Los Padres National Forest – Zaca and Piru Fires Restoration Grant Program
Frequently Asked Questions
General Program Information
1. Does work need to be tied closely back to the fire, or will any projects that benefit the health
of the Los Padres National Forest (LPNF) be considered?
The funds through this program have been allocated specifically for restoration and recovery of the
lands and species impacted by the Zaca and Piru Fires. Projects should demonstrate a clear nexus
between the impacts and the benefits as they relate to the goals and objectives for the watersheds
affected by these fires.
2. Is the $1.5 million in year one for projects related to the Zaca fire only, or for both the Zaca
and Piru fires?
The $1.5 million is the total cumulative budget anticipated for the first year of funding. Projects in either
the Zaca or Piru Fire areas will be considered for funding in year one.
3. What is the source of the funding? Why is $11 million available?
The LPNF has determined that $11 million allocated to support this program. These funds are a portion
of settlement claims received by the Los Padres National Forest from the parties found responsible for
causing of the Zaca and Piru Fires.
4. Does the focus on three priority species exclude work that benefits other species?
Proposals should describe the activities to be conducted and the expected outcomes or benefits to any
identified priority species and other threatened, endangered, or species of special concern. This
program is applicable to work that benefits the health and ecological integrity of the environments and
species impacted by the Zaca and Piru fires, and is not exclusive to steelhead, California condor, or Bigcone Douglas fir.
5. Clarify how thematic priorities apply to the Manzana Creek watershed focal area vs. the rest
of the burn scar / forest.
The five major priorities described in the conservation strategy and RFP are applicable throughout the
areas affected by the Zaca and Piru fires. However, over the course of this program, we will identify focal
areas where concentrated efforts are desired to maximize impact and ecological outcomes. Projects that
can address one or more impacts within the focal areas will receive priority for funding. The Manzana
Creek watershed is the first focal area to be identified because of its potential for multiple conservation
outcomes.
6. Do applicants work with Forest Service personnel or must they operate separately?
Applicants will be required to coordinate with Forest Service personnel, particularly to ensure that
regulatory compliance with NEPA and other regulations are in order, or that field practices are allowable
and align with the goals and protocol of the conservation strategy. However it is expected that
applicants will be able to accomplish most tasks independently and will not require direct Forest Service
supervision or guidance throughout the project.
7. Must we list specific personnel who will do the work?
Any proposals NFWF receives should contain as much relevant information as appropriate and address
all applicable evaluation criteria as described in the RFP. Proposals should thoroughly describe the
activities being proposed, and the experience and qualifications of those involved such that the grant
award committee can clearly identify the merit of each proposal and ensure each project adheres to the
terms and conditions of eligibility. If you are unsure whether or not your proposal will meet the
requirements of this grant opportunity, please contact Jim Bond, Program Manager NFWF
(jim.bond@nfwf.org), for clarification.
8. Can applicants reapply for funding in future years even if they are still expending award
money from earlier years?
Yes, applicants who are awarded grant funds through this opportunity are eligible to apply for future
grant cycles.
9. What are the reporting requirements? How frequently must reports be delivered?
Annual programmatic reports are due one year from the project start date and final programmatic
reports are due 90 days after the project end date.
Financial reports are also due annually at a minimum; recipients undergo fiscal review prior to award
and the results of this review, in conjunction with the details of the project, may deem more frequent
reports if necessary. Reporting requirements will be described at the time of project award.
In addition, recipients are required to provide updates on project expenditures, including updates on
match raised and expended, with each payment request.
10. Can the power point presentation from the Open House be made available to applicants?
The power point presentation from the December 15, 2015 Open House will be made available in pdf
format on the Los Padres National Forest program webpage at www.nfwf.org/lpnf
Project Development
1. Are maps or information available on what past fire restoration has already occurred,
especially on fuel breaks in the immediate post-fire period?
