Good Neighbor Authority for Recreation Enhancement and Improvement

The objective of the Bureau of Land Management's Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) for Recreation is to improve public access, visitor experiences, and recreation infrastructure on and near BLM-managed lands through partnerships with states, counties, an

The Bureau of Land Management's Good Neighbor Authority for Recreation supports partnerships with states, counties, and federally recognized Indian Tribes to carry out recreation enhancement and improvement projects that expand and enhance public recreation opportunities on and near BLM-managed lands. This assistance listing provides a flexible, collaborative approach to improving recreation access and visitor infrastructure, including trails, trailheads, campgrounds, day-use areas, restrooms, parking areas, and other facilities that support public recreation. Projects may be implemented on Federal land, non-Federal land, or Tribal land when they enhance public access, visitor experiences, and recreation opportunities associated with BLM-managed lands and surrounding communities. Although an agreement may allow a cooperating entity to provide National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) services and site surveys, the decision to authorize a project remains the responsibility of the BLM and cannot be delegated.

Eligible beneficiaries are state governments, county governments, and federally recognized Indian Tribes that enter into Good Neighbor Agreements with the Bureau of Land Management to carry out authorized recreation enhancement or improvement services. Eligible beneficiaries are a Governor, Indian Tribe, or county. The term "county" means the appropriate executive official of an affected county; or in any case in which multiple counties are affected, the appropriate executive official of a compact of the affected counties. The term "Governor" means the Governor or any other appropriate executive official of an affected State. .

Assistance may be used to plan, design, construct, repair, restore, improve, relocate, or reconstruct recreation facilities and access infrastructure that indirectly benefit Bureau of Land Management-managed lands. Eligible uses include, but are not limited to, trails and trailheads, campgrounds and camping areas, day-use sites, restrooms or shower facilities, parking areas or access roads serving recreation sites, boat landings, visitor facilities, interpretive features, and activities that improve or restore access to existing recreation areas.

Assistance under this listing may only be used for authorized recreation enhancement or improvement services as defined in 16 U.S.C. § 8571. Assistance may not be used for activities outside the scope of authorized recreation services. Final decision-making authority, including compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and other applicable laws, remains with the Bureau of Land Management and may not be delegated to partners.

An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. This will be based on individual awarded projects.

Applications can be submitted through Grants.gov for competitive award or GrantSolutions announcement for directed award.

First Level Screening - Basic Eligibility. Applications will be screened by the Grants Management Officer to ensure that applications meet basic eligibility requirements. Must meet the requirements of the Notice of Funding Opportunity in Grants.gov or Notice of Intent in GrantSolutions, screening my include, but is not limited to: Program and/or legislative authority requirements are met; Submission is timely; and complete and properly executed SF-424 application package documents, B. Applications must satisfy basic eligibility screening requirements to be considered for further review. Second Level Evaluation- Merit Review Evaluation is stated in each Notice of Funding Opportunity or Notice of Intent to eligible partners. Third Level Review Pre-Award Clearance and Approvals. BLM will also complete a business evaluation and determination of responsibility. During these evaluations, the Grants Management Officer will evaluate variables such as; Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System, financial stability, quality of management systems, past performance meeting prior award terms and conditions, reports and findings of audits performed, and applicant's ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory or other requirements.

All applications will be initially screened for eligibility and compliance with requirements stated in the program Notice of Funding Opportunity or Notice of Intent. Applications passing this screening process will be forwarded for review by the proposal evaluation criteria, and any additional review factors, as stated in the Notice of Funding Opportunity or Notice of Intent. State and District level and funding recommendations are made through the State's annual work plan. Final budget approvals rest with the State Director, BLM Leadership, and Department of the Interior Review.

Award times varies depending on the type and complexity of the project. Further information will be available in the State directed announcement posted to GrantSolutions or in the Notice of Funding Opportunity for competitive awards. Most awards are anticipated within 120 days or less after the announcement closes.