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U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program Update March 2002 Table of Contents Assistant Director Comments 1 Staff Directory, Federal Aid, Washington Office 2 Federal Aid Program Overview 3 Focus on Specific Programs and Activities 6 State Audits 6 Boating Infrastructure Grant Program Tier-Two Grants 6 Federal Aid Information Management System 7 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife Associated Recreation 7 Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000 8 Multistate Conservation Grant Program 8 National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program 10 Clean Vessel Act Pumpout Grant Program 10 Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Program 11 State Wildlife Grants and the Landowner Incentive Program 12 Federal Aid National Training Program 12 Appendices 13 FWS photo: Tupper Ansel Blake 1 March 2002 Assistant Director’s Comments The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Federal Aid Program is changing. While the Division of Federal Aid continues to execute its day-to-day management responsibility for more than $500 million in Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program grants, it has expanded its efforts in three specific areas: development of newly assigned grant programs, improving State audit measures, and expanding the capabilities of the Federal Aid Information Management System (FAIMS). In Fiscal Year 2002, the Division is implementing two new grant programs—the $80 million State Wildlife Grants Program and the $40 million Landowner Incentive Program. These new Programs complement the $50 million Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Program (WCRP), authorized and appropriated by Congress in Fiscal Year 2001. In the case of the State Wildlife Grants Program, Federal funds will be provided to State agencies for conservation of the full array of wildlife in the State. The Landowner Incentive Program will deliver conservation through State agencies and by landowners to benefit endangered, threatened, and species at risk. As it did with WCRP, the Service is coordinating closely with State wildlife agencies and the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (IAFWA), to establish efficient procedures for their implementation. The transfer of authority for conducting State audits from the Defense Contracting Audit Agency to the Department of Interior Office of Inspector General (OIG) was a time consuming but ultimately successful activity for the Division during the reporting period. To improve the next cycle of audits, the Division mounted an effort to collect information from the Service’s seven regional offices, the States, and from completed audits. Based on information developed by a team of State representatives, the Division published in the Federal Register six new draft chapters destined to become the Service Manual chapters on audit policy and procedure. These efforts will improve the process as we begin the second audit cycle working cooperatively with the OIG. FAIMS is the electronic backbone of the Division’s grants management financial tracking and reporting activities. The future refinement and development of FAIMS is being guided by seven User Acceptance Teams, including one team of representatives from State agencies. The Division is nearing the point where it will be able to provide its grant recipients direct access to FAIMS data and reports through the Internet. Improvements in FAIMS are in keeping with the Department of the Interior’s e-Government initiative. As I pledged last year, improvements are being made in the delivery of services to you, our customer. As we look forward to the next few years, we see many challenges, but challenges bring opportunities and Federal Aid is ready. March 2002 2 Federal Aid Staff Directory Washington Office Tim Hess, Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Program, Sport Fish Restoration Program, Landowner Incentive Program, State Wildlife Grants, Regions 3 & 5 Chris McKay (Internal Partner with RBFF) Multistate Conservation Grant Program Brian Bohnsack, Wildlife Restoration Program, Coastal Wetlands, Clean Vessel Program, Regions 1 & 2 Branch of Audits and Cash Management Lanny Moore, Branch Chief, Audits, Cash Management Ord Bargerstock, Systems Accountant, Regions 4 & 5, Audit Resolution Pat McHugh, Systems Accountant, Regions 3, 6, & 7, Audit Program Oversight Kate Gilliam, Systems Accountant, Regions 1 & 2, Lessons Learned, Future Audit Plans Branch of Surveys Sylvia Cabrera, Branch Chief, National Survey of Fishing Hunting and Wildlife Associated Recreation Richard Aiken, Economist, National Survey Genevieve Pullis, Economist, National Survey Branch of Training Steve Leggans, Branch Chief Blake Weirich, Assistant Training Coordinator Julie Schroyer, Administrative Analyst Kris E. LaMontagne, Division Chief Larry Bandolin, Deputy Division Chief, Operations Cheri Morgan, Lead Secretary Jimmye Kane, Secretary Branch of Budget and Administration Tom Jeffrey, Branch Chief, Budget Development and Execution, Program Management, Special Projects Mary Jones, Administrative Officer Linda Muhammad, Program Support Assistant (Property, Purchasing, Acquisition, FFS, and FAIMS entry and tracking) Branch of Information Management Bill Conlin, Branch Chief, Information Resources and ADP Management, ADP Support, (FAIMS) Jeffrey Graves, Server Support, Web Site Support David Washington, ADP Systems Support, ADP Acquisition Support Lorinda Bennett, Fiscal Management, Audit Liaison Branch of Grants Operations and Policy Gary Reinitz, Branch Chief, National Issue Management, Boating Infrastructure Grant Program, Regions 4 & 7 Jack Hicks, Regulation, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Manual, Hunter/Aquatic Education, Section 6 Grants, Region 6 FWS photo: Tupper Ansel Blake 3 March 2002 Federal Aid Program Overview The goal of the Federal Aid Program is to strengthen the ability of State and Territorial fish and wildlife agencies to meet effectively the consumptive and non-consumptive needs of the public for fish and wildlife resources. The Federal Aid Program is responsible for administering the following programs: Wildlife Restoration Sport Fish Restoration Clean Vessel Pumpout Boating Infrastructure Grant National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Multistate Conservation Grant State Wildlife Grants Landowner Incentive Program In addition, Federal Aid provides grant management support for endangered species traditional section 6, Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) Land Acquisition, HCP Planning, and Recovery Land Acquisition Grant Programs. The Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act was approved by Congress on September 2, 1937, and began functioning on July 1, 1938. The purpose of this Act is to provide funding for the selection, restoration, rehabilitation, and improvement of wildlife habitat, wildlife management and research, and the distribution of information produced by the projects. Congress amended the Act October 23, 1970, to include funding for hunter training programs and the development, operation, and maintenance of public target ranges. Funds are derived from an 11 percent Federal excise tax on sporting arms, ammunition, and archery equipment, and a 10 percent tax on handguns. Additional funds are also collected from a 12.4 percent tax on archery equipment. These funds are apportioned each year to the States and Territories (except Washington, D.C.) by the Department of the Interior on the basis of formulas set forth in the Act. The Wildlife and Sport Fish Programs Improvement Act of 2000 added Puerto Rico as eligible to receive hunter education funds. The Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act, commonly referred to as the Dingell-Johnson Act, was passed on August 9, 1950. It was modeled after the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act to create a parallel program for fish management, conservation, and restoration. The Program is funded by a 10 percent Federal excise tax on fishing rods, reels, creels, lures, flies, and artificial baits, and a 3 percent tax on electronic fishing motors and sonar fish finders. These funds are also apportioned each year to the States and Territories by the Department of the Interior on the basis of a formula set forth in the Act. March 2002 4 The Clean Vessel Act was passed in 1992 to help reduce pollution from vessel sewage discharges. The Act established a Federal grant program to the States to be administered by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and funded at $10 million annually by the Sport Fish Restoration Account of