Section 11528 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) (Pub. L. 117-58, November 15, 2021), established the Pollinator-Friendly Practices on Roadsides and Highway Rights-of-Way Program (RPP), codified at 23 U.S.C. 332. This is the second NOFO under this program. FHWA will award funding to State departments of transportation (State DOT), Indian Tribes, and Federal Land Management Agencies (FLMA) who are seeking to benefit pollinators on roadsides and highway rights-of-way on routes eligible for Federal aid. To be eligible for the program, an applicant must submit its existing pollinator-friendly...

Eligible applicants for the RPP competitive grants are (1) State DOTs; (2) Indian Tribes; and (3) FLMAs (23 U.S.C. 332(b)). To apply for this funding opportunity, applicants must attach to their application or provide a link to an existing plan that describes the pollinator-friendly practices the eligible entity has implemented or plans to implement. Please see 23 U.S.C. 332 (d), or review this list of practices. State DOT or FLMA applicants must provide evidence or otherwise affirmatively state within the application that during the development of their pollinator-friendly practices plan, the State DOT or FLMA coordinated with applicable State agencies, including State agencies with jurisdiction over agriculture and fish and wildlife (23 U.S.C. 332 (d)(2)). Furthermore, State DOT or FLMA applicants must provide evidence or otherwise affirmatively state within the application that the State DOT or FLMA consulted with affected or interested Indian Tribes on their pollinator-friendly practices plan (23 U.S.C. 332 (d)(3)). For the purposes of this program, consultation can consist of varied approaches, such as email, phone calls, letters, or in-person conversations with affected or interested Indian Tribes regarding the development of the applicant’s pollinator-friendly practices plan. Note on Indian Tribes: For the purpose of this program and as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304), Indian Tribe means any Indian Tribe, band, Nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (85 Stat. 688) (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians (49 U.S.C. 6703(a)(2)).

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