Community forest and open space conservation program
Definitions
In this section:
Eligible entity
Local governmental entity
Nonprofit organization
The term “nonprofit organization” means any organization that—
is described in section 170(h)(3) of title 26; and
operates in accordance with 1 or more of the purposes specified in section 170(h)(4)(A) of title 26.
Program
Secretary
Establishment
Grant program
In general
The Secretary may award grants to eligible entities to acquire private forest land,1
are threatened by conversion to nonforest uses; and
provide public benefits to communities, including—
economic benefits through sustainable forest management;
environmental benefits, including clean water and wildlife habitat;
benefits from forest-based educational programs, including vocational education programs in forestry;
benefits from serving as models of effective forest stewardship for private landowners; and
recreational benefits, including hunting and fishing.
Federal cost share
Non-Federal share
Appraisal of parcels
Application
An eligible entity that seeks to receive a grant under the Program shall submit to the State forester or equivalent official (or in the case of an Indian tribe, an equivalent official of the Indian tribe) an application that includes—
a description of the land to be acquired;
a forest plan that provides—
a description of community benefits to be achieved from the acquisition of the private forest land; and
an explanation of the manner in which any private forest land to be acquired using funds from the grant will be managed; and
such other relevant information as the Secretary may require.
Effect on trust land
Ineligibility
Acquired land
Applications to Secretary
Duties of eligible entity
Prohibited uses
In general
Reimbursement of funds
Loss of eligibility
State administration and technical assistance
Authorization of appropriations
Source
(Pub. L. 95–313, § 7A, as added Pub. L. 110–234, title VIII, § 8003(b),Notes
Codification
Effective Date
Findings
the Forest Service projects that, by calendar year 2030, approximately 44,000,000 acres of privately-owned forest land will be developed throughout the United States;
public access to parcels of privately-owned forest land for outdoor recreational activities, including hunting, fishing, and trapping, has declined and, as a result, participation in those activities has also declined in cases in which public access is not secured;
rising rates of obesity and other public health problems relating to the inactivity of the citizens of the United States have been shown to be ameliorated by improving public access to safe and attractive areas for outdoor recreation;
in rapidly-growing communities of all sizes throughout the United States, remaining parcels of forest land play an essential role in protecting public water supplies;
forest parcels owned by local governmental entities and nonprofit organizations are providing important demonstration sites for private landowners to learn forest management techniques;
throughout the United States, communities of diverse types and sizes are deriving significant financial and community benefits from managing forest land owned by local governmental entities for timber and other forest products; and
there is an urgent need for local governmental entities to be able to leverage financial resources in order to purchase important parcels of privately-owned forest land as the parcels are offered for sale.”