ContactsJoshua Winchell
703 358-2279
Joshua_winchell@fws.gov
H. Dale Hall, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announced today that twenty-five conservation projects benefiting fish and wildlife on more than 13,543 acres of coastal habitat in twelve States will be funded with $20.1 million from 2009 National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program.
The grants will be used to acquire, restore or enhance coastal wetlands and adjacent uplands to provide long-term conservation benefits to fish, wildlife and their habitat. States receiving funds include Alaska, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Maine, New Jersey, Oregon, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. These federal grants will be matched by nearly $27 million in partner contributions from state and local governments, private landowners and conservation groups.
"Coastal wetlands provide valuable habitat for many fish and wildlife species, help keep our oceans cleaner, and serve as buffers to protect coastal communities from storms and flooding" Hall said. "These grants are a part of the Service's larger Coastal Program, which uses a voluntary approach to habitat conservation. By providing financial and technical assistance to our partners, the Coastal Program enlists their help in conserving coastal areas threatened by development and predicted sea-level rise resulting from climate change."
One of the projects supported by the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program this year is an effort by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to acquire the 1,209-acre Murff Tract located along the Altamaha River adjacent to the Altamaha Rayonier Natural Area. This tract is considered the largest, most ecologically intact, and most important unprotected area in the lower Altamaha River watershed. The Nature Conservancy has designated the lower Altamaha River watershed as one of the "Last Great Places" because of the diverse natural communities and rare plants and animals that occur there.
The National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and funded under provisions of the 1990 Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act, drawing from Sport Fish Restoration Act revenue -- money generated from an excise tax on fishing equipment and motorboat and small engine fuels.
Including the 2009 grants, the Service has awarded more than $220 million to coastal states and territories since the program began in 1992. When the 2009 projects are complete, nearly 258,000 acres of habitat will have been protected, restored or enhanced.
Projects funded by the 2009 grant program include:
Alaska
Conservation Grant |
Acreage |
Grant Amount |
Nushagak Bay Watershed Conservation |
3,205 |
$1,000,000 |
Campbell Creek Estuary Phase I |
26 |
$1,000,000 |
California
Conservation Grant |
Acreage |
Grant Amount |
South San Diego Bay Coastal Wetland Restoration and Enhancement |
160 |
$1,000,000 |
Lower Redwood Creek Wetland Restoration |
28 |
$1,000,000 |
Connecticut
Conservation Grant |
Acreage |
Grant Amount |
Addition to East River Marsh and Wildlife Management Area |
48 |
$261,250 |
Florida
Conservation Grant |
Acreage |
Grant Amount |
Restoration of Dragline Ditched Coastal Wetlands in Valusa County ? Phase I |
600 |
$520,000 |
Georgia
Conservation Grant |
Acreage |
Grant Amount |
Murff Tract Acquisition Project ? Phase I |
1,209 |
$1,000,000 |
Maine
Conservation Grant |
Acreage |
Grant Amount |
Grain Point Wetlands Conservation |
204.4 |
$375,000 |
Mason Bay Wetlands Conservation |
496.5 |
$521,000 |
Upper Maquoit Bay Coastal Wetlands |
72 |
$600,000 |
Kennebec Estuary Robinhood Cove Project |
157.5 |
$610,185 |
New Jersey
Conservation Grant |
Acreage |
Grant Amount |
Durham Farm Property |
790 |
$1,000,000 |
Oregon
Conservation Grant |
Acreage |
Grant Amount |
North Nehalem Bay Wetlands Conservation |
16 |
$629,665 |
Bott?s Marsh Nehalem Estuarine Wetlands Acquisition |
36.76 |
$950,000 |
Texas
Conservation Grant |
Acreage |
Grant Amount |
Swan Lake Ranch Conservation Easement |
3500 |
$740,425 |
Virginia
Conservation Grant |
Acreage |
Grant Amount |
Acquisition of Crows Nest Phase II |
1,100 |
$855,465 |
Washington
Conservation Grant |
Acreage |
Grant Amount |
Dutcher Cove ? Sewell Property Acquisition |
25.5 |
$500,000 |
Lower Eld Inlet Acquisition ? Phase II |
55 |
$650,000 |
Lynch Cove Acquisition |
236 |
$1,000,000 |
Hoquiam Surge Plain Acquisition Project ? Phase I |
714 |
$1,000,000 |
Lily Point Acquisition ? Phase II, Pt. Roberts, WA |
146 |
$1,000,000 |
Twin Rivers Estuary Acquisition |
125 |
$1,000,000 |
Harstene Island ? Scott Property Acquisition |
39.3 |
$1,000,000 |
Kiket Island, Deception Pass State Park Expansion |
50.5 |
$1,000,000 |
Wisconsin
Conservation Grant |
Acreage |
Grant Amount |
Baileys Harbor State Natural Areas Coastal Wetlands Land Acquisition |
448 |
$925,000 |
For more information, contact the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203, or Division of Federal Assistance, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203, or visit the program's home page.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.
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