BLM continues to maintain and expand partnerships to include funding for continued support of collaborative efforts to build community capacity and support for ecological restoration efforts in forest and woodlands. The public and BLM benefit from its support with partners in heightening public understanding of the social and economic, as well as environmental, aspects of ecosystem restoration and maintenance.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Projects are limited to forestry projects on public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management located mostly in the Western United States and Alaska.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Anyone/General public.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Anyone/General public.

Credentials/Documentation

None.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Coordinate cooperative forestry project proposals with Bureau of Land Management local State or District office for more information and local requirements.

This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.

12372.

Application Procedures

A Standard Form 424, Application for Federal Assistance, Standard Form 424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs, Standard Form 424B, Assurances for Non-Construction Programs, and a written proposal should be submitted through Grants.gov or via hardcopy to the project office and include: a title, objectives, timeframe, and a budget breakdown as specified in the funding opportunity announcement. No State plan is required with this application.

Award Procedures

Projects are reviewed at the Bureau of Land Management State and District Office level and funding recommendations are made through the State's annual work plan. Final budget approvals rest with the State Director.

Deadlines

The deadline will be published in the Grants.gov announcement for each project.

Authorization

Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, 43 U.S.C. 1737,(b), Public Law 94-579, as amended; and Stewardship End Result Contracting Projects, 16 U.S.C. 2104, Public Law 108-7, Consolidated Appropriation Resolution, 2003, Division F, Title III, Section 323 as amended Public Law 105-277, Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999, Division A, Section 101(e), Title III, Section 347, as amended Public Law 106-113, Making Consolidated Appropriations For the Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 2000, and For Other Purposes, Division B, Section 1000(a)(3), Title III, Section 341 and Public Law 107-63, Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002, Title III, Section 332.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Award time varies depending on the type and complexity of the project. Most awards are anticipated within 90 days or less after the announcement closes. Further information will be available for each project at the time the funding opportunity announcement is posted on www.grants.gov and may be obtained by contacting the point of contact listed in the funding opportunity announcement.

Appeals

None. Final award decisions are not subject to appeal; however, the Bureau of Land Management will provide all applicants with information on why their proposals was not selected for award.

Renewals

Not applicable.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula requirements. However, applicant's matching funds are encouraged and those projects are more likely to be funded.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

No specific restrictions for most projects, however, most projects are awarded for a five year period and funded on a year-by-year basis and funds are expended during a particular fiscal year.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Recipients of funding are required to submit quarterly financial status reports using form Standard Form 269, Financial Status Report, and quarterly, semi-annual, or annual performance reports 30 days following the end of the reporting period.

Final performance and financial status reports are due 120 days after the end date of grant performance.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonproft Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance $500,000 (for fiscal years ending December 1, 2003) or more a year in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 (for fiscal years ending after December 1, 2003) a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records

State, local and Indian Tribal governments shall maintain project records in accordance with 43 CFR 12.82. All other recipients shall maintain project records in accordance with 43 CFR 12.953.

Financial Information

Account Identification

14-1109-0-1-302.

Obigations

FY 07 $45,000; FY 08 est $500,000; and FY 09 est $1,000,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Past partnership projects have run between $10,000 to $250,000. Average amounts run about $100,000 or less.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

BLM's Forestry program is generally guided by provisions in 43 CFR Part 5000. 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 Forestry are found in BLM Manuals 500 series and may be obtained by contacting the Washington Office.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

See Catalog Appendix IV for addresses of Bureau of Land Mangement State Offices.

Headquarters Office

Division Chief, Forest and Woodland Management, Bureau of Land Management (WO 270), 1849 C St., N.W, 204 LS, Washington, DC 20240. Telephone: (202)452-0316.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

General criteria used to select assistance proposals are based on their direct relationship to Federal lands and a balanced review including relevance to program objectives, merit and cost effectiveness.