Assistance Listings Forest Legacy Program
Overview
Objectives
To effectively identify and protect environmentally important forest areas threatened by conversion to nonforest uses, through the use of conservation easements or fee simple purchase. The Forest Legacy Program (FLP) is a voluntary private land conservation partnership between the Forest Service, participating States, land trusts, private landowners, and others. The Program works with State partners and operates on a willing seller and willing buyer basis and is completely nonregulatory in its approach. No eminent domain authority or adverse condemnation is authorized for this Program.
Examples of Funded Projects
Fiscal Year 2024: In FY2024, the program issued awards to 11 projects in 11 states. Intact working forests support local communities and economies and provide clean drinking water, protect wildlife habitat and biodiversity, and offer recreation access.
Financial Information
| Obligation(s) | FY 23 | FY 24 (est.) | FY 25 (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Grants Total | $94,000,000 | $68,448,275 | $94,000,000 |
| Totals | $94,000,000 | $68,448,275 | $94,000,000 |
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Not applicable
Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2024: In FY2024, 27 tracts in 15 states totaling 89,989 acres were completed.
Account Identification
12-1105-0-1-302
12-5367-0-1-302-Legacy
Criteria for Applying
Types of Assistance
B - Project Grants
Credentials and Documentation
Each State must prepare a State Forest Action Plan (Statewide Assessment and Resource Strategy, including Assessments of Need (AON)) in order to be eligible for program funds. The FS Regional or Institute Responsible Official must concur with the State's Forest Action Plan. Requirements for an eligible project are: (1) within an approved Forest Legacy Area and fits within the priorities of a State's AON; (2) complies with FLP State and National criteria; (3) a completed grant Application. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.
Applicant Eligibility
Designations
State, Local (includes State-designated lndian Tribes, excludes institutions of higher education and hospitals, Nonprofit with 501C3 IRS Status (Other than Institution of Higher Education), Individual/Family
Beneficiary Eligibility
Designations
Farmer/Rancher/Agriculture Producer, StateState agency, landowners of private forest lands, and land trust organizations.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Assistance is provided via grants to States. Typical grant period is two years. Grants may receive a no cost extension up to five years with justification if approved by the Forest Service. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Payments made based on authorization and negotiation of provisions with cooperator.
Use of Assistance
Designations
Agriculture/Forestry/Fish and Game, Natural Resources (mineral, water, wildlife, land)Landowner participation in the program is voluntary and consists of two components: (1) conveying land or interests in land to achieve land conservation objectives and (2) preparing and periodically updating a Forest Stewardship Management Plan or a multi-resource management plan, when the participation is through conservation easement. State lead agencies must first evaluate and approve projects as Forest Legacy eligible before competing for Forest Service funding.
Applying for Assistance
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines
Preapplication Coordination
Preapplication coordination is required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. Each State must prepare a State Forest Action Plan (Statewide Assessment and Resource Strategy, including Assessments of Need (AON)) in order to be eligible for program funds. The FS Regional or Institute Responsible Official must concur with the State's Forest Action Plan. Requirements for an eligible project are: (1) within an approved Forest Legacy Area and fits within the priorities of a State's AON; (2) complies with FLP State and National criteria; (3) a completed grant Application.
Application Procedures
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) for this listing will be posted on Grants.gov (opens in new window) (opens in new window). Individual participating States have application duties and procedures.
Projects are evaluated and prioritized by State lead agencies, in consultation with the State Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committees. All States and territories participate except North Dakota, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Project evaluation and priority ranking is based on the three national core criteria (importance, threatened, and strategy, as defined in the 2019 FLP Implementation Guidelines) as well as project readiness and other evaluation considerations developed in consultation with States and FS Units.
Award Procedure
The Forest Service conducts an annual project selection process to arrive at a prioritized national project list. The Forest Service then issues grants to states based on the amounts provided in Congressional appropriations of funds and the prioritized national project list.
Date Range for Approval/Disapproval
An annual project selection calendar with due dates will be developed each fiscal year, and will identify deadlines and approval times.
Renewals
Not Applicable.
Appeals
Not Applicable.
Compliance Requirements
Policy Requirements
Subpart B, General provisions
Subpart C, Pre-Federal Award Requirements and Contents of Federal Awards
Subpart D, Post Federal; Award Requirements
Subpart E, Cost Principles
Subpart F, Audit Requirements
Not Applicable
Additional Information:
Reports
Expenditure Reports: SF-425 reporting is due at least annually and no more than quarterly as agreed upon in the provisions of the individual agreement. Performance Reports: Performance reports are required at least annually, but not more than quarterly as detailed in the grant award. States are required to submit reports on outstanding grants.
States are required to monitor properties with conservation easements at least once a year. States are required to monitor the condition of fee simple and cost share tracts periodically and submit a self-certifying statement every 5 years to the Forest Service. Project specific Forest Stewardship/multi-resource plans are required to be established and updated periodically.
States must report annual accomplishments data in the Forest Legacy Information System.
Audits
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-F
Records
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Forest Legacy Program Implementation Guidelines (2019)
Formula and Matching Requirements
Matching requirements are mandatory.
Contact Information
Regional or Local Locations:
See Regional Assistance Locations. See Regional Agency Office. Refer to the web site below for Regional State and Private Forestry offices of the Forest Service and for addresses and telephone numbers of Program contacts: :https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/private-land/forest-legacyHeadquarters Office:
1400 Independence Ave SW, MS 1123,
Washington, DC 20850
scott.stewart@usda.gov
2022051618