the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund. Federal funds can reimburse up to 75 percent of all approved project costs with the remaining funds provided by the States or marinas. Grants are available to the States on a competitive basis for the construction and/or renovation, operation, and maintenance of pumpout and portable toilet dump stations. After States submit grant proposals to the Service for review, the Service’s Division of Federal Aid then convenes a panel including representatives from the Division’s Washington Office (WO), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Coast Guard to rank proposals. Awards are made shortly afterward. The Act was reauthorized by the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA21) through Fiscal Year 2003. The Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program provides $32 million over four years (2000–2003) for grants to the States and Territories, local governments, and private marinas. The purpose of the grants is to encourage States, in cooperation with local and private interests, to install, renovate, and maintain tie-up facilities for non-trailerable recreational boats. The Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council and Service panel annually recommends grants for funding to the Service. The Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act is funded by 18 percent of the Sport Fish Restoration Account or 100 percent of the excise tax on small engine fuel (whichever is greater). The Program provides 15 percent of the funds (not to exceed $15 million) for the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program. The Service provides Coastal Wetlands Grants to States and Territories for coastal wetlands acquisition, restoration, and enhancement. Congress reauthorized the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act in November 2000 through Fiscal Year 2009. WCRP was authorized by Congress in 2000 and implemented in Fiscal Year 2001. State and Territorial fish and wildlife agencies are encouraged to participate with the Federal Government, other State agencies, wildlife conservation organizations, and outdoor recreation and conservation interests through cooperative planning and implementation of WCRP. Wildlife conservation, wildlife conservation education, and wildlife-associated recreation activities are all eligible for funding. Public input and participation is actively sought by the States in conducting this Program. The Program was funded with $50 million for Fiscal Year 2001 with the funds being apportioned to the States and Territories by formula. The Multistate Conservation Grant Program was authorized under the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000. It can award up to $6 million annually, half of the funds coming from each of the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Programs. These grants must benefit half of the States, the majority of States in a Service Region, or a regional association of State fish and game departments. In Fiscal Years 2001 and 2002, the full amount was issued in grants. Section 6 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 established a grant program available to any State agency or agencies, or other government entities, with authority to conserve resident species of fish and wildlife or plants deemed threatened or endangered. Prerequisites for participation in grants under section 6 are that a State establishes and maintains an adequate and active program for the conservation of endangered and threatened species and has entered into a cooperative agreement with the Secretary of the Interior. The State must also meet the requirements for an adequate and active program described in 50 CFR 81 and the Service Manual, chapter 521 FW 4. 5 March 2002 For Fiscal Year 2002, the traditional section 6 grant program was funded at $7.52 million. These funds are distributed among the Regions based on the number of “counted” species found within the States in the Region. A Regional competition is then conducted among the States within that Region. Additional section 6 programs were funded as follows for Fiscal Year 2002: HCP Land Acquisition, $61.3 million; HCP Planning, $6.65 million; Recovery Land Acquisition, $17.759; and $3 million for administration. Funds are awarded for these programs on a competitive basis. Two section 6 grant programs funded in Fiscal Year 2001, Safe Harbor and Candidate Conservation Planning, were not funded in Fiscal Year 2002. For traditional section 6 grants, the Federal share is 75 percent, but can go up to 90 percent when two or more States cooperate on an eligible grant. The State Wildlife Grants and Landowner Incentive Programs were initiated through the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002. This Act included $85 million for a State Wildlife Grants Program and $40 million for a Landowner Incentive Program. Only State agencies and Tribes are eligible. The State Wildlife Grants Program is formula-based and is intended to fund a wide range of projects to benefit wildlife species with the greatest conservation need. The Tribal portion of the State Wildlife Grants Program will be competitively awarded. The Landowner Incentive Program awards grants to States and Federally recognized Tribes on a competitive basis with the funds going to support technical and financial assistance to landowners for the protection and management of habitat to benefit Federally listed, proposed, or candidate species or other at-risk species on private lands. Federal Aid will administer the States’ directed portions of these new programs and is currently working with the States and the IAFWA to develop implementation guidelines. The Service’s External Affairs Program will implement the Tribal portion of these programs with Federal Aid providing fiscal administration. The above programs are designed to help conserve, develop, and enhance the Nation’s fish and wildlife resources, and to protect their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. Federal Aid Program Overview FWS photo March 2002 6 Focus on Specific Programs and Activities State Audits The Federal Aid Program audit chapters were published in the Federal Register for comment in December 2001. The chapters establish policy and responsibilities for grantee audits, define terms associated with audits, and provide an overview of the audit process. In addition, they establish policies and procedures for audit scoping and planning, conducting and reporting, resolution, and appeals. The establishment of these policies and procedures will enhance the ongoing and future audit process. Chapter 1 provides terms associated with the audit and an overview of the audit process. Chapter 2 identifies the programmatic and financial elements to be audited. Chapter 3 provides procedures for conducting and reporting on audits of Federal Aid Program grantees. Chapter 4 establishes policy and procedures for resolving findings and implementing recommendations. Included in this chapter are the time lines of the audit resolution process. Chapter 5 establishes policy and procedures for appealing audit findings or corrective actions. Chapter 6 establishes Service policy for resolving findings and implementing recommendations from audits of Federal Aid Program grantees under the Single Audit Act. We believe guidance provided in the audit chapters will enhance the ability to complete audits in a timely manner. Boating Infrastructure Grant Program Tier-Two Grants On January 7, 2002, the Service announced a total of $4,395,115 for nine grants to eight States to help improve docking facilities for transient, non-trailerable boats along the navigable waterways of the United States. The grants are the second round of awards made under the Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program authorized by the Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act of 1998 and funded in part by excise taxes on motorboat fuel. BIG Program funds are distributed each year over a four-year period ending in 2003. To ensure that each State gets a share, funding is provided on a two-tiered basis. For tier-one grants, all States are eligible to receive up to $100,000 per grant cycle as long as their proposals meet the Program’s guidelines. Tier-two projects are designed for larger, more expensive projects and are awarded on a competitive basis. The nine tier-two grants awarded for Fiscal Year 2002 were selected from 58 proposals submitted from across the country. The Director decided to fund the nine projects based upon recommendations received from a panel of Service Regional staff as well as those submitted by the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council. The Council recommends projects to the Service based on a review of proposals by a Council-appointed subcommittee. 