Landscape Scale Restoration FY 2025 Tribal RFP Final.pdf

USDA Forest Service Landscape Scale Restoration Grant Program Fiscal Year 2025 Request for Proposals for Federally Recognized Tribes and Alaska Native Corporations Submit proposals to SM.FS.LSR@usda.gov by December 16, 2024.

Summary Information

Federal Awarding Agency Name U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service

Opportunity Title Landscape Scale Restoration Grant Program for Federally Recognized Tribes and Alaska Native Corporations and Villages

Opportunity Number USDA-FS-2025-LSR-National-Tribal

SAM.gov Registration All applicants must have an active registration with the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) and maintain active registration throughout the life of the award. This is the government-wide web-based system that supports contracts, grants, and the electronic payment system. This requirement for registration may be found at 2 CFR § 25.200.

Opportunity Summary Awards will support collaborative science-based restoration of priority forest landscapes that leads to measurable outcomes on the landscape, leverages public and private resources, and furthers priorities identified in a science-based restoration strategy.

Application Requirements A fillable pdf is available.

Key Dates

• October 30, 2024 (optional): Submit to the relevant Forest Service regional contact if interested in a review to provide suggestions on your proposal.

• December 16, 2024: Application due by 6 p.m. Eastern, with a copy provided to the regional Forest Service staff. Email proposals to SM.FS.LSR@usda.gov.

Details on pre-award webinars and other supporting information for this funding opportunity will be posted to the USDA Forest Service Landscape Scale Restoration Program website:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/private-land/landscape-scale-restoration.

mailto:SM.FS.LSR@usda.gov https://sam.gov/content/home mailto:SM.FS.LSR@usda.gov https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/private-land/landscape-scale-restoration

Table of Contents Summary Information Table of Contents Program Description Eligibility Program Requirements Federal Award Information How to Apply Resources Contacts for Further Information

Program Description

Authorized by the 2018 Farm Bill (which amended the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act), the purpose of the Landscape Scale Restoration (LSR) Program is to encourage collaborative, science-based restoration of priority forest landscapes. This competitive grant program supports collaborative high impact projects that lead to measurable outcomes on the landscape, leverage public and private resources, and further priorities identified in a science-based restoration strategy (for example a Tribal Forest Plan, State Forest Action Plan, or other equivalent restoration strategy). Program objectives include reduced wildfire risk; improved fish and wildlife habitats; maintained or improved water quality;

and mitigated invasive plants, insects, and disease.

Tribal trust forested lands in the United States exceeds 19 million acres.1 These forests provide valuable social, ecological, and economic benefits to Tribes and Tribal communities. They provide clean air and water, public health benefits, habitats for fish and wildlife, forest products, and cultural resources. At the same time, all forests face many threats, including wildland fire, invasive species, pests, and disease, and more which may spread across ownerships and jurisdictional boundaries. By working across landownerships at the landscape scale, including Tribal forest land, the Landscape Scale Restoration program aims to address the challenges facing forests.

Recognizing the importance of forest land to Tribal communities, the Forest Service is seeking proposals from Federally Recognized Tribes and Alaska Native Corporations and Villages to restore priority forest landscapes on Tribal land. Eligible Tribal forest land includes (1) Tribal trust land held both by Tribes and individuals and (2) Tribally-owned fee lands. Under this solicitation, Federally Recognized Tribes and Alaska Native Corporations and Villages are eligible to apply for assistance.

Eligibility

Who Can Apply:

For the purposes of this Request for Proposals (RFP), Federally Recognized Tribes, Alaska Native Corporations and Villages operating within the United States, or its territories, are eligible to submit

1 Source: Assessment of Indian Forests and Forest Management in the United States: Executive Summary 2023, Intertribal Timber Council https://www.bia.gov/service/indian-forest-management-assessment https://www.bia.gov/service/indian-forest-management-assessment proposals. A Tribal organization as defined in 25 USC 5304 (l)2 may also apply at the request of a Federally Recognized Tribe (these require a letter of support from the relevant Tribe).

Eligible Lands:

LSR projects must be conducted on rural non-industrial private forest land, which includes Indian trust lands and Tribal lands held in fee, and/or rural State or local government forest land.

