State Wildlife Grants
Related Programs
- Sport Fish Restoration Program
- Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance
- Wildlife Restoration
- Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund
- Landowner Incentive Program
Examples of Funded Projects
Colorado - Working Cooperatively to Conserve Western Great Plains Species and Ecosystems: The State Wildlife Grant program is supporting two ongoing multi-state efforts, involving twelve Western states, to develop and implement conservation plans to maintain and enhance sagebrush, shrub-steppe, and prairie ecosystems across the Western Great Plains.
New Mexico - Partnership between State and Turner Endangered Species Fund Benefits Chiricahua leopard frog.
State Wildlife Grant funds and the Turner Endangered Species Funds were used to return the Federally threatened Chiricahua leopard frogs to the mountains, valleys, and river drainages where it historically lived within Mexico.
Other funded projects in New Mexico and Arizona focus on finding the cause of declining Chiricahua leopard frog populations and restoring the frog in its native range.
The Department of the Interior protects and provides access to the Nation's natural and cultural heritage, including responsibilities to Indian tribes and island communities. Departmental goals include resource protection and usage, overseeing recreational opportunities, serving communities and excellence in management.
Relevant Nonprofit Program Categories
Program Accomplishments
Since the program's 2002 inception, the Fish and Wildlife Service appropriated to States, Commonwealths, and territories approximately $380 million for use in restoring and protecting species of greatest concern. In FY 2008, the Fish and Wildlife Service apportioned $61.5 million. In FY 2009, the Fish and Wildlife Service will continue to appropriate funds to States, Commonwealths, and territories for use in restoring and protecting species of greatest concern. Specific 2007 accomplishments funded by the State Wildlife Grant program include: 212,561 acres of habitat improvement or restoration to protect species of greatest concern; 3,300 animals were stocked across the Unites States to restore populations; 4,830 acres of land were acquired in fee simple; 17,241 acres of land were acquired through easements or lease land; and 5,276 private landowners received technical assistance.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Approved activities include those, which develop and implement programs for the benefit of wildlife and their habitat, including species that are not hunted or fished.
Competitive State Wildlife Grants - It is designed to encourage multi-state projects, partnering with public and private individuals and entities, large scale projects, climate change wildife-related issues, and "emerging issues" in context with the State Comprehensive Wildife Plans.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Participation is limited to State, Commonwealth, or territorial agencies with lead management responsibility for fish and wildlife resources.
Beneficiary Eligibility
General Public (While direct participation is limited to fish and wildlife agencies, the public will ultimately benefit from these wildlife conservation measures.)
Credentials/Documentation
Only that agency that has lead management responsibility for fish and wildlife resources within the State may apply for these grants. The State, Commonwealth, or territory must have an approved Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan on file to receive grant funds. The Plan must consider the broad range of the State, Commonwealth, or territory, agencies' wildlife and associated habitats, with appropriate priority placed on those species of the greatest conservation need.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
None.
This program is not covered under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
Grantees will submit a grant proposal that includes a narrative statement describing the need, objectives, benefits, approach, and estimated cost for the proposed grant along with the standard application forms furnished by the Federal agency and required by the 43 CFR Part 12, Subpart C, "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments" and the Fish and Wildlife Service Manual. For further instructions and forms go to http://wsfrprograms.fws.gov/subpages/toolkitfiles/toolkit.pdf or www.grants.gov. Grant proposals must clearly indicate how the proposed objectives address the conservation needs identified within the State's, Commonwealth's, or territory's Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan.
Award Procedures
The Regional Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service or his or her designee approves or disapproves proposed projects. Regional offices are responsible for notification of grant approval to the grantee.
Deadlines
Non-competitive State Wildlife Grants - None; and Competitive State Wildlife Grants - Anticipate deadline late FY 08.
Authorization
Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2006, Public Law 109-54; Title I.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Approximately 30 days.
Appeals
Regional Directors will consider differences of opinion concerning the eligibility of proposals. Final determination rests with the Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service.
Renewals
Grantees may renew projects on an annual basis if justified and if funds are available.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
The Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill for FY 05, Public Law 108-447, Title I requires that: (1) The Secretary of the Interior shall, after deducting administrative expenses and $6,000,000 for Tribal grants, apportion the remaining amount in the following manner: (A) to the District of Columbia and to Puerto Rico, each a sum equal to not more than one-half of 1 percent thereof: and (B) to Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, each a sum equal to not more than one-fourth of one percent thereof. (2) The Secretary must apportion the remaining amount in the following manner: (A) one-third of which is based on the ratio to which the land area of such State bears to the total land area of all such States; and (B) two-thirds of which is based on the ratio to which the population of such State bears to the total population of all such States. The amounts apportioned under this paragraph must be adjusted equitably so that no State shall be apportioned a sum which is less than 1 percent of the amount available for apportionment under this paragraph for any fiscal year or more than 5 percent of such amount: The Federal share of project costs is not to exceed 75 percent for planning or competitive grants, nor 50 percent for an implementation grant. More discussion is in the matching and cost sharing requirements found in 43 CFR 12.64 and 43 CFR 12.923.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Apportioned funds are available for obligation by the State, Commonwealth, or territory for a period of two years. Reimbursements can be requested on a continuing basis as expenditures are verified. Balances remaining unobligated after the period of availability or unspent after the final grant closeout must return to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for reapportionment.
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 Nonprofit 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. Nonfederal 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.
Records
Cost records must be maintained separately for each grant. Records, accounts, and supporting documents must be retained for three years after submission of the final Financial Status Report.
Financial Information
Account Identification
14-5474-0-1-303.
Obigations
(Non-competitive Grants) FY 07 $60,754,843; FY 08 est $61,522,997; and FY 09 est $69,492,000. (Competitive Grants) FY 07 $0; FY 08 est $5,000,000; and FY 09 est $5,000,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$155,000 to $3,104,000; $1,109,000.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill for FY 04, Public Law 108-108 language on State Wildlife Grants, and 43 CFR Part 12.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
See Catalog Appendix IV for addresses of Regional Fish and Wildlife Service Offices.
Headquarters Office
Fish and Wildlife Service, Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs - Policy and Programs, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, FA-4020, Arlington, VA 22203. Contact: Policy and Programs, Telephone: (703) 358-2156.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
The State, Commonwealth, or territorial agency having lead responsibility for the management of the State's, Commonwealth's, or territorial's wildlife resources must submit the projects. The State, Commonwealth, or territorial agency selects those projects submitted for funding under the program. If approved, projects must meet the basic criteria outlined in the regulations and the Fish and Wildlife Service Manual.
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