Request for Applications: The Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program, 52900-52903 [2013-20838]

Download as PDF tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 52900 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 27, 2013 / Notices including those high in added sugar, sodium or solid fats. Should foods high in these components be counted as staple foods when determining store authorization requirements? 5. How should prepared foods with multiple ingredients, such as chicken pot pie or other frozen dinners, or single serving meat jerky packages, be treated with regards to ‘‘staple foods’’ categories? 6. Do twelve items (the minimum amount necessary to meet SNAP authorization criterion A, by virtue of needing three varieties in the four different staple food categories) provide adequate variety for a retailer to further the Program’s purpose? If not, what would be a more appropriate requirement? 7. Currently, retailers who are authorized under criterion A are required to stock perishable items (e.g., fresh, frozen or refrigerated fruits and vegetables; dairy; meats, poultry and fish; bread or cereal) in two categories. Should perishable items be required in more than two categories? 8. Are 50 percent of sales in staple foods, as currently required for criterion B, sufficient to ensure that a SNAP authorized store furthers the program’s purpose, given the current definition of ‘‘staple foods?’’ Would this percentage be sufficient if the definition of ‘‘staple foods’’ is changed to exclude items high in added sugar, sodium or solid fats? 9. Should stores whose primary business (as evidenced by marketing, inventory or sales) is not the sale of food, be eligible to participate in SNAP? 10. Restaurants are generally prohibited from being SNAP retailers, and hot foods cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits. However, there are authorized retailers who primarily sell food for immediate consumption, often on premises, but also sell their products cold and heat them for SNAP recipients immediately after purchase for a nominal fee. These stores qualify today based on the array of raw ingredients, such as unbaked pizza or raw fish. Should such stores be eligible for participation in SNAP? 11. Should all retailers who meet SNAP eligibility criteria be authorized, even when sufficient store access for recipients is not a concern? 12. If store access were a concern in an area where no store meets basic eligibility criteria for SNAP authorization, how should FNS select the stores to authorize that best serve the needs of the client population? Should FNS employ an evaluation and scoring system? If so, what criteria should make up such a system? VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:54 Aug 26, 2013 Jkt 229001 13. How should integrity and management priorities be balanced against healthy food choice criteria in the SNAP authorization process? What elements could be used to assess integrity risks, and how should they be applied? 14. Are there any other ways in which the criteria for retailer eligibility should be changed? If so, how? Dated: August 22, 2013. Audrey Rowe, Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service. [FR Doc. 2013–20907 Filed 8–26–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–30–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Request for Applications: The Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program Forest Service, Department of Agriculture. ACTION: Request for applications AGENCY: The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, requests applications for the Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program (Community Forest Program or CFP). This is a competitive grant program whereby local governments, qualified nonprofit organizations, and Indian tribes are eligible to apply for grants to establish community forests through fee simple acquisition of private forest land from a willing seller. The purpose of the program is to establish community forests by protecting forest land from conversion to non-forest uses and provide community benefits such as sustainable forest management, environmental benefits including clean air, water, and wildlife habitat; benefits from forest-based educational programs; benefits from serving as models of effective forest stewardship; and recreational benefits secured with public access. Eligible lands for grants funded under this program are private forest land that is at least five acres in size, suitable to sustain natural vegetation, and at least 75 percent forested. The lands must also be threatened by conversion to nonforest uses, must not be held in trust by the United States on behalf of any Indian tribe, must not be Tribal allotment lands, must be offered for sale by a willing seller, and if acquired by an eligible entity, must provide defined community benefits under CFP and allow public access. DATES: Interested local government and nonprofit applicants must submit SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 applications to the State Forester. Tribal applicants must submit applications to the appropriate Tribal government officials. All applications must be received by State Foresters or Tribal governments by January 15, 2014. State Foresters or Tribal government officials must forward applications to the Forest Service Region, Northeastern Area or International Institute of Tropical Forestry by February 17, 2014. ADDRESSES: All local government and qualified nonprofit organization applications must be submitted to the State Forester of the State where the property is located. All Indian tribal applications must be submitted to the Tribal government officials of the Indian tribe. Applicants are encouraged to contact and work with the Forest Service Region, Northeastern Area, or International Institute of Tropical Forestry, and the State Forester or equivalent official of the Indian tribe when developing their proposal. The State Forester’s contact information may be found at https://www.fs.fed.us/spf/ coop/programs/loa/cfp.shtml. All applicants must also send an email to communityforest@fs.fed.us to confirm an application has been submitted for funding consideration. State Foresters and Tribal government officials shall submit applications to the appropriate Forest Service Regional/ Area/Institute contact noted below. Northern and Intermountain Regions Regions 1 and 4, (ID, MT, ND, NV, UT) Janet Valle, U.S. Forest Service, 324 25th St., Ogden, UT 84401, 801–625– 5258 (phone), 801–625–5716 (fax), jvalle@fs.fed.us. Rocky Mountain Region Region 2, (CO, KS, NE, SD, WY) Claire Harper, U.S. Forest Service, 740 Simms Street, Golden, CO 80401, 303–275–5178 (phone), 303–275– 5754 (fax), claireharper@fs.fed.us. Southwestern Region Region 3, (AZ, NM) Margee Haines, U.S. Forest Service, 333 Broadway SE, Albuquerque, NM 87102, 505–842–3881 (phone), 505– 842–3165 (fax), mhaines@fs.fed.us. Pacific