To help rural areas analyze and assess forest resource
opportunities, maximize local economic potential through market development
and expansion, and diversify communities' economic base.
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:
Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
Funding may be allocated for such things as technical assistance, training and
education, equipment, marketing, and all costs associated with making these
services available to tribal nations, State and Federal agencies, State
Foresters, local governments, not-for-profit organizations, and others who are
extending services to rural communities.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant Eligibility: Tribal nations, State and
Federal agencies, State Foresters, local governments, not-for-profit
organizations, and others working in support of community identified goals.
Beneficiary Eligibility: Tribal nations, State
and Federal agencies, State Foresters, local governments, not-for-profit
organizations, and others. Forest Service Regions/Areas/Institutes are
encouraged to further define program policies that focus resources to meet the
regional, State and local needs of communities.
Credentials/Documentation: Assistance is in
response to a community or a group of communities' request for assistance in
identifying opportunities and implementing action that will promote natural
resource-based economic diversification and opportunities, technology
transfer, market development and/or expansion.
Pre-application Coordination: This program is
excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure: Not applicable. Contact
Regional or Local Office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog. No community
grants are reviewed or awarded at the National Office.
Award Procedure: Established by the Regional
Office in support of an overall regional strategic plan.
Deadlines: Communities are requested to submit
form SF-424 (A) with SF-424 application and other required forms as advised by
the Regional Office.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: The maximum
is 60 days.
Appeals: Not applicable.
Renewals: SF-424(A) with SF-424 application is
required to amend the awarded amount or length of commitment. Other
requirements may be established by the Regional Office.
ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula and Matching Requirements: The Federal
contribution to the overall implementation of a planned project may have a
matching requirement, but that match is negotiated. No statutory match.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Financial
assistance may be a combination of different interests that seek to support
planned action by the community or a group of communities to diversify the
local economy and to improve its social, economic, and environmental well
being. Limitation on length of funded projects will be established at the
Forest Service administrative unit (generally, will not exceed 5 years).
POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports: Periodic and final reports are required.
Audits: In accordance with the provisions of 7
CFR Part 3052 which implement OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 24, 1997),
"Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations,"
Nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in
Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for
that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in
Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year,
except as noted in 7 CFR 3052.
Records: State and other generally accepted
accounting systems can be used if control procedures allow for proper audit
and reconciliation. All grantees must maintain adequate systems for collecting
and recording statistical data.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
Account Identification: 12-1105-0-1-302.
Obligations: (Grants) FY 01 $5,445,000; FY 02 est
$4,692,000; and FY 03 est $6,057,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance: $1,000 to $50,000.
A new electronic reporting system is under development at this time. No
measures reported at this time.
REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
Forest Service Implementation Guidelines available in all Forest Service
offices. OMB Circular Nos. A-102 and A-87 are applicable to State and Local
Governments, A-110 and A-21 are applicable to educational institutions, and
A-110 and A-122 are applicable to Nonprofit Organizations. USDA Implementing
Regulations 7 CFR 3015, 3016, 3017, 3018, and 3019 also apply depending on the
type of recipient. Legislative history found in Senate and Conference reports
1988, 1989, and 1990 and Forest Service revised guidelines (May 2000).
INFORMATION CONTACTS:
Regional or Local Office: Refer to Appendix IV of
the Catalog 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.
Web Site Address: http://www.fs.fed.us/spf/coop/eap.htm.
EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
In fiscal year 1999-2000, Catron County Citizens group, NM, developed a forest
restoration plan for the Negrito Ecosystem, created a local Economic
Development plan, and established a log sort yard and business incubator. New
Mexico State University Advanced Manufacturing Center, NM, assisted P&M
Signs of Mountainair in the design and construction of prototype equipment for
producing juniper/plastic composite materials to be used in construction and
sign applications. Painted Sky RC&D, CO, worked with Delta Timber to
conduct an economic feasibility test with 4X4-inch width materials for end and
edge glueing into wider and longer materials suitable for manufacture of
furniture and cabinets. Utah State Rural Development Council, UT, worked with
the Southern Utah Forest Products Association to build skills and cooperative
marketing strategies for producers of value-added small diameter wood
products, as well as to make connections to regional, national, and
international markets. Office of Community Services, Fort Lewis College
(regional), is developing an evaluation program for Four Corners Partnership
projects in forestry in order to describe and assess project outcomes.
Washington Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Hardwoods
Commission are working together to establish policies for conservation of the
State's hardwood resources. The secondary wood products industry in Oregon was
surveyed to determine what specific types of training were needed to assist in
improving the skills and education of workers in the industry, leading to
development of curricula later offered by the State's community college
system. Overall, 1,500 communities and 1,000 organizations assisted in fiscal
year 1997; 2,400 communities and 1,200 organizations assisted in fiscal year
1998; and 2,200 communities and 1,000 organizations assisted in fiscal year
1999.
CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:
Regional/Area/Institute administrative units are given the flexibility to make
funding decisions based on their specific community and regional priorities
documented in a regional strategy for their respective administrative areas.
These overall strategies are identified through input by States, tribal
nations, local agencies and organizations.
