State and private forest landscape-scale restoration program
Purpose
Definitions
In this section:
Nonindustrial private forest land
The term “nonindustrial private forest land” means land that—
is rural, as determined by the Secretary;
has existing tree cover or is suitable for growing trees; and
is owned by any private individual, group, association, corporation, Indian tribe, or other private legal entity.
State forest land
The term “State forest land” means land that—
is rural, as determined by the Secretary; and
is under State or local governmental ownership and considered to be non-Federal forest land.
Establishment
Eligibility
To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an applicant shall submit to the Secretary, through the State forester or appropriate State agency, a State and private forest landscape-scale restoration proposal based on a restoration strategy that—
is complete or substantially complete;
is for a multiyear period;
covers nonindustrial private forest land or State forest land;
is accessible by wood-processing infrastructure; and
is based on the best available science.
Plan criteria
A State and private forest landscape-scale restoration proposal submitted under this section shall include plans—
to reduce the risk of uncharacteristic wildfires;
to improve fish and wildlife habitats, including the habitats of threatened and endangered species;
to maintain or improve water quality and watershed function;
to mitigate invasive species, insect infestation, and disease;
to improve important forest ecosystems;
to measure ecological and economic benefits, including air quality and soil quality and productivity; and
to take other relevant actions, as determined by the Secretary.
Priorities
In making grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to plans that—
further a statewide forest assessment and resource strategy;
promote cross boundary landscape collaboration; and
leverage public and private resources.
Collaboration and consultation
The Chief of the Forest Service, the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and relevant stakeholders shall collaborate and consult on an ongoing basis regarding—
administration of the program established under this section; and
identification of other applicable resources for landscape-scale restoration.
Matching funds required
Coordination and proximity encouraged
In making grants under this section, the Secretary may consider coordination with and proximity to other landscape-scale projects on other land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary, the Secretary of the Interior, or a Governor of a State, including under—
the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program established under section 7303 of this title;
landscape areas designated for insect and disease treatments under section 6591a of this title;
good neighbor authority under section 2113 1
stewardship end result contracting projects authorized under section 6591c of this title;
appropriate State-level programs; and
other relevant programs, as determined by the Secretary.
Regulations
Report
Not later than 3 years after
the status of development, execution, and administration of selected projects;
the accounting of program funding expenditures; and
specific accomplishments that have resulted from landscape-scale projects.