Southwest Region Region 5, (CA, HI, Guam, American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia and other Pacific Islands,) Dan McKeague, U.S. Forest Service, 1323 Club Drive, Vallejo, CA 94592, 707–562–8875 (phone), 707–562– 9054 (fax), dmckeague@fs.fed.us. E:\FR\FM\27AUN1.SGM 27AUN1 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 27, 2013 / Notices Brad Siemens, U.S. Forest Service, 120 Southwest 3rd Ave., Portland, OR 97204 (or), P.O. Box 3623, Portland, OR 97208–3623, 503–808–2353 (phone), 503–808–2469 (fax), btsiemens@fs.fed.us. of terms, eligibility, and necessary prerequisites for consideration can be found in the final program rule, published October 20, 2011 (76 FR 65121–65133), which is available at www.fs.fed.us/spf/coop/programs/loa/ cfp.shtml and at www.grants.gov (Opportunity number CFP–FS– 1002014). Southern Region Grant Application Requirements Region 8, (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA) 1. Eligibility Information Pacific Northwest, and Alaska Regions Regions 6 and 10, (AK, OR, WA) Mike Murphy, U.S. Forest Service, 1720 Peachtree Rd. NW., Suite 700B 850S North, Atlanta, GA 30309, 404–347– 5214 (phone), 404–347–2776 (fax), mwmurphy@fs.fed.us. International Institute of Tropical Forestry (PR, VI) Connie Carpenter, U.S. Forest Service, Jardin Botanico Sur, 1201 Calle Ceiba, San Juan, PR 00926–1119, 787–766– 5335 x 222 (phone), 787–766–6263 (fax), conniecarpenter@fs.fed.us. Northeastern Area tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES (CT, DE, IA, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT, WI, WV) Neal Bungard, U.S. Forest Service, 271 Mast Road, Durham, NH 03824–4600, 603–868–7719 (phone), 603–868– 7604 (fax), nbungard@fs.fed.us. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions regarding the grant application or administrative regulations, contact Scott Stewart, Program Manager, 202–205–1618, sstewart@fs.fed.us or Maya Solomon, Program Coordinator, 202–205–1376, mayasolomon@fs.fed.us. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339 twenty-four hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number 10.689: To address the goals of Section 7A of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2103d) as amended, the Forest Service is requesting proposals for community forest projects that protect forest land that has been identified as a national, regional, or local priority for protection and to assist communities in acquiring forest land that will provide public recreation, environmental and economic benefits, and forest-based educational programs. Detailed information regarding what to include in the application, definitions VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:54 Aug 26, 2013 Jkt 229001 a. Eligible Applicants. A local governmental entity, Indian Tribe (including Alaska Native Corporations), or a qualified nonprofit organization that is qualified to acquire and manage land (see § 230.2 of the final rule). Individuals are not eligible to receive funds through this program. b. Cost Sharing (Matching Requirement). All applicants must demonstrate a 50 percent match of the total project cost. The match can include cash, in-kind services, or donations, which shall be from a nonFederal source. For additional information, please see § 230.6 of the final rule at www.fs.fed.us/spf/coop/ programs/loa/cfp.shtml. c. DUNS Number. All applicants shall include a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number in their application. For this requirement, the applicant is the entity that meets the eligibility criteria and has the legal authority to apply for and receive the grant. For assistance in obtaining a DUNS number at no cost, call the DUNS number request line 1–866–705–5711 or register on-line at https:// fedgov.dnb.com/webform. d. System for Award Management. All prospective awardees shall be registered in the System for Award Management prior to award, during performance, and through final payment of any grant resulting from this solicitation. Further information can be found at www.sam.gov. For assistance, contact Federal Service Desk 1–866–606–8220. 2. Award Information The Administration proposed to fund the CFP at $4 million for fiscal year 2014. Individual grant applications may not exceed $400,000, which does not include technical assistance requests. The Federal Government’s obligation under this program is contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds. No legal liability on the part of the Government shall be incurred until funds are committed by the grant officer for this program to the applicant in writing. The initial grant period shall be for 2 years, and acquisition of lands should occur within that timeframe. PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 52901 Lands acquired prior to the grant award are not eligible for CFP funding. The grant may be reasonably extended by the Forest Service when necessary to accommodate unforeseen circumstances in the land acquisition process. Written annual financial performance reports and semi-annual project performance reports shall be required and submitted to the appropriate grant officer. Technical assistance funds, totaling not more than 10 percent of all funds, may be allocated to State Foresters and equivalent officials of the Indian tribe. Technical assistance, if provided, will be awarded at the time of the grant. If seeking technical assistance funds, the applicant must work with the State Foresters and equivalent officials of the Indian tribe to determine technical assistance needs and include the technical assistance request in the project budget separate from the budget for the land acquisition. As funding allows, applications submitted through this request may be funded in future years, subject to the availability of funds and the continued feasibility and viability of the project. 3. Application Information Application submission. All local governments and qualified nonprofit organizations’ applications must be submitted to the State Forester where the property is located by January 15, 2014. All Indian tribal applications must be submitted to the Tribal government officials of the Indian tribe by January 15, 2014. The State Forester’s contact information may be found at https://www.fs.fed.us/spf/coop/ programs/loa/cfp.shtml. All applicants must also send an email to communityforest@fs.fed.us to confirm an application has been submitted for funding consideration. All State Foresters and Tribal government officials must forward applications to the Forest Service by February 17, 2014. 