Grant selections will be selected and prioritized, by the following criteria:

• Treatments and outreach and education activities targeting areas identified within a CWPP and/or Community Fire Plans with an interdisciplinary and interagency collaborative process with the Bureau of Land Management.
  • Treatments protecting a community at risk and collaborated with BLM (Combined fuel breaks, etc) or treatments adjacent to BLM land.
• Adjacent means within the WUI adjacent to BLM land or where a wildland fire will threaten BLM land and is agreed upon as a high threat by the local BLM field office.
• WUI boundaries and definitions are identified within a CWPP or default to 1.5 miles under the Healthy Forests Restoration Act.
  • Mechanical treatments that make biomass available to help off-set cost or stimulate local economies. (The Goal is for 25% of BLM’s mechanical treatments to include biomass).
• Developing a CWPP which focuses on CARs adjacent to BLM land and incorporating BLM projects.
  • Developing a CWPP at a county-wide or large landscape level.
• Outreach and education activities within areas that are identified in a CWPP, but may not necessarily be outlined within the plan. or projects that will influence BLM lands
• Collaborative projects with well-leveraged dollars and aimed at landscape/watershed level of protection.
• All projects must be within the California BLM State boundaries.

Applicants should be able to complete projects within an 18-month grant term. If funded, applicants will be asked to report specific accomplishments, such as acres treated, and provide before, during and after photos. Achieving and reporting accomplishments is critical to BLM’s ability to continue funding this grant program.

Cost share/match: 90/10, which means that the grant can account for 90% of the project’s cost. The other 10% of the project’s cost must come from non-federal sources, and can include cash and/or third-party in-kind.

It is unclear at this time how much funding will be available during the next FFY for 2009.

Total value of projects selected for funding in FFY 2007: $3.1 million.

Average size of grant selected for funding in FFY 2007: $70,000.

Total value of projects selected for funding in FFY 2008: $1.9 million.

Average size of grant selected for funding in FFY 2008: $80,000.



USDA Forest Service --Community Protection

No funds were available for community protection funding in FY2007 and funds may not be available in FY2008. If available, program funds are available to assist with hazardous fuel reduction projects on non-Federal land adjacent to Forest Service prescribed burn projects planned within the next three years. Non-federal projects must reduce hazardous fuel, modify human behavior to prevent fires, or develop Community Wildfire Protection Plans (or equivalent). Purchase of vehicles or heavy equipment such as tub grinders and other expensive items will not be funded. Funding will be considered for supplies and equipment including chainsaws, chippers, etc.

The Forest Service recommends that applicants coordinate design of projects with their local National Forest to ensure the Forest Service intends to burn adjacent National Forest System lands within the coming 3 year planning period.

The Forest Service uses the clearinghouse to select projects for the current federal fiscal year. Applicants should be able to complete projects within an 18-month grant term.

There is no cost-sharing/matching requirement, although match is encouraged.

Total value of projects selected for funding in FFY 2007: $0

Average size of grants in FFY 2007: $0

Total value of projects selected for funding in FFY 2006: $1.2 million.

Average size of grants in FFY 2006: $100,000



USDA Forest Service State Fire Assistance (SFA)

Funds are available for cost-share treatments on non-Federal lands statewide for both hazardous fuel reduction in high-hazard wildland-urban-interface areas and for development of Community Wildfire Protection Plans.

Hazardous fuel reduction proposals can include the purchase of needed supplies and equipment (such as chainsaws, personal protective equipment, chippers, hand tools, etc.).

Information and education projects, or purchase of vehicles or heavy equipment such as tub grinders and other expensive assets will not be funded (suggest rental or lease of these items).

It is unclear at this time how much funding will be available during this FFY 2008.

Total value of projects selected for funding in FFY 2007: $2.3 million

Average size of grants in FFY 2007: $100,000

Total value of projects selected for funding in FFY 2006: $5 million.

