ECNETNews reports that the U.S. Forest Service has unveiled the new Hazardous Fuels Transportation Assistance grants, which are set to play a crucial role in removing hazardous fuels from national forests and grasslands. These grants aim to enhance forest health, reduce the risk of wildfires, and bolster local economies through support for forest product facilities.
Purpose and Impact
The Hazardous Fuels Transportation Assistance program is an essential part of the Forest Service’s 10-year Wildfire Risk Reduction Strategy. This initiative provides financial backing for transporting hazardous fuels to locations where they can be converted into wood products, thereby minimizing wildfire risks and fostering healthier national forests. Additionally, it significantly supports the forest products industry, a key player in forest restoration efforts.
Funding and Eligibility
With a funding pool of up to $25 million, the Forest Service aims to award grants to a broad range of applicants, including manufacturing facilities, wood energy providers, logging contractors, and organizations supporting underserved communities. Eligible applicants encompass both for-profit and non-profit organizations, U.S. state and local governments, tribal entities, and educational institutions.
Projects must prioritize the removal of hazardous fuels from National Forest System lands or provide a clear benefit to these areas. Applications may include several contracts and agreements, with a maximum funding request of $5 million per applicant. A 50% matching contribution is required for each proposal, and applicants must illustrate that transportation costs represent a barrier to project success.
Application Process and Criteria
Interested applicants should submit their proposals via email, ensuring the application package includes a cover page, project narrative, detailed budget, financial statements, and additional supporting documents. Evaluation will be based on factors such as the treatment of priority hazardous fuels, transported volume, benefits to disadvantaged communities, cost-effectiveness, and project readiness.
Public Webinars
The U.S. Forest Service will conduct public webinars on August 16, August 21, and August 28, 2024, to help potential applicants understand the process better and address any queries. Registration in advance is necessary for participation.
Background
This grant initiative is financed through the Inflation Reduction Act and is sanctioned under the Wood Innovations grant program of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018. It aligns with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy, introduced in January 2022, which aims to counteract the rising wildfire risks and encourage sustainable forest management.
For further information regarding the Hazardous Fuels Transportation Assistance grants and application procedures, please refer to the relevant resources provided by the U.S. Forest Service.
