36 CFR § 230.4 - Application requirements.

(a) Documentation verifying that the applicant is an eligible entity and that the proposed acquisition is of eligible lands.

(b) Applications must include details of the property proposed for acquisition:

(1) A description of the property, including acreage and county location;

(2) A description of current land uses, including improvements and plans for utilization or demolition of existing structures;

(3) A description of forest type and vegetative cover;

(4) A map of sufficient scale to show the location of the property in relation to roads and other improvements as well as parks, refuges, or other protected lands in the vicinity;

(5) A description of applicable zoning and other land use regulations affecting the property;

(6) Relationship of the property within and its contributions to a landscape conservation initiative; and

(7) A description of any threats of conversion to nonforest uses.

(c) Information regarding the proposed establishment of a community forest, including:

(1) Objectives of the community forest;

(2) A description of the benefiting community, including demographics, and the associated benefits provided by the proposed land acquisition;

(3) A description of the community involvement to date in the planning of the community forest and of the community involvement anticipated in its long-term management;

(4) Description of the planned public access and the rationale for any proposed limitations such as protection of cultural (including tangible and intangible resources) or natural resources, or public health and safety concerns;

(5) An identification of persons and organizations that support the project and their specific role in acquiring the land and establishing and managing the community forest;

(6) If the project is within the designated boundary of a Federal management unit, a letter of support for the project from the Federal land manager; and

(7) A description of the resources that will be used to maintain and manage the property as a community forest in perpetuity.

(d) Information regarding the proposed land acquisition, including:

(1) A proposed project budget including a table and/or narrative detailing the source/type of non-Federal cost share and all allowable expenses associated with the project (§ 230.6);

(2) Requests for State Forester, or equivalent official of Indian Tribes, technical assistance in Community Forest Plan preparation should be listed separately in the budget, along with their estimated costs of providing assistance (§ 230.10);

(3) The status of due diligence, as documented by a signed option or purchase and sale agreement, title search, minerals determination, and appraisal;

(4) Description and status of cost share (secure, pending, commitment letter, etc.) (§ 230.6);

(5) The status of negotiations with participating landowner(s) including purchase options, contracts, and other terms and conditions of sale;

(6) The proposed timeline for completing the acquisition and establishing the community forest; and

(7) Long term management costs and funding source(s).

(e) Applications must comply with the Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations (7 CFR part 3015).