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Forestry on Indian Lands
Funds are used for planting trees; greenhouse operations; weeding and fertilization; development or revision of reservation specific long-term sustained yield forest management plans; and development of environmental compliance documents, sales documents, and timber sale contracts.
The Department of the Interior protects and provides access to the Nation's natural and cultural heritage, including responsibilities to Indian tribes and island communities. Departmental goals include resource protection and usage, overseeing recreational opportunities, serving communities and excellence in management.
Program Accomplishments
In fiscal year 2007, the program supported reforestation activities on about 11,000 acres and pre-commercial thinning on 37,000 acres. Completed hazardous fuel reduction treatments on 200,000 acres of Indian land. Timber sales managed through the program created about 9,000 person years of employment and generated revenues of approximately $68 million. To date, 123 management plans have been developed to direct forestry activities on over 15 million acres of Indian forest lands.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Funds are used to support activities of reforestation and commercial forest stand improvement; timber sales management; forest inventories and plans; forest program management and administration; and forest protection activities including Wild land Fire Management.
Forest Inventory, Management Planning and Forest Development funds are awarded competitively.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments and Native American Organizations authorized by Indian tribal governments.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments and their members and Native American Organizations.
Credentials/Documentation
Initial application for financial assistance (Public Law 93-638) must be accompanied by a resolution of the governing body of the Indian tribe.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Informal preapplication conference is recommended.
Technical assistance in preparing the application is available upon request.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
Initial applications for financial assistance must contain the information specified in 25 CFR, Part 900, Subpart C, "Contract Proposal Contents." Completed applications should be submitted to the local BIA agency office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog. Requests for technical services can be made through the local BIA agency office.
Award Procedures
In most cases, the award can be approved at the agency level. In some instances, the application will be forwarded to the Regional Director for approval. The dollar value of Forestry awards depends upon the amount that has been prioritized by the individual tribe through tribal participation in the BIA's budget formulation process.
Deadlines
None.
Authorization
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, Public Law 93-638, as amended, 25 U.S.C. 450; Snyder Act of 1921, Public Law 67-85, 42 Stat. 208, 25 U.S.C. 13; Indian Forest Resources Management Act of 1990, 36 Stat. 857, 25 U.S.C. 406 and 407; Act of June 25, 1910, Public Law 61-313; 62 Stat. 787 and 788, 18 U.S.C. 1853, 1855, and 1856; Rumsey Indian Rancheria Act, Sections 304-320, 104 Stat. 4531.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Applications will be processed within 90 days.
Appeals
An unsuccessful applicant may request an informal conference with the deciding official, or may appeal the denial of the application to the Interior Board of Indian Appeals, or may bring suit in U.S. District Court. Full appeal procedures are found in 25 CFR, Part 900.
Renewals
Forestry. Awards may be renewed indefinitely upon satisfactory performance by the contractor/grantee. A notice of intent to renew should be submitted at least 90 days prior to the expiration of the current award. Forestry Management Inventories, Planning and Forest Development funds are awarded for projects on a year-by-year basis and are not intended to provide perennial support for tribal programs.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
None.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Awards are made on an annual basis and the funds remain available until expended by the contractor/grantee. Payments may be made in advance or by way of reimbursement. The timing of payments will be negotiated with the grantee.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Financial status reports, SF 269A, are required for contract awards.
The timing and nature of program accomplishment data will be negotiated with the contractor/grantee.
Audits
For awards made under this program, grantees/contractors are responsible for obtaining audits. All nonfederal entities that expend $500,000 or more of Federal awards in a year ($300,000 for fiscal year ending on or before December 30, 2003) are required to obtain an annual audit in accordance with the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (31 U.S.C. 7501 et. seq.), OMB Circular A-133, the OMB Circular Compliance Supplement and Government Auditing Standards. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 (for fiscal years ending after December 1, 2003) a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in OMB Circular A-133.
Records
Financial records must be retained for 3 years from the date of submission of the single audit report. Procurement records must be retained for 3 years from the date of final payment. Property records must be retained for 3 years from the date of disposition, replacement, or transfer. Records pertaining to any litigation, audit exceptions, or claims must be retained until the dispute has been resolved.
Financial Information
Account Identification
14-2100-0-1-302.
Obigations
(Total Amount of Awards) FY 07 $15,649,135; FY 08 est $14,500,000; and FY 09 est $14,000,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$10,000 to $1,000,000; $100,000.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
25 CFR Part 900; 25 CFR 163 -- General Forestry Regulations.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Applications may be filed with the local Bureau of Indian Affairs' agency office as listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.
Headquarters Office
Office of Trust Responsibilities, Division of Forestry, Bureau of Indian Affairs, 1849 C Street N.W., MS-4513 MIB, Washington, DC 20240. Contact: Bill Downes. Telephone: (202) 208-4837.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Forestry: All applicants meeting the criteria in 25 CFR Part 900 will be funded. Forestry Management and Development: Criteria include need, benefit/cost analysis, capability of the applicant to successfully conduct the project, and budget and its effective use. Awards are based on the commercial timber base, the annual forest development inventory, and on periodic priority needs as determined by Regional Offices.
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