MT Wildland Urban Interface Community Fire Assistance

The National Fire Plan was implemented in 2001 to assist communities at risk from catastrophic wildland fires by providing assistance in the following areas: - Implement hazardous fuels reduction activities, including the training, monitoring or maintenance associated with such hazardous fuels reduction activities, on federal land, or on adjacent nonfederal land for activities that mitigate the threat of catastrophic fire to communities and natural resources in high risk areas; - Community programs that develop local capability including; assessment and planning, mitigation activities, - Community/homeowner education and action plans - Enhance local and small business employment opportunities. This program is in support of protecting the American family, being a good neighbor and creating a conservation stewardship legacy second only to Teddy Roosevelt by providing an opportunity to support planning and implementation of hazardous fuels reduction projects in Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) areas and education and outreach programs that help create fire adapted communities and resilient landscapes. Projects also support Secretarial Order 3372, Reducing Wildfire Risks on Department of the Interior Land through Active Management, intended to enhance the Department of the Interior's management of federal lands to: - Better protect people, communities, wildlife, habitat and watersheds by actively managing lands to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire; and - Promote the sustainable recovery of damaged lands. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has an opportunity to work with a partner organization to assist with WUI Community Fire Assistance reducing the risk and impact of catastrophic wildfires to local communities through coordination, reducing the amount of hazardous fuels, and furthering the education of landowners about wildfire prevention and mitigation. Program Strategic Goals: 1. Accomplish Hazardous Fuels Reduction Activities a) Wildland Fuels reduction using: 1. Mechanical 2. Prescribed Fire 3. Chemical 4. Biological 5. Other b) Structural and landscape modifications to create survivable space 2. Develop and implement fire education, training, and/or community action plans/programs that may include the following: a) Mitigation and Prevention activities b) Adopting planning and zoning ordinances to advance wildfire safety c) Public Education Programs which promote: 1. Combustible vegetation management 2. Structural ignition prevention 3. Survivable Space 3. Conduct Community Wildfire Protection Assessment and planning activities a) Conduct assessments to document the threat of wildfire b) Develop and maintain a Community Wildfire Protection Plan that identifies necessary actions to reduce the threat and impact of wildfire c) Identify monitoring and maintenance requirements for long- term community protection 4. Expand community capability to enhance local employment opportunities a) Recruit eligible participants b) Provide business development training c) Provide transportation, tools, supplies and equipment d) Provide employment opportunities for local supplies and services 5. Develop and Implement short and long term Monitoring and Maintenance Plans for: a) Hazardous Fuels Reduction b) Community Fire Education and Training c) Community Action Programs All proposed projects submitted under this funding opportunity must state a benefit to the public The following program legislation authority, BLM Manuals, etc. are applicable to this program: 1. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) ¿ BLM Handbook 1790-1 2. BLM Instructional Memorandum IM-2018-008 GNA is only eligible for state governments, counties, and Indian Tribes. GNA projects have special requirements and restrictions as outlined in this IM. GNA authorizes sole source partnerships with eligible entities and allows them to subcontract using their procedures.