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| 15.625 WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION |
| FEDERAL AGENCY |
| FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR |
| AUTHORIZATION |
| Department of Transportation and Related Agencies (i.e. Commerce, Justice, State) Appropriations Act of 2001, Public Law 106-553, Title IX, Sec. 901; 16 U.S.C. 669-669i. |
| OBJECTIVES |
| To provide financial to States, Commonwealths and territories under the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to plan and implement projects for benefit of a diverse array of wildlife and associated habitats, including species that are not hunted or fished; and to fulfill unmet needs of wildlife within the States, Commonwealths and territories, including wildlife education and recreation activities. |
| TYPES OF ASSISTANCE |
| Formula Grants. |
| USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS |
| Approved activities include those, which plan, enhance, and implement programs for wildlife and their habitats, including species that are not hunted or fished; States, Commonwealths and territories must pass laws for the conservation of wildlife, which include a prohibition against diversion of license fees paid by hunters for purposes other than the administration of the State, Commonwealth, and territorial fish and wildlife agencies. No funds must be used for projects that oppose legal hunting. Federal share may not exceed 75 percent of total funding. |
| Applicant Eligibility |
| Participation limited to State, Commonwealth, or territorial fish and wildlife agencies with lead management responsibility for fish and wildlife resources. States, Commonwealths, and territories must pass laws (assent legislation) for the conservation of wildlife, which include a prohibition against diversion of license fees paid by hunters for purposes other than the administration of the State, Commonwealth, or territorial fish and wildlife agency. In addition, the States, Commonwealths, and territories must have an approved comprehensive plan as described by the Appropriations Act. |
| Beneficiary Eligibility |
| General Public (While direct participation is limited to fish and wildlife agencies, the public will ultimately benefit form these wildlife conservation measures.) |
| Credentials/Documentation |
| Only the agency that has lead management responsibility for fish and wildlife resources with the State, Commonwealth, or territory 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 State, Commonwealth, or territory agencies' wildlife and associated habitats, with appropriate policy placed on those species of greatest conservation need. States, Commonwealths, or territories must notify the Secretary of the desire to participate annually. The State, Commonwealth, or territorial fish and wildlife agency Director must furnish a certification of the number of paid hunting-license holders. Allowable costs are determined in accordance with 43 CFR Part 12, Subpart C, "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments." |
| Preapplication Coordination |
| This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official 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 when applying for assistance, if the State, Commonwealth, or territory has selected a program for review. |
| Application Procedure |
| Grantee may document initial program by submission of a satisfactory Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan. 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 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. |
| Award Procedure |
| The Regional Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service or his designee approves or disapproves proposed projects. Regional offices are responsible for notification of grant approval to the grantee. |
| Deadlines |
| None. |
| 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. |
| Formula and Matching Requirements |
| This program is required by statue to provide funds using a specified formula. The authorizing Appropriation Act of states: (1) The Secretary of the Interior shall make the following apportionment from the Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Account: (A) to the District of Columbia and to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, each a sum equal to not more than one-half of 1 percent thereof; (B) to Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, each a sum equal to not more than one-fourth of 1 percent thereof; (2) (A) The Secretary of the Interior, after making the apportionment under paragraph (a), must apportion the remaining amount in the Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Account for each fiscal year among the States in the following manner: (i) 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 (ii) 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. (B) The amounts apportioned under this paragraph must be adjusted equitably so that no such State shall be apportioned a sum which is less than one percent of the amount available for apportionment under this paragraph for any fiscal year or more than 5 percent of such amount. The State, Commonwealth, or territory must have an approved Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan on file to receive grant funds. The Federal share of funded programs or projects may not exceed 75 percent. More discussion on Matching and Cost-sharing requirements can be found in 43 CFR 12.64 and 43 CFR 12.923. |
| Length and Time Phasing of Assistance |
| Not applicable. |
| 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 |
| For awards made under this Program, grantees and subgrantees are responsible for obtaining audits in accordance with the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996, 31 U.S.C. 7501 et seq. and OMB Circular No. A-133. 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 expend financial assistance of $300,000 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 $300,000 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. |
| Account Identification |
| 14-5029-0-2-303. |
| Obligations |
| (Conservation Grants) FY 07 $0; FY 08 est. not available; and FY 09 est. not available. |
| Range and Average of Financial Assistance |
| Based on statutory formula - $121,000 to $2,425,000; average $904,000. |
| PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
| Funding for this program was for one year only, FY 2002. This program closely parallels the State Wildlife Grant program under CFDA 15.634, which has nearly the same goals and objectives. For the purposes of accomplishments, the WCRP is combined with State Wildlife Grants. Together these two programs have appropriated to States, Commonwealths, and territories approximately $380 million for use in restoring and protecting species of greatest concern. |
| REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE |
| 50 CFR 80; Fish and Wildlife Service Manual; Federal Aid in Fish and Wildlife Restoration Annual Report (limited number available at no cost). |
| Regional or Local Office |
| See 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. |
| Web Site Address |
| http://wsfrprograms.fws.gov/ |
| RELATED PROGRAMS |
| 15.605, Sport Fish Restoration Program; 15.608, Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance; 15.611, Wildlife Restoration; 15.615, Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund; 15.617, Wildlife Conservation and Appreciation; and 15.618, Administrative Grants for Federal Aid in Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration. |
| EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS |
| New Jersey Grassland Habitat Project - The grant restored early successional habits on selected wildlife management areas in New Jersey. Within three years, approximately 715 acres of scrub-shrub, native warm-season grasslands, and savanna developed, largely on existing fallow agricultural lands. A variety of wildlife species benefited from this working, including one Federal candidate species (Argos skipper), at least 9 State-listed species (red-headed woodpecker, grasshopper, savanna, Henslow's and vesper sparrows; upland sandpiper, bobolink, frosted elfin, and loggerhead shrike), three specials of special concern (Eastern meadowlark, American kestrel, and yellow-breasted chat); and four important game species (bobwhite quail, cottontail rabbit, woodcock, and wild turkey). Oregon East Alton Baker Park Habitat Restoration - This grant restored degraded habitats (Willamette River Riparian Forest Upland Prairie) on 237 acres in East Alton Baker Park in Eugene, OR. It protected and enhanced wildlife habitat and provided accessible, high quality public educational opportunities. The habitat enhancement benefited a number of species of concern, including Spring Chinook Salmon, Western Meadowlark, Western Pond Turtles, Townsend big-eared bats, and many others. Reintroduction of Osprey into Suitable Sites along the Missouri River in South Dakota - This grant evaluated the first year of hatching of osprey chicks at suitable sites along the Missouri River. The work contributes toward increasing the numbers of nesting new pairs and distribution of nesting ospreys in South Dakota. The long-term goal is restoration of this species to the point that it can be removed from the State list of threatened species. |
| 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 agnecy 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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General Services Administration Office of Chief Acquisition Officer Regulatory and Federal Assistance Division (VIR) |
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