Forest Service 638 Authority for Tribes

The Department of Agriculture Forest Service awards agreements under the Tribal Forest Protection Act (CFDA 10.711) to federally recognized tribes and tribal organizations to carry out administrative, management, and program functions on behalf of the Forest Service, with project awards negotiated individually between applicants and local Forest Service units following approval under the statutory selection process.

Program activity is limited by statute and authorization structure: agreements are awarded on a case-by-case basis only for projects meeting the Tribal Forest Protection Act criteria, with no standing annual solicitation cycle or published application deadline. The source reports no recent grant awards, award frequencies, or dollar figures associated with the program. Award terms and funding amounts are negotiated between applicants and the specific Forest Service unit overseeing each approved project.

Eligible applicants are limited to federally recognized Indian tribes and tribal organizations as defined in 25 U.S.C. § 5304. Projects must be approved under the Tribal Forest Protection Act process and may involve protection of tribal trust lands, restoration of adjacent National Forest System lands, or advancement of tribal stewardship priorities. Agreements may be extended or renewed on a case-by-case basis through negotiation with the issuing Forest Service unit.

The program operates outside standard federal grant compliance frameworks: 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Guidance) does not apply to agreements issued under this authority. Recipients must retain records for three years after agreement closure. No recent grant opportunities are publicly posted; prospective applicants must identify priority projects and initiate contact with the relevant Forest Service unit to begin the approval process under the Tribal Forest Protection Act. The absence of published award data, recent opportunities, and standardized funding envelopes indicates this program functions as a negotiated agreement vehicle rather than a competitive grant solicitation, making BD pursuit dependent on prior relationship with Forest Service leadership and readiness to navigate the Tribal Forest Protection Act approval pathway.