Description of Grant Program
To combat the threat posed by new invasive forest pests, Forest Protection Reserve funds were appropriated from the Outdoor Heritage Fund to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MN Laws 2009 Chapter 172, Article 1, Section 7). A portion (up to $1,000,000) of the total funds is available through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture as competitive, matching grants to local units of government and other entities seeking to respond to documented infestations of emerald ash borer on lands under their jurisdiction, ownership or management. The priority of the State is to prevent or slow the spread and subsequent impacts of emerald ash borer. Multi-organization collaboration is encouraged. A complimentary grants program called the "Forest Protection Reserve — Planning and Preparedness Grants Program" is simultaneously available to qualified applicants seeking to plan and prepare for the invasion of the emerald ash borer. A separate grant application form is required for each of the grant programs.
Project Requirements
Proposed projects must meet the following requirements:
- Restore, protect and enhance wetlands, prairies, forests and habitat for fish, game and wildlife (MN Constitution Article XI, Section 15).
- Protect Minnesota forests by identifying, preventing, and rapidly and effectively responding to the threat or presence of invasive forest pests (MN Laws 2009 Chapter 172, Article 1, Section 7).
- Provide benefit to public lands.
Eligibility Requirements for Applicants
Local units of government and other entities in Minnesota with documented infestations of emerald ash borer on lands under their jurisdiction, ownership or management are eligible to apply for these grants.
Level of Assistance
The maximum Incident Response Grant available is up to $1,000,000.
Funds will be administered on a reimbursement basis for qualified documented expenses, with a quarterly reimbursement frequency. The organization must do the work and pay expenses before they can be reimbursed from the state. Grant funding through this program is intended to supplement, not supplant, existing budgets.
Match Requirement
A 15% or greater non-state cash or in-kind match is required and must be identified at the time of application. In-kind contributions that qualify for use as a match include, but may not be limited to, labor, services, equipment, supplies, materials or in-kind donations directly related to attaining the goals of the project.
Timeline and Deadlines
- The request for proposals (RFP) will be made available on October 7, 2009.
- To be considered for funding, proposals must be received by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture not later than 2:30 p.m. Central Time, November 20, 2009 (i.e., the application deadline).
- Grantees will be selected by December 15, 2009.
- Contracts will be executed by January 15, 2010; after which grantees will be formally announced.
- Grantees will have until May 30, 2011, to spend the funds, complete the projects, and submit final receipts for reimbursement.
To Apply
To apply, a copy of the request for proposals (RFP) and grant application form must be requested from:
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