7 March 2002 The Service has awarded the following BIG Program grants for Fiscal Year 2002: Florida Tampa Convention Center, Tampa Bay—for new transient docking facilities ($250,000) Louisiana Bucktown Harbor Marina, Lake Pontchartrain—for new transient docking facilities ($407,000) Cypress Cove Marina, Mississippi River—for new transient docking facilities ($200,000) Mississippi Coleman State Park, Tennessee River—for repairing harbor dike and adding safety features for transient boaters ($224,000) Ohio Middle Bass Island State Park—to install 60 transient slips, completing work initiated with BIG Program funds in 2001 ($861,383) Oregon Port of Astoria, Columbia River— construct and renovate transient docking facilities ($354,750) South Carolina Charleston City Dock, Ashley River—for new transient docking facilities ($1,198,000) Virginia Yorktown Harbor, York River, Chesapeake Bay—for new transient docking facilities ($600,000) Washington Hanford Reach Gateway Dock, Columbia River—for new transient docking facilities ($299,982) Federal Aid Information Management System FAIMS is critical to the reconciliation of grant fiscal information between HHS, Federal Aid, and the Division of Finance. The checks and balances built into FAIMS ensure the integrity of our fiscal data, which was recently confirmed by the KPMG audit of the Service. In Fiscal Year 2002 Federal Aid Program emphasis for FAIMS will be placed on: n Improving the timeliness and quality of grant objectives and accomplishment information in FAIMS. FAIMS is being used more frequently to provide not only an accounting of fiscal information, but also objectives and resource benefits accomplished. There will be an increase in audit emphasis on the full range of grant management procedures. Our efforts this year will be to close the loop on the performance reporting aspect. n Web-enabling the annual license certification process and interfacing it to the apportionment process. The FAIMS Team is developing a Web site that States will be able to access and use to submit their license certifications to the Service. This will be tested this year and finalized in Fiscal Year 2003. We formed a FAIMS State User Acceptance Team consisting of State representatives from across the country who will help us define system requirements and test and finalize the application. The Department selected the e-Certification project as one of its e-Government initiatives and they are monitoring its success. n Developing capability to provide Web access to FAIMS information, such as fiscal reports, grant status, grant objectives, and accomplishment information. The FAIMS team is developing the capability to make various FAIMS reports and information available through any computer on the Internet. National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife Associated Recreation 2001 Survey Progress The 2001 survey is the 10th sponsored by the Service since 1955. The Service sponsors it every five years at the request of State fish and wildlife agencies. It is one of the Nation’s most important sources of information on wildlife recreation. The survey is funded by a Multistate Conservation Grant. In March 1999, the IAFWA recommended that the Service sponsor a survey in 200l. It recommended a survey comparable to the 1991 and 1996 surveys to maintain trend information; increased sample sizes to recapture some State-level data lost when we reduced samples to cut costs in 1996; and the Census Bureau to collect the data. It also recommended $12.5 million for data collection. Due to funding constraints, the Service could budget only $10.2 million. Although we could not increase sample sizes, the 2001 survey estimates will be comparable to the 1996 and 1991 surveys. In June 1999, the Service signed an agreement with the Census to conduct the survey. Service staff met with State technical committee members and non-governmental organizations to decide survey content. We also obtained ideas from Federal agencies and other major survey users. Focus on Specific Programs and Activities March 2002 8 In April and May 2001, the Census conducted the survey screen and the first of three detailed interview waves. The Census completed screening interviews of more than 52,000 households. Screening information was used to identify samples of 30,000 potential sportsmen (anglers and hunters) and 15,000 potential wildlife watchers (wildlife feeders, observers, and photographers) for the survey’s detailed interview phase. The response rate was 74%, an improvement over the 1996 Survey’s 71% rate. They conducted the second detailed interview waves in September and October 2001, and had a response rate of 93%. Information was collected through computer-assisted interviews conducted primarily by telephone, with in-person interviews when necessary. Future milestones: n January to March 2002. Census will conduct the final detailed interview wave. n June to July 2002. The Service will begin publishing preliminary estimates. n November 2002. The Service will publish the final National Report. n December 2002. The Service will begin publishing the State reports. 1996 Survey Reports Information on the 1996 Survey reports is available on the Service’s Home Page at the following URL: http://fa.r9.fws.gov/surveys/ surveys.html Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000 As required by the Act, a Report to Congress was prepared and forwarded to Congress in late August 2001. After review by Congress this report will appear on the Federal Aid Home Page (http://fa.r9.fws.gov/). This report details actions taken by the Division to implement the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000. The Act reduces the funding available for administering the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs. Federal Aid will implement other cuts to comply with these limits. Cost savings resulting from administrative reductions will be apportioned to the States via the normal allocation formula. To date, Federal Aid has apportioned $8.6 million of administrative savings to the States. Multistate Conservation Grant Program The Multistate Conservation Grant Program, authorized under the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000, issued grants for the first time in Fiscal Year 2001. Furthering the partnership between the Service and the States, Congress stipulated that the IAFWA would collect, consider, and recommend grant proposals for funding under this Program. The grant program is intended to fund grants meeting national conservation needs as defined by the IAFWA and benefitting a majority of the States, majority of States in a Service Region, or a regional association of State fish and game departments. Using pre-established national conservation needs criteria, the IAFWA recommended grants for funding during Fiscal Year 2002. With concurrence from the Service Director, Federal Aid funded 23 grants, totaling $6.1 million. The Division’s support for the Program focuses on grants administration, monitoring, and communications. In addition, the Division is developing a policy and procedures manual for the Multistate Conservation Grant Program. Lastly, the Division is on call to provide technical advice to the IAFWA for Fiscal Year 2002 Multistate Conservation Grants. Complete list of Multistate Conservation Grants Funded for Fiscal Year 2002: American Sportfishing Association, Alexandria, VA The 2001 Economic Contributions of Sportfishing ($73,044) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arlington, VA National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation ($2,865,032) FWS photo 9 March 2002 International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Washington, D.C. Representation of the Northeastern, Southeastern, Midwest, and Western Associations of Fish and Wildlife Agencies in International Conventions and Protocols ($38,000 Fiscal Year 2002, $38,000 Fiscal Year 2003, $38,000 Fiscal Year 2004) New Computer Models for Trap Testing in the Development of Best Management Practices ($76,791) Management Assistance Team 2002 ($496,680) International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ Animal Use Issues Task Force, Washington, D.C. The 2001 Economic Contributions of Hunting ($76,992) States Organization for Boating Access, Washington, D.C. Pumpout Equipment Standards and Lifecycle Testing ($299,000) Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Nashville, TN The Need to Develop a Geographic Information System to Facilitate Integrated Bird Conservation in the Central Hardwoods Bird Conservation Region ($33,750) Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Reno, NV Sage-Grouse Interstate Working Group