Olympic National Forest Title II project application deadline coming

Hint: It’s Jan. 31.

By The Forks Forum • January 16, 2020 11:45 am

The Forks Forum

Olympic National Forest is soliciting proposals for Title II projects to be initiated in fiscal year 2020. Funding will be provided through the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act which was reauthorized by Congress (spending bill P.L. 115-141) and signed into law by the president in March 2018. This act provides payments to counties as compensation for the loss of tax income associated with federal land within their boundaries.

Title II projects are designed to enhance forest ecosystems, restore and improve water quality and land health, or improve the maintenance of existing infrastructure. By law, projects must be located on National Forest System land or provide benefit to resources on National Forest lands. Past projects have included road and trail maintenance, watershed restoration, culvert replacement or removal, stream stabilization, vegetation management, control of invasive plants, and opportunities for youth training and employment.

The Olympic Peninsula Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will review the proposals and recommend projects for funding. The RAC represents a wide variety of citizen interests, and members are residents of each of the peninsula counties. The forest supervisor will review RAC recommendations to ensure projects meet the provisions of the law prior to final approval for project implementation. Olympic National Forest received a total of $313,594 (less 10% for administrative costs) in Title II funds available for project proposals in fiscal year 2018. The breakdown by county is as follows: Clallam $112,252; Grays Harbor $49,831; Jefferson $111,043; Mason $38,576; and Quinault Special Management Area $1,890.

Project submission and supplemental proposal forms are available on the Olympic National Forest’s website at tinyurl.com/ONF-TitleII. Hard copy submission forms are available at the supervisor’s office in Olympia and at district offices in Quilcene and Forks.

Please submit completed forms electronically to Susan Piper susan.piper@usda.gov. Hard copies can be mailed to Olympic National Forest, 1835 Black Lake Blvd. SW, Olympia, WA 98512, Attention: Susan Piper.

All applications must be submitted by Jan. 31. For additional information, please contact Susan Piper at 360-956-2435.