Urban and community forestry assistance

(a)

Tree City USA Grant Program

Section 9 of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2105) is amended—(1)by redesignating subsections (h) and (i) as subsections (j) and (k), respectively; and(2)by inserting after subsection (g) the following;

(h)

Tree City USA Grant Program

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall establish a grant program to be known as the Tree City USA Grant Program to provide competitive grants to eligible entities to enhance and maintain urban forests.(2)

Application

(A)

In general

To be eligible to be awarded a grant under paragraph (1), an eligible entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including a proposal to enhance and maintain urban forests.(B)

Application assistance

A non-profit organization that partners with an eligible entity may submit an application under subparagraph (A) on behalf of such eligible entity.(3)

Priority

In awarding grants under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that submit proposals under paragraph (2)(A) that—(A)enhance, maintain, or improve access to urban forests in—(i)typically underserved areas; or(ii)areas with low tree or environmental equity;(B)further a statewide assessment or local government initiative to enhance and maintain urban forests;(C)include a plan to mitigate risks from insects, disease, and non-native invasive species; and(D)include a plan to monitor and maintain new and existing trees.(4)

Technical assistance

The Secretary may provide technical assistance to local governments to assist such local governments with—(A)becoming eligible entities; and(B)proposals under paragraph (2)(A).(5)

Matching funds

An eligible entity that receives a grant under this subsection shall contribute an amount of non-Federal funds (in cash or in kind) that is at least equal to the amount of the Federal funds received.(6)

Premier tree city

Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of the Urban Forests Act of 2021, and annually through 2030 thereafter, the Secretary shall designate as a Premier Tree City one eligible entity awarded a grant under this subsection to recognize the superior efforts of such eligible entity in enhancing and maintaining urban forests. (7)

Authorization of appropriations

In addition to the amounts authorized under subsection (k), there are authorized to be appropriated $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2030 to carry out this subsection. (8)

Eligible entity defined

In this subsection, the term eligible entity means a local government that—(A)serves an urban and community area; and(B)a tree planting non-profit organization recognizes as having—(i)a tree board or department;(ii)a tree care ordinance;(iii)a community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita; and(iv)an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

(b)

Cooperative agreements for urban wood utilization

Section 9 of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2105), as amended by subsection (a), is further amended by inserting after subsection (h) the following:

(i)

Pilot project for cooperative agreements for urban wood utilization

(1)

Cooperative agreements

The Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements with State and local governments, institutions of higher education, private or non-profit organizations, and other entities that support projects that create wood products from dead and fallen trees in urban and community areas.(2)

Prioritization

The Secretary shall prioritize entering into cooperative agreements that—(A)support local job creation;(B)are located in typically underserved areas or areas with low tree or environmental equity;(C)develop new uses for dead and fallen trees; and(D)improve urban forest health and resiliency. (3)

Technical and financial assistance

The Secretary may provide technical or financial assistance to entities that enter into a cooperative agreement under paragraph (1) to facilitate—(A)research on new uses for dead and fallen trees in urban and community areas; and(B)market expansion opportunities for products made from dead and fallen trees in urban and community areas.(4)

Report

Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of the Urban Forests Act of 2021, the Secretary shall provide a report to the relevant committees on—(A)the implementation of this subsection; and(B)recommendations to encourage economic development and job creation by creating new markets for wood products made from urban timber sources.(5)

Definitions

In this subsection—(A)

Dead and fallen trees

The term dead and fallen trees means trees that—(i)are dying or have died;(ii)have partially or completely fallen over; or(iii)have been negatively impacted by insects, disease, or weather-related disturbances.(B)

Relevant committees

The term relevant committees means—(i)the Committees on Natural Resources and Agriculture of the House of Representatives; and(ii)the Committees on Energy and Natural Resources and Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate.

(c)

Program of education and technical assistance clarification for carbon storage

Section 9(d)(3) of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2105(d)(3)) is amended—(1)in subparagraph (C), by striking and after the semicolon;(2)in subparagraph (D), by inserting and after the semicolon; and(3)by inserting at the end the following new subparagraph:

(E)identifying opportunities to increase carbon storage through afforestation and scientific urban and community forestry management;

(d)

National urban and community forestry advisory council

Section 9(g) of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2105(g)) is amended—(1)in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(F)

Meetings

The Council established under this subsection shall meet not less than twice annually.

; and

(2)by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(7)

Renewal of council

(A)

In general

Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of the Urban Forests Act of 2021, the Secretary shall renew the Council.(B)

Termination

The Council shall not terminate except as provided by an Act of Congress.

(e)

Urban and community forestry action plan clarification for carbon storage

Section 9(g)(3) of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2105(g)(3)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(G)Recommendations for identifying opportunities to increase carbon storage through afforestation and scientific urban and community forestry management.

(f)

Authorization of appropriations

Subsection (k) of section 9 of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2105), as redesignated by subsection (a), is amended—(1)by striking $30,000,000 and inserting $50,000,000; and(2)by striking fiscal years 1991 through 1995 and inserting fiscal years 2021 through 2025.