State and Private Forestry Redesign Competitive Process

Transcription

1 State and Private Forestry Redesign Competitive Process Jaelith Hall-Rivera Deputy Area Budget Coordinator, SPF

2 State and Private Forestry Overview More than 50% of America s forests 420 million acres- are privately owned. America s state and private forests provide public benefits such as clean air, clean water almost 30% of surface drinking water, wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation, and about 70% of the nation s wood supply. State and Private Forestry (SPF) programs help protect these forests and provide support to keep working forests intact. The Federal investment leverages the capacity of State Foresters and their partners to manage State and private lands. SPF Programs authorized by the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978; often reauthorized or added to in Farm Bills Forest Health Protection Cooperative Fire Forest Stewardship Forest Legacy Community Forests and Open Space Conservation Urban and Community Forestry

3 What Exactly is Redesign? 2007 new approach to SPF programs - identify greatest threats and priority areas through State Assessments and accomplish meaningful change in those areas. Three themes: Conserving Working Forests; Protecting Forests from Harm; and Enhancing Public Benefits from Forests focus + priority = outcome protect forests from harm conserve working forest landscapes enhance public benefits from trees and forests One component - begin competing a portion of the State and Private Forestry allocation about $20 million. Change from the traditional formula based approach to allocating all funds. The 2008 Farm Bill codified main components of Redesign - three national themes are national priorities ; State Assessments and Strategies are required for each State; and a portion of SPF funds must be competed.

4 How does Redesign work? Competitive process guidelines were developed. Focused on: Outcomes in priority areas identified in State Assessments. Three Themes. Landscapes or issues of national importance. Cross-boundary work. Diverse collaboration and partnerships. Maximize SPF funding through leveraging. Each State Forestry Region manages their own competition Northeast, South and West. Joint FS and State process. Evaluate and rank projects; submit to FS WO for funding.

5 How does Redesign work? (con t) January-April: Regions identify Team and develop RFP. Late April/Early May: Regions issue RFP. Summer: WO provides anticipated allocation: $7 million West; $6.9 million South; $5 million Northeast. October: proposals due. November: Teams review and rank proposals. December: Regional leadership approves projects. December: Project lists submitted to WO. February/March: Funds provided (depending on appropriation bills). CONSERVE WORKING FORESTS ENHANCE PUBLIC BENEFITS PROTECT FORESTS FROM THREATS

6 Redesign Stats Since 2008, FS funded $93 million in Redesign competitive projects. This funding leveraged over $111 million in non-federal funds. Over 500 projects funded. On average, 45 States/Territories receive competitive project funding each year. Projects have yielded numerous important outcomes in priority areas, focusing on cross-boundary issues like invasive species in the Great Plains; recovery of longleaf pine in the South; and protecting Colorado s Front Range from wildfire. FS and State Foresters produce a yearly report on Redesign formerly the Redesign Report Card, now the SPF Annual Report. - Report Redesign website: Forest Action Plans website:

7 Challenges Biggest challenge is matching funding to project needs. Also, delays in project funding due to timing of appropriations. State resources (time and money) needed to apply for grants. Choosing between State core programs of work and dedicating specialized resources to applying for competitive funding. Perception that larger States compete better than smaller States. As State and federal budgets shrink, concern that core program capacity will be reduced due to funds diverted for competition.

8 Next Steps NASF Review of competitive process beginning soon. Evolution of Redesign competitive process proposed in FY 13. Forest Service budget proposed a new Budget Line Item Landscape Scale Restoration as the next phase of Redesign in FY 13 President s Budget. $20 million of no color funding for projects that achieve outcomes in States priority areas, focused on cross-boundary work. Support on Hill, but no final budget in FY 13 (CR).

9 Questions?