Catalog for Regional and Area State and Private Forestry offices of the Forest Service and for addresses and telephone numbers of Regional Foresters and Area Director of the Forest Service.

Headquarters Office

Deputy Chief, State and Private Forestry, Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 96090, Washington, DC 20090-6090. Telephone: (202) 205-1657.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Most grants are approved on the basis of negotiated targets or objectives to be achieved. However, grants to rural communities are based on regional and area criteria for meeting the needs and opportunities of the communities. UCF community grants are based on local needs and resources. A specific project focus may be developed by State Urban Forestry Councils.