4. Application Requirements The following section outlines grant application requirements: a. The application can be no more than eight pages long, plus no more than two maps (eight and half inches by eleven inches in size), the grant forms specified in (b), and the draft Community Forest Plan specified in (d). b. The following grant forms and supporting materials must be included in the application: (1) An Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424); (2) Budget information (Standard Form SF 424c—Construction Programs); and E:\FR\FM\27AUN1.SGM 27AUN1 tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 52902 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 27, 2013 / Notices (3) Assurances of compliance with all applicable Federal laws, regulations, and policies (Standard Form 424d— Construction Programs). c. Documentation verifying that the applicant is an eligible entity and that the land proposed for acquisition is eligible (see § 230.2 of the final program rule). d. Applications must include the following, regarding the property proposed for acquisition: (1) A description of the property, including acreage and county location; (2) A description of current land uses, including improvements; (3) A description of forest type and vegetative cover; (4) A map of sufficient scale to show the location of the property in relation to roads and other improvements as well as parks, refuges, or other protected lands in the vicinity; (5) A description of applicable zoning and other land use regulations affecting the property; (6) A description of relationship of the property within and its contributions to a landscape conservation initiative; and (7) A description of any threats of conversion to non-forest uses, including any encumbrances on the property that prevent conversion to non-forest uses. e. Information regarding the proposed establishment of a community forest, including: (1) A description of the benefiting community, including demographics, and the associated benefits provided by the proposed land acquisition; (2) A description of community involvement to-date in the planning of the community forest acquisition and of community involvement in anticipated long-term management; (3) Identification of persons and organizations that support the project and their specific role in establishing and managing the community forest; and (4) A draft Community Forest Plan. The eligible entity is encouraged to work with the State Forester or equivalent official of the Indian tribe for technical assistance when developing or updating the Community Forest Plan. In addition, the eligible entity is encouraged to work with technical specialists, such as professional foresters, recreation specialists, wildlife biologists, or outdoor education specialists, when developing the Community Forest Plan. f. Information regarding the proposed land acquisition, including: (1) A proposed project budget not exceeding $400,000 and any additional funds for technical assistance needs as coordinated with the State Forester or VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:54 Aug 26, 2013 Jkt 229001 equivalent Indian tribe (§ 230.6 of the final program rule); (2) The status of due diligence, including signed option or purchase and sale agreement, title search, minerals determination, and appraisal; (3) Description and status of cost share (secure, pending, commitment letter, etc. (§ 230.6 of the final program rule)); (4) The status of negotiations with participating landowner(s) including purchase options, contracts, and other terms and conditions of sale; (5) The proposed timeline for completing the acquisition and establishing the community forest; and (6) Long term management costs and funding source(s). g. Applications must comply with the Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations (7 CFR part 3015). h. Applications must also include the forms required to process a Federal grant. Section 230.7 references the grant forms that must be included in the application and the specific administrative requirements that apply to the type of Federal grant used for this program. A sample grant application outline can be found on the CFP Web site at: https://www.fs.fed.us/spf/coop/ programs/loa/cfp.shtml. 5. Forest Service’s Project Selection Criteria a. Using the criteria described below, to the extent practicable, the Forest Service will give priority to applications that maximize the delivery of community benefits, as defined in the final rule (see § 230.2 of the final program rule); and b. The Forest Service will evaluate all applications received by the State Foresters or Tribal government officials and award grants based on the following criteria: (1) Type and extent of community benefits provided, including to underserved communities. Community benefits are defined in the final program rule as: (i) Economic benefits such as timber and non-timber products; (ii) Environmental benefits, including clean air and water, stormwater management, and wildlife habitat; (iii) Benefits from forest-based experiential learning, including K–12 conservation education programs; vocational education programs in disciplines such as forestry and environmental biology; and environmental education through individual study or voluntary participation in programs offered by PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 organizations such as 4–H, Boy or Girl Scouts, Master Gardeners, etc; (iv) Benefits from serving as replicable models of effective forest stewardship for private landowners; and (v) Recreational benefits such as hiking, hunting and fishing secured through public access. (2) Extent and nature of community engagement in the establishment and long-term management of the community forest; (3) Amount of cost share leveraged; (4) Extent to which the community forest contributes to a landscape conservation initiative; (5) Extent of due diligence completed on the project, including cost share committed and status of appraisal; (6) Likelihood that, unprotected, the property would be converted to nonforest uses; and (7) Costs to the Federal Government. 6. Grant Requirements a. Once an application is selected, funding will be obligated to the grant recipient through a grant. b. Local and Indian tribal governments should refer to 2 CFR part 225, Cost Principles for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments (OMB Circular A–87) and 7 CFR part 3016, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments for directions. c. Nonprofit organizations should refer to 2 CFR part 215, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Other Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals and Other Nonprofit Organizations, (OMB Circular A–110) and 7 CFR part 3019, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements, with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and other Nonprofit Organizations for directions. d. Forest Service must approve any amendments to a proposal or request to reallocate funding within a grant proposal. If negotiations on a selected project fail, the applicant cannot substitute an alternative site. e. The grant recipient must comply with the requirements in § 230.8 in the final rule before funds will be released. f. After the project has closed, as a requirement of the grant, grant