Coordinator ($120,000 Fiscal Year 2002, $105,000 Fiscal Year 2003, $105,000 Fiscal Year 2004) Instream Flow Council, Cheyenne, WY Instream Flows for Riverine Resource Stewardship ($16,650) National Shooting Sports Foundation, Newtown, CT Step Outside: creating outreach opportunities through partnership development and marketing ($171,000) KRA Corporation, Silver Spring, MD Fish and Wildlife Reference Service Managing and Providing Information to State Wildlife and Natural Resource Agencies ($413,935) Department of Biological Sciences, Arkansas State University, State University, AR Fate and Effect of the Aquaculture Therapeutic Potassium Permanganate ($59,915 Fiscal Year 2002, $117,616 Fiscal Year 2003, $68,445 Fiscal Year 2004) International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ Agricultural Conservation Task Force, Washington, D.C. Coordination of Vegetation Establishment and Management on Conservation Reserve Program Lands ($75,000 Fiscal Year 2000, $75,000 Fiscal Year 2003) Wildlife Management Institute, Washington, D.C. Understanding the Relationship Between Waterfowl Hunting Regulations and Hunter Satisfaction/Participation ($61,450) International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ Fisheries and Water Resources Policy Committee, Washington, D.C. Development and Validation of Determinative Analytical Method for the Marker Residue of AQUI-S, a Fish Anesthetic for Public Fish Facilities and Fishery Management ($49,335 Fiscal Year 2002, $162,058 Fiscal Year 2003, $89,371 Fiscal Year 2004) Development of a Model for Infecting Fish with Columnaris to Facilitate Pivotal Efficacy Trials for Treating the Disease with Candidate Therapeutants ($105,651) New Animal Drug Application (NADA) for Oxytetracycline Immersion Therapy for Diseases of Cool and Warm Water Fish Species Cultured on Public Fish Facilities ($96,921 Fiscal Year 2002, $108,006 Fiscal Year 2003, $70,400 Fiscal Year 2004) Focus on Specific Programs and Activities FWS photo March 2002 10 International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ Executive Committee, Washington, D.C. Multistate Conservation Grant Program Coordination ($88,920 Fiscal Year 2002, $88,920 Fiscal Year 2003) Future Fisherman Foundation, Alexandria, VA Support for State “Hooked On Fishing - Not On Drugs” and Fishing Tackle Loaner Programs ($294,200 Fiscal Year 2002, $262,000 Fiscal Year 2003) International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ Migratory Bird Committee, Washington, D.C. Bird Conservation for the Nation: Implementation of All-Bird Conservation ($250,000) International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ Furbearer Resources Task Force, Washington, D.C. Outreach Best Management Practices ($200,000) Council for Environmental Education, Houston, TX Science and Civics, Sustaining Wildlife, Involving High School Students and Addressing Wildlife Needs ($52,656 Fiscal Year 2002, $57,658 Fiscal Year 2003) National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program The Director of the Service administers the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program, which was established by the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act in 1990. All coastal States (except Louisiana) and Territories are eligible to submit project proposals to the appropriate Service Regional Office annually. The Division of Federal Aid and the Division of Fish and Wildlife Management and Habitat Restoration conduct a cross-program review of project proposals. The Director selects and awards the successful grants. Through the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program, the Service provides up to $15 million annually. Results of the last five years are as follows: Fiscal # of Awarded Acres Year Projects 1998 20 $9.8M 12,680 1999 18 $9.8M 24,900 2000 25 $11.8M 5,500 2001 22 $15M 11,350 2002 20 $14.5M 27,700 A total of 25 coastal States and one territory received grant awards under this Program between 1992 and 2002, for a total of 201 projects. Project participants in this Program are State and Territorial agencies, but have included county and municipal governments and non-government organizations as partners. For the nearly $109 million granted since 1992, approximately one hundred and thirty thousand acres have or will be protected and/or restored. Clean Vessel Act Pumpout Grant Program Congress passed the Clean Vessel Act (CVA) in 1992 to help reduce pollution from recreational vessel sewage discharges. The Act established a five-year grant program authorizing $40 million from the Sport Fish Restoration Account for use by the States. Federal funds make up 75% of all approved projects. TEA21 reauthorized CVA in 1998, providing $50 million over five years ending in Fiscal Year 2003. Since 1992, the CVA Program has funded the installation of more than 3,500 pumpout stations and more than 2,000 dump stations. During any given fiscal year the Service will award $10 million in CVA Program grants to States and Territories. Grants are available on a competitive basis for the construction, operation, and maintenance of pumpout and portable toilet dump stations. Priorities for awarding grants are given to proposals: n From coastal States with an approved pumpout plan. n Providing public/private partnership. n Using innovative techniques to increase availability and use of pumpout stations. n Incorporating an education component. n Benefitting waters affected by sewage discharge. n Affecting areas with low vessel/pumpout station ratios. 11 March 2002 States submit grant proposals each year to Service Regional Offices for review and submission to the WO. The Service convenes a panel of Federal employees including representatives from the Service’s WO, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Coast Guard. The panel reviews the proposals, making funding recommendations to the Director of the Service. Program guidance can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations (50 CFR 85). This includes information on appropriate types of facilities, surveys, plans, education, how to apply for grants, and guidelines for signs crediting the Program. Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Program The Service is implementing WCRP that was authorized in Title IX of the Commerce, Justice, State Appropriations Act of 2000. The Act appropriated $50 million to the Secretary of Interior to provide grants to States and Territories to enhance wildlife conservation and restoration. The Act directs States to provide priority funding for species with the greatest conservation need. The agencies may use the money for wildlife conservation, wildlife conservation education, and wildlife-associated recreation. The Act created a sub-account under the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act for WCRP, and structured a formula-based apportionment to the States and Territories. The law stipulated that no State receive more than 5 percent or less than 1 percent of the available funds. The District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico received one-half of 1 percent and Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands received one-fourth of 1 percent. While the new WCRP is operating using existing Wildlife Restoration Program guidelines for the most part, new requirements to utilize these funds were detailed in the form of guidelines to the States. Like the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program, WCRP pays for up to 75 percent of the cost of each project while the States contribute at least 25 percent of the cost. These funds are meant to supplement, but not replace, existing funds available from the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs for new projects and activities as well as to enhance ongoing ones. The Service, the States, and the IAFWA cooperated during the implementation of this new Program. Specifically, the Service took the following significant actions to facilitate the delivery of these new funds: n Developed and distributed WCRP implementation guidelines which made program requirements and planning clearer. n Sponsored three regional workshops with State and Regional Federal Aid partners to promote implementation. n Established a Comprehensive Plan (Comp Plan) Eligibility Determination Team. This team reviewed Comp Plan submissions, which were necessary for each State to establish eligibility for the funds, and worked expeditiously with any State whose initial Comp Plan was found lacking. All States and Territories submitted their Comp Plans by July 17, 2001, and the last agency had its Comp Plan approved by the Service Director on August 16, 2001. State and Territorial fish and wildlife agencies obligated over $13 million to wildlife