In FY 2006 and FY 2007, 6,364 and 5,800 communities received technical assistance, respectively. In 2006, 164,136,406 people lived in communities that had received program assistance and that were managing or developing urban forestry capacity according to accepted national performance measures: (1) hired professional staff, (2) adopted tree ordinances and policies, (3) implemented an urban forest management plan, and 4) established a local advocacy/advisory organization.

Uses and Use Restrictions

To assist State Foresters, equivalent State agencies, interested members of the public and private non-profit organizations in urban and community forestry programs in cities and communities.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

State Foresters or equivalent State agencies, interested members of the public, private non-profit organizations and others.

All States, as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa and Guam, and other territories and possessions of the United States are eligible.

Beneficiary Eligibility

State Foresters or equivalent State agencies, local governments, tribes, and non-profit organizations, and other State, local and private agencies acting through State Foresters, equivalent State agencies or other official representatives as agreed by the State Forester, equivalent State agency, and the Secretary.

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

Regional/Area/IITF Offices provide States and teritories with program funding advice each year.

This program is excluded for coverage under E.O.

12372.

Application Procedures

Contact Regional, Area or Institute Office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog http://www.fs.fed.us/ucf/Regional_Offices.htm.

Award Procedures

Established by the Regional, Area and Institute offices. http://www.fs.fed.us/ucf/Regional_Offices.htm.

Deadlines

Contact Regional, Area or Institute Office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog http://www.fs.fed.us/ucf/Regional_Offices.htm.

Authorization

The Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978, Public Law 95-313,92 Stat. 365, 16 U.S.C. 2102 et seq. (As Amended Through Public Law 107-195, June 16, 2002) Section 9 (16 U.S.C. 2105) Urban and Community Forestry Assistance.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Established by the Regional, Area, and Institute offices. http://www.fs.fed.us/ucf/Regional_Offices.htm.

Appeals

Not applicable.

Renewals

Amended 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, Area or Institute offices.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Statistical factors for eligibility do not apply to this program. Funds reimbursed by the Federal Government may not exceed 50 percent of the total project budget expended by a grantee. The non-Federal share of the match may be in the form of cash, services or in-kind contributions.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Electronic transfer of payments are encouraged. Grants are normally awarded for a period of 12 months. A no cost extension justification must be received and approved by the Forest Service.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Each State forestry agency or equivalent is required to submit annual accomplishment reports on the program, and have an approved 5-year strategic plan.

Audits

Use of all funds will have to meet Federal and State audit requirements. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," non federal 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

FY 07 $30,130,000; FY 08 est $17,436,000; and FY 09 est not reported.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Not applicable.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

OMB Circular Nos. A-102 and A-87, as implemented by 7 CFR Part 3016, are applicable to State and local government grantees. Available online at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/index.html.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

For Forest Service, State and Private Forestry office addresses and telephone numbers. Visit: http://www.fs.fed.us/ucf/Regional_Offices.htm.

Headquarters Office

Deputy Chief, State and Private Forestry, Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Mailstop: 1123, Washington, DC 20250-1123 . Telephone: (202) 205-1657.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Most grants are approved on the basis of negotiated targets or objectives to be achieved. UCF community grants are based on local needs and resources.