Average size of grants in FFY 2006: $76,000



National Park Service (NPS) Community Assistance/WUI

Community Assistance WUI funds are available for fire hazard mitigation and hazardous fuel reduction projects performed, usually on non-NPS property (in holdings, communities, subdivisions, etc immediately adjacent to NPS property), to mitigate the risk of wildland fire on NPS lands that may adversely impact these adjacent properties. Emphasis and priority will be given to the areas identified through the state process as being wildland urban interface (WUI) communities.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Programs or activities proposed for WUI funds must meet the following criteria:

1. Programs or activities must be mutually beneficial to DOI/NPS and the receiving partner or community in protecting lives and property and reducing wildfire-related loss and suppression costs. “Mutually beneficial” means the community receiving an award must be deemed at-risk from a fire ignited on the NPS federal lands.
2. Communities must be identified as a Community-at-Risk in the vicinity of Federal land, either listed on the federal register or through collaboration with their respective States.
3. Programs, projects, or activities must address areas identified and prioritized in a CWPP.

1. They shall not be derived from other federal assistance programs
2. They shall not be used as an in-kind contribution toward cost matching requirements for any other federal assistance program
3. Their value will be determined using scales and estimate appropriate in the local area, with concurrence of the Agency Administrator and cooperators
4. They will not include grant administration costs and/or grant application preparation fees

The NPS uses the CA FSC clearinghouse for planning purposes to select projects for the upcoming federal fiscal year. This means that the project will be funded if adequate funds are made available in the next federal fiscal year (FFY). Federal fiscal years begin Oct. 1. For example, the 2007 federal fiscal year begins Oct. 1, 2006.

Applicants should be able to complete projects within an 18-month grant term. If funded, applicants will be asked to report specific accomplishments, such as acres treated, and provide before, during and after photos. Achieving and reporting accomplishments is critical to NPS’s ability to continue funding this grant program.

PROHIBITED PROGRAM EXPENDITURES
Purchase of real property, capital assets, construction, or fees for recipients to prepare assistance agreements. Administrative costs related to allowable expenditures will be considered, but must be minimized in all cases.

It is estimated that up to $150,000 will be available for FFY 2008.



U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Wildland-Urban Interface Program

Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) funds are available for hazard mitigation projects which protect communities at risk to wildfire by reducing hazardous fuels (non-Federal lands), developing Community Wildfire Protection Plans (includes associated planning and compliance documents), and implementing wildfire education and outreach initiatives.

It is unclear at this time if or how much funding will be available for grant projects this next fiscal year.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Programs or activities proposed for WUI funds must meet the following criteria:

1. Projects must be in the WUI and protecting a Community-at-Risk (CAR) within the vicinity of Federal land (see Federal Register list or California Fire Alliance website) or a Community of Interest (COI) identified by USFWS (i.e., other communities adjacent to a National Wildlife Refuge, National Fish Hatchery or other USFWS landholdings).
2. Projects not on Federal lands
3. Programs, projects, or activities must address areas identified and prioritized in a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP).

PROHIBITED PROGRAM EXPENDITURES Purchase of real property, capital assets, construction, or fees for recipients to prepare assistance agreements. Administrative costs related to allowable expenditures will be considered, but must be minimized in all cases.

RANKING CRITERIA

1. Recipients provide a 10% or higher matching contribution or in-kind goods and services, with the following limits on in-kind goods and services:
   1. They shall not be derived from other federal assistance programs
   2. They shall not be used as an in-kind contribution toward cost matching requirements for any other federal assistance program
   3. Their value will be determined using scales and estimate appropriate in the local area, with concurrence of the Agency Administrator and cooperators
   4. They will not include grant administration costs and/or grant application preparation fees
2. Project was ranked high though the CWPP process
3. Projects which protect, prepare, and outreach CARs/ COIs adjacent to USFWS lands (collaborative/recommended by USFWS).
4. Projects and plans which incorporate strategies, designs and educational messages to protect/benefit fish, wildlife and plants from potential project impacts and catastrophic fires (collaborative with USFWS or biological experts).
5. Projects incorporate monitoring and maintenance components
6. Mechanical projects that make biomass available to help off-set project costs or stimulate local economies.
7. Hazardous fuel reduction projects in Condition Class 2 or 3 and Fire Regime I, II, or III and a:
   1. prescribed fire project which does not exceed 4,500 acres
   2. mechanical project which does not exceed 1,000 acres
   3. project which does not use herbicides or pesticides
   4. project which does not create new permanent roads

