2013 Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative (REPI) Challenge Accelerating and Expanding Base Buffering Outcomes Request for PRE-PROPOSALS

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Asher Felix Ford
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2013 Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative (REPI) Challenge Accelerating and Expanding Base Buffering Outcomes Request for PRE-PROPOSALS Goal: The Department of Defense s (DoD) Readiness

development in the vicinity of these bases or that relieve current or anticipated environmental restrictions on military testing, training, or operations.

1 2013 Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative (REPI) Challenge Accelerating and Expanding Base Buffering Outcomes Request for PRE-PROPOSALS Goal: The Department of Defense s (DoD) Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative (REPI) may provide up to $5 million in FY13 funding for land transactions at select military installations (listed in the RFP Appendix) that limit incompatible development in the vicinity of these bases or that relieve current or anticipated environmental restrictions on military testing, training, or operations. The purpose of 2013 REPI Challenge is to encourage projects that conserve land at a greater scale than has been the case to date and that tests promising ways to finance land protection that will help the REPI program meet its ambitious goals with limited funding. Background: REPI helps fund partnerships between the military Services (Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force) and private conservation groups, state and local governments to address the need for compatible land use and conserved natural landscapes in support of military readiness. REPI has a long and successful history of partnerships around the country ( However, the challenges of conserving the large acreages necessary to adequately buffer military installations threatened by near-term incompatible development remain daunting. For this reason, the REPI staff now seeks Pre-proposals that will help accelerate land conservation efforts through innovative partnerships and financing. In particular, the REPI program seeks to harness the creativity of the private sector to access and leverage unconventional sources of funding, attract additional philanthropic sources, and take advantage of market-based approaches to secure the most land at the least cost REPI Outcomes: The 2012 REPI Challenge resulted in the following outcome: The Land Trust received $4.5 million in REPI funds to purchase 5,508 acres in Ft. Stewart s Priority Area 1, where potential changes in current land use would have the most significant negative effect on training operations. This single transaction protected 24% of Stewart s Priority 1 Area, 74% of which has now been protected from development and other incompatible uses. This tract is located between two rapidly-growing communities, and the potential for development here represented a significant threat to Ft. Stewart s military operations. Protecting this parcel also removes potential constraints to prescribed burning on Ft. Stewart, which plays an important role in maintaining habitat for Red-cockaded Woodpeckers and other Longleaf Pine community species. The Rayonier Company will retain near-term timber rights to the property, which will be managed in a way that meets or exceeds Sustainable 1

2 Forestry Initiative standards. The $4.5 million REPI award was matched by $5.5 million in cash contributions and bargain sale value from the property owner. This was the 6 th largest of more than 500 land transactions completed since the REPI program s inception. Factors that made this project particularly competitive include: A significant acreage of Ft. Stewart s Priority 1 land was protected in a single, costeffective transaction; REPI funds triggered greater than a 1:1 match from partners; A corporate landowner was involved in the transaction; their retention of near-term timber-harvesting rights reduced land acquisition costs; The land remains a working forest, protecting local jobs and community cultural values. Other favorable outcomes from the 2012 REPI Challenge include: Significant interest from Governors and state governments in providing funding as match for REPI funds; Participation by private landowners willing to consider innovative approaches to selling and conserving their land, while also retaining some economic rights Award Criteria: DoD will consider committing up to $5 million in FY13 REPI funds through 10 USC 2684a agreements for projects at locations listed in the Appendix that: Conserve large parcels of land in a manner that benefits the mission of installations named in the Appendix by protecting, sustaining, or enhancing range and installation missions, and facilitating their continuing capabilities for military test, training and operations; Conserve important natural resources in a manner that will enhance mission operations. Importance may be measured in terms of ecosystem function, regulatory status, and relationship to military mission activities; Priority will be given to projects in areas already targeted by installations. Lands closer to military operations are generally preferred. Lands further from military operations will be considered on the merits of the effect, including, but not limited to, scale and evidence that regulators (such as U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for Endangered Species issues) indicate that the proposed action will lead to regulatory certainty; Attract at least a 1:1 match, with preference given to higher ratios, to include other federal, state, local, or private funds, in-kind contributions, bargain sales, below Fair Market Value sales, etc.; Illustrate the multiple values of working lands, e.g., to create and/or retain rural jobs, protect important habitat, etc.; 2

