[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 145 (Friday, July 29, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45739-45744]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-16448]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program

AGENCY: Forest Service, Department of Agriculture (USDA).

ACTION: Notice of funding opportunity; emergency collection; request 
for comment.

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SUMMARY: U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service announces the 
availability of up to $1 billion in grant funding, appropriated under 
the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, for the establishment of 
the Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CDWG) Program. As authorized 
under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act,

[[Page 45740]]

funds will be made available and distributed to eligible applicants 
within the footprints of the Western States, Northeast-Midwest States, 
Southern States, and Indian Tribes/Alaska Native Corporations. There 
are two primary project types for which the CDWG provides funding: the 
development and revising of Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP) 
and the implementation of projects described in a CWPP that is less 
than ten years old. The Act prioritizes at-risk communities that are in 
an area identified as having high or very high wildfire hazard 
potential, are low-income, and/or have been impacted by a severe 
disaster.

DATES: Applications for the FY2022 CDWG must be submitted per the 
included instructions on grants.gov by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time zone, 
October 7, 2022.
     For Indian Tribes/Alaska Native Corporations, search for 
the following grant Opportunity Number in grants.gov and follow the 
included instructions: USDA-FS-2022-CWDG-TRIBES. Please note that 
Indian Tribes/Alaska Native Corporations can apply through either this 
specific grant opportunity or the applicable regional notice (Western 
States, Northeast-Midwest States, or Southern States) listed below.
     For the Western States of Alaska, Arizona, California, 
Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, 
North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, and 
for the Territory of American Samoa, the Republic of Palau, the 
Federated States of Micronesia, the Territory of Guam, the Commonwealth 
of Northern Mariana Islands, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, 
search for the following grant Opportunity Number in grants.gov and 
follow the included instructions: USDA-FS-2022-CWDG-CWSF.
     For the Northeast-Midwest States of Connecticut, Delaware, 
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, 
Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, 
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin, and 
for the District of Columbia, search for the following grant 
Opportunity Number in grants.gov and follow the included instructions: 
USDA-FS-2022-CWDG-NEMW.
     For the Southern States of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, 
Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, 
South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia, and for Puerto Rico and 
the U.S. Virgin Islands, search for the following grant Opportunity 
Number in grants.gov and follow the included instructions: USDA-FS-
2022-CWDG-SGSF.
    Applications received after 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time zone, October 
7, 2022, will not be considered.
    Comments related to the collection of information must be submitted 
by September 27, 2022 to be assured of consideration. Comments received 
after that date will be considered to the extent practicable. Please 
follow the directions provided in Paperwork Reduction Act section of 
this notice.

ADDRESSES: This funding opportunity will be made available on 
grants.gov. Applicants are strongly encouraged to reach out to the 
relevant State Forester and Forest Service Cooperative Fire Specialist 
during application development to ensure the project aligns with 
program purpose and eligibility and receive input to strengthen your 
application.
    Comments concerning this notice should be addressed to: USDA, 
Forest Service, Attention Sheila Walker, USDA Forest Service, 
Washington Office, Fire and Aviation Management (FAM), 1400 
Independence Avenue Southwest, Mailstop 1107, Washington, DC 20250. 
Comments may also be submitted via email to: [email protected]. 
The public may inspect comments received at USDA Forest Service, 
Washington Office during normal business hours. Visitors are encouraged 
to call ahead to 202-205-0995 to facilitate entry to the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sheila Walker, Fire and Aviation 
Management by phone at 503-313-2784 or email at 
[email protected]. Individuals who use telecommunication devices 
for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-
877-8339 twenty-four hours a day, every day of the year, including 
holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Congressional Review Act

    Pursuant to Subtitle E of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 
Fairness Act of 1996 (also known as the Congressional Review Act or 
CRA), 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., the Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs in the Office of Management and Budget designated this action 
as a major rule as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2), (Pub. L. 104-121), 
because it is likely to result in an annual effect on the economy of 
$100,000,000 or more. Accordingly, there is a 60-day delay in the 
effective date of this action. Application rating, ranking, and 
selection will not begin until after October 7, 2022. Therefore, the 
60-day delay required by the CRA is not expected to have a material 
impact upon the administration and/or implementation of the Community 
Wildfire Defense Grant Program.

