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As the Forest Service works to meet the intent of Shared Stewardship, Region 1 is actively engaged in increasing our collective awareness and understanding of the tools available to both jointly prioritize and jointly implement work alongside our partners. Below are a variety of resources to support these efforts.
From Ideas to Action
From Ideas to Action: A guide to Funding and Authorities for Cooperative Forestry
R1 Out-Year Planning Story Map
The R1 Out-Year Planning (OYP) Framework offers a consistent method of identifying opportunities and using scenario planning to identify and understand potential outcomes at the Unit, Pod, and State level”.
Cross Boundary Interagency Story Map
This story map was created for federal, state and private land managers to support cross-jurisdictional coordination to achieve landscape level treatments across Montana’s forested landscape.
Cross Boundary/All-Lands Tools*
*These tools are a sample of the most common tools under which cross-boundary agreements and projects can be made and take place. As new tools and programs are developed they will be added.
National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy
Purpose
This strategy offers a strategic push to work collaboratively with all stakeholders and across all landscapes, using the best science, to make meaningful progress towards three goals:
Resilient Landscapes
Fire Adapted Communities
Safe and Effective Wildfire Response.
Eligibility
Projects should identify all lands that will help to meet the three goals.
Partner Role/Responsibilities
Partners have multiple roles in helping to meet the vision of this strategy. Partners can help to prioritize areas and leverage resources to ensure an all-lands approach is taken. Partners can also provide funds and technical assistance in project areas.
Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program (CFLRP)
Purpose
The purpose of the CFLRP is to encourage the collaborative, science-based ecosystem restoration of priority forest landscapes.
Eligibility
To select projects for implementation under the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Fund, the Secretary of Agriculture considers the recommendations of an advisory panel. The panel reviews project proposals nominated by the Regional Forester in response to the Secretary’s call letter. This panel is appointed by the Secretary and includes experts in ecological restoration, fire ecology, fire management, rural economic development, strategies for ecological adaptation to climate change, fish and wildlife ecology, and woody biomass and small-diameter tree utilization. The panel evaluates each proposal and makes recommendations to the Secretary. The Secretary of Agriculture consults with the Secretary of Interior prior to making selections.
Partner/Role Responsibilities
There are ongoing opportunities for partners and contractors to engage with the projects already underway and help develop new projects. Multiparty monitoring is another critical way for partners to be involved.
Funding
Congress authorized up to $40-million in annual funding for CFLRP. Each project can receive no more than $4-million a year, which can cover no more than 50% of the cost of implementing and monitoring restoration treatments on National Forest System lands.
The Wyden Authority allows the Forest Service to conduct restoration work (through cooperative agreements) on non-federal lands if the work provides tangible benefits to watersheds on public lands. Projects must advance agency goals and objectives, and should include protection, restoration, and enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat and other resources, reduction of risk for natural disaster where public safety is threatened, or both.
Eligibility
The Forest Service can enter into cooperative agreements with landowners, non-profits, state, local or tribal governments, and other federal agencies
Partner/Role Responsibilities
The expectation of mutual benefit and the application to private lands make partnerships essential. Community groups and collaboratives interested in a project that might benefit from the Wyden Authority should work closely with their local forest staff.
Funding
The authority does not come with dedicated funding. Any funds must come from existing appropriations.
The primary goal of GNA is to increase the pace and scale of restoration at a watershed scale and to strengthen partnerships between state, tribal, county and federal agencies to get more done across jurisdictional boundaries. GNA was authorized in the 2014 Farm Bill with amendments made in the 2018 Farm Bill.
Eligibility
Authorizes states, counties, and tribes to enter into agreements to conduct forest, range, and watershed restoration services on National Forest System lands. Projects must meet the definition of "authorized restoration services".
Partner/Role Responsibilities
State employees can help design and/or implement projects on Forest Service lands. GNA allows states to use state contracting mechanisms to conduct work, including commercial timber sales. States manage sale receipts on behalf of the Forest Service to reinvest in restoration activities. Other partners can bring technical expertise, local knowledge and financial resources to the table, with no match required.
Funding
No additional federal funding has been appropriated for this program. A combination of federal appropriated dollars, state funding, and partner contributions can be combined in the grant agreement. If 'program revenue' is generated from a GNA timber sale, those funds are managed by the state and used in the agreement area. No match is required.
Congress permanently authorized stewardship authority in the 2014 Farm Bill. This authority grants the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management permanent authority to enter into stewardship contracts or agreements to achieve land management goals for the National Forests or public lands that meet local and rural community needs.
Eligibility
The primary focus of stewardship agreements is to accomplish work on federal lands. Any non-federal entity may enter into a stewardship agreement with the Forest Service. Some of the features of the authorizing legislation includes allowing the Forest Service to apply the value of timber or other forest products removed as an offset against the cost of services received, apply excess receipts from a project to other authorized stewardship projects, select contracts and agreements on a "best value" basis, and award a contract or agreement up to ten years which may stimulate long term investment in the local community
Partner/Role Responsibilities
Partners can play varying roles in a stewardship agreement to support project development and implementation. A 20% partner match is required for stewardship agreements.
Funding
This authority does not come with additional appropriated dollars. Unlike GNA it does require a 20% match from the non-federal entity entering into the agreement.