projects prior to the end of Fiscal Year 2001. To date, Congress has not provided any funds for Fiscal Year 2002 for this Program, but the States continue to obligate their remaining Fiscal Year 2001 WCRP funds. Focus on Specific Programs and Activities FWS photo: Dave Menke March 2002 12 State Wildlife Grants and the Landowner Incentive Program Two new programs were initiated through the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002. This Act included $85 million for a State Wildlife Grants Program and $40 million for a Landowner Incentive Program. Only State agencies and Tribes are eligible. The State Wildlife Grants Program is formula-based, and is intended to fund a wide range of projects to benefit wildlife species with the greatest conservation need. The Tribal portion of the State Wildlife Grants Program will be competitively awarded. The Landowner Incentive Program is to award grants to States and Federally recognized Tribes on a competitive basis with the funds going to support technical and financial assistance to landowners for the protection and management of habitat to benefit Federally listed, proposed, or candidate species or other at-risk species on private lands. Federal Aid will administer the States’ directed portions of these new programs and is currently working with the States and the IAFWA to develop implementation guidelines. The Service’s External Affairs Program will implement the Tribal portion of these programs with Federal Aid providing fiscal administration. Federal Aid National Training Program The National Federal Aid Training Program functions as part of the WO of Federal Aid. The training program develops and delivers grants management training for Federal Aid staff and State wildlife agency grantees. Our training courses increase the knowledge, skills, and abilities of State and Federal personnel who manage Federal Aid grants. This training helps to ensure that Federal Aid grant managers consistently apply the laws, rules, and policies which govern Federal Aid Program administration. Approximately 300 people completed the Basic Grants Management Course since it was first offered in 1996. Approximately 90 people completed the Project Leaders Course. More than 425 students completed courses developed by or offered in cooperation with the Federal Aid Training Program. The demand for courses continues to grow. Currently, Basic Grants Management courses are scheduled once each year. Since the Project Leaders Course pilot in March 2000, interest and demand for the State specific Federal Aid Project Leaders Course has grown. Six Project Leaders Courses are scheduled for Fiscal Year 2002. These courses are customized to meet State’s needs and offered upon request in cooperation with the Training Program, the Federal Aid Regional Office, and State staff who are responsible for Federal Aid grants. Efforts to develop additional courses for Federal Aid grant managers are in progress. Currently a course for Federal Aid fiscal managers and a compliance issues course are being developed. The Federal Aid Training Program also provides training tools, resources, instructors, and assistance in developing other grant management training. To date, this training has focused on grant writing skills for the Boating Infrastructure Grant Program, Clean Vessel Program, and boating access grants. Course descriptions, an on-line application, training materials, and grant manager’s resources are available on Federal Aid’s Training Program internet site at: http://www.nctc.fws.gov/fedaid/ fatrain.htm. 13 March 2002 Appendices With the exception of the following table (Hunter Education Section 10 Funds for FY 2001), all other information and tables previously found in the appendices in earlier Program Updates are now on the Federal Aid Home Page where they are maintained at: http://fa.r9.fws.gov/. Note that this service may be temporarily unavailable due to Department of Interior restrictions on Internet use. Hunter Education Section 10 Funds (Dollars) FY2001 State Apportioned Obligated Alabama 169,260 169,259 Alaska 75,000 75,000 Arizona 195,276 195,276 Arkansas 75,000 75,000 California 225,000 225,000 Colorado 163,710 0 Connecticut 129,619 129,619 Delaware 75,000 75,000 Florida 225,000 225,000 Georgia 225,000 225,000 Hawaii 75,000 75,000 Idaho 75,000 75,000 Illinois 225,000 225,000 Indiana 225,000 225,000 Iowa 111,378 111,378 Kansas 75,000 75,000 Kentucky 153,833 153,833 Louisiana 170,093 0 Maine 75,000 75,000 Maryland 201,588 201,588 Massachusetts 225,000 225,000 Michigan 225,000 225,000 Minnesota 187,240 0 Mississippi 108,270 108,270 Missouri 212,958 212,958 Montana 75,000 75,000 Nebraska 75,000 75,000 Nevada 75,000 75,000 State Apportioned Obligated New Hampshire 75,000 75,000 New Jersey 225,000 225,000 New Mexico 75,000 75,000 New York 225,000 225,000 North Carolina 225,000 225,000 North Dakota 75,000 75,000 Ohio 225,000 225,000 Oklahoma 131,335 114,319 Oregon 130,221 130,221 Pennsylvania 225,000 225,000 Rhode Island 75,000 75,000 South Carolina 152,701 151,760 South Dakota 75,000 75,000 Tennessee 216,538 216,538 Texas 225,000 225,000 Utah 75,000 75,000 Vermont 75,000 75,000 Virginia 225,000 225,000 Washington 224,334 224,334 West Virginia 75,000 75,000 Wisconsin 204,146 204,146 Wyoming 75,000 75,000 Puerto Rico 12,500 0 Guam 12,500 0 Virgin Islands 12,500 0 American Samoa 12,500 0 N. Mariana Islands 12,500 0 TOTAL 7,500,000 6,898,499 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Fish &Wildlife Service Division of Federal Aid http://www.fws.gov
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Title | Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program Update March 2002 |
Description | spfish_update0302.pdf |
FWS Resource Links | http://library.fws.gov |
Subject | Document |
Publisher | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
Date of Original | March 2002 |
Type | Text |
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Transcript | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program Update March 2002 Table of Contents Assistant Director Comments 1 Staff Directory, Federal Aid, Washington Office 2 Federal Aid Program Overview 3 Focus on Specific Programs and Activities 6 State Audits 6 Boating Infrastructure Grant Program Tier-Two Grants 6 Federal Aid Information Management System 7 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife Associated Recreation 7 Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000 8 Multistate Conservation Grant Program 8 National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program 10 Clean Vessel Act Pumpout Grant Program 10 Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Program 11 State Wildlife Grants and the Landowner Incentive Program 12 Federal Aid National Training Program 12 Appendices 13 FWS photo: Tupper Ansel Blake 1 March 2002 Assistant Director’s Comments The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Federal Aid Program is changing. While the Division of Federal Aid continues to execute its day-to-day management responsibility for more than $500 million in Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program grants, it has expanded its efforts in three specific areas: development of newly assigned grant programs, improving State audit measures, and expanding the capabilities of the Federal Aid Information Management System (FAIMS). In Fiscal Year 2002, the Division is implementing two new grant programs—the $80 million State Wildlife Grants Program and the $40 million Landowner Incentive Program. These new Programs complement the $50 million Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Program (WCRP), authorized and appropriated by Congress in Fiscal Year 2001. In the case of the State Wildlife Grants Program, Federal funds will be provided to State agencies for conservation of the full array of wildlife in the State. The Landowner Incentive Program will deliver conservation through State agencies and by landowners to benefit endangered, threatened, and species at risk. As it did with WCRP, the Service is coordinating closely with State wildlife agencies and the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (IAFWA), to establish efficient procedures for their implementation. The transfer of authority for conducting State audits from the Defense Contracting Audit Agency to the Department of Interior Office of Inspector General (OIG) was a time consuming but ultimately successful activity for the Division during the reporting period. To improve the next cycle of audits, the Division mounted an effort to collect information from the Service’s seven regional offices, the States, and from completed audits. Based on information developed by a team of State representatives, the Division published in