Office of
the Secretary
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Hugh Vickery
January 31, 2002 202-501-4633
Questions and Answers on the
Cooperative Conservation Initiative
Q. What is the Cooperative
Conservation Initiative?
A. The Cooperative Conservation
Initiative is a new initiative in the President’s 2003 budget request to
Congress to remove barriers to citizen participation in the stewardship of our
natural resources and to help them take conservation into their own hands by
undertaking projects at the local level. To fund this initiative, the President
is proposing $100 million in challenge grants by Department of Interior agencies to landowners, land-user groups,
environmental organizations, communities, local and state governments and
industries for conservation projects that advance the health of the land and
benefit people.
Q. How will the money be
distributed?
Half of the new money, or $50
million, will be distributed to states to fund cost-share grants for innovative
conservation projects. This will allow states to work within their communities
to come up with innovative solutions to our conservation challenges. The other
half will be used by the National Park Service, the Fish and Wildlife Service
and the Bureau of Land Management to fund cost-share grants.
Q. How would a citizen or
private organization obtain a grant?
A. Citizens could apply for a
grant either from their state government or from the National Park Service, the
Fish and Wildlife Service, or the Bureau of Land Management. The grants will be
awarded competitively.
Q. How much matching funding
would be required?
A. The citizen or organization applying
for the grant would be required to contribute at least 50 percent of the cost
of the project. In-kind contributions such as supplies and labor would count
towards the 50 percent.
Q. What kinds of projects
would be funded?
A. Projects would have to
restore or conserve natural resources such as wetlands, streams and other
habitat for the benefit of wildlife and people. Restoration of cultural
resources or recreation facilities are funded through other programs.
Q. Does the Interior
Department’s budget include an increase in funding for conservation programs?
A. Yes, spending on conservation
programs would increase in FY 2003 under the President’s budget request. As
part of its priorities, the administration is shifting funds to take care of
existing Interior Department lands and facilities and increasing cooperative
conservation efforts.