Competitive Grants for Non-Federal Land Owners: Climate Mitigation or Forest Resilience Grants

Agency: Department of Agriculture-Forest Service

 

Description:

$150 million for competitive grants through the Landscape-Scale Restoration Program to assist underserved forest landowners – beginning, in high poverty areas, federally recognized tribes, limited resource producers, or veterans – in climate mitigation or forest resilience practices; $150 million to support the participation of underserved forest landowners in emerging private markets for climate mitigation or forest resilience; and $100 million to support the participation of forest landowners who own less than 2,500 acres of forest land in emerging private markets for climate mitigation or forest resilience.

Bill Section:

23002(a)(1)-(3)

US Code:

16 USC 2109a

New or Existing:

Existing

Potential Cost:     

$400,000,000

Timeline:     

FY22-31

Implementation Status/Rulemaking:   

Section 23002(a)(1) – Landscape-Scale Restoration Program: Limited information available at this time.

Section 23002(a)(2)-(3) – Underserved and Small Forest Landowners: On August 22, 2023, USDA announced the availability of up to $150 million in competitive grants. Proposal budgets greater than or equal to $2 million and less than $25 million are due by October 21, 2023. Proposal budgets less than $2 million will be considered for funding on a quarterly basis, with the first batch deadline November 30, 2023. USDA anticipates announcing awards in early 2024: Source

TCS Notes:

Grants made through an existing Forest Service program, Landscape Scale Restoration.

Section 23002 (including Climate Mitigation or Forest Resilience Grants, Non-Federal Landowners Carbon Sequestration Grants, and Wood Innovation Grant Program) has a total budget authority of $550 million. CBO estimated outlays from FY22-31 are $545 million.