The Forest Service (FS) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) are soliciting funding proposals for Fiscal Year 2025 under terms of the Joint Chiefs Land Reclamation Program (JCLRP). Proposals should improve the health and resilience of forest landscapes by coordinating eligible activities across land ownerships and enhance collaboration between FS and NRCS, as well as local partners.

Proposals should also demonstrate a cross-boundary effort, work at the appropriate scale, benefit local communities and have mutually defined priorities that lead to desired outcomes. Proposals must address at least one of the JCLRP objectives, which are to reduce the risk of wildfires, protect water quality and supply and improve wildlife habitat for at-risk species.

This is a program covered by USDA’s Justice40 Initiative, which set the goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy, water and wastewater infrastructure and other covered investments flow to disadvantaged communities marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.

NRCS delivers conservation solutions so agricultural producers can protect natural resources and feed a growing world. The agency provides leadership and funding to ensure that all programs and services are made accessible to all customers with emphasis on reaching historically underserved farmers and ranchers and Native American tribal governments and organizations. Collaboration with partners, stakeholders, and various communities is paramount to achieving equity in NRCS programs and services.

Requirements for submitting proposals are as follows:

• Proposals must be signed by the NRCS state conservationist and the FS forest supervisor, regional forester and state forester (from the respective state agency).
• Proposals must include, at a minimum, a combination of eligible activities on private and public land to support at least one JCLRP objective. Projects that include tribal lands can be funded by both NRCS and the FS.
• All National Environmental Policy Act requirements and documentation for planned work on public lands during the first year of the proposed project must be completed by Oct. 1, 2024.
• Proposals must be jointly prepared and submitted by NRCS and FS using specific solicitation instructions for appendices and tables. 

Proposals should be submitted to the shared Joint Chiefs’ mailbox at NRCS.FS.Joint.Chiefs@usda.gov by Sept. 13, 2024.