Development of recreation facilities on BLM managed lands; cooperative visitor services to the general public using BLM managed lands; agreements to manage public land resources cooperatively; and assistance agreement to promote more effective management of caves on Public Lands.
The Department of the Interior protects and provides access to the Nation's natural and cultural heritage, including responsibilities to Indian tribes and island communities. Departmental goals include resource protection and usage, overseeing recreational opportunities, serving communities and excellence in management.
BLM continues to maintain and expand partnerships in the Tread Lightly, Leave No Trace, Interpretive programming, Recreational Fishing, corridor management (rivers and trails), and numerous travel and tourism activities. BLM uses challenge cost share and cooperative conservation initiative grants whenever possible on projects of mutual benefit to rural communities, counties, and cities in the western United States for management of Public Lands.
Uses and Use Restrictions
All projects are restricted to lands administered by the BLM.
Most of these lands are located in the Western United States and Alaska.
Assistance can be used for helping the BLM manage and/or upgrade recreational resources and related facilities, and in providing related public contact/education opportunities.
No regular discretionary fund is available.
Funding is highly variable each fiscal year.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Anyone/general public.
Beneficiary Eligibility
All Public Land users.
Credentials/Documentation
For grants awarded, cost will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and Local Governments; OMB Circular No. A-21 for educational institutions; OMB Circular No. A-122 for nonprofit organizations; and Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 31.2 for private foundations, firms, individuals, and other nonprofits excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-122.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Coordinate cooperative project proposals with BLM State or District Offices.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
Offers of Assistance are coordinated by Bureau State and Field Offices. No specific application forms apply, except for grants awarded, the standard application forms furnished by the Federal agency and required by 43 CFR Part 12, Subpart C, "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments," and 43 CFR Part 12, Subpart F, "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements With Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Nonprofit Organizations", must be used by this program.
Award Procedures
Projects are reviewed at State level and funding recommendations are made through each State's annual work plan. Final budget approvals rest with the State Director or Field Office Manager.
Deadlines
None.
Authorization
Federal Land Policy and Management Act, Public Law 94-579.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Projects are approved through the Bureau budget cycle that normally requires at least one year to receive funding.
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
Not applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has matching requirements under the challenge cost-share program.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
No specific restrictions, however, most projects are funded on a year to year basis and funds are expended during a particular fiscal year.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Performance monitoring schedules and/or progress reports will be developed in consultation with the applicant, but at a minimum will take place at least once during the life of a project.
Audits
Projects will be audited at least once during life cycle. Grants awarded to educational institutions and nonprofit organizations are subject to the audit requirements of 43 CFR Part 12, Subpart F, "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements With Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Nonprofit Organizations". In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133, "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
Records relating to work performed and costs are kept by the Bureau. There is no fixed records schedule. Records for grants awarded to State and Local Governments will be maintained in accordance with the provisions of 43 CFR Part 12, Subpart C, "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments." Records for grants awarded to institutions of higher education and other nonprofit organizations will be maintained in accordance with the provisions of 43 CFR Part 12, Subpart F, "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements With Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Nonprofit Organizations".
Financial Information
Account Identification
14-1109-0-1-302.
Obigations
FY 07 $3,500,000; FY 08 est $4,340,000; and FY 09 est $5,950,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Past partnership projects have run between $500 to $250,000. Average amounts run about $10,000 or less.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
BLM's recreation program is generally guided by provisions in 43 CFR Part 8000. A variety of public interest publications on these programs are available free of charge by contacting the appropriate State Office. Manuals providing basic program operational guidance for recreation (BLM Manual 8300 and 8400) may be obtained by contacting the Washington Office.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
See Catalog Appendix IV for addresses.
Headquarters Office
Group Manager, Recreation Group, Bureau of Land Management (WO 250), 1849 C St, NW., 302 LS, Washington, DC 20240- 9998. Telephone: (202) 452-5041. Please contact the specific BLM State Office where you wish to apply.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Criteria used to select assistance proposals are based on their direct relationship to BLM land management and a balanced review including relevance to program objectives, merit and cost effectiveness.
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