Nonindustrial private forest land is land that:

• Is rural;

• Has existing tree cover or is suitable for growing trees; and

• Is owned by any private individual, group, association, corporation, Indian tribe, or other private legal entity.

The USDA Office of General Counsel has determined that Indian trust lands are included within the definition of non-industrial private forest land. Indian trust lands held both by Indian tribes and by individual Indians are eligible for participation in the LSR program. Indian forest land held “in fee” is also eligible. LSR funding cannot be used for work on Federal lands such as National Forests and Grasslands.

For the purposes of this program, “rural” is defined as all areas outside Census places greater than 50,000 people according to the latest United States Census. Please use the LSR Project Planning Tool (Project Eligibility Tab) to confirm if your proposed project location is eligible within this definition.

Projects which do not take place within this geographic area of eligibility will not be considered.

Examples of Eligible Project Activities

• Water quality and watershed health improvements, including efforts to improve forest health and resilience, reduce wildfire risk, and restore riparian forests.

• Protecting, maintaining, enhancing, and preserving habitat for wildlife and fish species, including threatened and endangered species.

• Wildfire fuels management including thinning, prescribed burning, multi-resource wildfire planning, and invasive species management.

• Thinning and reintroduction of cultural fire to reduce uncharacteristic wildfires, support wildlife habitat, and protect cultural resources.

• Forest management or restoration demonstration areas that both achieve on-the-ground accomplishments for a specific area and provide sites for education and technology transfer.

• Community tree planting and tree canopy management in rural communities with a population of 50,000 or less.

• Survey, prioritization, and treatment to control invasive plants in a high-priority landscape.

• Prevention and preparedness in advance of known invasive pests, with on-the-ground outcomes.

2 Tribal organization means the recognized governing body of any Indian tribe; any legally established organization of Indians which is controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by such governing body or which is democratically elected by the adult members of the Indian community to be served by such organization and which includes the maximum participation of Indians in all phases of its activities: Provided, that in any case where a contract is let or grant made to an organization to perform services benefiting more than one Indian tribe, the approval of each such Indian tribe shall be a prerequisite to the letting or making of such contract or grant.

https://bit.ly/LSRTools https://bit.ly/LSRTools https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/uscode.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=25-USC-1777858031-1757435817&term_occur=999&term_src=title:25:chapter:46:section:5304 https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/uscode.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=25-USC-1151445019-1757435810&term_occur=999&term_src=title:25:chapter:46:section:5304 https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/uscode.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=25-USC-2100368841-1757435809&term_occur=999&term_src=title:25:chapter:46:section:5304 https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/uscode.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=25-USC-2100368841-1757435809&term_occur=999&term_src=title:25:chapter:46:section:5304 https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/uscode.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=25-USC-2100368841-1757435809&term_occur=999&term_src=title:25:chapter:46:section:5304 https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/uscode.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=25-USC-1151445019-1757435810&term_occur=999&term_src=title:25:chapter:46:section:5304 https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/uscode.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=25-USC-1151445019-1757435810&term_occur=999&term_src=

• Restoration of forests following damaging events (e.g., wildfire, hurricanes) to promote desired future conditions.

• Reforestation with trees and seedlings that are suitable for timber and food production, and other benefits associated with growing trees.

• Development and implementation of multi-resource management plans with private forest landowners.

• Harvesting, processing, and marketing of timber and other forest resources.

• Development and implementation of agroforestry practices that provide nutritional, environmental, educational, and other benefits. Agroforestry practices must target non-industrial private forest land and support forest restoration.

• Development and implementation of prescribed burn plans across Tribal, state, and private lands.

• Forest restoration and forest management practices that improve the ability of trees or forests to take up (sequester) and store carbon, while minimizing the risk of future large-scale disturbances.

Ineligible Uses of Grant Funds:

Note: Costs must conform to 2 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR 200) Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.

Grant funds (including match) cannot be used to support the following activities:

• Construction and capital improvements, including but not limited to facilities, infrastructure, roads, buildings, culverts, dams, ponds, and major earthwork projects. However capital improvements paid for by non-match leverage (non LSR Federal Funding or the 1:1 match) may be included in the project listed in the leverage section of the proposal.

• Land acquisition projects, including conservation easements.

• Cost-share, reimbursement, and other types of payment provided directly to private landowners.