recipients must provide the Forest Service with a Geographic Information System (GIS) shapefile: a digital, vectorbased storage format for storing geometric location and associated attribute information of CFP project tracts and cost share tracts, if applicable. g. Any funds not expended within the grant period must be de-obligated and revert to the Forest Service. E:\FR\FM\27AUN1.SGM 27AUN1 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 27, 2013 / Notices h. All media, press, signage, and other documents discussing the creation of the community forest must reference the partnership and financial assistance by the Forest Service through the CFP. Additional information may be found in § 230.9 of the final rule. Dated: July 15, 2013. Vicki Christiansen, Associate Deputy Chief, State and Private Forestry. [FR Doc. 2013–20838 Filed 8–26–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Humboldt (NV) Resource Advisory Committee Forest Service, USDA. Notice of meeting. AGENCY: ACTION: The Humboldt (NV) Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet in Winnemucca, Nevada. The committee is authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community SelfDetermination Act (Pub. L. 112–141) (the Act) and operates in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The purpose of the RAC is to improve collaborative relationships and to provide advice and recommendations to the Forest Service concerning projects and funding consistent with Title II of the Act. The purpose of the meeting is to review and recommend any new proposed projects authorized under Title II of the Act to the HumboldtToiyabe Forest Supervisor and/or review prior year project accomplishments; lacking any new monetary authority, this meeting may be cancelled. DATES: The meeting will be held on September 24, 2013 at 10:00 a.m., Pacific Standard Time. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Humboldt County Court House, Room 201, 50 West 5th Street, Winnemucca, Nevada. The meeting can also be attended by teleconference by dialing 1–888–858–2144, access code 7727626. Written comments may be submitted as described under Supplementary Information. All comments, including names and addresses when provided, are placed in the record and are available for public inspection and copying. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff Ulrich, RAC Designated Federal Official, at 775–352–1215. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:54 Aug 26, 2013 Jkt 229001 (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Anyone who would like to bring related matters to the attention of the committee may file written statements with the Designated Federal Official before the meeting. A meeting agenda, public comments, and the meeting minutes will be posted at the RAC’s Web site at https://fs.usda.gov/goto/htnf/rac within 21 days of the meeting. Written comments should be sent to Jeff Ulrich, Designated Federal Official, USDA Forest Service, Santa Rosa Ranger District, 1200 E. Winnemucca Blvd., Winnemucca, Nevada 89445. Comments may also be sent via email to jlulrich@fs.fed.us and/or imburkholder@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to 775–625–1200. Meeting Accommodations: If you require sign language interpreting, assistive listening devices or other reasonable accommodation please request this in advance of the meeting by contacting the person listed in the section titled FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. All reasonable accommodation requests are managed on a case by case basis. Dated: August 19, 2013. William A. Dunkelberger, Forest Supervisor Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. 52903 Washington, DC 20425, faxed to (202) 376–7548, or emailed to ero@usccr.gov. Persons who desire additional information may contact the Eastern Regional Office at 202–376–7533. Persons needing accessibility services should contact the Eastern Regional Office at least 10 working days before the scheduled date of the meeting. Records generated from this meeting may be inspected and reproduced at the Eastern Regional Office, as they become available, both before and after the meeting. Persons interested in the work of this advisory committee are advised to go to the Commission’s Web site, www.usccr.gov, or to contact the Eastern Regional Office at the above phone number, email or street address. The meetings will be conducted pursuant to the provisions of the rules and regulations of the Commission and FACA. Agenda I. Administrative Matters Update on HQ Activities Paperwork II. Planning Meeting Review of SAC Project Proposals Decision on Projects Formation of Working Groups and Subcommittees III. Next Steps and Assignments Project Timetable Next Meeting IV. Adjournment [FR Doc. 2013–20851 Filed 8–26–13; 8:45 am] Dated on August 21, 2013. David Mussatt, Acting Chief, Regional Programs Coordination Unit. BILLING CODE 3410–11–P [FR Doc. 2013–20755 Filed 8–26–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6335–01–P COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS Agenda and Notice of Public Meeting of the New York Advisory Committee Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (Commission), and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), that a planning meeting of the New York Advisory Committee to the Commission will convene at 12:00 p.m. (ET) on Friday, September 13, 2013, at the Law Offices of Sullivan and Cromwell, 535 Madison Avenue, New York, New York. The purpose of the meeting is for project planning. Members of the public are entitled to submit written comments. The comments must be received in the regional office by Monday, October 14, 2013. Comments may be mailed to the Eastern Regional Office, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 1150, PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Economic Development Administration Notice of Petitions by Firms for Determination of Eligibility To Apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance Economic Development Administration, Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice and Opportunity for Public Comment. AGENCY: Pursuant to Section 251 of the Trade Act 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2341 et seq.), the Economic Development Administration (EDA) has received petitions for certification of eligibility to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance from the firms listed below. Accordingly, EDA has initiated investigations to determine whether increased imports into the United States of articles like or directly competitive E:\FR\FM\27AUN1.SGM 27AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 166 (Tuesday, August 27, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52900-52903]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-20838]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Request for Applications: The Community Forest and Open Space 
Conservation Program

