Lands and Investments, Office of

Forester, State

Chapter 2: Good Neighbor Authority Revolving Account

Effective Date: 08/24/2020 to Current

Rule Type: Current Rules & Regulations

Reference Number: 060.0001.2.08242020

Chapter 2

Good Neighbor Authority Revolving Account

Section 1. Authority. These rules are adopted pursuant to Wyoming Statute 36-1-503.

Section 2. Purpose. These rules are to govern the administration of the GNA Account to provide funds and authorizing additional employees for the administration and implementation of Good Neighbor Authority or other federally funded cooperative management projects.

Section 3. Definitions. As used in this chapter:

(a) 'Division' means the Wyoming State Forestry Division of the Office of State Lands and Investments.

(b) 'GNA' or 'Good Neighbor Authority' means an agreement between the Division and the Bureau of Land Management, the United States Forest Service, or other authorized Federal agencies, to allow the Division to perform authorized watershed restoration and forest management services on National Forest System, Bureau of Land Management, or other authorized Federal lands as specified in project level agreements.

(c) 'GNA Account' means the good neighbor authority revolving account created by W.S. 36-1-501 through -503.

(d) 'Project Income' means revenue generated by the sale of forest products from GNA projects, minus approved Division expenditures. Project Income may only be utilized as agreed on in specific project agreements, and in accordance with Federal guidelines.

Section 4. Agreements and Contracts. The State Forester may, on behalf of the Division:

(a) Enter into contracts or agreements with federal agencies for GNA projects or other federally-funded forest management projects.

(b) Partner with counties through contracts, subcontracts, or agreements to fund or implement GNA projects or other federally-funded forest management projects.

(c) Enter into contracts or agreements with other partners, such as public utilities, non-governmental organizations, or other entities to fund GNA projects or other federally-funded forest management projects.

(d) Contract for services to be performed on federal lands under GNA agreements.

Section 5. Funding.

(a) Funding for GNA agreements and projects may be received from:

(i) The United States Forest Service; (ii) The Bureau of Land Management; (iii) Other federal agencies; (iv) Counties, Cities, and towns; (v) Public utilities and utility companies; (vi) Non-governmental organizations; or (vii) Other partners.

(b) Project level funding will be identified in specific project agreements and financial plans.

(c) Project Income will be deposited into the GNA Account for use toward future projects as designated in specific project agreements.

Section 6. Expenditures.

(a) Expenditures from the account will be made as designated in specific project agreements, financial plans, and contracts. (b) Expenditures may be made prior to receipt of federal reimbursements when allowed in specific project agreements and contracts. (c) The State Forester shall approve in writing all expenditures.

Section 7. Employees.

(a) As provided in W.S. 36-1-503(b), the State Forester may hire no more than one (1) full-time employee and four (4) at-will employee contract positions to administer and implement GNA projects. (b) Employees hired under W.S. 36-1-503(b) must be funded by federal funds. Funding will be identified and designated in specific project agreements.