3 Geography: Process: Attract multiple and diverse partners who bring financial support and an increased constituency for REPI; and Model promising strategies to finance conservation, including market-based incentives and partnerships with private investors and landowners that could extend to other states. Funding is limited to the installations listed in the Appendix. The 2013 REPI Challenge differs from the 2012 Challenge in that the first step in the 2013 application process is to complete a Pre-proposal ( The purpose of the Pre-proposal is to allow the 2013 REPI Challenge review team the opportunity to evaluate viable project concepts at a larger number of military installations and to provide feedback to applicants earlier in the application process. Applicants submitting the most promising projects presented as Pre-proposals will be invited to complete Full Proposals. An essential part of the Pre-proposal process is for the applicant to contact the appropriate military Service contact for the installation associated with your proposed project (see contact list in the Appendix). These contacts can provide installation-specific information regarding priority lands, incompatible development concerns, and natural resource management needs. Pre-proposals that present projects not vetted with the appropriate military Service contact will not be considered. The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities will administer the 2013 REPI Challenge application process. Timing: October 15, 2012 Pre-proposal Deadline. Pre-proposals may be submitted through the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities electronic application process at any time, but no later than 8 P.M. EST on Monday, October 15 ( December 3, 2012 All Pre-proposal applicants will be notified regarding the status of their Pre-proposal no later than Monday, December 3. April 19, 2013 Full Proposals are due by 8 P.M. EST on Friday, April 19. May 31, 2013 DoD intends to obligate funds by Friday, May 31, Ideally, the selected project would close within six months after funds are obligated to the successful applicant. Eligibility: Pre-proposals may be submitted by eligible entities as described in the 10 U.S.C. 2684a authorization: private conservation groups and state, and local governments. 3

4 Note: eligible entities that are not currently REPI Program Partners (link) should be aware that if you are selected to submit a Full Proposal, you must begin negotiations with the appropriate military Service to become a REPI Program Partner while your Full Proposal is being reviewed. This will include negotiating a cooperative agreement or similar arrangement and the process will begin once you are selected to submit a Full Proposal. You will begin this negotiation without knowing the outcome of your 2013 REPI Challenge application. The 2013 REPI Challenge is designed to encourage conservation at greater scale, and ideally, the use of new and diverse sources of funding. Innovative partnerships that bring new ways of thinking to the REPI process are strongly encouraged; state and local governments, corporations, private investors, and conservation groups are welcome to participate in this process. Fund uses: Funds will be consistent with existing partnership agreements and support the purchase of conservation or other restrictive easements or fee interests in land. Additional Information: Informational webinars will be held on the following dates: September 11, 1-3pm EDT September 18, 2-4pm EDT These webinars will be recorded and made available for viewing at your convenience. Funding: Contacts: The intention of this pilot program is to make a single award of up to $5 million. Funding is contingent upon the availability of appropriations. If an appropriate project is not forthcoming, potential funding will be redirected to other priorities. Installation-specific questions on priority lands, incompatible use threats, and natural resource conservation needs should be directed to the appropriate military Service contact listed in the Appendix. General questions on the 2013 REPI Challenge and the application process should be directed to: Nancy Natoli, Office of the Secretary of Defense; nancy.natoli@osd.mil; or Peter Stangel, U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities; peter@usendowment.org; Questions on the application process should be directed to Peter Stangel. 4

5 2013 REPI Challenge RFP Appendix Air Force Beale AFB Vandenberg AFB Avon Park BR Cape Canaveral AFS Eglin AFB Robins AFB Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Dare County Range Tinker AFB Joint Base Langley-Eustis Army Fort Wainwright Fort Huachuca Camp Roberts Camp San Luis Obispo Fort Carson Camp Blanding Fort Benning Fort Gordon Fort Stewart USAG-HI Fort Riley Fort Campbell Fort Polk Aberdeen Proving Ground Camp Ripley Camp Shelby Fort Drum Fort Bragg Fort Sill Fort Indiantown Gap MAJIC Fort Hood Fort A.P. Hill Fort Pickett Joint Base Lewis-McChord Eligible 2013 REPI Challenge Locations PRE-PROPOSALS New Jersey North Carolina Oklahoma Alaska Arizona Colorado Hawaii Kansas Kentucky / Tennessee Louisiana Minnesota Mississippi New York North Carolina Oklahoma Pennsylvania South Carolina Texas Washington Point of Contact: Scott Spencer scott.spencer@pentagon.af.mil Point of Contact: John Housein John.housein@us.army.mil

6 Navy NB Coronado ATWTC NB Ventura County NAF El Centro NAS Lemoore R2508-NAWS China Lake NAS Jacksonville OLF Whitehouse NAS Whiting Field PMRF Kauai Hawaii JRB New Orleans Louisiana Point of Contact: Atlantic Test Range Tony Danesi NAS Patuxent River NSF Indianhead NAS Fallon Nevada NSA Norfolk NW Annex NAS Oceana NSF Dahlgren NWS Yorktown Boardman Range Washington NB Kitsap Washington OLF Coupeville and Whidbey Island Washington Marine Corps MCAGCC 29 Palms Point of Contact: MCB Camp Pendleton Amy Koch MCAS Miramar

th Annual Report to Congress

2018 12th Annual Report to Congress Submitted on behalf of the Secretary of Defense by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment DoD Use of 10 USC 2684a Partnerships and the Readiness