Total value of projects selected for funding in FFY 2008: $100,000

Average size of grants in FFY 2008: $50,000



Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC); Proposition 84, Grants Program:

History & Background of Program:
California voters passed Proposition 84, the Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coast Protection Bond Act of 2006 (the Act) on November 7, 2006. Proposition 84 added Section 75050 to the Public Resources Code (PRC), authorizing the Legislature to appropriate funds for the protection and restoration of rivers, lakes and streams, their watersheds and associated land, water, and other natural resources. Section 75050 (j) allocates $54 million of these funds for the Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC).

The Laird-Leslie Sierra Nevada Conservancy Act, commencing with PRC Section 33300, established the SNC, and Sections 33343 and 33346 established the authority for the SNC to administer grant funds. The SNC has adopted a Strategic Plan and Program Guidelines in accordance with the statute, which provides direction for the SNC and the basis for its Grants Guidelines.

The Grants Guidelines established the process used by the SNC to solicit applications, evaluate proposals, and authorize grants under the SNC Grants Program from Proposition 84. Grant funds will be allocated through two primary approaches, Competitive Grants and Strategic Opportunity Grants (SOG).

Eligible projects shall demonstrate a contribution to the protection or restoration of rivers, lakes and streams, their watersheds, and associated land, water, and other natural resources within the boundaries of the SNC service area. Public agencies, nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organizations and eligible tribal organizations may apply. Funds are available to assist with watershed and water quality protection through; vegetative management projects, community wildfire protection planning, outreach education addressing watershed protection through proper fuels management techniques, hazard risk reduction within the wildland-urban interface (WUI), associated research and publication projects and maintenance of existing fuel projects. Treatments should be focused on watershed and water quality protection and aimed toward protecting communities at risk from the fire-flood regime with an emphasis on preventing soil erosion and hence watershed degradation on a collaborative basis. A reference to the CAL-FIRE FRAP Watershed Assets at Risk Maps (asset rank) will need to be documented with reference to the asset ranking methodology: Water Supply (5), Water Storage (3), Post Fire Erosion (5), Visual/Recreation - Wild & Scenic Rivers (5) and Hydroelectric Power (3).

Program Areas Defined: While the SNC has seven statutorily mandated program areas, a primary objective for the organization is the integration and harmonization between and among the program areas. It is suggested that applicants address more than one of the program areas when submitting a proposal. The statute requires the SNC to, over time, equitably distribute funding and resources across program areas and Sub-Regions. The Strategic Plan emphasizes the importance of understanding the interrelationship between the various program areas.

The 7 Program Areas are as follows:

1. Provide Increased Opportunities for Tourism and Recreation
2. Protect, Conserve and Restore the Region’s Physical, Cultural, Archaeological, Historical and Living Resources
3. Aid in the Preservation of Working Landscapes
4. Reduce the Risk of Natural Disasters, such as Wildfire
5. Protect and Improve Water and Air Quality
6. Assist the Regional Economy through the Operation of the Conservancy’s Program
7. Undertake Efforts to Enhance Public Use and Enjoyment of Lands Owned by the Public

SOG Category 1: for grants of less than $100,000 for acquisition and site improvement projects only authorized by SNC Board. The SOG 1 projects will require additional information and the completion of all environmental and cultural clearances prior to authorization of funding. The SNC staff will contact SOG 1 applicants regarding these additional requirements

SOG Category 2: for grants of less than $50,000 for all project types except acquisition and site improvement

Authorized by SNC Board or Executive Officer, depending on timing needs

SOG Category 3: for grants of $50,000 or more (no upper limit) for all project types except Acquisition and site improvement-Authorized by SNC Board

Competitive Grants: for grants of 100,000.00 to 1,000,000.00 for acquisition and site improvement - Authorized by SNC Board (Please visit www.sierranevadaconservancy.ca.gov to apply for this grant program)