SECTION 1 – IRA Funding Project Types and Special Emphasis Criteria
Each of the three project categories for the USDA Forest Service Forest Legacy Program special IRA funding contain Special Emphasis Criteria used to further evaluate the project proposals at the nation level. A detailed explanation of the three project categories and the corresponding funding amounts and special eligibility criteria for each is contained within appendix to the associated RFP. Please select and mark your chosen project category and then only provide the property’s attributes that aid in meeting the criteria associated with that category.
Large Landscape Projects (Complete Section 2)
State-Tribal Partnership Projects (Complete Section 3)
Strategic Small Tract Projects (Complete Section 4)
Please align responses with the national application requirements that allow for only 12 attributes to be submitted for Large Landscape and State-Tribal Partnership, each limited to 400 characters while Strategic Small Tract allow for only 10 attributes, each limited to 300 characters. Responses do not need to be submitted for every category and some categories may have more attributes than others depending on the property’s characteristics.
SECTION 2 – Large Landscape Projects
High Impact – Summarize ways the project meets the Importance Core Criteria put forth in the project proposal.
Describe each related item individually:
1.
2.
3.
National Goals – Describe significant contributions made to national goals: climate resilience, carbon sequestration, habitat connectivity and benefits to disadvantaged or tribal/indigenous communities.
Describe each related item individually:
4.
5.
6.
High Leverage – Higher non-federal cost-share than the Forest Legacy Program minimum required of 25%.
Describe each related item individually:
7.
8.
9.
Efficiency of Scale – Large investment now will be more cost effective and efficient than phasing project over time.
Describe each related item individually:
10.
High Readiness and Capacity – Demonstrate high readiness and capacity for successful project implementation within three years of grant award (e.g., completed conservation easement term sheet or draft deed of easement, cost-share commitment, title search, mineral rights determination, market analysis)
Describe each related item individually:
11.
12.
13.
SECTION 3 – State-Tribal Partnership Projects
Active Engagement of Tribes – Meaningful support and involvement of tribes in the design, implementation and stewardship of the project.
Describe each related item individually:
1.
2.
Strong Partnerships – Establishes/enhances long-term relationships between state and tribe; legal certainty and clarity around the agreement to co-manage the land.
Describe each related item individually:
3.
4.
Tribal/Cultural Values – Support the protection of tribe tangible or intangible cultural resources/traditions.
Describe each related item individually:
5.
6.
7.
National Goals – Describe significant contributions made to national goals: climate resilience, carbon sequestration, habitat connectivity and benefits to disadvantaged or tribal/indigenous communities.
Describe each related item individually:
8.
9.
10.
High Readiness and Capacity – Demonstrate high readiness and capacity for successful project implementation within three years of grant award (e.g., conservation easement term sheet or draft deed of easement, cost-share commitment, title search, mineral rights determination, market analysis)
Describe each related item individually:
11.
12.
13.
SECTION 4 – Strategic Small Tract Projects
High Strategic Value – Adjacent to already protected past Forest Legacy Program projects, federal, state or non-governmental.
Describe each related item individually:
1.
2.
3.
National Goals – Describe significant contributions made to national goals: climate resilience, carbon sequestration, habitat connectivity and benefits to disadvantaged or tribal/indigenous communities.
Describe each related item individually:
4.
5.
6.
Public Access – Expected with the goal of enhancing access to existing protected lands where applicable; could be limited to protect health or safety concerns.
Describe each related item individually:
7.
8.
High Readiness and Capacity – demonstrate high readiness and capacity for successful project implementation within 12 months of grant award (e.g., conservation easement term sheet or draft deed of easement, cost-share commitment, title search, mineral rights determination, market analysis)
Describe each related item individually:
9.
10.
11.