The Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP) is a competitive grants program authorized under sect.

1240R of the Food Security Act of 1985, as amended (16 U.S.C.

3839bb-5), and is only available for State and tribal governments.

Up to $50 million is available

credit: Fish and Wildlife Service

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through fiscal year (FY) 201 2. For FY 2010, up to $1 6. 667 million is available.

This Request for Applications (RFA) provides the objectives for projects, the eligibility criteria for projects and applicants, and the application forms and associated instructions needed to apply for a VPA-HIP competitive grant.The primary objective of the VPA-HIP is to encourage owners and operators of privately-held farm, ranch, and forest land to voluntarily make that land available for access by the public for wildlife-dependent recreation, including hunting or fishing, under programs implemented by State or tribal governments.

Grantees that are States will have the grant amount reduced by 25 percent if opening dates for migratory bird hunting in the State are not consistent for residents and non-residents.

This paragraph does not apply to grantees that are tribal governments.The regulations at 7 CFR part 1455 govern the VPA-HIP.