Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Forest Inventory Analysis Pilot, 38678-38680 [2018-16852]
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38678
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 152 / Tuesday, August 7, 2018 / Notices
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
ways to minimize the burden of the
collection of information on those who
are to respond, including through the
use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other
technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
Comments regarding this information
collection received by September 6,
2018 will be considered. Written
comments should be addressed to: Desk
Officer for Agriculture, Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB), New Executive Office Building,
725—17th Street NW, Washington, DC
20502. Commenters are encouraged to
submit their comments to OMB via
email to: OIRA_Submission@
OMB.EOP.GOV or fax (202) 395–5806
and to Departmental Clearance Office,
USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602,
Washington, DC 20250–7602. Copies of
the submission(s) may be obtained by
calling (202) 720–8958.
An agency may not conduct or
sponsor a collection of information
unless the collection of information
displays a currently valid OMB control
number and the agency informs
potential persons who are to respond to
the collection of information that such
persons are not required to respond to
the collection of information unless it
displays a currently valid OMB control
number.
Agricultural Research Service
Title: U.S. National Arboretum Use of
the Grounds and Facilities as well as
Commercial Photography and
Cinematography.
OMB Control Number: 0518–0024.
Summary of Collection: The mission
of the U.S. National Arboretum (USNA)
is to conduct research, provide
education, and conserve and display
trees, shrubs, flowers, and other plans to
enhance the environment. The USNA is
a 446-acre public facility. The grounds
of the USNA are available to the general
public for purposes of education and
passive recreation. The USNA has many
spectacular feature and garden displays
which are very popular to visitors and
photographers. Section 890(b) of the
Federal Agriculture Improvement and
Reform Act of 1996, Public Law
104–107 (‘‘FAIR ACT’’) provided
statutory authorities regarding the
USNA. These authorities include the
ability to charge fees for temporary use
by individuals or groups of USNA
facilities and grounds for any purpose
consistent with the mission of USNA.
Also, the authority was provided to
charge fees for the use of the USNA for
commercial photography and
cinematography.
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16:54 Aug 06, 2018
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Need and Use of the Information:
USNA officials will collect the
information using applications in the
form of questionnaires. The collected
information is used by USNA
management to determine if a
requestor’s needs can be met and the
request is consistent with the mission
and goals of the USNA uses of the
information. If the basic information is
not collected, USNA officials will not be
able to determine if a requestor’s needs
are met.
Description of Respondents: Business
or other for profit; Not-for-profit
institutions; Individuals or households;
State, Local or Tribal Government.
Number of Respondents: 302.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting:
On occasion.
Total burden Hours: 151.
advanced, cost-effective technology, as
determined by FSA.
DATES: Application Deadline: August
25, 2018.
ADDRESSES: Applications must be
submitted in the following method:
Grants Portal: Go to www.grants.gov.
Follow the online instructions for
submitting grants.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Richard Iovanna, telephone (202) 720–
5291.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
AGENCY:
Background
When the NOFA was initially
published on July 19, 2018, (83 FR
34098–34100), the application deadline
was August 15, 2018. FSA is
republishing the NOFA to extend the
application deadline to August 25, 2018.
No other changes have been made to the
announcement.
Section 743 of the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2018 (Pub. L. 115–
141) requires that the USDA enter into
grant agreements for forest inventory
analysis, and forest management, and
economic outcomes modelling of certain
CRP land. Under this authority, the CCC
will make available not more than $1
million in grants to non-profit
organizations. The CRP Forest Inventory
Analysis Pilot will be administered
under the general supervision of FSA on
behalf of CCC, in accordance with the
provisions of 2 CFR part 200.
