The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act offer the resources the Forest Service needs to tackle the wildfire and climate crises at scale. Together, BIL and IRA will provide $10.5 billion to the agency to address the wildfire crisis, restore ecosystems, address critical infrastructure needs and implement State, Private, and Tribal Forestry projects.

The Forest Service is taking this opportunity to achieve our mission in new ways, building on long-standing partnerships and creating large national-level agreements—or keystone agreements—for BIL and IRA implementation. These agreements will allow us to execute priority projects quickly and efficiently while we grow Forest Service institutional capacity. Importantly, these keystone agreements facilitate new local agreements or complement existing agreements at the region and unit levels, creating a suite of partnership arrangements that collectively give our national forests and grasslands a range of tools for program implementation.

Partnerships have always been fundamental and critical to our work, but what exactly is the value of partnerships? First, partnerships augment our capacity, supporting an all-hands approach to complex challenges that have no boundaries. Second, partnerships foster innovation; the challenges of today also benefit from an all-minds approach to finding and creating new solutions. Third, implementation through partnerships facilitates greater buy-in from communities and local collaboratives. They provide a more equitable distribution of benefits through increased engagement capacity and new local employment and contracting opportunities. Finally, investing in partnerships reflects our core values, showcasing our collective interdependence and affirming our commitment to diversity of people, perspectives and ideas.

We have long known that tackling the wildfire and climate crises and executing at scale with BIL and IRA funds requires new ways of doing business. While partnerships and national-level agreements are not new to the agency, the size and scope of these keystone agreements are unique. In many ways, these agreements represent a new approach for us and for our partners, and the agency will ensure that our staff and partners have the support needed to implement the work laid out in these agreements.

To support effective implementation, the Office of Grants and Agreements streamlined the process for requesting match reductions or waivers. Soon, the office will roll out system enhancements that will allow the use of more than one assistance listing per agreement. In addition, upcoming guidance and training for new keystone structures will also be provided. In turn, this will allow the agency to develop new approaches for implementing large partnerships utilizing our existing authorities. Keystone agreements, including agreements already executed and agreements under development, for BIL and IRA implementation include:

• National Forest Foundation: Master stewardship agreement to aid in executing the wildfire crisis strategy
• Mule Deer Foundation: Master stewardship agreement for habitat improvement and restoration while supporting the wildfire crisis strategy
• National Wild Turkey Federation: Master stewardship agreement for habitat improvement and restoration while supporting the wildfire crisis strategy
• National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: Participating agreement to support ecosystem restoration through the America the Beautiful Challenge
• The Nature Conservancy: Existing participating agreement for various activities; new agreement for prescribed fire cooperative burning
• Trout Unlimited: Participating agreement to support watershed restoration and resiliency
• Student Conservation Association: Wildfire academy and prescribed fire workforce development program

The full list of keystone agreements is still in process. We anticipate developing additional agreements, including with tribes and/or tribal organizations, as we execute the agency’s Tribal Action Plan and continue to move toward co-stewardship. We will also engage underserved communities through these agreements. The Forest Service remains steadfastly committed to equity as our way of doing business and is exploring how keystone agreements can best support the vision laid out in the Equity Action Plan, including by working with partners to prioritize activities that support equity.

For more information about keystone agreements and how to access them, Forest Service employees can visit this internal BIL/IRA coordination site or contact Joe Smith in the National Partnership Office.

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