Giant sequoia collaborative restoration grants

(a) In general The Secretary, in consultation with the parties to the agreement under section 3, shall establish a program or expand an existing program to award grants to eligible entities to advance, facilitate, or improve giant sequoia health and resiliency. (b) Eligible entity The Secretary may award grants under this section to any nonprofit organization, Tribal Government, local government, academic institution, or private organization to help advance, facilitate, or improve giant sequoia health and resiliency. (c) Priority In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that— (1) primarily, are likely to have the greatest impact on giant sequoia health and resiliency; and (2) secondarily— (A) are small businesses or Tribal entities, particularly in rural areas; and (B) create or support jobs, particularly in rural areas. (d) Use of grant funds Funds from grants awarded under this section shall be used to— (1) create, expand, or develop markets for hazardous fuels removed under section 6, including markets for biomass and biochar; (2) facilitate hazardous fuel removal under section 6, including by reducing the cost of transporting hazardous fuels removed as part of a Protection Project; (3) expand, enhance, develop, or create facilities or land that can store or process hazardous fuels removed under section 6; (4) establish, develop, expand, enhance, or improve nursery capacity or infrastructure necessary to facilitate the Strategy established under section 7; or (5) support Tribal management and conservation of giant sequoias, including funding for Tribal historic preservation officers.