Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination

Since its initial passage in 2000, the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) and Community Self-Determination Act ("the SRS Act") has provided Federal funds to over 700 counties across the U.S. and Puerto Rico for three primary purposes in accordance with its t

In accordance with the SRS Act, Title II Special Projects must provide additional investments and create additional employment opportunities that will improve the maintenance of existing infrastructure, implement stewardship objectives that enhance forest ecosystems, and restore and improve land health and water quality. Eligible entities may apply for SRS Act Title II Special Project funding when eligible proposals are located on or will benefit BLM-administered lands in Benton, Clackamas, Columbia, Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Washington, and Yamhill counties, Oregon. In addition, Title II of the SRS Act requires all Special Project proposals to be reviewed by the BLM's Western Oregon Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) and for the RAC to provide the BLM with their Special Project funding recommendations before the BLM Western Oregon RAC's Designated Federal Official can formally approve funding for any of the eligible Special Projects.

Local, State, and Tribal governments, independent school districts, public and private institutions of higher education, public and Indian housing authorities, Native American organizations, and nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply for SRS Act Title II funding for Special Projects that are located on or will benefit BLM lands in western Oregon that are administered in accordance with the O & C and Coos Bay Wagon Road Acts.

In accordance with the SRS Act, Title II Special Projects must result in at least one of the following benefits to BLM-administered O & C and Coos Bay Wagon Road lands: road, trail, and infrastructure maintenance or obliteration; soil productivity improvement; improvements in forest ecosystem health; watershed restoration and maintenance; restoration, maintenance, and improvement of wildlife and fish habitat; control of noxious and exotic weeds; and/or reestablishment of native species. SRS Act Title II Special Projects must result in at least one of the below benefits to BLM-administered O & C and Coos Bay Wagon Road lands: • Road, trail, and infrastructure maintenance or obliteration, • Soil productivity improvement, • Improvements in forest ecosystem health, • Watershed restoration and maintenance, • Restoration, maintenance, and improvement of wildlife and fish habitat, • Control of noxious and exotic weeds, and/or • Reestablishment of native species.

The BLM provides SRS Act Title II Special Project funding through the development of Financial Assistance Agreements. The BLM Oregon/Washington releases an annual Notice of Funding Opportunities announcement on Grants.gov for eligible entities to apply for these Special Project funds. There are no specific restrictions regarding the execution of approved projects, however, most projects are funded on a year-to-year basis and no more than 5 years. Most awards are anticipated within 1 year or less after the announcement closes. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Frequency of recipient payments will be determined for each awarded Financial Assistance Agreement at the time of the award.

Preapplication coordination with the local BLM district office with jurisdiction over the proposed Special Project location is required. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the regional point of contact for more information on the required process to apply for assistance No State plan is required with this application.

Applicants will be required to submit approved Resource Advisory Committee proposals to the GrantSolutions announcement.

Proposed Special Projects must be from an eligible entity and meet the criteria identified in Title II of the SRS Act; comply with all other applicable Federal laws and regulations; conform to the applicable BLM resource management plan and with any subsequent management plan developed pursuant to the resource management plan; and be recommended for funding by the BLM's Western Oregon RAC in accordance with Section 205 of the SRS Act.

The BLM Oregon/Washington will disseminate the SRS Title II Special Project application and instructions to entities throughout the 18 western Oregon counties that are eligible for Special Project funding, post the application materials onto its website, and further share the opportunity through social media and traditional news releases to local media outlets. Once the application period is over, local BLM staff and managers will screen the applications to ensure they meet the Special Project eligibility criteria. The eligible Special Project applications are then forwarded to the BLM's Western Oregon Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) for review. After RAC deliberations and votes on the Special Project proposals, the RAC provides the BLM with formal written recommendations on which proposals to formally approve. The RAC's Designated Federal Official then reviews the RAC's recommendations and formally approves the Special Project funding amounts under the authority of Title II of the SRS Act. Upon approval, the applicants will submit their applications for Federal financial assistance through the GrantSolutions site. The proposal funding will be awarded as a cooperative agreement between the applicant and BLM.

The BLM provides SRS Act Title II Special Project funding to external entities on a reimbursable basis through the development of Financial Assistance Agreements. Most of the Financial Assistance Agreements for approved Special Projects are executed within 1 fiscal year of final BLM approval. There are no specific statutory timeframes that approved Special Projects must be completed by, however, most projects are completed within 2 fiscal years of the Financial Assistance Agreement being awarded and all projects supported through these types of agency agreements are typically expected to be completed within 5 years of the award. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Frequency of recipient payments will be determined for each awarded Financial Assistance Agreement at the time of the award.

Award time varies depending on the type and complexity of the project. Most awards are anticipated within 1 year or less after the announcement closes. Further information may be obtained by contacting the regional point of contact listed. Projects are approved by the Designated Federal Official at their sole discretion. Within 30 days after making a rejection decision, the Designated Federal Official shall notify the Resource Advisory Committee in writing with the reasons for the rejection.

None. Final award decisions are not subject to appeal, however, the Bureau of Land Management will provide all applicants with information regarding why their proposal was not selected for award.