Program Descriptions
Program Number
10.675
Title
Urban And Community Forestry Program
Federal Agency
FOREST SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Authorization
The Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978, Public Law 95-313,92 Stat. 365, 16 U.S.C. 2102 et seq. (As Amended Through Public Law 107-195, June 16, 2002) Section 9 (16 U.S.C. 2105) Urban and Community Forestry Assistance.
Status
Active
Objectives
To plan for, establish, manage and protect trees, forests, green spaces and related resources in and adjacent to cities and towns to improve urban livability; to link governmental, private and grassroots organizations and resources to address environmental issues at the local, regional and national level; to engage people in citizen-based, grassroots volunteer efforts to assist in retaining and protecting their natural environment to provide a balance between quality of life and land consumption associated with urban sprawl; and to improve the ecological function, and social and economic stability of cities and communities.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
To assist State Foresters, equivalent State agencies, interested members of the public and private non-profit organizations in urban and community forestry programs in cities and communities.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
State Foresters or equivalent State agencies, interested members of the public, private non-profit organizations and others. All States, as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa and Guam, and other territories and possessions of the United States are eligible.
Beneficiary Eligibility
State Foresters or equivalent State agencies, local governments, tribes, and nonprofit organizations, and other State, local and private agencies acting through State Foresters, equivalent State agencies or other official representatives as agreed by the State Forester, equivalent State agency, and the Secretary. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 For State and local governments, as implemented by 7 CFR Part 3016.
Credentials/Documentation
Regional/Area/IITF Offices provide States and teritories with program funding advice each year. This program is excluded for coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Contact Regional, Area or Institute Office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog http://www.fs.fed.us/ucf/regional_offices.htm
Application Procedure
Established by the Regional, Area and Institute offices. http://www.fs.fed.us/ucf/regional_offices.htm
Award Procedure
Contact Regional, Area or Institute Office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog http://www.fs.fed.us/ucf/regional_offices.htm
Deadlines
Established by the Regional, Area, and Institute offices. http://www.fs.fed.us/ucf/regional_offices.htm
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Not applicable.
Appeals
Amended SF-424 (A) with SF 424 application is required to amend the allotment amount or length of commitment, other requirements may be established by the Regional, Area or Institute offices.
Renewals
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Electronic transfer of payments are encouraged. Grants are normally awarded for a period of 12 months. A no cost extension justification must be received and approved by the Forest Service.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Each State forestry agency or equivalent is required to submit annual accomplishment reports on the program, and have an approved 5-year strategic plan.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Use of all funds will have to meet Federal and State audit requirements. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," non federal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year.
Audits
Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
State and other generally accepted accounting systems are permissible, if acceptable to audit and reconciliation. All grantees need to maintain adequate systems for collecting and recording statistical data.
Financial Information
Account Identification
12-1105-0-1-302.
Obligations
FY 07 $30,130,000; FY 08 est $17,436,000; and FY 09 est not reported.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Not applicable.
Program Accomplishments
In FY 2006 and FY 2007, 6,364 and 5,800 communities received technical assistance, respectively. In 2006, 164,136,406 people lived in communities that had received program assistance and that were managing or developing urban forestry capacity according to accepted national performance measures: (1) hired professional staff, (2) adopted tree ordinances and policies, (3) implemented an urban forest management plan, and 4) established a local advocacy/advisory organization.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
OMB Circular Nos. A-102 and A-87, as implemented by 7 CFR Part 3016, are applicable to State and local government grantees. Available online at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/index.html
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
For Forest Service, State and Private Forestry office addresses and telephone numbers. Visit: http://www.fs.fed.us/ucf/regional_offices.htm
Headquarters Office
Deputy Chief, State and Private Forestry, Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Mailstop: 1123, Washington, DC 20250-1123 Telephone: (202) 205-1657.
Web Site Address
http://www.fs.fed.us/ucf/
Related Programs
None.
Examples of Funded Projects
Funding is for programs by State Forestry Agencies and others as set forth in Uses and Use Restrictions. Examples include but are not limited to tree inventories, tree planting, training and education for proper tree care, establishment of urban foresters in communities, etc. For examples of current and completed projects, see the Challenge Cost Share Program at: http://www.treelink.org/nucfac/general_info.html
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Most grants are approved on the basis of negotiated targets or objectives to be achieved. UCF community grants are based on local needs and resources.
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