LSR Tribal Project Narrative.pdf

USDA Forest Service State, Private and Tribal Forestry Landscape Scale Restoration (LSR) Grant Program

Request for Projects for Federally Recognized Tribes and Alaska Native Corporations/Villages

Optional Project Narrative Fillable PDF Submit to SM.FS.LSR@usda.gov and copy the relevant regional Forest Service contacts.

Project Title Descriptive title for this project. Use this title on all proposal submission communications and documents.

Project Applicant Name of Tribal Government, Tribal organization, or Alaska Native Corporation/Village applying:

Applicant Type (select one):

Federally recognized Tribe

Alaska Native Corporation

Tribal organization as determined by the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 USC 5304(I)) (see RFP instructions and attach a letter of support from the Tribe)

Project Contact Name and contact information for lead project contact:

Name:

Title/Project Role:

Email:

Phone:

LSR Program Objectives the Project Addresses Projects should prioritize funding and other resources toward one or more of the national LSR objectives below. Please select a primary objective. This is for reference and clarity and not for scoring purposes.

In the Project Goals section on page 2, describe how the project contributes to the primary and other objectives.

Reduce the risk of uncharacteristic wildfires.

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 benefits including air quality and soil quality and productivity.

mailto:SM.FS.LSR@usda.gov 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://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:25%20section:5304%20edition:prelim)

Project Landscape, Goals, and Objectives (10 points)

Project Location and Landownership

• 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.

• 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.

Project Goals and Objectives

• 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 (listed above).

Priorities Identified in Science-Based Restoration Strategy (20 points) 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.

Cross Boundary Collaboration (20 Points) 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.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/wildfire-crisis

Proposed Activities and Leveraged Resources (20 Points) 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.

Measurable Outcomes (20 Points) 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 on page 4 of the Request for Proposals.

Sustainability of Outcomes (10 Points) 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.

Project Budget One-to-one non-Federal match is required.

Match may include cash or in-kind contributions of goods, property, services.

Non-match leverage may include contributions from other Federal sources.

Budget Category Description of How Funds will be Used Federal Funds

(Whole $)

Non-Federal Match

(Whole $)

Non-Match Leverage (Whole $)

a. Personnel/Labor

b. Fringe Benefits

c. Travel

d. Equipment

e. Supplies

f. Contractual

g. Other

Total Direct Costs (Sum of A-G above)

Indirect Costs

Project Total (Direct Costs + Indirect Costs)

Description of Budget Categories

• Personnel: Provide justification for personnel expenses and list each position by title.

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

• Travel: Provide a description of the travel expenses and purpose of travel relevant to the project.

• Equipment: Single unit values of $5,000 or greater with a useful life of more than 1 year. Itemize equipment and cost per unit. Include items under $5,000 in the "Supplies" category. Equipment purchased with Federal funds but 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.

• Supplies: Provide detailed information about expenses for supplies for the project. Supplies with a unit value of $5,000 or more are treated as if the supplies are equipment.

• 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 row

“g. Other” in the match column. See more information about program income on the next page.

• Indirect Costs: Indirect costs must be tied to an established rate. Waived indirect costs are an acceptable source of match. Recipients must utilize either their approved overhead rate or the standard deminimus rate for budget calculations.

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

Estimated program income (in whole dollars):

Description of program income: