36 CFR 230.5: Ranking criteria and proposal selection.

The Forest Service will evaluate all applications received by the State Foresters or equivalent officials of the Indian Tribes and award grants based on the following criteria:

(a) Type and extent of community benefits provided (§ 230.2);

(b) Extent and nature of community engagement in the establishment and long-term management of the community forest;

(c) Extent to which the community forest contributes to a landscape conservation initiative;

(d) Likelihood that, unprotected, the property would be converted to nonforest uses;

(e) Amount of cost share leveraged;

(f) Extent of due diligence completed on the project, including cost share committed and status of appraisal;

(g) Costs to the Federal Government; and

(h) Additional considerations as may be outlined in the RFA.