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Grant Community.com Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Descriptions |
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10.064 Forestry Incentives
Program GENERAL
AGENCY: NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AUTHORIZATION: Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act
of 1978, Public Law 95-313, 16 U.S.C. 2103. OBJECTIVES: To bring private non-industrial forest
land under intensified management; to increase timber production; to
assure adequate supplies of timber; and to enhance other forest resources
through a combination of public and private investments on the most
productive sites on eligible individual or consolidated ownership of
efficient size and operation.
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE: Direct Payments for Specified
Use. USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS: Cost-sharing of up to 65
percent of the total cost is available under the Forestry Incentives
Program for tree planting, timber stand improvement, and site preparation
for natural regeneration. Special
forestry practices may be approved if needed for a significant and unique
local condition for which national FIP practices are not adequate. Owners of non-industrial private forest lands
of 1,000 acres or less, capable of producing industrial wood crops are
eligible for Forestry Incentives Program cost-sharing. In order for
an individual within a county to receive Forestry Incentives Program
funds, the county or a portion of the county must be designated as eligible
for Forestry Incentives Program assistance. This county designation
is made by the State Conservationist, in consultation with the State
Forester. A forest management plan developed by the State
Forester and landowner is required for participation in FIP. Applicant Eligibility: A private individual, group,
association, Indian Tribe or other native group, corporation (except
corporations whose stocks are publicly traded) or other legal entity
which owns "non- industrial" private forest lands capable
of producing industrial wood crops is eligible to apply for cost-sharing
assistance. Cost-share agreements are limited to eligible ownership
of land of not more than 1,000 acres of non-industrial private forest
land, capable of producing at least 50 cubic feet of wood per acre per
year, except by special approval. This program is available to eligible landowners
in the United States and Puerto Rico and is also available to eligible
leaseholders in Hawaii. Beneficiary Eligibility: A private individual, group,
association, Indian Tribe or other native group, corporation (except
corporations whose stocks are publicly traded) or other legal entity
which owns "non-industrial" private forest lands capable of
producing industrial wood crops is eligible to apply for cost-sharing
assistance. Cost-share agreements are limited to eligible ownership
of land of not more than 1,000 acres of non-industrial private forest
land, capable of producing at least 50 cubic feet of wood per acre per
year, except by special approval. This program is available to eligible landowners
in the United States and Puerto Rico. Credentials/Documentation: Identification as an eligible
person, and proof of contribution to the cost of performing the practice. This program is excluded from coverage under
OMB Circular No. A-87. APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS: Preapplication Coordination: None. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102
and E.O. 12372. Application Procedure: Eligible persons will make application
for annual cost-sharing agreements. Applications may be filed at any
time during the year at the NRCS office for the designated county in
which the land is located. This
program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular Nos. A-102 and
A-110. Award Procedure: Not applicable. Deadlines: None. Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Generally from
30 to 60 days. Appeals: Participants may appeal to the National Appeals
Division. Renewals: Extension of time to complete a practice
may be granted, if requested by the applicant before approval expires
or within 15 days after the expiration date. Formula and Matching Requirements: Essential factors
used to allocate funds to States are based on: (1)the acreage of private
commercial forest land; (2) the potential productivity of such land;
(3) the number of eligible owners in each State; (4) the need for reforestation;
and (5) the enhancement of other forest resources. Cost- shares under
Forestry Incentives Program are limited to not more than 65 percent
of the total cost. Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: The Forestry
Incentives Program is based on annual cost-share agreements. There may
be certain restrictions on time limits on certain practices to be performed.
Cost- shares are paid when the practice is performed. The assistance is awarded by performance. Reports: None. Audits: Recipients are subject to audit by Office of
Inspector General, USDA. Records: Maintained in NRCS office and Federal record
centers for a specified number of years. Account Identification: 12-3336-0-1-302. Obligations: (Direct payments) FY 99 $9,727,413; FY
00 est $10,525,598; and FY 01 est $0. Range and Average of Financial Assistance: $50 to $10,000
per year; $1,600. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: In 1999
5.1 million in cost-share and technical assistance was awarded to owners
of forest land in fiscal year 1999. The fiscal year 1999 Appropriations
Act included $10 million in emergency funding through the Forestry Incentive
Program (FIP) related to forest fires in Florida and disasters in the
other States. It was determined that assistance should be provided to
other States as Florida based on an agreement between the Department
and Office of Management and Budget. On February 6, 1999, $9 million in the Forestry Incentives Program
funds were allocated to 15 States to address reforestation needs caused
by wildfires and other natural disasters in 1998. A $1 million reserve was and is still retained for future assistance,
primarily for tree planting needs, in Florida. REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE: Program is
announced through news media and notices to all applicants and private
forest owners on record and all interested governmental agencies and
agricultural organizations. Program
regulations published in the Federal Register, Part 701. Regional or Local Office: For more information on this
and other related programs, consult the local telephone directory for
location of the USDA Service Center where your land is located. If a listing is not available, contact the appropriate State NRCS
office. Headquarters Office: Natural Resources Conservation
Service, Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 2890, Washington, DC 20013.
Telephone: (202) 720-1845. EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS: None. CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS: Not applicable. |
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