AGENCY: Forest Service, Department of Agriculture.

ACTION: Request for applications

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, requests 
applications for the Community Forest and Open Space Conservation 
Program (Community Forest Program or CFP). This is a competitive grant 
program whereby local governments, qualified nonprofit organizations, 
and Indian tribes are eligible to apply for grants to establish 
community forests through fee simple acquisition of private forest land 
from a willing seller. The purpose of the program is to establish 
community forests by protecting forest land from conversion to non-
forest uses and provide community benefits such as sustainable forest 
management, environmental benefits including clean air, water, and 
wildlife habitat; benefits from forest-based educational programs; 
benefits from serving as models of effective forest stewardship; and 
recreational benefits secured with public access.
    Eligible lands for grants funded under this program are private 
forest land that is at least five acres in size, suitable to sustain 
natural vegetation, and at least 75 percent forested. The lands must 
also be threatened by conversion to non-forest uses, must not be held 
in trust by the United States on behalf of any Indian tribe, must not 
be Tribal allotment lands, must be offered for sale by a willing 
seller, and if acquired by an eligible entity, must provide defined 
community benefits under CFP and allow public access.

DATES: Interested local government and nonprofit applicants must submit 
applications to the State Forester. Tribal applicants must submit 
applications to the appropriate Tribal government officials. All 
applications must be received by State Foresters or Tribal governments 
by January 15, 2014. State Foresters or Tribal government officials 
must forward applications to the Forest Service Region, Northeastern 
Area or International Institute of Tropical Forestry by February 17, 
2014.

