Benefits of the regulations include cost sharing to improve forest management on nearly 610,000 acres, owned by more than 7800 landowners. Technical assistance on sustainable forest practices will be provided to more than 1.1 million acres of forestland, and nearly $8 million will be provided to improve landowner awareness and understanding of sustainable forestry principles and practices. These accomplishments will result in additional carbon sequestration, improved wildlife habitat, improved soil and water quality, and sustainable forest conditions.

Uses and Use Restrictions

To assist State Foresters or equivalent agencies in sustainable forest management on nonindustrial private forest lands.

Program may include agreements with other agencies or organizations to serve as a third party to deliver parts of FLEP.

Program may include technical assistance to develop management plans for NIPF lands; educational programs and assistance to increase the awareness and land owner ability to manage forests sustainably; and cost-share assistance to implement sustainable forestry practices on the ground.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

State Forestry or equivalent State agencies.

All States, 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 that may be eligible.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Landowners and managers of nonindustrial private forest lands, non-profit organizations, consultant foresters, universities, other State, local and private organizations and agencies acting through State Foresters, equivalent State officials or other official representatives.

Credentials/Documentation

None.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Each State must prepare a State Priority Plan that is concurred in by the FS Regional, Area, or Institute Responsible Official before any funds can be disbursed.

A management plan must be prepared before a landowner is eligible for cost-share assistance, except where the practice is development of a management plan.

This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.

12372.

Application Procedures

Established by each State forestry agency.

Award Procedures

Established by each State forestry agency.

Deadlines

Please contact the program contact listed in the Information Contacts section below.

Authorization

Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. Public Law 107-171.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Established by each State forestry agency.

Appeals

Start with the State Forestry agency, through the FS Regional, Area or Institute Official, with final decisions by the Chief of the Forest Service if no decision is made at a lower level.

Renewals

Established by each State forestry agency.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Public Law 107-171 establishes the criteria to distribute funds. All criteria are considered at the national and regional level to distribute funds to the States. There are no matching requirements for the State to receive funds. Cost-share payments to NIPF land owners and managers may not exceed 75 percent. Each State forestry agency determines the amount of funds any land owner may receive. Each State forestry agency will request their funds electronically from the Forest Service Regional, Area or Institute office and funds will be sent to each State electronically.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Electronic transfers of payments are encouraged. Electronic transfer of funds from the Forest Service to the State forestry agencies typically occurs quarterly.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Each State forestry agency is required to submit annual accomplishment report on the program.

Any grants, cooperative agreements or other instrument used to award funds will each require a report on the accomplishment and use of funds.

Audits

Use of all funds will have to meet Federal and State audit requirements.

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. All records for agreements using any FLEP funds will be maintained in the State forestry agency office for a minimum of 10 years.

Financial Information

Account Identification

12-2711-0-1-051.

Obigations

FY 07 est not available; FY 08 est not available; and FY 09 est not reported. (Note: This program expires as of September 30, 2007.)

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

States and Territories may receive between $1,100 and $832,000 based on allocation criteria.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

Forest Service Manual Titles 3300, Chapter 3310, Section 3314; The Principal Laws Relating to USDA Forest Service State and Private Forestry Programs as amended March 2003, FS-758; and the Final Interim Rule, 36 CFR Part 230, Subpart C.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Refer to the web site below 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. http://www.fs.fed.us/contactus/regions.shtml.

Headquarters Office

None.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Most grants to the State forestry agency are approved when the State Priority Plan has been approved and funds are available.