Assist USDA Forest Service program managers, 

grants & agreement (G&A) specialists, and external 

partners in quickly determining which authority might 

be the most useful mechanism to support the planning, 

implementation, and monitoring of a given ecological 

restoration activity or set of activities. 

United States Department of Agriculture

Forest Service FS -1144 February 2020

1. Forest Service program staff should always refer 

to their respective unit’s G&A specialist early and 

often when negotiating an agreement. This matrix 

is intended as a high-level, summarized tool 

meant to help Forest Service program staff and 

partners view which authorities are available for 

ecological restoration. 

2. This document is intended to be a quick reference 

guide. There are several exceptions and 

limitations involved with all of the authorities cited.

3. This matrix does not include all the instruments/

tools available to implement restoration. 

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Stated Goals of Authority

• Participating

[1]Development of publications of cooperative 

environmental education and forest history materials. 

Roads/Trails (Create, Maintain, or Decommission)

• Stewardship

[2]The construction of temporary roads for the purpose 

of completing a documented and approved restoration 

activity is allowed.

• Participating

[3]If the creation, maintenance, or decommissioning of 

a road directly affects a fish and wildlife habitat, then the 

use of Wyden to work on the road is allowable.

• Good Neighbor

[4]The construction of temporary roads for the purpose 

of completing a documented and approved restoration 

activity is allowed. 

Max Time Horizon

• Stewardship

[5]Twenty-year agreements may be applicable in 

specified fire designated areas. 

Forest Service Handbooks

• Participating, Challenge Cost Share

Forest Service Handbook 1509.11, Chapter 70

• Good Neighbor, Stewardship 

Forest Service Handbook 1509.11, Chapter 80

Glossary and Terms

CF&D: Cooperative Funds and Deposits Act of 1975

NFS: National Forest System

P.L.: Public Law

GRANTS & AGREEMENTS

ECOLOGICAL 

RESTORATION Purpose of 

This Matrix

Key 

Messages

Front cover photo: Deschutes National Forest in Oregon. Photo by USDA 

Forest Service.

Gate photo: Flathead National Forest in Montana. Photo by USDA Forest 

Service.

*Stewardship will be moved to FSH1509.11, ch 80 shortly

**Pending publication

The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
*Additional Notes on the back cover

Agreement Type Stewardship Participating Challenge Cost Share Good Neighbor

Authorized by Agricultural Act of 2014

Public Law (P.L.) 113-79

Cooperative Funds and Deposits Act of 1975 (CF&D) – 

P.L. 94-148

and/or

Wyden Amendment (Wyden) – P.L. 109-54

Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 1992

P.L. 102-154

Agricultural Act of 2014

P.L. 113-79

Stated goals of authority Allows the Forest Service to enter into agreements 

with qualifying non-Federal parties to meet restoration 

objectives that are of mutual interest and mutual benefit 

to both parties.

Allows the Forest Service to enter into cost share 

agreements with qualifying non-Federal parties that meet 

mutual interest and mutual benefit with the following 

activities under CF&D:

1. Cooperative pollution abatement

2. Cooperative manpower and job training

3. Development of publications[1]*

4. Forestry protection

Wyden allows Forest Service to enter into agreements 

to protect, restore, or enhance fish and wildlife habitats, 

and other natural resources.

Allows the Forest Service to enter into cost share 

agreements with qualifying non-Federal parties that meet 

mutual interest and mutual benefit.

Allows Forest Service to enter into agreements with 

willing State agencies, counties and Tribes to perform 

authorized forest, rangeland, and watershed restoration 

services on National Forest System (NFS) lands.

Cost-sharing requirement Yes, 20% or more of total project value excluding goods 

for services calculations.

Yes, 20% or more of total project value. Yes, 20% or more of total project value. Match is not a requirement but is encouraged.

Appropriate for ecological restoration activities

Project planning and surveys no no yes yes

Field preparation yes no yes yes

Monitoring no no yes yes

Mechanical (thinning, mastication, removal) yes yes – CF&D yes yes

Prescribed fire yes yes – CF&D yes yes

Pesticide/chemical treatments yes yes – CF&D yes yes

Revegetation yes yes – CF&D yes yes

Road/trails (create, maintain, decommission) yes[2]* yes – Wyden[3]* yes yes[4]*

Other watershed improvement activities yes yes – CF&D yes yes

Other fish and wildlife/habitat improvement activities yes yes – Wyden and CF&D yes yes

Max time horizon Up to 10 Years (with limitations)[5]* 5 years 5 years 10 years

Authorized sale of forest/commerical products to fund 

restoration services?

Yes, the Forest Service may apply the value of timber as 

an offset against cost of services performed.

no no yes

Payment types Actual costs incurred by partner through exchange of 

timber value for cost of services or by reimbursement.

Actual costs incurred by partner can be paid in advance 

or reimbursed.

Actual costs incurred by partner, reimbursable only. Actual costs incurred can be paid in advance or 

reimbursed. Revenue from sale of Forest Service timber 

by the State must be used for authorized restoration 

work on NFS land.

Where (NFS, State and Private Forestry, or both)? On NFS lands

Off NFS lands – Wyden

On NFS Lands – CF&D

Off NFS Lands – Wyden

On NFS lands On NFS lands

Off NFS lands – Wyden (no revenue)

Who can implement (States, nonprofit, for profit, Tribes, 

or other)?

Any non-Federal entity Any non-Federal entity Any non-Federal entity Affected State agencies, Puerto Rico, counties and 

Tribes.