Introduction
The Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) is an important partnership tool available to the USDA Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) with the intent to increase the pace and scale of forest, rangeland, and watershed restoration across jurisdictional boundaries.
Permanently enacted in the 2014 Farm Bill and amended in the 2018 Omnibus Appropriations and the 2018 Farm Bill, GNA enables States, Counties, and Indian Tribes to act as an agent of the federal agencies to complete authorized restoration services on federal and non-federal lands.
This webpage provides a repository of informational and educational resources about GNA for western state forestry agencies, federal agencies, and partners.
GNA Spotlight - May 2024, Montana
Authored by Gary Ellingson
The Westside Bypass Wildfire Resiliency Project covers approximately 4,866 acres of National Forest System lands and is located two miles northwest of Seeley Lake, MT. This entire project area falls within the wildland-urban interface of the Seeley-Swan Fire Plan, a component of the Missoula County Wildfire Protection Plan. Within the project area, there are about 678 acres of private lands, which includes a portion of the Seeley Lake Game Reserve, undeveloped parcels, as well as primary and secondary residences.
The project’s purpose was to reduce wildfire hazards and improve the landscape’s long-term health and resilience. Project planning was completed in collaboration with local partners, including the Southwestern Crown Collaborative (SWCC), the Clearwater Resource Council (CRC), and the Montana Department of Natural Resources (DNRC).
The Seeley Lake Ranger District and the Montana DNRC worked closely on a GNA Agreement, which enabled the agencies to integrate staff and expertise to accomplish fuels reduction on a portion of the project area through a 1,552-acre commercial timber sale prepared and administered by the DNRC. Commercial harvesting improved forest structure by opening the canopy and promoting fire-resistant tree species, such as western larch and ponderosa pine, and has created a mosaic forest with diverse age classes.
As of February 2024, the commercial harvest activity is complete across all 1,552 acres of harvest units with subsequent post-harvest activities, including temporary road deconstruction and various forest management practices, continuing through 2025. This strategic initiative underscores the commitment to proactive forest management, ensuring the long-term health and resilience of the landscape.
For more information, contact Gary Ellingson.
GNA Information and Resources
CWSF/WFLC Resources
- Council of Western State Foresters (CWSF) GNA Committee
- Western State Forestry Agencies Good Neighbor Authority Activities and Accomplishments - CWSF staff and the GNA Committee partnered to develop a western synthesis of GNA activities and accomplishments across 13 state forestry agencies from the time each state began implementing GNA through the end of state fiscal year 2023.
- GNA Frequently Asked Questions
- Developing GNA Agreements
- GNA Learning Series - Collection of recordings from the virtual GNA Learning Series, hosted by the Western Forestry Leadership Coalition (WFLC) in Fall 2020.
- GNA Spotlight - View past project spotlights from western states and regions:
- 2024: January (CO), March (SD)
- 2023: March (CO), August (OR), October (NM), November (ID)
- 2022: January (Region 2), March (MT), May (NM), July (AZ), September (WA), December (ND)
- 2021: February (WY), May (NE), August (Region 5), October (AK)
Authorizing Language and Relevant Legislation
- GNA Authorizing Language (16 U.S.C. 2113a)
- Agricultural Act of 2014 - permanent GNA authorizing language
- Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018 - roads reconstruction, repair, and restoration language
- Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 - counties & tribes language
- Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 - BLM road reconstruction
- Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act - $200 million in GNA funding for USDA Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management
USDA Forest Service/BLM Implementation Tools and Resources
- New! USDA Announces Nearly $66M for Conservation Work with States, Tribes, Private Landowners as Part of Investing in America Agenda
- USDA Forest Service invests $20M to restore forests, reduce wildfire risk, and create jobs in 18 states
- USDA Forest Service Chief's August 2022 Letter Clarifying Partnership Agreements with Multiple Fund Types
- Good Neighbor Agreement Templates for State Cooperators
- Bureau of Land Management Update and Reissuance of the Good Neighbor Authority Policy Guidance
- USDA Forest Service Chapter 80 Handbook - GNA Guidance - Effective Date: January 4, 2022 (entire section linked here)
- USDA Forest Service Good Neighbor Authority
- USDA Forest Service Region 5 Good Neighbor and Stewardship Agreements
- USDA Forest Service Region 6 Guidance on Procedures Regarding Good Neighbor Authority Projects with Forest Product Removal
- USDA Forest Service Grants & Agreements Ecological Restoration Brochure
- USDA Forest Service Grants & Agreements Decision Tree
State Agency Resources
- Idaho
- Montana
- Oregon - January 2022 Report, December 2022 Update, January 2024 Update
- Washington - Fall 2021 Update, Winter 2022 Update
- Wyoming - GNA One Pager, Financial Plan Step-by-Step, Financial Plan Guide for Field Staff, Supplemental Project Agreement (SPA) Guide for Field Staff
Additional Resources
- National Association of State Foresters - GNA webpage
- National Forest Foundation - A Toolbox of Resources
- Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition - Use of Good Neighbor Authority Across the West (August 2021); Understanding Good Neighbor Authority: Case Studies from Across the West (September 2018)
- Western Governors' Association - Good Neighbor Authority and Disaster Recovery and Restoration - WGA Working Lands Roundtable Session
Contact Information and Submitting a Resource
To learn more about CWSF/WFLC GNA involvement, please contact Kelsey Delaney.
If you wish to submit a suggested resource for inclusion on this page, please complete our Google Form.