The Farm Service Agency
(FSA), on behalf of Commodity Credit
Corporation (CCC), is republishing this
announcement to extend the application
deadline for the availability of
competitive grants to conduct a forest
inventory analysis, forest management,
and economic outcomes modelling, for
certain currently enrolled Conservation
Reserve Program (CRP) land. The
analysis is focused on lands enrolled in
CRP for at least 8 years and located in
areas with a substantial concentration of
acres enrolled under the following
conservation practices devoted to
multiple bottomland hardwood tree
species: General tree planting,
hardwood tree planting, vegetative
cover on previously established tree
stands, riparian buffers, bottomland
timber establishments, and farmable and
aquaculture wetlands. Qualified
applicants must be non-profit
organizations dedicated to conservation,
forestry, and wildlife habitats that have
experience in conducting accurate forest
inventory analysis through the use of
Description
The CRP Forest Inventory Analysis
Pilot is focused on lands enrolled in
CRP for at least 8 years and located in
areas with a substantial concentration of
acres enrolled under certain
conservation practices devoted to
multiple bottomland hardwood tree
species, including conservation
practices for general tree planting,
hardwood tree planting, vegetative
cover on previously established tree
stands, riparian buffers, bottomland
timber establishments, and farmable and
aquaculture wetlands. Qualified
applicants must be non-profit
organizations dedicated to conservation,
forestry, and wildlife habitats that have
experience in conducting accurate forest
inventory analysis through the use of
advanced, cost-effective technology.
Comprehensive data analysis using
advanced, cost-effective technology on
land enrolled in CRP with certain
bottomland hardwood practices is
important for several reasons. Such data
will provide the FSA CRP program
manager with the information needed to
more effectively manage enrollment. For
example, the inventory may find that
Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection
Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018–16849 Filed 8–6–18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–03–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Commodity Credit Corporation
Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) for
the Conservation Reserve Program
(CRP) Forest Inventory Analysis Pilot
Commodity Credit Corporation
and Farm Service Agency, U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA).
ACTION: Notice.
SUMMARY:
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38679
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 152 / Tuesday, August 7, 2018 / Notices
mortality of a selected species of tree is
high in certain situations. As a result,
the CRP program manager may adjust
what tree species can be enrolled in CRP
on a regional and site-specific basis.
Economic modeling will provide
information on the expected net returns
to CRP enrollees, as well as an
evaluation of taxpayer costs. In short,
there is a need for data collection and
analysis of bottomland hardwood
conservation practices and economics.
For more than 30 years under CRP,
landowners have voluntarily enrolled
tens of millions of farmland acres to
conserve and improve soil, protect
water quality, and provide wildlife
habitat by establishing long-term cover,
primarily grasses and trees. Landowners
voluntarily enroll their lands for periods
of between 10 and 15 years.
CRP cost share funding is provided to
landowners who install the prescribed
conservation practices. These practices
can be costly and require ample
investment by the landowner and
technical assistance provider to ensure
that the practices are appropriate and
properly installed. The adequacy of the
conservation plan is paramount to
achieving CRP enrollment goals,
especially for bottomland hardwoods.
Bottomland hardwoods are streamside
forest trees—such as cottonwood,
sycamore, oak, maple, ash, cypress, and
tupelo—that typically grow on lands
prone to flooding. Over the past 8 years,
46 States have enrolled land into CRP
that is devoted to bottomland hardwood
trees. Cumulative CRP bottomland
hardwood tree enrollment, over the past
8 years, is just over 799,000 acres, with
over 550,000 acres (69 percent) located
in the States shown in Table 1.
TABLE 1—TREE ENROLLMENT IN CRP BY STATE OVER THE PAST 8 YEARS; USDA MAY 31, 2018
Total CRP tree
acres
State
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Mississippi ...............................................................................
Arkansas ..................................................................................
Louisiana .................................................................................
Alabama ..................................................................................
Illinois .......................................................................................
Georgia ....................................................................................
North Carolina .........................................................................
Minnesota ................................................................................
