Migratory Bird Monitoring, Assessment and Conservation

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Program Accomplishments

USFWS Regional Migratory Bird offices have provided monetary assistance to recipients for migratory bird conservation projects since the late 1980s. These projects have addressed the general activities outlined under the Uses section above. The number of projects funded and dollars provided varies annually, depending upon annual appropriations and other program priorities.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Grants and payments may be used for the conservation of any bird species protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Special emphasis will be placed on bird species listed in USFWS conservation and management priorities documents (e.g.

USFWS Birds of Conservation Concern 2002, Focal Species list).

Implementing national, regional, flyway Bird Conservation Region, and state-level bird conservation plans (e.g., Partners in Flight North American Landbird Conservation (http://www.partnersinflight.org), U. S. Shorebird Conservation Plan (http://shorebirdplan.fws.gov) North American Waterbird Conservation Plan (http://birdhabitat.fws.gov/NAWMP/nawmphp.htm) are among the Service's highest priorities.

Projects related to the priorities identified in these plans will receive the greatest funding consideration.

Projects should address one or more of the following activities: a)Population surveys and monitoring to determine the status, trends, and distribution of bird species and groups of concern.

Emphasis will be placed on landscape-level applications of standardized inventory and monitoring protocols (e.g., Breeding Bird Atlases, national marshbird call playblack surveys).

Local-scale monitoring (e.g., local land management units) activities will generally not be a focus of this program; b) Applied research, including but not limited to, studies of habitat requirements, limiting factors, and population responses to habitat conservation activities; development of new monitoring techniques and programs for poorly-surveyed species; and use of Geographic Information Systems, bird habitat modeling, and similar tools to identify bird habitat focus areas and further bird conservation planning efforts; c) Compilation of technical information, such as status reviews fo bird species of concern, development of habitat management and restoration guidelines, and other outreach and education tools.

Habitat management projects are generally not covered under this program.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Federal; Interstate; Intrastate; State; Local; including Tribal Government; Public Nonprofit Institution/Organization; Other Public Institution/Organization; Federally Recognized Tribal Government; U.S.

Territory or Possession; Institutions of Higher Education including Public Private, State College, University, Junior, and Community College; Indvididual/Family; Specialized Group; Small Business; Profit Organization; Private Nonprofit Institution/Organization; Quasi-Public Nonprofit Institution/Organization; Other Private Institution/Organization; or Native American Organization.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Federal; Interstate; Intrastate; State; Local; including Tribal Government; Public Nonprofit Institution/Organization; Other Public Institution/Organization; Federally Recognized Tribal Government; U.S. Territory or Possession; Institutions of Higher Education including Public Private, State College, University, Junior, and Community College; Indvididual/Family; Specialized Group; Small Business; Profit Organization; Private Nonprofit Institution/Organization; Quasi-Public Nonprofit Institution/Organization; Other Private Institution/Organization; Anyone/General Public; Native American Organization; Education Professional; Student/Trainee; Graduate Student; Scientist/Researcher; Builder/Contractor/Developer; Farmer/Rancher/Agriculture Producer; or Land/Property Owner.

Credentials/Documentation

None.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.

12372.

Application Procedures

Projects and informal or formal proposals may be requested by the Regional or National Migratory Bird Program office direclty from appropriate eligible applicants. These funding opportunities will be posted at www.grants.gov and will clearly outline the required forms or supplements(e.g. SF-424, full budget, etc.). Unsolicited project proposals from eligible applicants may also be submitted for consideration to Regional or National offices. Projects may also be mutually developed by the Regional or National office and appropriate eligible applicants. All projects contain mutually agreed upon deliverables and funding.

Award Procedures

The Migratory Bird Program Chief reviews and approves conservation projects based on proposals meeting the objectives. Once a proposal is accepted and mutually agreed upon deliverables and funding are approved, a formal agreement is written. Upon signing both parties, work can begin.

Deadlines

Deadlines vary according to the funding opportunity announcements.

Authorization

Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 742a-754; Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1958, 16 U.S.C. 661-667(e); Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C. 2901-2911; Migratory Bird Treaty Act, 16 U.S.C. 709a.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Decisions on funding a proposal are usually made no later than 180 days after receipt of the proposal. However, funding opportunities may present themselves at a later opportunity at which time projects may be reconsidered.

Appeals

None.

Renewals

An award may be modified at the discretion of the issuing Regional or National office.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

None.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

The period of performance of awards will vary based on the funding opportunity and appropriations.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

All projects and activities are monitored for progress and compliance with agreed upon scope of work.

Written progress reports are generally required.

Financial reports using form SF-269 and final performance reports on the project are required.

Details for project reporting are contained in the final project agreements.

All project reports may be evaluated and reviewed by project supervisor and his or her apointees, including but not limited to outside sources such as other appropriate federal staff at national and regional levels, state and local government employees, and other individuals with project area expertise, to insure quality and fulfillment of obligation.

Audits

Applicants agree to give the sponsoring agency, the Comptroller General or other authorized audit agency access to and the right to examine records related to the award. Awards to educational institutions and nonprofit organizations are subject to the audit requirements of OMB Circular No. A-110, or superceding regulations if required by the agency. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, an Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance $500,000 (for fiscal years ending after Dec. 1, 2003) or more a year in Federal awards will have a single or program specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 (for fiscal years ending after Dec. 1, 2003) a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular A-133.

Records

Recipients will maintain records in accordance with the provisions of 43 CFR Part 12 C, "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grans and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Goverments" and 43 CFR Part 12, Subpart F, "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements With Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Nonprofit Organizations."

Financial Information

Account Identification

14-1611-0-1-303.

Obigations

FY 07 $2,278,500; FY 08 est $2,205,000; and FY 09 est $1,908,600.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$500 to $1,000,000.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

Additional information about the Federal financial assistance regulations and relevant OMB circulars is located on http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/index.html. Guidelines and literature on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service programs is located at htt://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Additional information is available from Regional and National Migratory Bird Offices as listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.

Headquarters Office

None.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Projects will be reviewed to determine how well they address the migratory bird program priorities outlined above, including relevance to bird conservation plan priorities, conservation and management priority species, and the bird conservation activities listed above. Projects will also be evaluated for their biological and statistical soundness, feasibility, geographic scope of applicability, and cost effectiveness. Projects may also be evaluated and reviewed by outside sources including but not limited to other appropriate federal staff at national and regional levels, state and local government employees, and other individuals with project area expertise before selection is approved to insure cost effectiveness, biological and statistical methodology, and feasibility. Projects involving matching funds, in-kind services, materials, and equipment from other agencies and organizations may be given greater consideration for funding than similar projects without matching resources.