However, LSR funding (and match) may be used to perform work on private lands; for example, a Tribe or Tribal organization could pay for consulting services or treatment activities to be performed on private lands with permission of the landowner.

• Small business start-up.

• Lobbying, litigation, or political advocacy.

• Basic research, which is defined in 2 CFR § 422.1 as, “systematic study directed toward fuller knowledge or understanding of the fundamental aspects of phenomena and of observable facts without specific applications towards processes or products in mind.” Note: Technical transfer, education, and outreach activities associated with applying research can be included in the application. A research entity can be included as a partner and can contribute research as non-match leverage (not funded with Federal dollars or associated match).

• Fencing that is part of a farm or agricultural operation. A fence is an allowable expense if it is part of a silvicultural practice, e.g., fencing necessary to exclude ungulates to prevent damage to seedlings.

Note: Equipment purchases require prior approval by the Region that will issue the grant award and additional recordkeeping by the awardee. Equipment is defined as an article of nonexpendable, https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200 tangible personal property having a useful life of more than one year and an acquisition cost of $10,000 or more per unit.

Program Requirements

The LSR program supports collaborative, high impact projects that lead to measurable outcomes on the landscape, leverage public and private resources, and further priorities identified in a science-based restoration strategy (for example a Tribal Forest Plan, State Forest Action Plan, or other equivalent restoration strategy). Projects contribute to healthy, climate-resilient, rural forests and communities, supporting Agency objectives listed below.

LSR projects:

• Further a science-based restoration strategy such as a Tribal Forest Plan, State Forest Action Plan, or other equivalent restoration strategy.

• Achieve one or more of the following objectives:

Reduce the risk of uncharacteristic wildfire.

Improve fish and wildlife habitats, including for threatened and endangered species.

Maintain or improve water quality and watershed functions.

Mitigate invasive species, insect infestation, and disease.

Improve important forest ecosystems.

Measure ecological and economic benefits, including air quality and soil quality and productivity.

Measurable Outcomes:

Each LSR project must directly accomplish at least one of the on-the-ground national quantitative measures listed below and may include additional specific measurable results that show how the Federal investment will lead to outcomes on the landscape. Accomplishments should be achieved within the timeframe of the grant. The measures/metrics should be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely.

• Economic benefit (forest products): Board feet of logs/sawlogs produced that contribute to the forest products industry.

• Economic benefit (forest products): Tons of pulpwood or biomass produced that contribute to the forest products industry.

• Hazardous Fuels Management: Acres treated to reduce or mitigate hazardous fuels including prescribed fire, thinning, and other actions that reduce hazardous fuels and mitigate fire risk.

• Invasive Plant/Weed Management: Infested acres treated for invasive plants including chemical, mechanical, and biological actions that improve forest health conditions. This does not include acres surveyed for invasive plants.

• Insect and Disease Management: Acres treated for insects and disease including through chemical, mechanical, and biological actions that improve forest health conditions.

• Landowner Assistance: Forest landowners reached through technical assistance and are known to have benefited in some significant and lasting way (e.g., developed or implemented a forest management activity or practice) from the LSR project through more than one interaction. This does not include a landowner who simply attended a technical or training session without any follow-up or were spoken to only once, such as over the phone, with no follow-up.

https://www.stateforesters.org/forest-action-plans/

• Stewardship/forest management planning: Acres under a new forest management plan. A forest management plan could include a Tribal forest management plan, Forest Stewardship Plan, CAP 106 plan, Tree Farm plan, tax abatement plan, or equivalent state forest management plan, watershed, or a landscape plan. If a landscape plan, the plan must focus on discrete/specific geography such as a watershed and does not apply to a state-wide landscape level plan.

• Water Quality Enhancement: Acres of trees and seedlings planted to improve water quality including planting to create riparian buffers, floodplain restoration, and other actions that enhance water quality/quantity.

• Water Quality Enhancement: Number of trees, saplings, and/or seedlings planted to improve water quality including riparian buffers, floodplain restoration, and storm water management actions that are non-structural. In the accomplishments narrative section, specify size of trees planted and describe the plan for tree care to maximize survival.