ADDRESSES: All local government and qualified nonprofit organization 
applications must be submitted to the State Forester of the State where 
the property is located. All Indian tribal applications must be 
submitted to the Tribal government officials of the Indian tribe. 
Applicants are encouraged to contact and work with the Forest Service 
Region, Northeastern Area, or International Institute of Tropical 
Forestry, and the State Forester or equivalent official of the Indian 
tribe when developing their proposal. The State Forester's contact 
information may be found at https://www.fs.fed.us/spf/coop/programs/loa/cfp.shtml. All applicants must also send an email to 
communityforest@fs.fed.us to confirm an application has been submitted 
for funding consideration.
    State Foresters and Tribal government officials shall submit 
applications to the appropriate Forest Service Regional/Area/Institute 
contact noted below.

Northern and Intermountain Regions

Regions 1 and 4, (ID, MT, ND, NV, UT)

Janet Valle, U.S. Forest Service, 324 25th St., Ogden, UT 84401, 801-
625-5258 (phone), 801-625-5716 (fax), jvalle@fs.fed.us.

Rocky Mountain Region

Region 2, (CO, KS, NE, SD, WY)

Claire Harper, U.S. Forest Service, 740 Simms Street, Golden, CO 80401, 
303-275-5178 (phone), 303-275-5754 (fax), claireharper@fs.fed.us.

Southwestern Region

Region 3, (AZ, NM)

Margee Haines, U.S. Forest Service, 333 Broadway SE, Albuquerque, NM 
87102, 505-842-3881 (phone), 505-842-3165 (fax), mhaines@fs.fed.us.

Pacific Southwest Region

Region 5, (CA, HI, Guam, American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia 
and other Pacific Islands,)

Dan McKeague, U.S. Forest Service, 1323 Club Drive, Vallejo, CA 94592, 
707-562-8875 (phone), 707-562-9054 (fax), dmckeague@fs.fed.us.

[[Page 52901]]

Pacific Northwest, and Alaska Regions

Regions 6 and 10, (AK, OR, WA)

Brad Siemens, U.S. Forest Service, 120 Southwest 3rd Ave., Portland, OR 
97204 (or), P.O. Box 3623, Portland, OR 97208-3623, 503-808-2353 
(phone), 503-808-2469 (fax), btsiemens@fs.fed.us.

Southern Region

Region 8, (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA)

Mike Murphy, U.S. Forest Service, 1720 Peachtree Rd. NW., Suite 700B 
850S North, Atlanta, GA 30309, 404-347-5214 (phone), 404-347-2776 
(fax), mwmurphy@fs.fed.us.

International Institute of Tropical Forestry

(PR, VI)

Connie Carpenter, U.S. Forest Service, Jardin Botanico Sur, 1201 Calle 
Ceiba, San Juan, PR 00926-1119, 787-766-5335 x 222 (phone), 787-766-
6263 (fax), conniecarpenter@fs.fed.us.

Northeastern Area

(CT, DE, IA, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, 
VT, WI, WV)

Neal Bungard, U.S. Forest Service, 271 Mast Road, Durham, NH 03824-
4600, 603-868-7719 (phone), 603-868-7604 (fax), nbungard@fs.fed.us.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions regarding the grant 
application or administrative regulations, contact Scott Stewart, 
Program Manager, 202-205-1618, sstewart@fs.fed.us or Maya Solomon, 
Program Coordinator, 202-205-1376, mayasolomon@fs.fed.us.
    Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) 
may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 twenty-four 
hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance 
(CFDA) number 10.689: To address the goals of Section 7A of the 
Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2103d) as 
amended, the Forest Service is requesting proposals for community 
forest projects that protect forest land that has been identified as a 
national, regional, or local priority for protection and to assist 
communities in acquiring forest land that will provide public 
recreation, environmental and economic benefits, and forest-based 
educational programs.
    Detailed information regarding what to include in the application, 
definitions of terms, eligibility, and necessary prerequisites for 
consideration can be found in the final program rule, published October 
20, 2011 (76 FR 65121-65133), which is available at www.fs.fed.us/spf/
coop/programs/loa/cfp.shtml and at www.grants.gov (Opportunity number 
CFP-FS-1002014).