The CRP Forest Inventory Analysis
Pilot is intended to provide information
and analysis needed to better inform
CRP decision making associated with
the following bottomland hardwood
conservation and stand maintenance
practices:
1. CP03—Tree Planting;
2. CP03A—Hardwood Tree Planting;
3. CP11—Vegetative Cover—Trees
Already Established; 1
4. CP22—Riparian Buffer;
5. CP31—Bottomland Timber
Establishment; and
6. CP40—Farmable Wetland
Program—Aquaculture Wetland.
The inventory, analysis, and modeling
must estimate, at a minimum, stand
composition, stand density, basal area,
and tree height using remotely sensed
data (rather than data collected by
visiting a site). The data will be used to
generate statistically robust estimates of
commercial value, economic returns,
carbon sequestration, and wildlife and
water quality impacts for each of the
practices in at least one of the regions
and states enumerated in Table 1. These
estimates will identify species
appropriate for bottomland CRP
practices or sites, as well as forest
management practices needed to
maintain cover during the contract
1 The purpose of the CP11 practice is to maintain
a stand of trees in a timber planting previously
established on cropland as practice CP–3 or CP–3A
to enhance environmental benefits. This CP11
practice was available only through a re-offer of
expiring or expired CRP acres.
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Jkt 244001
Cumulative
acres
204,870
79,341
75,087
58,035
47,824
35,212
26,942
24,346
204,870
284,211
359,298
417,333
465,156
500,369
527,310
551,674
period. An accurate assessment of the
model output will be conducted using
ground plots.
Definitions
The 2018 Consolidated
Appropriations Act uses the term ‘‘nonprofit organizations.’’ Consistent with
OMB Circular A–122, the term ‘‘nonprofit organization’’ means any
corporation, trust, association,
cooperative, or other organization that:
1. Is operated primarily for scientific,
educational, service, charitable, or
similar purposes in the public interest;
2. Is not organized primarily for
profit; and
3. Uses its net proceeds to maintain,
improve, or expand its operations.
The term ‘‘non-profit organization’’
excludes:
1. Colleges and universities, unless a
501(c)(3) has been established;
2. Hospitals;
3. State, local, and federallyrecognized Indian tribal governments;
and
4. Those non-profit organizations that
are excluded from coverage under
paragraph 5 of Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) Circular A–122.
The term ‘‘economic outcomes
modelling’’ as used in this NOFA, must
include multiple dimensions, including,
but not limited to, baseline return
estimates to CRP participants (taking
into account, among other items,
commercial value), and returns under
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Acres of total
percent
26
36
45
52
58
63
66
69
Region
Southern Forest.
Southern Forest.
Southern Forest.
Southeast Forest.
Midwest Forest.
Southeast Forest.
Southeast Forest.
Northern Forest.
alternative scenarios that reflect
management recommendations.
Eligibility and Application Process
Non-profit organizations dedicated to
conservation, forestry, and wildlife
habitats, that have experience in
conducting forest inventory analysis
through the use of remote sensing data
and technology are eligible to apply.
Applicants must submit an application
by August 25, 2018, through
www.grants.gov. To find the CRP Forest
Inventory Analysis Pilot in
www.grants.gov, search on funding
opportunity number USDA–FSA–
CRPFIA–2018. Applications must
include, but are not limited to, an
executive summary, work plan, and
budget information using Application
for Federal Assistance (SF–424) form.
(See www.grants.gov for more details
about the specific application
requirements.)
Non-profit organizations may submit
a combined cross-organization proposal
to include work that will be coordinated
across more than one organization,
especially if a joint proposal creates
synergies or increased efficiencies. The
application may include one or more
forest regions.
The result of a successful application
will be a one-time grant agreement.
Successful applicants will be required
to sign the grant agreement with FSA,
which will include reporting and
recordkeeping requirements. It is
possible that not all of the $1 million
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38680
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 152 / Tuesday, August 7, 2018 / Notices
authorized by Congress for this pilot
will be expended. All applications are
subject to the approval of FSA, and FSA
reserves the right to reject any and all
applications.
