2024 Cohesive Strategy Grant webinar-11.15.2023.pptx

USFS Eastern Region Cohesive Fire Strategy 2024 Request for Applications U.S. Forest Service Eastern Region State, Private & Tribal Forestry Fire & Aviation Management, Cooperative Fire Program Note: We are recording this session!

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USFS Eastern Region Cohesive Fire Strategy 2024 Request for Applications U.S. Forest Service Eastern Region State, Private, & Tribal Forestry Fire & Aviation Management, Cooperative Fire Program

Overview National Cohesive Strategy Northeast Regional Action Plan Cross‐Boundary Wildfire Hazard Mitigation on Non‐Federal Lands Wildfire Risk Reduction (WRR) Wildfire Risk and Underserved Communities Grants.gov

National Cohesive Strategy Restore & Maintain Landscapes Landscapes across all jurisdictions are resilient to fire related disturbances in accordance with management objectives.

Fire Adapted Communities Human populations and infrastructure can withstand a wildfire without loss of life or property.

Northeast Regional Action Plan Implementation Actions Use of Prescribed Fire for Multiple Benefits Restore Fire Adapted Ecosystems Mitigate “Event” Created Hazardous Fuels Support Local Fire Adapted Communities Treat Hazardous Fuels in the WUI Promote Prevention Programs

Developed by the Northeast Regional Strategy Committee and stakeholders to identify the most important actions to progress on.

Cross-Boundary Mitigation Grant Wildfire Risk Reduction Grant

Target: Goals 1 and 2 of the Cohesive Strategy Restore and Maintain Landscapes Fire Adapted Communities Meet one or more Regional options 1-6 Use of Prescribed Fire for Multiple Benefits Restore Fire Dependent Ecosystems Mitigate “Event” Created Fuels Support Local Fire Adaptation by Communities Treat Hazardous Fuels in the WUI Promote Prevention Programs

Eastern Area States

Eligibility Cross-Boundary Mitigation:

State Forestry Agencies Local Governments Tribes Nonprofit Organizations National Forests (applying on behalf of adjacent non-Federal landowners) Private landowners and associations Wildfire Risk Reduction (WRR) Component:

State Forestry Agencies Forest Fire Compacts Groups of States Tribes Nonprofit Organizations Academic Institutions “For Profit” organizations are not eligible for this funding opportunity

Find Mike’s email that explains Tribal stuff very well.

Funding Limits & Match Requirements:

Cross-Boundary Mitigation Projects The FY 2024 allocation for this grant opportunity is subject to funding availability No Funding Limit for individual projects Match not required, but considered when ranking applications

Funding Limits & Match Requirements Wildfire Risk Reduction (WRR)

The FY 2024 allocation for this grant opportunity is subject to funding availability Individual grant application funding limit of $25,000 to $300,000 in Federal funds Equipment: No more than 25% of Federal funds requested WRR grant funds must be matched 100 percent or more by eligible and allowable costs and are subject to match provisions

Cross-Boundary Mitigation Criteria Project must benefit resources on Federal Land State Forester and Forest Supervisor Support (completed project form) Treat priority areas within State Forest Action Plans, Risk Assessments, CWPP’s, etc.

Fire prevention activities that Reduce the chance of fire starting and affecting National Forest System (NFS) land Treat hazardous fuels where fire transmission could affect NF system land Treat hazardous fuels and improve ecological conditions within watersheds, firesheds, or habitat that benefit NFS lands

Non qualifying:

Research and development projects Capital improvements Economic development projects

Cross-Boundary Mitigation Examples Examples:

Hazardous fuels reduction activities (fuel breaks, Rx burning, timber harvest) Development and implementation of CWPP or equivalent Technical assistance (silvicultural prescriptions, burn plan development) Training or monitoring activities on non-federal lands that benefit resources on Federal land Non-Qualifying Examples:

Research and development projects Capital improvements Economic development projects

Capital improvements Economic development projects

Wildfire Risk Reduction (WRR) Example Activities

Use of Prescribed Fire Use of Mechanical Fuel Reduction Vegetation Management Use of small diameter wood Defensible Space CWPPs or equivalent Fuel Breaks & Fire Breaks Dry Hydrants that support a Fire Adapted Community Fire Mgmt. Planning in fire adapted landscapes w/ FAC’s Slash Removal Brochures, PSA’s Property Assessments Prescribed Fire or fire adapted communities related training Exercises that support FAC’s I&E, Firewise, RSG, FAC & Fire Prevention Programs Wx station upgrades that support prescribed fire or community readiness

Non-Qualifying Examples:

Research and development projects Capital improvements Economic development projects

Capital improvements Economic development projects

National Fire Plan Operating & Reporting System (NFPORS) Forms are Required for WRR Mandatory for all State Fire Capacity (SFC), Volunteer Fire Capacity (VFC), and WRR Grant applications For questions on NFPORS please contact your Coop Fire staff Please report accurately. The acres treated are part of the region’s accomplishment target

Cross-Boundary/WRR Review Cross-Boundary – Submit your Project Proposal with State Forester and Forest Supervisor letters with signatures.

