Forest Legacy Program
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
To effectively identify and protect environmentally important forest areas threatened by conversion to non-forest uses, through the use of conservation easements or fee simple purchase. The Forest Legacy Program (FLP) is a voluntary private land conservation partnership between the Forest Service, participating States, land trusts, private landowners, and others. The Program works with State partners and operates on a willing seller and willing buyer basis and is completely nonregulatory in its approach. No eminent domain authority or adverse condemnation is authorized for this Program.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- U.S. State Government
- Local
- Nonprofit Organization
- Other
Beneficiaries
- Farmer / Rancher / Agriculture Producer
- U.S. State Government
State agency, landowners of private forest lands, and land trust organizations.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
The Forest Service issues grants to states based on the amounts provided in Congressional appropriations of funds and the prioritized national project list.
An annual project selection calendar with due dates will be developed each fiscal year and will identify deadlines and approval times.
Program details & compliance
Description
The Forest Legacy Program is a conservation program administered by the Forest Service in partnership with State agencies to encourage the protection of privately owned forest lands through conservation easements or land purchases.
Mission Categories
Primary: Forestry
Other categories:
ForestryLand and Forest Conservation
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
Funds are used to purchase lands and pay for acquisition-related expenses.
Restrictions
These funds cannot be used for general program expenses, indirect costs, or for other project costs outside the project area of the grant award, except for qualified donations located in other Forest Legacy Areas.
Required Documentation
Each State must prepare a State Forest Action Plan (Statewide Assessment and Resource Strategy, including Assessments of Need (AON)) in order to be eligible
for program funds. The FS Regional or Institute Responsible Official must concur with the State's Forest Action Plan. Requirements for an eligible project are: (1)
within an approved Forest Legacy Area and fits within the priorities of a State's AON; (2) complies with FLP State and National criteria; (3) a completed grant
Application.
Matching Requirements
Other Federal Contribution cannot exceed 75 percent of total project costs, and at least a 25 percent non-Federal cost share is required. The non-Federal cost share may consist of: funds, donations, land or interests in land, in-kind contributions, direct costs, indirect costs, and others as determined by the Forest Service. Funds will be provided to the States on a per-project basis, as determined by the annual appropriations. The non-Federal cost share can occur at any phase of the project within the legal grant period, including planning, developing future projects, acquisition, or administrative activities.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements