US Forest Service Announces Hazardous Fuel Transportation Assistance Grants to Support Wildfire Disaster Strategy

The US Forest Service has announced the availability of Hazardous Transportation Assistance grants, intended to support projects that remove hazardous fuels from national forests and grasslands. These grants are designed to improve forest health and resilience, reduce wildfire risk, and support local forest product services and rural economies.

Purpose and Effect

The Hazardous Fuels Transportation Assistance Program is an important part of the Forest Service’s 10-year Wildfire Risk Reduction Initiative. By providing financial support for the transportation of hazardous fuels to areas where they can be used for wood products and services, this program contributes to reducing the risk of wildfires and maintaining the health of national forests. The program also supports the forest products industry, which plays an important role in reforestation efforts.

Funding and Eligibility

The Forest Service expects to award up to $25 million through this funding opportunity. Grants will be awarded to a variety of applicants, including manufacturing facilities, wood energy suppliers, logging contractors, and organizations supporting underserved communities. Eligible businesses include for-profit and nonprofit organizations, US state and local governments, national organizations, and educational institutions.

To be eligible, projects must focus on the removal of hazardous fuels from National Forest System lands or demonstrate a clear benefit to these lands. Applications may include multiple contracts and agreements, with a maximum aggregate funding request of $5 million per applicant. A 50% matching contribution is required for each project, and applicants must demonstrate that travel costs are a limiting factor in project viability.

Application Process and Conditions

Applications must be emailed to the Forest Service at NFSWAHFTA@usda.gov. The application package should include a cover page, project narrative, detailed budget, financial statements, and other supporting documents. Proposals will be evaluated based on several criteria, including management of critical hazardous fuels, transportation capacity, benefit to disadvantaged communities, cost savings, and readiness for implementation.

Public Webinars

To assist applicants, the Forest Service will host public webinars on August 16, August 21, and August 28, 2024. These webinars, held in partnership with the National Wild Turkey Federation, will provide guidance on the application process and provide opportunities for participants to ask questions. Advanced registration is required.

It’s the background

This grant program is funded by the Depreciation and Inflation Act and approved under the Wood Innovations grant program of the Agricultural Development Act of 2018. This plan is in line with the US Department of Agriculture’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy, which was announced in January 2022 to address the increased risk of wildfires and promote sustainable forest management.

For more information on Hazardous Oil Transportation Assistance grants and to access application information, visit the official Forest Service website or contact NFSWOHFTA@usda.gov.