Overview

    Federal Agency: Forest Service, USDA.
    Funding Opportunity Title: Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CDWG) 
Program.
    Funding Opportunity Numbers: USDA-FS-2022-CWDG-TRIBES, USDA-FS-
2022-CWDG-CWSF, USDA-FS-2022-CWDG-NEMW, and USDA-FS-2022-CWDG-SGSF.
    Announcement Type: Notice of Funds Opportunity.
    Assistance Listings (AL) Number: 10.720.
    Due Date for Applications: Applications for the FY2022 CDWG must be 
submitted per the included instructions on grants.gov by 11:59 p.m., 
Eastern Time zone, October 7, 2022. Applications received after 11:59 
p.m., Eastern Time zone, October 7, 2022, will not be considered.
    Informational Webinars: Four (4) informational webinars will be 
provided to any interested applicants, one designed for each separate 
Notice of Funding Opportunity. These webinars will occur during the 
first two weeks of August 2022 and will be recorded for future viewing. 
Specific information regarding the webinars, including dates, times, 
and registration information, will be made available on the following 
web page: www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/fire/grants.

Background

    The purpose of the Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG) is to 
assist at-risk local communities and Indian Tribes with planning for 
and mitigating against the risk created by wildfire. This program is 
authorized in H.R. 3684, ``An Act to authorize funds for Federal-aid 
highways, highway safety programs, and transit programs, and for other 
purposes,'' commonly referred to as the Infrastructure Investment and 
Jobs Act. Specifically, the CWDG is provided for in Title VIII, Section 
40803. There are two primary project types for which the grant provides 
funding: the development and revising of Community Wildfire Protection 
Plans (CWPP) and the implementation of projects described in a CWPP 
that is less than ten years old. The Act prioritizes at-risk 
communities that are in an area identified as having high or very high 
wildfire hazard potential, are low-income, and/or have been impacted by 
a severe disaster.

[[Page 45741]]

More details on these three priorities can be found on grants.gov.
    The CWDG helps communities in the wildland urban interface (WUI) 
implement the three goals of the National Cohesive Wildland Fire 
Management Strategy (Cohesive Strategy):
     Restore and Maintain Landscapes: Landscapes across all 
jurisdictions are resilient to fire-related disturbances, in accordance 
with management objectives.
     Create Fire Adapted Communities: Human populations and 
infrastructure can withstand a wildfire without loss of life and 
property.
     Improve Wildfire Response: All jurisdictions participate 
in making and implementing safe, effective, efficient risk-based 
wildfire management decisions.

Key Points

     Who Can Apply: Entities eligible to apply for funding 
under the CWDG include:
    a. Units of local governments representing communities located in 
an area with a risk of wildfires,
    b. Indian Tribes (please apply through either the Indian Tribes/
Alaska Native Corporations specific notice or the applicable regional 
notice),
    c. Non-profit organizations including homeowner associations that 
assist such communities,
    d. State forestry agencies (including U.S. territories and 
interests), and
    e. Alaska Native Corporations (please apply through either the 
Indian Tribes/Alaska Native Corporations specific notice or the 
applicable regional notice).
    For-profit entities are not eligible to apply for this funding 
opportunity.
     Eligible Lands: Eligible applicants may apply for grant 
funding for a project proposal to be conducted on lands with the 
following ownership types, as long as the project proposal directly 
reduces wildfire risk to a community:
    a. Private lands,
    b. Local government,
    c. Homeowner associations,
    d. State government, and
    e. Tribal/Alaska native corporation (includes Trust lands).
    Lands administered by the federal government are not eligible for 
this funding opportunity with the exception of lands held in trust for 
Native American Tribes and individuals (Trust lands).
     State Forest Action Plans and the Cohesive Wildland Fire 
Management Strategy: Projects should further the priorities, e.g., 
goal, strategy, and/or priority landscape, in the most recent State 
Forest Action Plans as well as the relevant regional cohesive wildland 
fire management strategy document.
     Executive Order 13985: Advancing Racial Equity and Support 
for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government: We 
prioritize applications that show a clear benefit to underserved people 
and the communities where they reside or the forest areas that they 
value. Where this is the case, this should be described in the 
``Project Narrative Form.'' Underserved communities are also eligible 
to request a waiver of match requirements.
     Minimum and Maximum Funding Levels:
    a. There is no minimum Federal funding limit for projects under 
CWDG.
    b. The maximum amount of Federal funding awarded to any one 
community or Tribe via this competitive process is:
     $250,000 for the creation or updating of a Community 
Wildfire Protection Plan, and
     $10 million for a project described within a Community 
Wildfire Protection Plan less than 10 years old.
    c. For planning purposes, the Federal funding allocated through the 
CWDG competitive process is expected to be approximately $160 million 
annually for the next five years.
     Required Matching Funds: The CWDG program has differing 
levels of match dependent upon the proposal for which is being applied. 
For proposals to develop or update a CWPP, the required match is 10%. 
For proposals to implement projects described within a CWPP, the 
required match is 25%. Matching funds must be derived entirely from 
non-Federal sources (unless expressly authorized in law by the other 
federal program). The match must be met by eligible and allowable costs 
and is subject to match provisions in grant regulations (Code of 
Federal Regulations Title 2 Part 200.306 and Subpart E for Cost 
Principles). Match must meet all the same requirements as the Federal 
share and be documented sufficiently to support financial tracking and 
accountability. Communities meeting the definition of underserved may 
request a waiver of match; no other waiver requests are allowable under 
this program.
     Lead Agency or Organization: All applications must 
identify the lead agency or organization that will have primary 
responsibility for coordinating project work and reporting. The lead 
agency may pass funds to other partners performing work as relevant.
     Grant Timeframes: Projects must be completed within five 
(5) years.
     For Proposals including multiple communities: For separate 
projects in separate communities, a separate narrative form and 
included budget will need to be filled out for each community for 
purposes of determining eligibility, prioritization, and ranking. For 
an application consisting of a single project that spans multiple 
communities, the project can be applied for and described within the 
same application and narrative form.
     Scoring and Ranking of applications: Applications will be 
scored by members of a regional review panel. Individual reviewer 
scores will be normalized. All regionally-scored applications will be 
compiled in a single nationally-ranked list, which will be used to 
distribute funding.
     Reporting: Funded CWDG projects will be required to 
provide financial reports to the grant's administrator on a quarterly 
basis, and project performance reports on an annual basis. The annual 
performance report shall include a spatial data component. This 
requires both Forest Service grant monitors and CWDG grant recipients 
to coordinate in entering project information.
     Build America/Buy America: The Build America, Buy America 
Act, enacted as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, 
established a domestic content procurement preference for all Federal 
financial assistance obligated for infrastructure projects after May 
14, 2022. The Buy America preference requires that all iron, steel, 
manufactured products, and construction materials used in 
infrastructure projects are produced in the United States. If a 
recipient proposes a waiver of the Buy America preference, they must 
identify the items for which a waiver will be sought in the 
application. Applicants should not proceed with the expectation that 
waivers will be granted.
     Environmental Compliance: The requirements of the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) apply to proposed ``Federal'' actions. 
Whether an action under the CWDG program may be subject to NEPA 
analysis is dependent upon the level of federal (Forest Service) 
control and authority over the action. Deciding whether or not the 
Forest Service is responsible for performing NEPA analysis is 
determining whether the Forest Service exercises control over the 
implementation of the action to be funded, and to what degree 
implementation of the action is dependent upon Forest Service funding. 
For example, where the Forest Service provides funding, but does not 
exercise control or decision making over the specific projects and 
actions funded by the CWDG grant, it is unlikely to be

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deemed a Federal action for purposes of requiring NEPA analysis. 
Similarly, where the Forest Service provides only a small percentage of 
the funding for a project, it is unlikely that environmental analysis 
will be required under NEPA due to limited control and responsibility.
     Floodplain Management Criteria: If applicable and 
appropriate, a project located in a Special Flood Hazard Area must 
implement and meet the conditions contained within the Federal Flood 
Risk Management Standard (FFRMS).
     Labor Standards: All laborers and mechanics employed by 
the applicant, subrecipients, contractors or subcontractors in the 
performance of construction, alteration, or repair work on an award or 
project in excess of $2,000 funded directly by or assisted in whole or 
in part by funds made available under this grant program shall be paid 
wages at rates not less than those prevailing on similar projects in 
the locality, as determined by the Secretary of Labor in accordance 
with subchapter IV of chapter 31 of title 40, United States Code 
commonly referred to as the ``Davis-Bacon Act'' (DBA).
    Applicants shall provide written assurance acknowledging the DBA 
requirements for the award or project and confirming that all laborers 
and mechanics performing construction, alteration, or repair work on 
projects in excess of $2,000 funded directly by or assisted in whole or 
in part by and through funding under the award are paid or will be paid 
wages at rates not less than those prevailing on projects of a 
character similar in the locality as determined by the Secretary of 
Labor in accordance with Subchapter IV of Chapter 31 of Title 40, 
United States Code (Davis-Bacon Act).
    Recipients of funding will also be required to undergo DBA 
compliance training and to maintain competency in DBA compliance. The 
U.S. Department of Labor offers free Prevailing Wage Seminars several 
times a year that meet this requirement, at https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/government-contracts/construction/seminars/events.
    For additional guidance on how to comply with DBA provisions and 
clauses, see https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/government-contracts/construction and https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/government-contracts/protections-for-workers-in-construction.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
chapter 35), USDA requested that the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) conduct an emergency review by July 26, 2022, of a new 
information collection that contains the CDWG Information Collection 
and Recordkeeping requirements.
    In addition to the emergency clearance, the regular clearance 
process is hereby being initiated to provide the public with the 
opportunity to comment under a full comment period, as the Agency 
intends to request regular approval from OMB for this information 
collection. Comments from the public on new, proposed, revised, and 
continuing collections of information help us assess the impact of our 
information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting 
burden. Comments may be submitted regarding this information collection 
by the following method:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and, in the ``Search'' box, type in the Docket No. 
USDA-2022-0017. Follow the online instructions at that site for 
submitting comments. This website provides the ability to type short 
comments directly into the comment field on this web page or attach a 
file for lengthier comments. Information on using regulations.gov, 
including instructions for accessing documents, submitting comments, 
and viewing the docket after the close of the comment period, is 
available through the site's ``FAQ'' link at the bottom. Comments on 
this information collection must be submitted by September 27, 2022 to 
be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will be 
considered to the extent practicable.
    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for 
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of 
information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. Data 
furnished by the applicants will be used to determine eligibility for 
program benefits. Furnishing the data is voluntary; however, failure to 
provide data could result in program benefits being withheld or denied.
    Title: Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program.
    OMB Number: 0596-NEW.
    Type of Request: New Information Collection.
    Abstract: The Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program forms will 
be used by applicants to apply for the Community Wildfire Defense Grant 
(CWDG) Program. The purpose of the CWDG Program is to assist at-risk 
local communities and Indian Tribes with planning and mitigating 
against the risk created by wildfire. This program is authorized in the 
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Pub. L. 117-58), commonly 
referred to as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Specifically, 
the CWDG Program is provided for in Title VIII, Section 40803. There 
are two primary project types for which the grant provides funding: the 
development and revision of Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP) 
and the implementation of projects described in a CWPP that is less 
than ten years old. The Act prioritizes at-risk communities that are in 
an area identified as having high or very high wildfire hazard 
potential, are low-income, and/or have been impacted by a severe 
disaster.

Burden Hours for Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program Project 
Narrative Form

    Estimate of Annual Burden: 1.25 hours.
    Type of Respondents: Public applicants.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 500.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 625 hours.
    The burden for the Narrative Form includes submission of 
documentation of at-risk community, wildfire hazard potential, low-
income, and/or impacted by a severe disaster as well as any maps or 
photos to accompany the narrative.

Burden Hours for Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program Project 
Narrative Form

    Estimate of Annual Burden: 1.25 hours.
    Type of Respondents: Tribal applicants.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 100.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 125 hours.
    The burden for the Narrative Form includes submission of 
documentation of at-risk community, wildfire hazard potential, low-
income, and/or impacted by a severe disaster as well as any maps or 
photos to accompany the narrative.

Burden Hours for Application for Federal Assistance 424

    Estimate of Annual Burden: 1 hour.
    Type of Respondents: Public applicants.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 100.

[[Page 45743]]

    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 100 hours.

Burden Hours for Application for Federal Assistance 424:

    Estimate of Annual Burden: 1 hour.
    Type of Respondents: Tribal applicants.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 100.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 100 hours.

Burden Hours for BUDGET INFORMATION--Non-Construction Programs 424a

    Estimate of Annual Burden: 1 hour.
    Type of Respondents: Public applicants.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 100.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 100 hours.

Burden Hours for BUDGET INFORMATION--Non-Construction Programs 424a

    Estimate of Annual Burden: 1 hour.
    Type of Respondents: Tribal applicants.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 100.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 100 hours.

Burden Hours for Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program Annual 
Performance Report

    Estimate of Annual Burden: 2.00 hours.
    Type of Respondents: Public applicants.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 400.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 800 hours.

Burden Hours for Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program Annual 
Performance Report

    Estimate of Annual Burden: 2.00 hours.
    Type of Respondents: Tribal applicants.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 80.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 160 hours.

Burden Hours for Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program System for 
Award Management Screenshot

    Estimate of Annual Burden: 0.10 hours.
    Type of Respondents: Public applicants.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 400.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 40 hours.

Burden Hours for Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program System for 
Award Management Screenshot

    Estimate of Annual Burden: 0.10 hours.
    Type of Respondents: Tribal applicants.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 80.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 8 hours.

Burden Hours for Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program Davis-Bacon 
Act Written Assurance

    Estimate of Annual Burden: 0.10 hours.
    Type of Respondents: Public applicants.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 500.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 50 hours.

Burden Hours for Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program Davis-Bacon 
Act Written Assurance

    Estimate of Annual Burden: 0.10 hours.
    Type of Respondents: Tribal applicants.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 100.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 10 hours.

Burden Hours for Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program Audit 
Requirements

    Estimate of Annual Burden: 24.00 hours.
    Type of Respondents: Public applicants.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 25.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 600 hours.

Burden Hours for Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program Audit 
Requirements:

    Estimate of Annual Burden: 24.00 hours.
    Type of Respondents: Tribal applicants.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 10.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 240 hours.
    Comment Is Invited: Comment is invited on: (1) Whether this 
collection of information is necessary for the stated purposes and the 
proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether 
the information will have practical or scientific utility; (2) the 
accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden of the collection of 
information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 
used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including the use of 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology.
    All comments received in response to this notice, including names 
and addresses when provided, will be a matter of public record. 
Comments will be summarized and included in the submission request 
toward Office of Management and Budget approval.

Civil Rights

    Programs referenced in this Notice are subject to applicable Civil 
Rights Laws. These laws include the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Title 
VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act 
of 1968, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Intergovernmental Review

    The CDWG Program is subject to Executive Order 12372, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.'' Submit one copy of 
the application to the State government single point of contact, if one 
has been designated, at the same time as application submission to the 
Agency. If the project is located in more than one state, submit a copy 
to each applicable state government single point of contact. Go to 
https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/SPOC-4-13-20.pdf 
for state office contact information. Applications from Federally 
recognized Indian tribes are not subject to this requirement.

[[Page 45744]]

Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal 
Governments

    Executive Order 13175 requires federal agencies to consult and 
coordinate with tribes on a government-to-government basis on policies 
that have tribal implications. The Forest Service consulted and 
provided an overview of the CWDG program to Tribal entities in 
coordination with the FS Office of Tribal Relations. In addition, a 
tribal liaison was a member of the stakeholder group developing the 
program. An informational webinar specific to Tribes will occur during 
the first two weeks of August 2022 and will be recorded for future 
viewing. The webinar's date, time, and registration information will be 
made available on the following web page: www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/fire/grants. Cost-sharing requirements are mandated in the 
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Communities meeting the 
definition of underserved per Executive Order 13985 are eligible to 
request a waiver of match requirements.

Non-Discrimination Statement

    In accordance with Federal civil rights laws and U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its 
Mission Areas, agencies, staff offices, employees, and institutions 
participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from 
discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, 
gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, 
disability, age, marital status, familial status, family/parental 
status, income derived from a public assistance program, political 
beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in 
any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases 
apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by 
program or incident.
    Program information may be made available in languages other than 
English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of 
communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large 
print, audiotape, American Sign Language) should contact the 
responsible Mission Area, agency, or staff office; the USDA TARGET 
Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY); or the Federal Relay Service 
at (800) 877-8339.
    To file a program discrimination complaint, a complainant should 
complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, 
which can be obtained online at https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/usda-program-discrimination-complaint-form.pdf, from 
any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter 
addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant's name, 
address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged 
discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant 
Secretary for Civil Rights about the nature and date of an alleged 
civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be 
submitted to USDA by:
    (1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant 
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 
20250-9410; or
    (2) Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
    (3) Email: [email protected].
    USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
    Authority: This solicitation is authorized pursuant to the 
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Pub. L. 117-58).

John Crockett,
Acting Deputy Chief,State and Private Forestry.
[FR Doc. 2022-16448 Filed 7-28-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P