• Water Quality Enhancement (riparian forests): Miles of riparian forest treated to improve water quality including riparian buffer establishment or maintenance and other actions that enhance water quality. This does not include any structural enhancements or construction (e.g., culverts).

• Wildlife Habitat Enhancement: Acres of forest treated to improve wildlife and fish habitat.

Threatened and endangered species that will benefit from project activities should be included in the narrative accomplishments.

• Wildlife Habitat Enhancement: Miles of riparian forest treated to improve wildlife and fish habitat. Threatened and endangered species that will benefit from project activities should be included in the narrative accomplishments.

Federal Award Information

Funding Availability:

The Federal Government’s obligation under this program is contingent upon the availability of funds.

Amount of Awards:

The program offers several tiers of support to accommodate a range of project scales and administrative capacity considerations.

• The minimum funding request per project for all applicants is $50,000 and the maximum is $300,000.

• Cross-boundary projects that include more than one Tribe with corresponding restoration activities on more than one Tribal ownership may be considered for up to $600,000 per project.

Match:

Match must meet all the same requirements as the Federal share and be documented sufficiently to support financial tracking and accountability. All Federal grant funds are to be matched at least equally (dollar for dollar) with non-Federal match sources, which may include:

• Allowable and allocable in-kind contributions, e.g., personnel salary, fringe, and indirect costs;

services, materials, supplies, equipment donations; and volunteer assistance.

• Cash match from the applicant’s budget, such as personnel salary, fringe benefits, travel, equipment, and supplies.

• Private and public (non-Federal) monetary contributions.

A non-Federal entity’s in-kind match must meet the following criteria:

• Verifiable from the non-Federal entity's records

• Not included as contributions for any other Federal award.

• Necessary and reasonable for accomplishment of project or program objectives.

• Allowable under subpart E of 2 CFR 200.

• Not paid by the Federal Government under another Federal award, except where the Federal statute authorizing a program specifically provides that Federal funds made available for such program can be applied to matching or cost sharing requirements of other Federal programs.

• Provided for in the approved budget when required by the Federal awarding agency; and

• Conform to other provisions of 2 CFR 200, as applicable.

Matching funds must be derived entirely from non-Federal sources unless expressly authorized in law by the other Federal program. For example, BIA (not Forest Service) 638 funds may be used as match.

Leverage:

Projects should maximize LSR Federal funds by leveraging contributions from both Federal (e.g., Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) and non-Federal entities. Projects that leverage funding from multiple entities will be given priority.

All contributions should be clearly identified as to their third-party source and whether the contribution is match or (non-match) leveraged funds. Non match leverage may include construction, research, or other activities not allowable under the LSR authority and/or may be funded by a different source that does not meet the Federal match requirement of 1-to-1 but contributes to the project objectives.

Grant Time Frame:

Grants or agreements should be completed within 3 years from when the grant is awarded.

Reporting:

Accomplishment reporting in the Landscape Scale Restoration (LaSR) database is due no later than October 28 each year. This includes spatial data outlining discrete area(s) where on-the-ground implementation activities occur.

This reporting is in addition to financial and performance reporting required by the grant or cooperative agreement. Financial and performance reports may be submitted quarterly, semi-annually, or annually.

Reports are due 30 days from the period end.

Registration in System for Award Management (SAM):

All grantees must have an active registration at sam.gov and maintain active registration throughout the life of the award. Please allow at least two weeks to process a new registration or renew an existing registration in SAM.gov: https://sam.gov.

sam.gov:%20https://sam.gov

How to Apply

Detailed information about the program can be found in section 13A [16 USC 2019a] State and Private Forest Landscape-Scale Restoration Program. Applicants are encouraged to contact the appropriate Forest Service Regional Office during project development to ensure the project aligns with the program purpose, eligibility, and other criteria. See list of Forest Service contacts in the Contact for Further Information section of this document.

Informational Webinars:

Details on pre-award webinars and other supporting information for this funding opportunity will be posted to the U.S. Forest Service Landscape Scale Restoration Program website:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/private-land/landscape-scale-restoration.

Proposal Submission and Review:

Tribes are strongly encouraged to contact and work with the relevant Forest Service Region (e.g., Tribal Relations Program Manager/Liaison/Analyst and LSR Program Manager) during the application process and before submission. Regional staff can assist with navigating LSR program authorities, eligible activities, allowable costs and match, and other Federal financial assistance questions. A list of Forest Service regional staff is included below under Contacts.

