[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 196 (Wednesday, October 8, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58929-58930]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-23778]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Preannouncement of 2009 Urban and Community Forestry Grant 
Process.

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SUMMARY: The National Urban and Community Foresty Advisory Council, 
(NUCFAC), is charged, by law, to provide recommendations to the 
Secretary of Agriculture on urban forestry related issues and 
opportunities. Part of the Council's role is to recommend the criteria 
for the U.S. Forest Service's Urban and Community Forestry, (U&CF) 
Challenge Cost Share Grant Program.
    NUCFAC is revising their criteria for the U.S. Forest Service's 
U&CF Challenge Cost Share Grant Program for 2009. The new U&CF 
Challenge Cost Share Grant Program is designed to reflect this change, 
and implement new procedures that reduce the paperwork burden on 
potential grantees. Grants for 2009 will be solicited in two 
categories:

Innovation Grants

    NUCFAC anticipates recommending a small number of significant 
grants intended to address, on a national or regional level, the 
highest priority issues confronting the UC&F community. NUCFAC will 
seek proposals from organizations and partnerships that demonstrate the 
reach, resources and expertise needed to deliver meaningful, replicable 
results. As much as $500,000 would be available in 2009 for one or more 
Innovation Grants.
    NUCFAC is in the process of identifying priority issues that might 
be addressed through Innovation Grants in 2009. Please forward any 
suggestions to Nancy Stremple, [email protected] by close of 
business, (C.O.B.), October 30, 2008.

2009 Best Practices Grants

    Smaller grants up to $50,000 for organizations that can implement, 
demonstrate, and disseminate replicable approaches to:
     Recruit advocates for urban forestry;
     Make best practices/latest science in urban forestry 
accessible to practitioners;

[[Page 58930]]

     Nurture networks of urban forestry practitioners within 
existing conservation, organizations, professional societies, social 
networks, and internet communities; and
     Address other challenges to the U&CF community.

DATES: Suggestions are due by close of business, (C.O.B.), October 30, 
2008.

ADDRESSES: Written comments concerning this announcement should be 
addressed to Nancy Stremple, Executive Staff to National Urban and 
Community Forestry Advisory Council, 201 14th St., SW., Yates Building 
(1 Central) MS-1151, Washington, DC 20250-1151. Comments may also be 
sent via e-mail to [email protected], or via facsimile to 202-690-
5792.
    All comments, including names and addresses when provided, are 
placed in the record and are available for public inspection and 
copying. The public may inspect comments received at 201 14th St., SW., 
Yates Building (1 Central) MS-1151, Washington, DC 20250-1151. Visitors 
are encouraged to call ahead to 202-205-1054 to facilitate entry into 
the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy Stremple, Executive Staff or 
Robert Prather, Staff Assistant to National Urban and Community 
Forestry Advisory Council, 201 14th St., SW., Yates Building (1 
Central) MS-1151, Washington, DC 20250-1151, phone 202-205-1054.
    Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) 
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through 
Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The announcement of the 2009 Challenge Grant 
Program is planned for late November 2008. At that time, more details 
about application requirements, criteria for judging proposals, and 
priorities for Innovation Grants and Best Practices Grants will be 
available at: http://www.grants.gov.
    If interested applicants are not already registered in grants.gov, 
they are encouraged to register now. The process may take up to two 
weeks to collect the required information.

    Dated: October 1, 2008.
John Phipps,
Associate Deputy Chief, State and Private Forestry .
 [FR Doc. E8-23778 Filed 10-7-08; 8:45 am]
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