The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is awarding the grants under two new programs initiated in 2003, the Tribal Landowner Incentive Program (TLIP) and Tribal Wildlife Grant Program (TWG). These programs are similar to cost-share programs recently developed by the department to assist states, local communities, private landowners and other partners undertake wildlife conservation projects.

Last year, for example, the Service provided $25.8 million in grants to states under the new Landowner Incentive Program to assist private landowners in conserving and restoring the habitat of endangered species and other at-risk plants and animals on their property.

"The number of grant requests coming from Indian Country was truly gratifying, far exceeding available funding,? said Fish and Wildlife Service Director Steve Williams. ?Still, for the first time, we are gaining a solid understanding of tribal wildlife management priorities and we hope this will make us better partners for tribes of all sizes that want to build capacity for wildlife management."

Tribal Landowner Incentive Program grants totaling $353,122 were awarded to the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians in Michigan ($110,881), the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa ($142,241) and White Earth Band of Chippewa ($100,000) in Minnesota. Tribal Wildlife grants totaling $910,404 were awarded to the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians (($129,261) and the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community ($197,128) in Michigan, the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe ($209,000) and Grand Portage Band of Chippewa Indians ($249,000) in Minnesota and to the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa ($126,025) in Wisconsin.

Of the $9 million, the Service is providing about $3 million to federally-recognized Indian tribes to help fund 25 projects under TLIP. Contributions from tribes and other partners raise the total value of these projects to $4.4 million. The grants were chosen through a competitive process to address protection, restoration and management of habitat to benefit at-risk species, including federally listed endangered or threatened species and proposed or candidate species. The maximum award under this program is $150,000 with a required minimum 25-percent match from non-federal funds.

Meanwhile, about $6 million will help fund 28 projects under TWG. Contributions from tribes and other partners increase the total value of these projects to $7.8 million. These grants are awarded to federally-recognized Indian tribes to benefit fish, wildlife and their habitat including non-game species. Although matching funds are not required for these grants, they are considered to be an indicator of a tribe's commitment. The maximum grant award under this program is $250,000.

Additional information about grants awarded today is available on the Internet at http://www.grants.fws.gov. In addition, the CFDA number for Tribal Landowner Incentive grants is 15.638 and 15.639 for Tribal Wildlife grants.