Grant applications are now being accepted by the Coconino Resource Advisory Committee for projects that qualify for funding under the authority of the Secure Rural Schools and Communities Self- Determination Act.
The primary location for projects must be on federal lands within Coconino County, which includes the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests and small sections of the Prescott and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. However, projects can also be on non-federal lands within Coconino County where it is clearly demonstrated that the project benefits resources on the national forests.
The Act authorizes grants to federal agencies, state and local governments, private and non-profit entities and tribal governments for projects that improve the maintenance of existing infrastructure such as roads, trails, recreation facilities or projects that improve forest health and restore and improve land health and water quality.
Some examples of eligible projects include:
- Road, trail and infrastructure maintenance or obliteration,
- Soil productivity improvement,
- Improvements to forest ecosystem health, including forest thinning,
- Watershed and stream restoration and maintenance,
- Restoration, maintenance and improvement of wildlife habitat,
- Control of noxious weeds,
- Re-establishment of native species.
Each project proposal will be evaluated on its cost-effectiveness, to what extent partners are involved, how the project improves the quality of human life including any employment opportunities and how the project will improve watersheds and forest ecosystem health in general. The total amount to be dispersed by the committee includes approximately $475,000. The Act requires at least half of these funds to be “spent on projects which include sale of forest products and meet land management objectives.”
The Act allows funds to be used for the costs of the National Environmental Policy Act analysis, or for on-the-ground project implementation. All project proposals for on-the-ground project work need to be NEPA sufficient at the time of the proposal.
Proposals are submitted online at tinyurl.com/ RACproposal, and the proponent must choose “Coconino” for the Name of Resource Advisory Committee block to submit their project to the Coconino RAC. Unfortunately, the online submission form does not have any option to save and return at a later time to submit the application.
Therefore, it is recommended that proponents complete their proposal application in a word-processing program beforehand, so they can save and edit before copying and pasting into the actual online application for submission. Once proponents click “Submit Project” at the bottom of the project submission page, no edits will be allowed afterwards.
Deadline for submission of project proposals is Friday, Aug. 30, at 4 p.m. Proposals submitted after 4 p.m. will not be accepted. Previous project examples can be found online at tinyurl. com/RACprojectexamples.
The RAC will be meeting Friday, Sept. 27, where proponents will get a chance to make a short presentation and answer questions about their proposal before the RAC determines which proposals should receive funding. The public is welcome, and more details about time and location will be released in September.
More information about the Secure Rural Schools Ac t Re authorization can be found at fs.usda. gov/pts/, and general information about RACs can be found at fs.usda. gov/main/pts/specialprojects/racs.
Questions regarding the Coconino RAC can be directed to the RAC Coordinator, Brady Smith, at the Coconino National Forest Supervisor’s Office at 527-3490 or brady. smith@usda.gov.
