To restore stability and predictability to the annual payments made to States and counties containing National Forest System lands and public domain lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management for use by the counties for the benefit of public schools, roads, and other purposes.

credit: Renewable Choice Energy

Examples of Funded Projects

Assistance agreements with cooperators, watershed councils, counties to perform road and trail construction, maintenance or obliteration, culvert replacements for fish passage; vegetation and density management, wildfire hazard reduction, stream channel enhancemen; watershed restoration; wildlife and fisheries habitat restoration and improvement; control of noxious and exotic plants; and reestablishment of native species.

Grants for this Program

• BLM OR/WA - Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act, 2015-2017 Projects, Oregon
• BLM OR/WA, Inventory of Vernal Pool Suitable Habitat, Klamath Falls Resource Area
• BLM OR/WA, Inventory of Vernal Pool Suitable Habitat, Klamath Falls Resource Area
• BLM OR-WA Sprague 316 Weed Management/Property Stewardship
• BLM OR-WA Tillamook Estuaries Partnership's (TEP) NW Oregon Restoration Partnership

More Grants for this Program...

The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act program continues its efforts to make investments in and create additional employment opportunities through projects that improve the maintenance of existing infrastructure, implement stewardship objectives that enhance forest ecosystems and restore and improve land health and water quality. Simultaneously, improve cooperative relationships among the people that use and care for Federal lands and the agencies that manage these lands. Since the implementation of projects in this program in fiscal year 2002, over 1000 projects have been reviewed by the Resource Advisory Committee, with 582 projects recommended to the Designated Federal Officials and subsequently approved. 250 projects have been completed to date and many of the projects are multi-year projects that are funding in phases.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Project funds shall be expended solely on projects that meet the requirements of Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000, Public Law 106-393, Title II.

Project funds may be used for the purpose of entering into and implementing cooperative agreements with willing Federal agencies, State and local governments, private and nonprofit entities, and landowners for protection of restoration, and enhancment of fish and wildlife habitat, and other resource objectives consistent with the purposes of the law on Federal land and on nonfederal land where projects would benefit these resources on Federal land.

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Rural Collaborative Opportunities for Occupational Learning in Health Scrubs Academy

California Health Interview Survey Announces New Data on Health and Wellbeing of State Residents

Economic Development and Collaboration for the Arts

Do Good Buy Us: The Best Mistake We Ever Made

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

State and local governments, public nonprofit institutions/organizations, other public institution/organization, private nonprofit institution/organization, other private institution/organization and landowners.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Anyone/General public.

Credentials/Documentation

None.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

None.

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 technical and cost 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. Title II Project Application Information may be received from the BLM Western Oregon Districts or their websites. No State plan is required with this application.

Award Procedures

Bureau of Land Management District staff screen applications to ensure they meet project criteria. The projects are then forwarded to the Resource Advisory Committees whose members consider each project for funding and make recommendations to the Designated Federal Officials by Septembe 30 for each fiscal year. Final budget approvals rest with the delegated Bureau of Land Management District Managers.

Deadlines

The deadline will be published in the Grants.gov announcement for each project. Completed project application forms are due to the Designated Federal Officials by April 15 each year for funding requests in the following year.

Authorization

Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000, Public Law 106-393, Title II.

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. Projects are approved by the delegated District Managers at their sole discretion. Within 30 days after making a rejection decision, the District Manager shall notify the Resource Advisory Committee in writing with the reasons for the rejection.

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 proposal 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 may be looked upon more favorably by the Resource Advisory Committees.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

No specific restrictions for most projects, however, most projects are funded on a year-to-year basis and funds are expended during a particular fiscal year. Funds that are not expended during a particular fiscal year may be carried forward to the next fiscal year.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

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

Final peformance 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 Nonprofit 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 and local 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

14-5485-0-1-302; 14-5884-0-1-302; and
14-5984-0-1-302.

Obigations

FY 07 $8,500,000; FY 08 $8,800,000; and FY 09 $0. The Act sunsetted in FY 07, so no further funds are available to obligate unless the Act is renewed.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Past partnership projects have run between $4,500 to $600,000. Average amounts run about $10,000 or less.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

Public Law 106-393 and the Resource Advisory Committee Charters basically guide BLM's County Payments Program. For links to the Law and additionally information see website http://www.blm.gov/or/rac/ctypayhistory.php .

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

County Payments Coordinator (OR931), Oregon State Office, Bureau of Land Management, 333 S.W. 1st Ave., P.O. Box 2965, Portland, OR 97204. Telephone: (503) 808-6451. E-mail: Lindsey_Goetz@blm.gov .

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

Criteria used to approve project proposals are: The project complies with all applicable Federal laws and regulations; the project is consistent with the applicable resource management plan and with any watershed or subsequent plan developed pursuant to the resource management plan and approved by the Secretary of the Interior; the project has been approved by the Resource Advisory Committee in accordance with section 205 of the Act; a project description has been submitted by the Resource Advisory Committee to the Secretary of the Interior; and the project will improve the maintenance of existing infrastructure, implement stewardship objectives that enhance forest ecosystems and restore and improve land health and water quality.