If interested in an optional pre-review of your proposal narrative and budget, please submit a draft proposal to the relevant Forest Service regional contact by October 30, 2024.

Final applications must be emailed to SM.FS.LSR@usda.gov by 6 p.m. Eastern, December 16, 2024, with a copy provided to the regional Forest Service staff e.g., Regional Tribal Program Manager/Liaison/Analyst and LSR Program Manager listed below. To ensure the grant review process is transparent and fair, the Forest Service will establish a national review panel that consists of Forest Service representatives from the Washington Office and the Regions.

Proposal Narrative:

Applicants may use the LSR Project Narrative fillable pdf available on the Forest Service Landscape Scale Restoration Website. If the applicant chooses a different format, please adhere to the line limits identified for each section and use a standard typeface with no smaller than 12-point font, and .5-inch margins.

1. Project Title: Descriptive title for the project.

2. Project Applicant: Name of the Tribal Government, Tribal Organization, or Alaska Native Corporation or Village applying.

3. Project Contact: Name, role or job title, and contact information (email and phone).

4. Project Landscape, Goals, and Objectives

a. Location and Landownership: (6 lines)

- Describe the project location, i.e., name of the Tribal land, county, or other geographic description.

- Describe the land ownership type(s) for the project. Eligible rural forest land includes non-industrial private forest land, which includes Tribal trust lands and Tribal forest land held in fee; and State, county, or local rural forest land. Note: LSR Federal funds may not be used for activities on Federally-owned land.

https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Cooperative%20Forestry%20Assistance%20Act%20Of%201978.pdf https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/private-land/landscape-scale-restoration https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/private-land/landscape-scale-restoration mailto:SM.FS.LSR@usda.gov

- Describe specific areas targeted for restoration activities. If specific areas are not identified yet, describe how they will be identified as part of project implementation.

b. Project Goals and Objectives: (23 lines)

- Describe the project natural resource values of importance including ecological, social, and economic benefits, (e.g., clean air and water, public health benefits, fish and wildlife habitat, forest products, and cultural resources) and the threats to those values.

- Include project goals and how the project contributes to one or more LSR program objectives.

5. Priorities Identified in Science-Based Restoration Strategy (19 lines): Describe how the project supports one or more priority landscape, goal, or strategy identified in a science-based restoration strategy, such as a Tribal Forest Plan, State Forest Action Plan, or other equivalent restoration strategy. Include examples of how Traditional Ecological Knowledge is integrated.

6. Cross Boundary Collaboration (19 lines): Describe cross-boundary goals and how the project advances or contributes to complementary and/or adjacent landscape restoration initiatives, strategies, or plans on Federal, other Tribal, State, and/or private lands. Examples of complementary landscape policies, initiatives, and mechanisms could include Tribal Forest Protection Act, Forest Service 10-year fire strategy, climate adaptation plans, Good Neighbor Authority, Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program, and Stewardship Contracting.

7. Proposed Activities and Leveraged Resources (41 lines): Clearly describe the activities to be completed with grant funds and leveraged resources; including how and when each activity will be accomplished. Link specific project activities to funding amounts in the Project Budget and to stated project goals and objectives. Projects should maximize Federal LSR funding by using it to leverage contributions from both Federal and non-Federal entities. Identify partners that have demonstrated a commitment and add value towards planning and carrying out the project/project activities and describe what these partners contribute.

8. Measurable Outcomes (17 lines): Describe how the project activities will lead to measurable outcomes on the landscape and how applicants will measure progress towards those outcomes.

Quantify the outcomes on the landscape, e.g., acres reduced wildfire risk; acres improved fish and wildlife habitats; acres or riparian miles maintained for improved water quality; acres mitigated invasive plants, insects, and disease; number of trees, saplings, and/or seedlings planted for water quality; tons of pulpwood or biomass or board feet of logs/sawlogs produced;

and/or acres under a new forest management plan. Refer to the list of LSR measurable outcomes under Program Requirements.

9. Sustainability of Outcomes (17 lines): Describe how the project activities and outcomes will position the applicant to achieve longer term restoration goals after the grant closes. Include any funding, outreach, training, technical assistance, or related opportunities that result in skills and capability that extend beyond the life of the project.