Application Selection Criteria
FSA will evaluate applications using
the evaluation criteria specified in this
NOFA and on www.grants.gov to select
the application(s) that best support the
goals of CRP Forest Inventory Analysis
Pilot. A proposal must include the
following information; this information
will be used by FSA in the awarding of
grants:
1. Amount of funding requested;
2. Amount of funding from other
parties (with sufficient documentation)
that provide additional leverage, if any;
for example, specifying the regions,
states, practices and plots where the
proposal goes beyond minimal
requirements (such as by considering
CP–36, long-leaf pine);
3. Sampling approach to be used;
4. Remotely sensed data to be used,
including its sources and its spatial,
temporal, and spectral resolution;
5. Number and relevance of metrics to
be estimated and the modeling approach
to be used to estimate the metrics;
6. The accuracy assessment, including
sampling approach and location of
ground plots following the U.S. Forest
Service’s Common Stand Examination
protocols or those in the peer-reviewed
literature; and
7. Work plan and timeline for
completion by September 30, 2020.
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
Process for Evaluation and Application
and Awards of Grants
After applicants submit applications,
FSA, on behalf of CCC, will screen each
application to determine whether the
applicant is eligible and whether the
application is complete and sufficiently
responsive to the requirements specified
in this NOFA. Applicants may revise
their applications and re-submit them
prior to the published deadline if there
is sufficient time to do so. FSA will
appoint an inter-agency review panel to
evaluate the applications. During the
evaluation period, FSA may contact an
applicant to seek clarification and
modification of the proposal. The
resulting CRP Forest Inventory Analysis
Pilot grant agreements will be between
the non-profit organization(s) and FSA.
Any non-profit organization that
receives a grant must commit to fully
expend the awarded federal funds by
September 30, 2020, with an
opportunity for extension upon
approval by FSA.
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Responsibilities of the Participants
Successful applicants will be required
to sign an agreement with FSA and
provide detailed budget and schedule
information. The agreement will require
periodic achievement reports. The
agreement will require the grantee to
commit to do all of the following:
1. Perform inventory, analysis,
modelling and validating, including
conducting site visits and plot sampling,
on the CRP enrolled acreage; and
2. Provide an accounting for the
money received by the grantee.
During the term of the grant, the
grantee will be required to obtain prior
approval for any changes to the scope,
objectives, or funding allocation of the
approved agreement. Failure to obtain
prior approval of such changes may be
considered a violation, and in such case
the grantee may be required to return all
grant funds, including any funds
already expended, as determined
appropriate by FSA. Grantees will be
required to monitor funds and report on
expenditures. The grantee must certify
that the CCC funds will not be used to:
1. Duplicate existing inventories,
analysis, or economic modelling efforts;
however, grant funds may be used to
expand the prior inventories, analysis,
or economic modelling efforts;
2. Pay costs of preparing a CRP Forest
Inventory Analysis Pilot grant
application;
3. Pay costs of the project incurred
prior to the date of grant approval;
4. Fund political activities or lobbying
efforts;
5. Pay any judgment or debt owed to
the United States;
6. Pay for the repair of privately
owned vehicles;
7. Pay for unrelated salaries,
overhead, and expenses; or
8. Pay for unrelated research.
Failure of the grantee to execute a
grant agreement in a timely fashion, as
determined by FSA, will be construed to
be a withdrawal from the CRP Forest
Inventory Analysis Pilot. In this event,
FSA will demand a refund of the grant
funds as deemed appropriate by FSA.
Distribution of Grant Funds and
Reimbursement of Unused Funds
FSA expects to transfer CCC funds to
the selected non-profit organization
applicants before September 30, 2018.
Environmental Review
The environmental impacts of this
NOFA have been considered in a
manner consistent with the provisions
of the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321–4347), the
regulations of the Council on
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Sfmt 9990
Environmental Quality (40 CFR parts
1500 through 1508), and the FSA
regulations for compliance with NEPA
(7 CFR part 799).
