Project Application Process

 

Step 1: Determine if your project is appropriate for the Program

Requirements: Project proposals must meet the following conditions as set forth in the Secure Rural School legislation:

Project funds may be used for the purpose of making additional investments in, and creating additional employment opportunities through, projects that improve the maintenance of existing infrastructure, implementing stewardship objectives that enhance forest ecosystems, and restoring and improving land health and water quality. Projects shall enjoy broad based support with objectives that may include, but not limited to:

  • Road, trail, and infrastructure maintenance or obliteration
  • Soil productivity improvement
  • Improvements in forest ecosystem health
  • Watershed restoration and maintenance
  • Restoration, maintenance and improvement of wildlife and fish habitat
  • Control of noxious and exotic weeds
  • Reestablishment of native species

At least 50 percent of all Title II funds must be used for projects that are primarily dedicated to:

  • Road maintenance, decommissioning, or obliteration
  • Restoration of streams and watersheds.

Step 2: Determine if your project has the support of the appropriate Federal Official

Projects proposed to the El Dorado County Resource Advisory Committee must be within the geographical boundary of El Dorado County on national forest lands (or non-national forest lands only if there is a strong nexus and benefit to national forest lands. To begin the process, determine the geographical location of your proposed project and contact the appropriate District Ranger listed below.

Placerville Ranger District
Scot Rogers, District Ranger
530-647-5301, Email

Pacific Ranger District
Dionne Uzes, District Ranger
530-647-5410, Email

Georgetown Ranger District
Joe Garrotto, District Ranger
530-333-5501, Email

Amador Ranger District (for the portion in Eldorado County)
Linda Helm, District Ranger
209-295-5910, Email

Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (El Dorado County east of Sierra Crest)
Lisa Herron, Information Officer
530-543-2815, Email

*Required as part of package: A letter of support from the local District Ranger must be included with each proposal to indicate whether the project will benefit the National Forest and that the local District(s) has the capacity to implement the project or work with sponsoring cooperator(s). 

Step 3: Project Application Process and Instructions

Application Submittal Period: TBA for 2023

Project Submittal Package:

Where to Submit Proposal: 

Submit the Project Package project electronically to  SM.FS.ElDoradoRAC@usda.gov by the close of business (4:30 pm) on April 15, 2022.

Prescreening of Project Proposals: Proposals received will be reviewed by the Designated Federal Official (DFO) to ensure that the application is complete, that the project meets the intent of the legislation, is consistent with the Forest Plan and Federal laws and regulations, and that the funding identified is accurate.

Step 4: Project Review and Recommendation

Review: The Committee will review the project proposals and may contact the project coordinators if they have additional questions. The following is a list of some of the criteria the Resource Advisory Committee will use when reviewing and selecting projects.

Required Elements

  • Does the project meet the intent of the Legislation?
  • Is there support from the District Ranger(s)?
  • Will it be accomplishable within the allotted time frame?  Project must be initiated by September 30, 2022 and funds must be obligated by September 30, 2023.

Additional Criteria

  • Why is this project necessary here and now?
  • Is there a project advocate with the capacity, competence, and ability to complete the project?
  • Is the NEPA/CEQA work completed or is the project NEPA/CEQA compliant?
  • Will this address a problem that the Forest Service within El Dorado County is committed to?
  • Is there an opportunity to leverage additional funds?
  • Are there other partners?
  • Are there letters of support from other stake holders?
  • Is there a high likelihood of success?
  • Are provisions included in the project for maintenance into the future?

After reviewing and discussion the Committee selects the projects and amounts that are being recommended for funding.

Step 5: Project Approval and Notification

  1. The recommendation package is reviewed and signed off by the Designated Federal Official, the Eldorado National Forest Supervisor.
  2. Project Coordinators are contacted with the decision and information on the next steps.