10. Detailed budget: Each proposal should include a detailed budget for federal funds, non-federal match, and non-match leverage. Budget categories include the following:

• Personnel: This line item includes direct compensation to individuals for time worked. The salaries of administrative and clerical staff should normally be treated as indirect costs. 3

• Fringe Benefits: Based on actual known costs or an established formula. Fringe benefits are for the personnel listed in Personnel budget category and only for the percentage of time devoted to the project.

• Travel: Travel for applicant’s employees only. Provide a description of the travel expenses and purpose of travel relevant to the project.

• Supplies: Supplies refer to tangible personal property. This category does not include equipment,4 the purchase of which requires prior approval from the Forest Service.

• Equipment: An article of nonexpendable, tangible personal property having a useful life of more than one year and an acquisition cost of $10,000 or more per unit. Itemize equipment and cost per unit. Include items under $10,000 in the "Supplies" category. Equipment purchased with Federal funds must be approved by the relevant Forest Service region.

Equipment requires tracking and reporting that may extend beyond the life of the grant.

Applicants should analyze the cost benefits of purchasing versus leasing equipment, especially high-cost items and those subject to rapid technical advances. List rented or leased equipment costs in the “Contractual” category.

• Contractual: Describe the product or services to be paid by consultant, contractual, or as a lease/rental.

• Other: If there will be income generated as part of the project that you plan to use as match, place that in “Other” in the match column.

• Indirect Costs: Indirect costs may be determined using a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement, if established. In the absence of a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement, an applicant may elect to use the de minimis rate of 15 percent applied to modified total direct costs.

• Program Income: Federal grant regulations define program income as “gross income earned by a recipient that is directly generated by a sponsored activity or earned as a result of the award.” Such income must be accounted for in the submitted project budget. Examples of program income include income earned from rental of equipment purchased with Federal funds and sale of commodities developed under the grant, e.g., firewood and wood products.

Program income is ordinarily deducted from total allowable costs to determine the net Federal funding, but with prior approval from the Forest Service Region, program income may be used as match (i.e., instead of selling wood products, the products are used on site for the project) or may be added to the funds for the grant (must be used for purpose of the grant). Please work closely with a Forest Service Region contact if you anticipate any revenue

3 Direct charging of these costs may be appropriate only if all of the following conditions are met: (1) Administrative or clerical services are integral to a project or activity; (2) Individuals involved can be specifically identified with the project or activity; (3) Such costs are explicitly included in the budget or have the prior written approval of the Federal awarding agency;

and (4) The costs are not also recovered as indirect costs.

4 An article of nonexpendable, tangible personal property having a useful life of more than one year and an acquisition cost of $10,000 or more per unit.

generating activities during the grant period, since addressing program income in a Federal grant can be complex to account for appropriately.

Proposal Evaluation:

Projects will be evaluated by a Federal team of Forest Service representatives based on the following evaluation criteria (100 points).

• 10 Points: Landscape natural resource values of importance (environmental, social, and economic) and how to which the project contributes to one or more of the national program objectives, described in the law as:

Reduce the risk of uncharacteristic wildfire.

Improve fish and wildlife habitats, including for threatened and endangered species.

Maintain or improve water quality and watershed function.

Mitigate invasive species, insect infestation, and disease.

Improve important forest ecosystems.

Measure ecological and economic benefit including air quality and soil quality and productivity.

• 20 Points: Priorities identified in a science-based restoration strategy (e.g., Tribal Forest Plan).

• 20 Points: Cross boundary collaboration and complementary landscape restoration initiatives, strategies, and plans and/or contributes to restoration efforts on adjacent or adjoining ownerships.

• 20 Points: Proposed activities and amount of funding or other resources leveraged by Federal (e.g., BIA, EPA, FWS) and non-Federal entities. Projects that leverage resources from multiple entities will be given priority.

• 20 Points: Measurable outcomes on the landscape (e.g., acres treated to reduce or mitigate hazardous fuels, acres treated to improve wildlife and fish habitat).

• 10 Points: Sustainability of outcomes, including the extent to which project positions the applicant to achieve longer term restoration goals and/or results in skills and capabilities that extent beyond the life of the project.