The purpose of the grants for the CRP
Forest Inventory Analysis Pilot is to
provide the CRP Program Manager with
information to inform decision-making
about the effectiveness of certain
conservation practices on CRP land for
bottomland hardwoods and are passive
in nature and will not involve ground
disturbance or tree removals or
disturbance. The discretionary aspects
of the CRP Forest Inventory Analysis
Pilot include, but are not limited to,
eligibility, how many grants to award,
and how to evaluate submissions. As
such, the Categorical Exclusions in 7
CFR 799.31 apply, specifically 7 CFR
799.31(b)(6)(vii) and (viii) (these two
categorical exclusions include site
characterization, environmental testing,
and monitoring where no significant
alteration of existing ambient conditions
would occur; and, stand analysis for
forest management planning,
respectively). No ‘‘Extraordinary
circumstances’’ (7 CFR 799.33) exist; as
such, FSA has determined that this
NOFA does not constitute a major
Federal action that would significantly
affect the quality of the human
environment, individually or
cumulatively. Therefore, beyond this
Environmental Review in this NOFA,
FSA will not prepare any additional
environmental documentation for this
action.
Paperwork Reduction Act
Requirements
The CRP Forest Inventory Analysis
Pilot is exempt from the requirements of
the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C.
Chapter 35), as amended, as specified in
subsection 1601(c)(2)(B) of the
Agricultural Act of 2014 (the 2014 Farm
Bill, 16 U.S.C. 3846(b)), which provides
that CRP, as a Title II program, be
promulgated and administered without
regard to the Paperwork Reduction Act.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
The title and number of the Federal
assistance in the Catalog of Federal
Domestic Assistance to which this
NOFA applies is 10.122, the
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
Forest Inventory Analysis Pilot.
Robert Stephenson,
Executive Vice President, Commodity Credit
Corporation.
[FR Doc. 2018–16852 Filed 8–6–18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
E:\FR\FM\07AUN1.SGM
07AUN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 152 (Tuesday, August 7, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38678-38680]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-16852]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Commodity Credit Corporation
Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) for the Conservation Reserve
Program (CRP) Forest Inventory Analysis Pilot
AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation and Farm Service Agency, U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA).
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Farm Service Agency (FSA), on behalf of Commodity Credit
Corporation (CCC), is republishing this announcement to extend the
application deadline for the availability of competitive grants to
conduct a forest inventory analysis, forest management, and economic
outcomes modelling, for certain currently enrolled Conservation Reserve
Program (CRP) land. The analysis is focused on lands enrolled in CRP
for at least 8 years and located in areas with a substantial
concentration of acres enrolled under the following conservation
practices devoted to multiple bottomland hardwood tree species: General
tree planting, hardwood tree planting, vegetative cover on previously
established tree stands, riparian buffers, bottomland timber
establishments, and farmable and aquaculture wetlands. Qualified
applicants must be non-profit organizations dedicated to conservation,
forestry, and wildlife habitats that have experience in conducting
accurate forest inventory analysis through the use of advanced, cost-
effective technology, as determined by FSA.
DATES: Application Deadline: August 25, 2018.
ADDRESSES: Applications must be submitted in the following method:
Grants Portal: Go to www.grants.gov. Follow the online instructions for
submitting grants.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Iovanna, telephone (202) 720-
5291.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
When the NOFA was initially published on July 19, 2018, (83 FR
34098-34100), the application deadline was August 15, 2018. FSA is
republishing the NOFA to extend the application deadline to August 25,
2018. No other changes have been made to the announcement.
Section 743 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (Pub. L.
115-141) requires that the USDA enter into grant agreements for forest
inventory analysis, and forest management, and economic outcomes
modelling of certain CRP land. Under this authority, the CCC will make
available not more than $1 million in grants to non-profit
organizations. The CRP Forest Inventory Analysis Pilot will be
administered under the general supervision of FSA on behalf of CCC, in
accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR part 200.
Description
The CRP Forest Inventory Analysis Pilot is focused on lands
enrolled in CRP for at least 8 years and located in areas with a
substantial concentration of acres enrolled under certain conservation
practices devoted to multiple bottomland hardwood tree species,
including conservation practices for general tree planting, hardwood
tree planting, vegetative cover on previously established tree stands,
riparian buffers, bottomland timber establishments, and farmable and
aquaculture wetlands. Qualified applicants must be non-profit
organizations dedicated to conservation, forestry, and wildlife
habitats that have experience in conducting accurate forest inventory
analysis through the use of advanced, cost-effective technology.
Comprehensive data analysis using advanced, cost-effective
technology on land enrolled in CRP with certain bottomland hardwood
practices is important for several reasons. Such data will provide the
FSA CRP program manager with the information needed to more effectively
manage enrollment. For example, the inventory may find that
[[Page 38679]]
mortality of a selected species of tree is high in certain situations.
As a result, the CRP program manager may adjust what tree species can
be enrolled in CRP on a regional and site-specific basis. Economic
modeling will provide information on the expected net returns to CRP
enrollees, as well as an evaluation of taxpayer costs. In short, there
is a need for data collection and analysis of bottomland hardwood
conservation practices and economics.
For more than 30 years under CRP, landowners have voluntarily
enrolled tens of millions of farmland acres to conserve and improve
soil, protect water quality, and provide wildlife habitat by
establishing long-term cover, primarily grasses and trees. Landowners
voluntarily enroll their lands for periods of between 10 and 15 years.
CRP cost share funding is provided to landowners who install the
prescribed conservation practices. These practices can be costly and
require ample investment by the landowner and technical assistance
provider to ensure that the practices are appropriate and properly
installed. The adequacy of the conservation plan is paramount to
achieving CRP enrollment goals, especially for bottomland hardwoods.
Bottomland hardwoods are streamside forest trees--such as
cottonwood, sycamore, oak, maple, ash, cypress, and tupelo--that
typically grow on lands prone to flooding. Over the past 8 years, 46
States have enrolled land into CRP that is devoted to bottomland
hardwood trees. Cumulative CRP bottomland hardwood tree enrollment,
over the past 8 years, is just over 799,000 acres, with over 550,000
acres (69 percent) located in the States shown in Table 1.
Table 1--Tree Enrollment in CRP by State Over the Past 8 Years; USDA May 31, 2018
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total CRP tree Cumulative Acres of total
State acres acres percent Region
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mississippi........................... 204,870 204,870 26 Southern Forest.
Arkansas.............................. 79,341 284,211 36 Southern Forest.
Louisiana............................. 75,087 359,298 45 Southern Forest.
Alabama............................... 58,035 417,333 52 Southeast Forest.
Illinois.............................. 47,824 465,156 58 Midwest Forest.
Georgia............................... 35,212 500,369 63 Southeast Forest.
North Carolina........................ 26,942 527,310 66 Southeast Forest.
Minnesota............................. 24,346 551,674 69 Northern Forest.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The CRP Forest Inventory Analysis Pilot is intended to provide
information and analysis needed to better inform CRP decision making
associated with the following bottomland hardwood conservation and
stand maintenance practices:
1. CP03--Tree Planting;
2. CP03A--Hardwood Tree Planting;
3. CP11--Vegetative Cover--Trees Already Established; \1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The purpose of the CP11 practice is to maintain a stand of
trees in a timber planting previously established on cropland as
practice CP-3 or CP-3A to enhance environmental benefits. This CP11
practice was available only through a re-offer of expiring or
expired CRP acres.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. CP22--Riparian Buffer;
5. CP31--Bottomland Timber Establishment; and
6. CP40--Farmable Wetland Program--Aquaculture Wetland.
The inventory, analysis, and modeling must estimate, at a minimum,
stand composition, stand density, basal area, and tree height using
remotely sensed data (rather than data collected by visiting a site).