Maps are currently not available that identify specific restoration actions and locations related to postfire restoration work. If this information becomes available prior to the application deadlines, it will be
posted on the Los Padres National Forest program webpage at www.nfwf.org/lpnf.
2. When proposing projects for the removal of invasive species (e.g. tamarisk), does it make
sense to take a subregional approach or to tackle across the entire watershed(s)?
The scope and scale of project activities should be commensurate with the budget of this funding
opportunity and the expertise and capacity of the individuals identified to do the work within the
proposal.
3. How far can non-FS personnel drive in to the focus area?
Non-FS personnel are subject to the rules and restrictions of the Los Padres National Forest. In the case
of the Manzana Creek watershed, designated Forest roads provide vehicle access to portions of this
watershed. Please refer to Los Padres National Forest maps to identify the appropriate roads and trails
that may be used to access the site(s) of your proposed project. Transportation on unauthorized user
trails and roads is strictly prohibited unless permitted by the Forest Service ahead of time.
4. Can you provide more information regarding the locations and types of work needed
throughout the program areas? For example, our organization has expertise to restore
worksites / trails to natural condition, but where is the need greatest?
Except as identified in the RFP and conservation strategy, specific details related to each of the project
priorities have been identified or compiled. As this program develops and more information is gathered,
specificity regarding the scope and location for certain projects may be called out in future RFPs, and
information will be made available to applicants to help them develop the strongest proposals.
Regardless of whether a specific task is identified in the application materials, all applicants are
encouraged to submit proposals for work that meets the goals and objectives of the RFP and
conservation strategy that fall within the watersheds of the Zaca and Piru watersheds.
5. Is there coordination between the LPNF and the US Forest Service’s Forest Health Protection
(FHP) program that works on private lands? Can projects span boundaries and utilize FHP
funds as well?
LPNF does participate with the FHP program. This funding opportunity is specific to the restoration of
the impacted watersheds of the Zaca and Piru fires. As a result, eligible projects may not necessarily be
confined to within the perimeter of the fire scar. If a project is proposed that spans boundaries and falls
outside of the Zaca or Piru fire burned areas or off of LPNF land, it may be eligible, but must
demonstrate a clear nexus to the impacts related to those fires and the completion of the project will
provide increased forest health, resiliency and meet the conservation objectives of the Los Padres
National Forest. A project may utilize funds from a source such as FHP, however federal funding sources
like FHP are NOT eligible for use as match.
Grant Budget, Match, and Indirect Costs
1. Please clarify what indirect costs are allowable and the ceiling for indirect costs.
Eligible indirect costs are described on the NFWF website via
http://www.nfwf.org/whatwedo/grants/applicants/Pages/indirect-policy.aspx
2. Why can’t federal funds be used as match? Can disallowed overhead be considered match?
What are examples of what can count toward the match requirement?
For more information on match requirements and eligibility please see the applicant information page
at the NFWF website http://www.nfwf.org/whatwedo/grants/applicants/Pages/faqs.aspx and the FAQ
at the Easygrants home page
http://easygrants.nfwf.org/NFWF/Implementation/Modules/Login/LoginModuleContent.aspx?Config=L
oginModuleConfig&Page=FAQPublicView&PageFrame=Print.
Regarding federal funds for match, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Uniform
Guidance at 200.306 provides, in part, that (matching funds) “are not paid by the Federal Government
under another Federal award, except where the Federal statute authorizing a program specifically
provides that Federal funds made available for such program can be applied to matching or cost sharing
requirements of other federal programs.”
3. Is the 50 percent match a firm requirement or a guideline?
The 50 percent match is expected but is not a firm requirement. We recognize that not all applicants
may have the resources to develop a 50 percent or greater match component. That said, the match
contribution is an element of the evaluation criteria, and those projects that provide 50% match or
greater will be much more competitive for award consideration than those that do not.
4. Does match have to be cash or is in-kind ok?
Match may be claimed through either direct cash contribution or the in-kind value of labor, equipment,
and materials.