the Federal Register six new draft chapters destined to become the Service Manual chapters on audit policy and procedure. These efforts will improve the process as we begin the second audit cycle working cooperatively with the OIG. FAIMS is the electronic backbone of the Division’s grants management financial tracking and reporting activities. The future refinement and development of FAIMS is being guided by seven User Acceptance Teams, including one team of representatives from State agencies. The Division is nearing the point where it will be able to provide its grant recipients direct access to FAIMS data and reports through the Internet. Improvements in FAIMS are in keeping with the Department of the Interior’s e-Government initiative. As I pledged last year, improvements are being made in the delivery of services to you, our customer. As we look forward to the next few years, we see many challenges, but challenges bring opportunities and Federal Aid is ready. March 2002 2 Federal Aid Staff Directory Washington Office Tim Hess, Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Program, Sport Fish Restoration Program, Landowner Incentive Program, State Wildlife Grants, Regions 3 & 5 Chris McKay (Internal Partner with RBFF) Multistate Conservation Grant Program Brian Bohnsack, Wildlife Restoration Program, Coastal Wetlands, Clean Vessel Program, Regions 1 & 2 Branch of Audits and Cash Management Lanny Moore, Branch Chief, Audits, Cash Management Ord Bargerstock, Systems Accountant, Regions 4 & 5, Audit Resolution Pat McHugh, Systems Accountant, Regions 3, 6, & 7, Audit Program Oversight Kate Gilliam, Systems Accountant, Regions 1 & 2, Lessons Learned, Future Audit Plans Branch of Surveys Sylvia Cabrera, Branch Chief, National Survey of Fishing Hunting and Wildlife Associated Recreation Richard Aiken, Economist, National Survey Genevieve Pullis, Economist, National Survey Branch of Training Steve Leggans, Branch Chief Blake Weirich, Assistant Training Coordinator Julie Schroyer, Administrative Analyst Kris E. LaMontagne, Division Chief Larry Bandolin, Deputy Division Chief, Operations Cheri Morgan, Lead Secretary Jimmye Kane, Secretary Branch of Budget and Administration Tom Jeffrey, Branch Chief, Budget Development and Execution, Program Management, Special Projects Mary Jones, Administrative Officer Linda Muhammad, Program Support Assistant (Property, Purchasing, Acquisition, FFS, and FAIMS entry and tracking) Branch of Information Management Bill Conlin, Branch Chief, Information Resources and ADP Management, ADP Support, (FAIMS) Jeffrey Graves, Server Support, Web Site Support David Washington, ADP Systems Support, ADP Acquisition Support Lorinda Bennett, Fiscal Management, Audit Liaison Branch of Grants Operations and Policy Gary Reinitz, Branch Chief, National Issue Management, Boating Infrastructure Grant Program, Regions 4 & 7 Jack Hicks, Regulation, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Manual, Hunter/Aquatic Education, Section 6 Grants, Region 6 FWS photo: Tupper Ansel Blake 3 March 2002 Federal Aid Program Overview The goal of the Federal Aid Program is to strengthen the ability of State and Territorial fish and wildlife agencies to meet effectively the consumptive and non-consumptive needs of the public for fish and wildlife resources. The Federal Aid Program is responsible for administering the following programs: Wildlife Restoration Sport Fish Restoration Clean Vessel Pumpout Boating Infrastructure Grant National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Multistate Conservation Grant State Wildlife Grants Landowner Incentive Program In addition, Federal Aid provides grant management support for endangered species traditional section 6, Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) Land Acquisition, HCP Planning, and Recovery Land Acquisition Grant Programs. The Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act was approved by Congress on September 2, 1937, and began functioning on July 1, 1938. The purpose of this Act is to provide funding for the selection, restoration, rehabilitation, and improvement of wildlife habitat, wildlife management and research, and the distribution of information produced by the projects. Congress amended the Act October 23, 1970, to include funding for hunter training programs and the development, operation, and maintenance of public target ranges. Funds are derived from an 11 percent Federal excise tax on sporting arms, ammunition, and archery equipment, and a 10 percent tax on handguns. Additional funds are also collected from a 12.4 percent tax on archery equipment. These funds are apportioned each year to the States and Territories (except Washington, D.C.) by the Department of the Interior on the basis of formulas set forth in the Act. The Wildlife and Sport Fish Programs Improvement Act of 2000 added Puerto Rico as eligible to receive hunter education funds. The Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act, commonly referred to as the Dingell-Johnson Act, was passed on August 9, 1950. It was modeled after the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act to create a parallel program for fish management, conservation, and restoration. The Program is funded by a 10 percent Federal excise tax on fishing rods, reels, creels, lures, flies, and artificial baits, and a 3 percent tax on electronic fishing motors and sonar fish finders. These funds are also apportioned each year to the States and Territories by the Department of the Interior on the basis of a formula set forth in the Act. March 2002 4 The Clean Vessel Act was passed in 1992 to help reduce pollution from vessel sewage discharges. The Act established a Federal grant program to the States to be administered by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and funded at $10 million annually by the Sport Fish Restoration Account of the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund. Federal funds can reimburse up to 75 percent of all approved project costs with the remaining funds provided by the States or marinas. Grants are available to the States on a competitive basis for the construction and/or renovation, operation, and maintenance of pumpout and portable toilet dump stations. After States submit grant proposals to the Service for review, the Service’s Division of Federal Aid then convenes a panel including representatives from the Division’s Washington Office (WO), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Coast Guard to rank proposals. Awards are made shortly afterward. The Act was reauthorized by the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA21) through Fiscal Year 2003. The Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program provides $32 million over four years (2000–2003) for grants to the States and Territories, local governments, and private marinas. The purpose of the grants is to encourage States, in cooperation with local and private interests, to install, renovate, and maintain tie-up facilities for non-trailerable recreational boats. The Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council and Service panel annually recommends grants for funding to the Service. The Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act is funded by 18 percent of the Sport Fish Restoration Account or 100 percent of the excise tax on small engine fuel (whichever is greater). The Program provides 15 percent of the funds (not to exceed $15 million) for the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program. The Service provides Coastal Wetlands Grants to States and Territories for coastal wetlands acquisition, restoration, and enhancement. Congress reauthorized the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act in November 2000 through Fiscal Year 2009. WCRP was authorized by Congress in 2000 and implemented in Fiscal Year 2001. State and Territorial fish and wildlife agencies are encouraged to participate with the Federal Government, other State agencies, wildlife conservation organizations, and outdoor recreation and conservation interests through cooperative planning and implementation of WCRP. Wildlife conservation, wildlife conservation education, and wildlife-associated recreation activities are all eligible for funding. Public input and participation is actively sought by the States in conducting this Program. The Program was funded with $50 million for Fiscal Year 2001 with the funds being apportioned to the States and Territories by formula. The Multistate Conservation Grant Program was authorized under the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000. It can award up to $6 million annually, half of the funds coming from each of the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Programs. These grants must benefit half of the States, the majority of States in a Service Region, or a regional association of State fish and game departments. In Fiscal Years 2001 and 2002, the full amount was issued in grants. Section 6 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 established a grant program available to any State agency or agencies, or other government entities, with authority to conserve resident species of fish and wildlife or plants deemed threatened or endangered. Prerequisites for participation in grants under section 6 are that a State establishes and maintains an adequate and active program for the conservation of endangered and threatened species and has entered into a cooperative agreement with the Secretary of the Interior. The State must also meet the requirements for an adequate and active program described in 50 CFR 81 and the Service Manual, chapter 521 FW 4. 