COMPETITIVE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR COOPERATIVE FOREST INNOVATION PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS.

SEC. 8008. COMPETITIVE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR COOPERATIVE FOREST INNOVATION PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS. The Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 is amended by inserting after section 13A, as added by section 8006, the following new section:“SEC. 13B. COMPETITIVE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR COOPERATIVE FOREST INNOVATION PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS.“(a) Cooperative Forest Innovation Partnership Projects.—The Secretary may competitively allocate not more than 5 percent of the funds made available under this Act to support innovative national, regional, or local education, outreach, or technology transfer projects that the Secretary determines would substantially increase the ability of the Department of Agriculture to address the national priorities specified in section 2(c).122 STAT. 2048“(b) Eligibility.—Notwithstanding the eligibility limitations contained in this Act, any State or local government, Indian tribe, land-grant college or university, or private entity shall be eligible to compete for funds to be competitively allocated under subsection (a).“(c) Cost-Share Requirement.—In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall not cover more than 50 percent of the total cost of a project under such subsection. In calculating the total cost of a project and contributions made with regard to the project, the Secretary shall include in-kind contributions.” .