Cross-Boundary – Provide a map, shape file or .kml for fuels/land treatment as required by FACTS (Forest Service Activity Tracking System).

WRR – Submit a separate letter of support from the State Forester or appropriate designated authority (NJ, State Fire Warden; NY, Director of Forest Protection) for approving activities.

WRR – Provide current accomplishment data with a NFPORS form as required by NFPORS.

WRR – At least 100% match of requested Federal funds is required.

Application Ranking Criteria 100 Points Possible:

Address Northeast Regional Action Plan's Options (30 pts) Engage in partnerships and collaboration (20 pts) Assist Underserved Communities (10 pts) Explain project effectiveness and efficiency (20 pts) Demonstrate a Wildfire Risk Focus (20 pts)

Wildfire Risk and Underserved Communities

Wildfirerisk.org

Northeast Midwest Risk Assessment.com

Removed SVI from the title. Add the CWDG Tool links for “Underserved/Low-Income”.

Sources to Support Your Application & Ranking Criteria

Riverside, NY – Curious About Your Risk?

Add the CWDG Tool links for “Underserved/Low-Income”.

Central Pine Barrens Joint Planning and Policy Commission – Calverton and Riverside, NY

Sources to Support Your Application & Ranking Criteria

Risk Explorer > Basic Viewer > Risk > Extreme!

Sources to Support Your Application & Ranking Criteria

Sources to Support Your Application and Ranking Criteria Demonstrate a Wildfire Risk Focus: Wildfirerisk.org

Risk to Homes – Wildfire Potential – Exposure – Vulnerable Populations

Sources to Support Your Application & Ranking Criteria

- Wildfire Hazard Potential

- Underserved Communities: Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST)

- Wildfirerisk.org

Once Again in FY 2024 – Grants.gov Submit all applications through grants.gov Search for grant opportunity:

USDA-FS-2024-COHESIVE-STRATEGY

Application deadline is January 16, 2024 Grants.gov provides 24/7 support:

1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov

Preparing to Apply FY 2024 guidance document has details on how to register and apply online through Grants.gov.

Before working in Grants.gov you will need:

Employer Identification Number (~5 weeks) System for Award Management (SAM) registration (~2 weeks) Generates the Unique Entity Identifier (formally DUNS#) Grants.gov account with Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) role (same day) One lead agency/grant applicant will submit an application in Grants.gov for all other contributors to the project.

Only Grants.gov users with the AOR role for the applying entity are eligible to submit applications to Grants.gov.

How to Apply: Search Grants Search for Opportunity:

USDA-FS-2024-COHESIVE-STRATEGY

Enter the opportunity ID at the top, as a keyword or opportunity number.

FOR APPLICANTS:

Check Your Availability Get Registered Apply for Grants Track Your Application Adobe Community Applicant Training Applicant FAQ’s Manage Subscriptions

SUPPORT CENTER:

Welcome to Grants.gov Support Applicant Support is available 24/7 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov FAQ’s Report Fraud Find Help and Learn About the Program Grants.gov Releases Feedback

Reminders Submit application and documents through grants.gov.

Link Project Proposal to NCS Goals/Regional Options and State Forest Action Plans.

Cross-Boundary – Submit your Project Proposal with State Forester and Forest Supervisor letters with signatures.

Cross-Boundary – Provide a map, shape file or .kml for fuels/land treatment as required by FACTS (Forest Service Activity Tracking System).

Cross-Boundary - Funding that will be managed or used by the local National Forest, send all required items directly to Brian Schaffler.

WRR – Submit a separate letter of support from the State Forester or appropriate designated authority (NJ, State Fire Warden; NY, Director of Forest Protection) for approving activities.

WRR – Provide current accomplishment data with a NFPORS form as required by NFPORS.

WRR – At least 100% match of requested Federal funds is required.

Proposals due by January 16, 2024 – Include ALL required items.

Contacts For Cross-Boundary Mitigation and all R9 States with National Forests/Prairie:

Brian Schaffler, Fuels Program Manager brian.schaffler@usda.gov

(517) 285-9258 For WRR in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia or Connecticut:

Maris Gabliks, Cooperative Fire Specialist maris.g.gabliks@usda.gov

(609) 235-7524 For WRR in Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Minnesota, Wisconsin, or Michigan:

Caleb Schreiber, Cooperative Fire Specialist caleb.schreiber@usda.gov

(715) 628-6999 For WRR in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, or Vermont:

Helene Hochholzer, Cooperative Fire Specialist helene.hochholzer@usda.gov

(860) 861-7322

Key Sources to Support Your Application Region 9 - Grants & Agreements National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy State Forest Action Plans Northeast Regional Action Plan Northeast-Midwest Wildfire Risk Assessment Portal (NMWRAP) Wildfire Risk to Communities & Underserved Community Data

Region 9 - Grants & Agreements

> Recorded Webinar > 2024 Grant Information

- Guidance and Instructions

- Optional Narrative Template > Contact Information

Thank you for your participation!

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