Through the Tribal Forest Protection Act, eligible tribes may propose a specific project to the Forest Service that addresses a resource concern originating on federal lands but impacting adjacent tribal trust land or tribal communities. Resource concerns include fire, insect infestation, disease, and other threats. Projects can include but are not limited to on-the-ground restoration projects, technical assistance, and trainings.
Eligibility
Eligible tribal partners should consult with local Forest Service units before submitting a letter of intent and proposal.
Partner/Role Responsibilities
Third parties, such as community partners, may also be involved in providing funding and conducting work on the ground.
Funding
TFPA is an authority, not a funded program, and therefore it does not receive separate appropriations. Activities conducted within a TFPA project may be funded by an appropriate line item or program , or other non-appropriated sources.
Two Chiefs Joint Landscape Restoration Partnership
Purpose
The goal is to improve the health and resiliency of forest ecosystems where public and private lands meet through a partnership between the Forest Service and NRCS. The vision is to restore lands across large landscapes regardless of ownership, reduce wildfire threats to communities and landowners, protect water quality and supply, and improve habitat for at-risk species seamlessly across public and private lands.
Eligibility
Projects must be jointly designed and submitted by local NRCS and Forest Service offices and can last up to three years. Individuals or entities interested in engaging in the design of a potential project should approach their local or regional leadership. Applications are generally accepted in late summer and early fall, and are reviewed in a nationally competitive process by USDA headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Partner/Role Responsibilities
Partner involvement in project identification, privatization as well the ability to leverage non-federal resources helps the proposals to be more competitive.
Funding
The Joint Chiefs Initiative was created in 2014 by NRCS and Forest Service leadership, and is not the result of Congressional action. Therefore, rather than receiving specific appropriations, the agencies award targeted resources through existing programs and budgetary line items, which are allocated to the appropriate NRCS state office and Forest Service forest unit.
Administered under the Forest Service State and Private Forestry (S&PF) Program, State Fire Assistance funds to mitigate risk from wildland fire within the WUI are available and awarded through the Western Fire Managers competitive process within the 17 western states and Pacific territories.
Eligibility
States and island territories apply for funding through an annual competitive application process emphasizing hazardous fuels reduction, prevention and education, and/or planning projects.
Partner/Role Responsibilities
Each year, state forestry agencies submit proposals to the Western Fire Manager competitive process. States review and prioritize proposals before submitting them to the competitive process.
Funding
Each grant request is limited to a maximum of $300,000. Up to 10 applications may be submitted per state.
Under the Forest Service State and Private Forestry (S&PF) Program, this program focuses on hazardous fuel reduction on non-federal lands to protect communities adjacent to National Forest System Lands when prescribed fire activities are planned. Project initiation must be in advance and withing three years of planned hazardous fuels reduction activities on adjacent National Forest System lands.
Eligibility
States determine priority areas to implement hazardous fuels reduction projects on non-federal lands for community wildfire protection. They often partner with non-profit organizations, conservation districts, county and municipal governments and fire departments.
Partner/Role Responsibilities
The state agencies identify priority projects and provide services such as grant administration, project management and technical assistance.
Funding
Variable. Each state typically ranges from $300,000 to $500,000 depending upon availability of funding.
Under the Forest Service State and Private Forestry (S&PF) Program: Intended for implementation of watershed level, forest-based projects and activities which address the three State and Private Forestry national themes:
conserve and manage working forests
protect forests from harm
and enhance public benefits from private forests.
Eligibility
The state agencies apply for funding through an annual competitive application process; may collaborate externally with non-profit organizations, conservation districts, county and municipal governments, etc. to develop the application.
Partner/Role Responsibilities
The state agencies identify priority projects and provide services such as grant administration, project management and technical assistance.
Funding
Each grant request limited to a maximum of $300,000. Only 3 applications may be submitted per state.
A category of actions which do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment and for which, therefore, neither an environmental assessment nor an environmental impact statement is required.
EA
Environmental Assessment
When the significance of impacts of a project proposal is uncertain, an environmental assessment (EA) is prepared to assist in making this determination. If it is found that significant impacts will result, the preparation of an environmental impact statement (EIS) should commence immediately.
EIS
Environmental Impact Statement
A document prepared to describe the effects for proposed activities on the environment. "Environment," in this case, is defined as the natural and physical environment and the relationship of people with that environment.
NEPA
National Environmental Policy Act
The environmental review process under NEPA provides an opportunity for the public to be involved in the Federal agency decision-making process. NEPA requires Federal agencies to consider environmental effects that include, among others, impacts on social, cultural, and economic resources, as well as natural resources.
NFMA
National Forest Management Act
This is the primary statute governing the administration of national forests and requires public involvement in preparing and revising forest plans.
NFS
National Forest System (lands)
A nationally significant system of Federally owned units of forest, range, and related land consisting of national forests, purchase units, national grasslands, land utilization project areas, experimental forest areas, experimental range areas, designated experimental areas, other land areas, water areas, and interests in lands that are administered by the USDA Forest Service or designated for administration through the Forest Service.
MA
Master Stewardship agreement
Master agreement is an agreement, executed between the Forest Service and a cooperator that establishes a framework for completion of separate but related projects under supplemental project agreements. Master agreements may be national, regional, or local in scope. Depending on the authority cited can be for Stewardship (SA), Participating (PA), Challenge Cost Share (CS) or Good Neighbor Authority (GNA)
SPA
Supplemental project agreement
An instrument executed under the umbrella of a Master Agreement (SA, PA, CS, GNA) that identifies specific project work.