Grant Application Requirements

1. Eligibility Information

    a. Eligible Applicants. A local governmental entity, Indian Tribe 
(including Alaska Native Corporations), or a qualified nonprofit 
organization that is qualified to acquire and manage land (see Sec.  
230.2 of the final rule). Individuals are not eligible to receive funds 
through this program.
    b. Cost Sharing (Matching Requirement). All applicants must 
demonstrate a 50 percent match of the total project cost. The match can 
include cash, in-kind services, or donations, which shall be from a 
non-Federal source. For additional information, please see Sec.  230.6 
of the final rule at www.fs.fed.us/spf/coop/programs/loa/cfp.shtml.
    c. DUNS Number. All applicants shall include a Data Universal 
Numbering System (DUNS) number in their application. For this 
requirement, the applicant is the entity that meets the eligibility 
criteria and has the legal authority to apply for and receive the 
grant. For assistance in obtaining a DUNS number at no cost, call the 
DUNS number request line 1-866-705-5711 or register on-line at https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform.
    d. System for Award Management. All prospective awardees shall be 
registered in the System for Award Management prior to award, during 
performance, and through final payment of any grant resulting from this 
solicitation. Further information can be found at www.sam.gov. For 
assistance, contact Federal Service Desk 1-866-606-8220.

2. Award Information

    The Administration proposed to fund the CFP at $4 million for 
fiscal year 2014. Individual grant applications may not exceed 
$400,000, which does not include technical assistance requests. The 
Federal Government's obligation under this program is contingent upon 
the availability of appropriated funds.
    No legal liability on the part of the Government shall be incurred 
until funds are committed by the grant officer for this program to the 
applicant in writing. The initial grant period shall be for 2 years, 
and acquisition of lands should occur within that timeframe. Lands 
acquired prior to the grant award are not eligible for CFP funding. The 
grant may be reasonably extended by the Forest Service when necessary 
to accommodate unforeseen circumstances in the land acquisition 
process. Written annual financial performance reports and semi-annual 
project performance reports shall be required and submitted to the 
appropriate grant officer.
    Technical assistance funds, totaling not more than 10 percent of 
all funds, may be allocated to State Foresters and equivalent officials 
of the Indian tribe. Technical assistance, if provided, will be awarded 
at the time of the grant. If seeking technical assistance funds, the 
applicant must work with the State Foresters and equivalent officials 
of the Indian tribe to determine technical assistance needs and include 
the technical assistance request in the project budget separate from 
the budget for the land acquisition.
    As funding allows, applications submitted through this request may 
be funded in future years, subject to the availability of funds and the 
continued feasibility and viability of the project.

3. Application Information

    Application submission. All local governments and qualified 
nonprofit organizations' applications must be submitted to the State 
Forester where the property is located by January 15, 2014. All Indian 
tribal applications must be submitted to the Tribal government 
officials of the Indian tribe by January 15, 2014. The State Forester's 
contact information may be found at https://www.fs.fed.us/spf/coop/programs/loa/cfp.shtml.
    All applicants must also send an email to communityforest@fs.fed.us 
to confirm an application has been submitted for funding consideration.
    All State Foresters and Tribal government officials must forward 
applications to the Forest Service by February 17, 2014.

4. Application Requirements

    The following section outlines grant application requirements:
    a. The application can be no more than eight pages long, plus no 
more than two maps (eight and half inches by eleven inches in size), 
the grant forms specified in (b), and the draft Community Forest Plan 
specified in (d).
    b. The following grant forms and supporting materials must be 
included in the application:
    (1) An Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424);
    (2) Budget information (Standard Form SF 424c--Construction 
Programs); and

[[Page 52902]]

    (3) Assurances of compliance with all applicable Federal laws, 
regulations, and policies (Standard Form 424d-- Construction Programs).
    c. Documentation verifying that the applicant is an eligible entity 
and that the land proposed for acquisition is eligible (see Sec.  230.2 
of the final program rule).
    d. Applications must include the following, regarding the property 
proposed for acquisition:
    (1) A description of the property, including acreage and county 
location;
    (2) A description of current land uses, including improvements;
    (3) A description of forest type and vegetative cover;
    (4) A map of sufficient scale to show the location of the property 
in relation to roads and other improvements as well as parks, refuges, 
or other protected lands in the vicinity;
    (5) A description of applicable zoning and other land use 
regulations affecting the property;
    (6) A description of relationship of the property within and its 
contributions to a landscape conservation initiative; and
    (7) A description of any threats of conversion to non-forest uses, 
including any encumbrances on the property that prevent conversion to 
non-forest uses.
    e. Information regarding the proposed establishment of a community 
forest, including:
    (1) A description of the benefiting community, including 
demographics, and the associated benefits provided by the proposed land 
acquisition;
    (2) A description of community involvement to-date in the planning 
of the community forest acquisition and of community involvement in 
anticipated long-term management;
    (3) Identification of persons and organizations that support the 
project and their specific role in establishing and managing the 
community forest; and
    (4) A draft Community Forest Plan. The eligible entity is 
encouraged to work with the State Forester or equivalent official of 
the Indian tribe for technical assistance when developing or updating 
the Community Forest Plan. In addition, the eligible entity is 
encouraged to work with technical specialists, such as professional 
foresters, recreation specialists, wildlife biologists, or outdoor 
education specialists, when developing the Community Forest Plan.
    f. Information regarding the proposed land acquisition, including:
    (1) A proposed project budget not exceeding $400,000 and any 
additional funds for technical assistance needs as coordinated with the 
State Forester or equivalent Indian tribe (Sec.  230.6 of the final 
program rule);
    (2) The status of due diligence, including signed option or 
purchase and sale agreement, title search, minerals determination, and 
appraisal;
    (3) Description and status of cost share (secure, pending, 
commitment letter, etc. (Sec.  230.6 of the final program rule));
    (4) The status of negotiations with participating landowner(s) 
including purchase options, contracts, and other terms and conditions 
of sale;
    (5) The proposed timeline for completing the acquisition and 
establishing the community forest; and
    (6) Long term management costs and funding source(s).
    g. Applications must comply with the Uniform Federal Assistance 
Regulations (7 CFR part 3015).
    h. Applications must also include the forms required to process a 
Federal grant. Section 230.7 references the grant forms that must be 
included in the application and the specific administrative 
requirements that apply to the type of Federal grant used for this 
program.
    A sample grant application outline can be found on the CFP Web site 
at: https://www.fs.fed.us/spf/coop/programs/loa/cfp.shtml.