Resources

• USDA Forest Service Landscape Scale Restoration Website

• Code of Federal Regulations Part 200—Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards

• Grants.gov Opportunity USDA-FS-2025-LSR-National-Tribal

• The Principal Laws Relating to USDA Forest Service State and Private Forestry Programs

• LSR Project Planning Tool

Contacts for Further Information

National LSR Email Inbox: SM.FS.LSR@usda.gov

Eastern Region (CT, DC, DE, IA, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT, WI, WV)

• Sherri Wormstead, LSR Program Lead: 603-742-6712, sherri.j.wormstead@usda.gov https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/private-land/landscape-scale-restoration https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/private-land/landscape-scale-restoration https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200 https://www.grants.gov/web/grants https://www.fs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/cooperative-forestry-handbook-2020.pdf https://storymaps.arcgis.com/collections/7e0ca1a95e134de094c71cb3646372d3?item=1 https://storymaps.arcgis.com/collections/7e0ca1a95e134de094c71cb3646372d3?item=1 mailto:SM.FS.LSR@usda.gov mailto:sherri.j.wormstead@usda.gov

• Paul Cloutier, Tribal Relations Program Manager: 970-792-5300, gene.cloutier@usda.gov

Intermountain Regions (ID, NV, UT)

• Jennifer Hensiek, LSR Program Lead: 406-529-8159, jennifer.hensiek@usda.gov

Northern Region (MT, ND)

• Jennifer Hensiek, LSR Program Lead: 406-529-8159, jennifer.hensiek@usda.gov

• Christine Bradbury, Tribal Relations Program Manager: 208-476-8227, christine.bradbury@usda.gov

• John Kinsner, Tribal Relations Program Manager: 406-253-0699, john.kinsner@usda.gov

Rocky Mountain Region (CO, KS, NE, SD, WY)

• Amie Anderton, LSR Program Lead: 208-484-8774, amie.anderton@usda.gov

• Jon Vladimirtsev, Tribal Relations Program Manager: 307-713-3000, jon.vladimirtsev@usda.gov

Southwestern Region (AZ, NM)

• Loren Ingalls, LSR Program Lead: 541-523-1305, loren.ingalls@usda.gov

• Elizabeth Bigelow, Tribal Relations Program Manager: elizabeth.e.bigelow@usda.gov

Pacific Southwest Region (CA, HI)

• Kelson Perez, LSR Program Lead: 707-980-3199, kelson.perez@usda.gov

• Rowena Yeahquo, Tribal Relations Program Manager: 707-980-0390, rowena.yeahquo@usda.gov

Pacific Northwest (OR, WA)

• Lisa Romano, LSR Program Lead: 541-207-6815, lisa.romano@usda.gov

• Kristi Harper, Regional Tribal Relations Program Manager: kristine.harper@usda.gov

Southern Region (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA)

• Paul Gellerstedt, LSR Program Lead: 470-585-9154, paul.gellerstedt@usda.gov

• Lexie Rue-Harris, Tribal Relations Program Manager: 479-508-7553, lexie.rue-harris@usda.gov

Alaska Region

• Ashley List, LSR Program Lead: 907-743-9563, ashley.list@usda.gov

• Kevin Hood, Tribal Relations Program Manager: 907-586-7829, kevin.e.hood@usda.gov

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

mailto:gene.cloutier@usda.gov mailto:jennifer.hensiek@usda.gov mailto:jennifer.hensiek@usda.gov mailto:christine.bradbury@usda.gov mailto:john.kinsner@usda.gov mailto:amie.anderton@usda.gov mailto:jon.vladimirtsev@usda.gov mailto:laura.moser@usda.gov mailto:elizabeth.e.bigelow@usda.gov mailto:kelson.perez@usda.gov mailto:rowena.yeahquo@usda.gov mailto:lisa.romano@usda.gov mailto:kristine.harper@usda.gov mailto:paul.gellerstedt@usda.gov mailto:lexie.rue-harris@usda.gov mailto:ashley.list@usda.gov mailto:kevin.e.hood@usda.gov

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form.

To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

https://www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-a-program-discrimination-complaint mailto:program.intake@usda.gov

Ineligible Uses of Grant Funds: