F23AS00461-Highlands Conservation Act Grant Program - Base Funding

Background
The Highlands Conservation Act (H.R. 1964, 2004; 16 U.S.C. 3901) (HCA) is designed to assist Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania in conserving land and natural resources in the Highlands Region through Federal grants to support land conservation projects. These projects involve a State, County, or Municipal entity acquiring land or an interest in land from a willing seller to permanently protect resources of high conservation value. The USDA Forest Service (USFS) was directed by the HCA to identify lands that have high conservation value through the “New York-New Jersey Highlands Regional Study: 2002 Update” and the “Highlands Regional Study: Connecticut and Pennsylvania 2010 Update.” Each year, Governors of the four Highlands States may submit proposals for up to 50% of the total cost of land conservation projects in the Highlands Region, subject to availability of funds through Federal appropriation. Proposed projects must be consistent with areas identified in the Study and Update as having high resource value. This program funds land conservation by State Conservation Agencies, Counties, and Municipalities in the Highlands Region. Funding appropriated under the HCA has been divided into two separate categories – Base and Competitive. Eligible applicants may submit requests for the Base Funding Round in response to this Notice of Funding Opportunity.

Grant Details
In FY 2023, $5,850,000 in Base funding is available for grants to Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Each State may request up to $1,462,500 in Base funding. The earliest anticipated project start date is January 1, 2024. Project periods will be no longer than 3 years from the date the grantee is notified of an award. A one-year extension may be considered under extenuating circumstances. If the funds are unspent when a grant closes and the HCA grant program is still actively funded, unspent funds will be returned to the program to be redistributed through the next Competitive Grant Round Notice of Funding Opportunity.

Eligibility Requirements
Only the Lead State Agency (or Agencies), as determined by the Governor of each Highlands State, may be the applicant for funding under the Highlands Conservation Act Grant Program. If the Governor assigns multiple Lead Agencies, those Agencies must coordinate on funding requests prior to submission and ensure no more than the maximum allowable amount is requested through this funding opportunity.

Period of Performance
The period of performance will be no longer than 3 years from the date the grantee is notified of an award with a potential start date on January 1, 2024.

Grant Value
$5,850,000 available for grants to Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania with each State eligible for up to $1,462,500 in Base funding.

Place of Performance
The specific geographic location(s) where this grant will be performed include Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.