5. Forest Service's Project Selection Criteria

    a. Using the criteria described below, to the extent practicable, 
the Forest Service will give priority to applications that maximize the 
delivery of community benefits, as defined in the final rule (see Sec.  
230.2 of the final program rule); and
    b. The Forest Service will evaluate all applications received by 
the State Foresters or Tribal government officials and award grants 
based on the following criteria:
    (1) Type and extent of community benefits provided, including to 
underserved communities. Community benefits are defined in the final 
program rule as:
    (i) Economic benefits such as timber and non-timber products;
    (ii) Environmental benefits, including clean air and water, 
stormwater management, and wildlife habitat;
    (iii) Benefits from forest-based experiential learning, including 
K-12 conservation education programs; vocational education programs in 
disciplines such as forestry and environmental biology; and 
environmental education through individual study or voluntary 
participation in programs offered by organizations such as 4-H, Boy or 
Girl Scouts, Master Gardeners, etc;
    (iv) Benefits from serving as replicable models of effective forest 
stewardship for private landowners; and
    (v) Recreational benefits such as hiking, hunting and fishing 
secured through public access.
    (2) Extent and nature of community engagement in the establishment 
and long-term management of the community forest;
    (3) Amount of cost share leveraged;
    (4) Extent to which the community forest contributes to a landscape 
conservation initiative;
    (5) Extent of due diligence completed on the project, including 
cost share committed and status of appraisal;
    (6) Likelihood that, unprotected, the property would be converted 
to non-forest uses; and
    (7) Costs to the Federal Government.

6. Grant Requirements

    a. Once an application is selected, funding will be obligated to 
the grant recipient through a grant.
    b. Local and Indian tribal governments should refer to 2 CFR part 
225, Cost Principles for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments 
(OMB Circular A-87) and 7 CFR part 3016, Uniform Administrative 
Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local 
Governments for directions.
    c. Nonprofit organizations should refer to 2 CFR part 215, Uniform 
Administrative Requirements for Grants and Other Agreements with 
Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals and Other Nonprofit 
Organizations, (OMB Circular A-110) and 7 CFR part 3019, Uniform 
Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements, with 
Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and other Nonprofit 
Organizations for directions.
    d. Forest Service must approve any amendments to a proposal or 
request to reallocate funding within a grant proposal. If negotiations 
on a selected project fail, the applicant cannot substitute an 
alternative site.
    e. The grant recipient must comply with the requirements in Sec.  
230.8 in the final rule before funds will be released.
    f. After the project has closed, as a requirement of the grant, 
grant recipients must provide the Forest Service with a Geographic 
Information System (GIS) shapefile: a digital, vector-based storage 
format for storing geometric location and associated attribute 
information of CFP project tracts and cost share tracts, if applicable.
    g. Any funds not expended within the grant period must be de-
obligated and revert to the Forest Service.

[[Page 52903]]

    h. All media, press, signage, and other documents discussing the 
creation of the community forest must reference the partnership and 
financial assistance by the Forest Service through the CFP. Additional 
information may be found in Sec.  230.9 of the final rule.

    Dated: July 15, 2013.
Vicki Christiansen,
Associate Deputy Chief, State and Private Forestry.
[FR Doc. 2013-20838 Filed 8-26-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P
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