National Fire Plan-Wildland Urban Interface Community Fire Assistance

Support the implementation of the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy and assist at-risk communities from catastrophic wildfires, this initiative provides assistance in the following areas: development and enhancement of local program

Funds received from the sale of timber by a governor, Indian tribe, or county under a good neighbor agreement shall be retained and utilized by the respective entity to: (1) Perform authorized restoration services specified in the good neighbor agreement; and (2) If funds remain after fulfilling the above, to support: (a) Additional authorized restoration services under other good neighbor agreements; or (b) Authorized recreation services under the Good Neighbor Authority for Recreation Act. Funding may also be allocated for wildland fire preparedness including wildfire prevention, detection, equipment, training, suppression, active wildfire response, and fire science and research. Additionally, funds may support hazardous fuel reduction and other fire-related activities such as site rehabilitation, assistance programs, research, and facilities maintenance.

State and local governments and communities at risk and communities of interest, as published in the Federal Register/Vol. 66, No. 160 / Friday, August 17, 2001 or updated Governor-signed list, Indian Tribes, private land owners, public and private education institutions, and nonprofit organizations that manage lands. All selectees must be identified as significant to FWS, deemed by a cooperative agreement, memorandum of understanding, and/or part of an interagency agreement that serves as a clearinghouse for HFR assistance monies. For mitigation activities (projects that are removing hazardous fuels) all work funded must be identified from a signed CWPP or CWPP/E or will be signed by expected funding date.

GIS analysis, outreach and education efforts, and other general support associated with fuels management and risk reduction activities; and increasing the effectiveness of wildland urban interface fire protection. In addition, FWS staff may be involved in project activities. FWS -involvement may include the provision of technical assistance, advising in the development of Community Wildfire Protection Plans or equivalent. All projects selected must meet all applicable National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) laws. Funding levels vary across fiscal years and regions. For more information, please contact the announcing regional office fire program.

GIS analysis, outreach and education efforts, and other general support associated with fuels management and risk reduction activities; and increasing the effectiveness of wildland urban interface fire protection. In addition, FWS staff may be involved in project activities. FWS -involvement may include the provision of technical assistance, advising in the development of Community Wildfire Protection Plans or equivalent. All projects selected must meet all applicable National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) laws. Funding levels vary across fiscal years and regions. For more information, please contact the announcing regional office fire program.

Assistance is typically available during the 1st half of the federal fiscal year. The period of performance/ fund expenditure is 3 years.

All projects must meet Federal, State, and Local laws for environmental considerations. This will vary between states and is site specific. This is the responsibility of the applicant. For mitigation activities (projects that are removing hazardous fuels), all parties must have a signed CWPP or CWPP/E or will be signed by expected funding date.

Criteria used to select assistance proposals are based on their State and local governments and communities at risk and/or communities of interest, as published in the Federal Register or updated Governor- signed list, Indian Tribes, private landowners, public and private education institutions, and nonprofit organizations that manage lands. All selectees must be identified as significant to FWS. For mitigation activities (projects that are removing hazardous fuels) all work funded must be identified from a have a signed CWPP or CWPP/E or will be signed by expected funding date on, and have the ability to reduce the risk from wildland fire to community values and resources, and to increase the capabilities of rural fire organizations, in the vicinity of Fish and Wildlife Service lands.

All applications will be initially screened for eligibility and compliance with the requirements stated in the program Notice of Funding Opportunity Announcement. Applications passing this screening process will be forwarded for review by the proposal evaluation criteria, and any additional review factors, as stated in the funding announcement. Wildland Urban Interface community projects are reviewed at the regional level and funding recommendations are made through each regions annual work plan. Final budget approvals rest with the Regional Fire Management Coordinator.

The approval time for financial assistance applications varies depending on the Region, type and complexity of the project, funding levels, and expertise availability.

Recipients may request funding for a subsequent year/cycle of a currently funded or new project. However, these requests are subject to the same submission, review, and approval requirements as all new applications. This program will fund any approved renewal application as new award, not as an amendment to an existing award. Recipients may request approval for budget and project plan revisions of funded projects, including period of performance and reporting due date extensions, in accordance with 2 CFR 200.