The data will be used to generate statistically robust estimates of
commercial value, economic returns, carbon sequestration, and wildlife
and water quality impacts for each of the practices in at least one of
the regions and states enumerated in Table 1. These estimates will
identify species appropriate for bottomland CRP practices or sites, as
well as forest management practices needed to maintain cover during the
contract period. An accurate assessment of the model output will be
conducted using ground plots.
Definitions
The 2018 Consolidated Appropriations Act uses the term ``non-profit
organizations.'' Consistent with OMB Circular A-122, the term ``non-
profit organization'' means any corporation, trust, association,
cooperative, or other organization that:
1. Is operated primarily for scientific, educational, service,
charitable, or similar purposes in the public interest;
2. Is not organized primarily for profit; and
3. Uses its net proceeds to maintain, improve, or expand its
operations.
The term ``non-profit organization'' excludes:
1. Colleges and universities, unless a 501(c)(3) has been
established;
2. Hospitals;
3. State, local, and federally-recognized Indian tribal
governments; and
4. Those non-profit organizations that are excluded from coverage
under paragraph 5 of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-
122.
The term ``economic outcomes modelling'' as used in this NOFA, must
include multiple dimensions, including, but not limited to, baseline
return estimates to CRP participants (taking into account, among other
items, commercial value), and returns under alternative scenarios that
reflect management recommendations.
Eligibility and Application Process
Non-profit organizations dedicated to conservation, forestry, and
wildlife habitats, that have experience in conducting forest inventory
analysis through the use of remote sensing data and technology are
eligible to apply. Applicants must submit an application by August 25,
2018, through www.grants.gov. To find the CRP Forest Inventory Analysis
Pilot in www.grants.gov, search on funding opportunity number USDA-FSA-
CRPFIA-2018. Applications must include, but are not limited to, an
executive summary, work plan, and budget information using Application
for Federal Assistance (SF-424) form. (See www.grants.gov for more
details about the specific application requirements.)
Non-profit organizations may submit a combined cross-organization
proposal to include work that will be coordinated across more than one
organization, especially if a joint proposal creates synergies or
increased efficiencies. The application may include one or more forest
regions.
The result of a successful application will be a one-time grant
agreement. Successful applicants will be required to sign the grant
agreement with FSA, which will include reporting and recordkeeping
requirements. It is possible that not all of the $1 million
[[Page 38680]]
authorized by Congress for this pilot will be expended. All
applications are subject to the approval of FSA, and FSA reserves the
right to reject any and all applications.
Application Selection Criteria
FSA will evaluate applications using the evaluation criteria
specified in this NOFA and on www.grants.gov to select the
application(s) that best support the goals of CRP Forest Inventory
Analysis Pilot. A proposal must include the following information; this
information will be used by FSA in the awarding of grants:
1. Amount of funding requested;
2. Amount of funding from other parties (with sufficient
documentation) that provide additional leverage, if any; for example,
specifying the regions, states, practices and plots where the proposal
goes beyond minimal requirements (such as by considering CP-36, long-
leaf pine);
3. Sampling approach to be used;
4. Remotely sensed data to be used, including its sources and its
spatial, temporal, and spectral resolution;
5. Number and relevance of metrics to be estimated and the modeling
approach to be used to estimate the metrics;
6. The accuracy assessment, including sampling approach and
location of ground plots following the U.S. Forest Service's Common
Stand Examination protocols or those in the peer-reviewed literature;
and
7. Work plan and timeline for completion by September 30, 2020.
Process for Evaluation and Application and Awards of Grants
After applicants submit applications, FSA, on behalf of CCC, will
screen each application to determine whether the applicant is eligible
and whether the application is complete and sufficiently responsive to
the requirements specified in this NOFA. Applicants may revise their
applications and re-submit them prior to the published deadline if
there is sufficient time to do so. FSA will appoint an inter-agency
review panel to evaluate the applications. During the evaluation
period, FSA may contact an applicant to seek clarification and
modification of the proposal. The resulting CRP Forest Inventory
Analysis Pilot grant agreements will be between the non-profit
organization(s) and FSA.
