Projects awarded funding in the last three years have proposed to protect, restore, or enhance 39,000 acres of coastal wetlands.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Funds are available to coastal States for acquisition of interests in coastal lands or waters, and for restoration, enhancement or management of coastal wetlands ecosystems on a competitive basis.

Proposed projects must provide for long-term conservation of such lands or waters and the hydrology, water quality, and fish and wildlife dependent thereon.

Ineligible activities include: (1) projects that primarily benefit navigation, irrigation, flood control or mariculture; (2) acquisition, restoration, enhancement or management of lands to mitigate habitat losses; (3) creation of wetlands where wetlands did not previously exist; (4) enforcement of fish and wildlife laws and regulations, except when necesssary for the accomplishment of approved project purposes; (5) research; (6) planning as a primary project focus: (7) operations and maintenance; (8)acquisition and/or restoration of upper portions of watersheds where benefits to the coastal wetlands ecosystem are not significant and direct; and (9) projects providing less than 20 years of conservation benefits.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Eligible applicants include any agency or agencies designated by the Governor of a coastal State.

It is usually a State natural resource or fish and wildlife agency.

Eligible coastal States are States bordering the Great Lakes (Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin); States bordering the Atlantic, Gulf (except Louisiana), and Pacific coasts (Alabama, Alaska, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Washington); and American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

Beneficiary Eligibility

States, Commonwealths, or territories as designated in the applicant eligibility section.

Credentials/Documentation

None.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

The standard application forms furnished by the Federal agency and required by 43 CFR Part 12, Subpart C, "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments," must be used for this program.

Environmental assessment is required where actions will significantly affect the human environment.

This program is eligible for coverage under E.O.

12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office designated as the single point of contact in his or her State, Commonwealth, or territory for more information on the process the State, Commonwealth, or territory requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State, Commonwealth, or territory has selected a program for review.

Application Procedures

Participating States will submit an Application for Federal Assistance SF-424, a statement of assurances, and a narrative description of the project. Additional information on the application process can be found at http://www.fws.gov/coastal/CoastalGrants or http://www.grants.gov.

Award Procedures

The Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will select projects to be funded based on established criteria.

Deadlines

Deadline for State proposals is in June 30. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will provide details to eligible State, Commonwealth, or territory partner agencies prior to the deadline.

Authorization

Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act, Section 305, Title III, Public Law 101-646, 16 U.S.C. 3951-3956.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Approximately 150 days.

Appeals

Regional Directors will consider differences of opinion concerning the eligibility of proposals. Final determination rests with the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Renewals

None.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

The Federal share of project costs is not to exceed 50 percent; except that the Federal share may be increased to 75 percent if a coastal State, Commonwealth, or territory has established a trust fund for acquiring coastal wetlands, other natural areas, or open spaces.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Projects normally funded through annual proposals.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

A Performance Report and Financial Status Report are required for each grant award annually within 90 days after the anniversary date and/or end of the grant.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that receive financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-federal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. In addition, they are subject to Program specific audits contracted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Records

Cost records must be maintained separately for each project. Grantees must retain records, accounts, and supporting documents for three years after submission final request for reimbursement.

Financial Information

Account Identification

14-8151-0-7-303.

Obigations

(Grants) FY 07 $18,750,000; FY 08 est $20,575,000; and FY 09 est not available.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$75,000 to $1,000,000; $752,598.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

Final regulations were published in the Federal Register July 30, 2002.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

See Catalog Appendix IV for Regional U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Offices.

Headquarters Office

The program is co-managed by the Division of Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program and Fish and Wildlife Management and Habitat Restoration. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program, Mail Stop FA-4020, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203. Telephone: (703) 358-2156 or Division of Fish and Wildlife Management and Habitat Restoration Mail Stop MAHR-720 ARL, 4401 N Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203. Telephone: (703) 358-2236.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

The project proposal must be submitted by State, Commonwealth, and territorial agencies designated by the Governor as having responsibility for acquisition of interests in coastal lands or waters, and for the restoration, management, or enhancement of coastal wetlands ecosystems. Purpose of the project must be consistent with the purpose and conditions of the Act. The specific criteria for selection are included in the rule for administering the program.