Any non-profit organization that receives a grant must commit to
fully expend the awarded federal funds by September 30, 2020, with an
opportunity for extension upon approval by FSA.
Responsibilities of the Participants
Successful applicants will be required to sign an agreement with
FSA and provide detailed budget and schedule information. The agreement
will require periodic achievement reports. The agreement will require
the grantee to commit to do all of the following:
1. Perform inventory, analysis, modelling and validating, including
conducting site visits and plot sampling, on the CRP enrolled acreage;
and
2. Provide an accounting for the money received by the grantee.
During the term of the grant, the grantee will be required to
obtain prior approval for any changes to the scope, objectives, or
funding allocation of the approved agreement. Failure to obtain prior
approval of such changes may be considered a violation, and in such
case the grantee may be required to return all grant funds, including
any funds already expended, as determined appropriate by FSA. Grantees
will be required to monitor funds and report on expenditures. The
grantee must certify that the CCC funds will not be used to:
1. Duplicate existing inventories, analysis, or economic modelling
efforts; however, grant funds may be used to expand the prior
inventories, analysis, or economic modelling efforts;
2. Pay costs of preparing a CRP Forest Inventory Analysis Pilot
grant application;
3. Pay costs of the project incurred prior to the date of grant
approval;
4. Fund political activities or lobbying efforts;
5. Pay any judgment or debt owed to the United States;
6. Pay for the repair of privately owned vehicles;
7. Pay for unrelated salaries, overhead, and expenses; or
8. Pay for unrelated research.
Failure of the grantee to execute a grant agreement in a timely
fashion, as determined by FSA, will be construed to be a withdrawal
from the CRP Forest Inventory Analysis Pilot. In this event, FSA will
demand a refund of the grant funds as deemed appropriate by FSA.
Distribution of Grant Funds and Reimbursement of Unused Funds
FSA expects to transfer CCC funds to the selected non-profit
organization applicants before September 30, 2018.
Environmental Review
The environmental impacts of this NOFA have been considered in a
manner consistent with the provisions of the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321-4347), the regulations of the Council
on Environmental Quality (40 CFR parts 1500 through 1508), and the FSA
regulations for compliance with NEPA (7 CFR part 799).
The purpose of the grants for the CRP Forest Inventory Analysis
Pilot is to provide the CRP Program Manager with information to inform
decision-making about the effectiveness of certain conservation
practices on CRP land for bottomland hardwoods and are passive in
nature and will not involve ground disturbance or tree removals or
disturbance. The discretionary aspects of the CRP Forest Inventory
Analysis Pilot include, but are not limited to, eligibility, how many
grants to award, and how to evaluate submissions. As such, the
Categorical Exclusions in 7 CFR 799.31 apply, specifically 7 CFR
799.31(b)(6)(vii) and (viii) (these two categorical exclusions include
site characterization, environmental testing, and monitoring where no
significant alteration of existing ambient conditions would occur; and,
stand analysis for forest management planning, respectively). No
``Extraordinary circumstances'' (7 CFR 799.33) exist; as such, FSA has
determined that this NOFA does not constitute a major Federal action
that would significantly affect the quality of the human environment,
individually or cumulatively. Therefore, beyond this Environmental
Review in this NOFA, FSA will not prepare any additional environmental
documentation for this action.
Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements
The CRP Forest Inventory Analysis Pilot is exempt from the
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), as
amended, as specified in subsection 1601(c)(2)(B) of the Agricultural
Act of 2014 (the 2014 Farm Bill, 16 U.S.C. 3846(b)), which provides
that CRP, as a Title II program, be promulgated and administered
without regard to the Paperwork Reduction Act.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
The title and number of the Federal assistance in the Catalog of
Federal Domestic Assistance to which this NOFA applies is 10.122, the
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Forest Inventory Analysis Pilot.
Robert Stephenson,
Executive Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. 2018-16852 Filed 8-6-18; 8:45 am]
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