5 March 2002 For Fiscal Year 2002, the traditional section 6 grant program was funded at $7.52 million. These funds are distributed among the Regions based on the number of “counted” species found within the States in the Region. A Regional competition is then conducted among the States within that Region. Additional section 6 programs were funded as follows for Fiscal Year 2002: HCP Land Acquisition, $61.3 million; HCP Planning, $6.65 million; Recovery Land Acquisition, $17.759; and $3 million for administration. Funds are awarded for these programs on a competitive basis. Two section 6 grant programs funded in Fiscal Year 2001, Safe Harbor and Candidate Conservation Planning, were not funded in Fiscal Year 2002. For traditional section 6 grants, the Federal share is 75 percent, but can go up to 90 percent when two or more States cooperate on an eligible grant. The State Wildlife Grants and Landowner Incentive Programs were initiated through the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002. This Act included $85 million for a State Wildlife Grants Program and $40 million for a Landowner Incentive Program. Only State agencies and Tribes are eligible. The State Wildlife Grants Program is formula-based and is intended to fund a wide range of projects to benefit wildlife species with the greatest conservation need. The Tribal portion of the State Wildlife Grants Program will be competitively awarded. The Landowner Incentive Program awards grants to States and Federally recognized Tribes on a competitive basis with the funds going to support technical and financial assistance to landowners for the protection and management of habitat to benefit Federally listed, proposed, or candidate species or other at-risk species on private lands. Federal Aid will administer the States’ directed portions of these new programs and is currently working with the States and the IAFWA to develop implementation guidelines. The Service’s External Affairs Program will implement the Tribal portion of these programs with Federal Aid providing fiscal administration. The above programs are designed to help conserve, develop, and enhance the Nation’s fish and wildlife resources, and to protect their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. Federal Aid Program Overview FWS photo March 2002 6 Focus on Specific Programs and Activities State Audits The Federal Aid Program audit chapters were published in the Federal Register for comment in December 2001. The chapters establish policy and responsibilities for grantee audits, define terms associated with audits, and provide an overview of the audit process. In addition, they establish policies and procedures for audit scoping and planning, conducting and reporting, resolution, and appeals. The establishment of these policies and procedures will enhance the ongoing and future audit process. Chapter 1 provides terms associated with the audit and an overview of the audit process. Chapter 2 identifies the programmatic and financial elements to be audited. Chapter 3 provides procedures for conducting and reporting on audits of Federal Aid Program grantees. Chapter 4 establishes policy and procedures for resolving findings and implementing recommendations. Included in this chapter are the time lines of the audit resolution process. Chapter 5 establishes policy and procedures for appealing audit findings or corrective actions. Chapter 6 establishes Service policy for resolving findings and implementing recommendations from audits of Federal Aid Program grantees under the Single Audit Act. We believe guidance provided in the audit chapters will enhance the ability to complete audits in a timely manner. Boating Infrastructure Grant Program Tier-Two Grants On January 7, 2002, the Service announced a total of $4,395,115 for nine grants to eight States to help improve docking facilities for transient, non-trailerable boats along the navigable waterways of the United States. The grants are the second round of awards made under the Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program authorized by the Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act of 1998 and funded in part by excise taxes on motorboat fuel. BIG Program funds are distributed each year over a four-year period ending in 2003. To ensure that each State gets a share, funding is provided on a two-tiered basis. For tier-one grants, all States are eligible to receive up to $100,000 per grant cycle as long as their proposals meet the Program’s guidelines. Tier-two projects are designed for larger, more expensive projects and are awarded on a competitive basis. The nine tier-two grants awarded for Fiscal Year 2002 were selected from 58 proposals submitted from across the country. The Director decided to fund the nine projects based upon recommendations received from a panel of Service Regional staff as well as those submitted by the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council. The Council recommends projects to the Service based on a review of proposals by a Council-appointed subcommittee. 7 March 2002 The Service has awarded the following BIG Program grants for Fiscal Year 2002: Florida Tampa Convention Center, Tampa Bay—for new transient docking facilities ($250,000) Louisiana Bucktown Harbor Marina, Lake Pontchartrain—for new transient docking facilities ($407,000) Cypress Cove Marina, Mississippi River—for new transient docking facilities ($200,000) Mississippi Coleman State Park, Tennessee River—for repairing harbor dike and adding safety features for transient boaters ($224,000) Ohio Middle Bass Island State Park—to install 60 transient slips, completing work initiated with BIG Program funds in 2001 ($861,383) Oregon Port of Astoria, Columbia River— construct and renovate transient docking facilities ($354,750) South Carolina Charleston City Dock, Ashley River—for new transient docking facilities ($1,198,000) Virginia Yorktown Harbor, York River, Chesapeake Bay—for new transient docking facilities ($600,000) Washington Hanford Reach Gateway Dock, Columbia River—for new transient docking facilities ($299,982) Federal Aid Information Management System FAIMS is critical to the reconciliation of grant fiscal information between HHS, Federal Aid, and the Division of Finance. The checks and balances built into FAIMS ensure the integrity of our fiscal data, which was recently confirmed by the KPMG audit of the Service. In Fiscal Year 2002 Federal Aid Program emphasis for FAIMS will be placed on: n Improving the timeliness and quality of grant objectives and accomplishment information in FAIMS. FAIMS is being used more frequently to provide not only an accounting of fiscal information, but also objectives and resource benefits accomplished. There will be an increase in audit emphasis on the full range of grant management procedures. Our efforts this year will be to close the loop on the performance reporting aspect. n Web-enabling the annual license certification process and interfacing it to the apportionment process. The FAIMS Team is developing a Web site that States will be able to access and use to submit their license certifications to the Service. This will be tested this year and finalized in Fiscal Year 2003. We formed a FAIMS State User Acceptance Team consisting of State representatives from across the country who will help us define system requirements and test and finalize the application. The Department selected the e-Certification project as one of its e-Government initiatives and they are monitoring its success. n Developing capability to provide Web access to FAIMS information, such as fiscal reports, grant status, grant objectives, and accomplishment information. The FAIMS team is developing the capability to make various FAIMS reports and information available through any computer on the Internet. National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife Associated Recreation 2001 Survey Progress The 2001 survey is the 10th sponsored by the Service since 1955. The Service sponsors it every five years at the request of State fish and wildlife agencies. It is one of the Nation’s most important sources of information on wildlife recreation. The survey is funded by a Multistate Conservation Grant. In March 1999, the IAFWA recommended that the Service sponsor a survey in 200l. It recommended a survey comparable to the 1991 and 1996 surveys to maintain trend information; increased sample sizes to recapture some State-level data lost when we reduced samples to cut costs in 1996; and the Census Bureau to collect the data. It also recommended $12.5 million for data collection. Due to funding constraints, the Service could budget only $10.2 million. Although we could not increase sample sizes, the 2001 survey estimates will be comparable to the 1996 and 1991 surveys. In June 1999, the Service signed an agreement with the Census to conduct the survey. Service staff met with State technical committee members and non-governmental organizations to decide survey content. We also obtained ideas from Federal agencies and other major survey users. Focus on Specific Programs and Activities March 2002 8 In April and May 2001, the Census conducted the survey screen and the first of three detailed interview waves. The Census completed screening interviews of more than 52,000 households. Screening information was used to identify samples of 30,000 potential sportsmen (anglers and hunters) and 15,000 potential wildlife watchers (wildlife feeders, observers, and photographers) for the survey’s detailed interview phase. The response rate was 74%, an improvement over the 1996 Survey’s 71% rate. They conducted the second detailed interview waves in September and October 2001, and had a response rate of 93%. Information was collected through computer-assisted interviews conducted primarily by telephone, with in-person interviews when necessary. Future milestones: n January to March 2002. Census will conduct the final detailed interview wave. n June to July 2002. The Service will begin publishing preliminary estimates. n November 2002. The Service will publish the final National Report. n December 2002. The Service will begin publishing the State reports. 1996 Survey Reports Information on the 1996 Survey reports is available on the Service’s Home Page at the following URL: http://fa.r9.fws.gov/surveys/ surveys.html Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000 As required by the Act, a Report to Congress was prepared and forwarded to Congress in late August 2001. After review by Congress this report will appear on the Federal Aid Home Page (http://fa.r9.fws.gov/). This report details actions taken by the Division to implement the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000. The Act reduces the funding available for administering the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs. Federal Aid will implement other cuts to comply with these limits. Cost savings resulting from administrative reductions will be apportioned to the States via the normal allocation formula. To date, Federal Aid has apportioned $8.6 million of administrative savings to the States. Multistate Conservation Grant Program The Multistate Conservation Grant Program, authorized under the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000, issued grants for the first time in Fiscal Year 2001. Furthering the partnership between the Service and the States, Congress stipulated that the IAFWA would collect, consider, and recommend grant proposals for funding under this Program. The grant program is intended to fund grants meeting national conservation needs as defined by the IAFWA and benefitting a majority of the States, majority of States in a Service Region, or a regional association of State fish and game departments. Using pre-established national conservation needs criteria, the IAFWA recommended grants for funding during Fiscal Year 2002. With concurrence from the Service Director, Federal Aid funded 23 grants, totaling $6.1 million. The Division’s support for the Program focuses on grants administration, monitoring, and communications. In addition, the Division is developing a policy and procedures manual for the Multistate Conservation Grant Program. Lastly, the Division is on call to provide technical advice to the IAFWA for Fiscal Year 2002 Multistate Conservation Grants. Complete list of Multistate Conservation Grants Funded for Fiscal Year 2002: American Sportfishing Association, Alexandria, VA The 2001 Economic Contributions of Sportfishing ($73,044) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arlington, VA National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation ($2,865,032) FWS photo 9 March 2002 International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Washington, D.C. Representation of the Northeastern, Southeastern, Midwest, and Western Associations of Fish and Wildlife Agencies in International Conventions and Protocols ($38,000 Fiscal Year 2002, $38,000 Fiscal Year 2003, $38,000 Fiscal Year 2004) New Computer Models for Trap Testing in the Development of Best Management Practices ($76,791) Management Assistance Team 2002 ($496,680) International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ Animal Use Issues Task Force, Washington, D.C. The 2001 Economic Contributions of Hunting ($76,992) States Organization for Boating Access, Washington, D.C. Pumpout Equipment Standards and Lifecycle Testing ($299,000) Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Nashville, TN The Need to Develop a Geographic Information System to Facilitate Integrated Bird Conservation in the Central Hardwoods Bird Conservation Region ($33,750) Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Reno, NV Sage-Grouse Interstate Working Group Coordinator ($120,000 Fiscal Year 2002, $105,000 Fiscal Year 2003, $105,000 Fiscal Year 2004) Instream Flow Council, Cheyenne, WY Instream Flows for Riverine Resource Stewardship ($16,650) National Shooting Sports Foundation, Newtown, CT Step Outside: creating outreach opportunities through partnership development and marketing ($171,000) KRA Corporation, Silver Spring, MD Fish and Wildlife Reference Service Managing and Providing Information to State Wildlife and Natural Resource Agencies ($413,935) Department of Biological Sciences, Arkansas State University, State University, AR Fate and Effect of the Aquaculture Therapeutic Potassium Permanganate ($59,915 Fiscal Year 2002, $117,616 Fiscal Year 2003, $68,445 Fiscal Year 2004) International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ Agricultural Conservation Task Force, Washington, D.C. Coordination of Vegetation Establishment and Management on Conservation Reserve Program Lands ($75,000 Fiscal Year 2000, $75,000 Fiscal Year 2003) Wildlife Management Institute, Washington, D.C. Understanding the Relationship Between Waterfowl Hunting Regulations and Hunter Satisfaction/Participation ($61,450) International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ Fisheries and Water Resources Policy Committee, Washington, D.C. Development and Validation of Determinative Analytical Method for the Marker Residue of AQUI-S, a Fish Anesthetic for Public Fish Facilities and Fishery Management ($49,335 Fiscal Year 2002, $162,058 Fiscal Year 2003, $89,371 Fiscal Year 2004) Development of a Model for Infecting Fish with Columnaris to Facilitate Pivotal Efficacy Trials for Treating the Disease with Candidate Therapeutants ($105,651) New Animal Drug Application (NADA) for Oxytetracycline Immersion Therapy for Diseases of Cool and Warm Water Fish Species Cultured on Public Fish Facilities ($96,921 Fiscal Year 2002, $108,006 Fiscal Year 2003, $70,400 Fiscal Year 2004) Focus on Specific Programs and Activities FWS photo March 2002 10 International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ Executive Committee, Washington, D.C. Multistate Conservation Grant Program Coordination ($88,920 Fiscal Year 2002, $88,920 Fiscal Year 2003) Future Fisherman Foundation, Alexandria, VA Support for State “Hooked On Fishing - Not On Drugs” and Fishing Tackle Loaner Programs ($294,200 Fiscal Year 2002, $262,000 Fiscal Year 2003) International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ Migratory Bird Committee, Washington, D.C. Bird Conservation for the Nation: Implementation of All-Bird Conservation ($250,000) International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ Furbearer Resources Task Force, Washington, D.C. Outreach Best Management Practices ($200,000) Council for Environmental Education, Houston, TX Science and Civics, Sustaining Wildlife, Involving High School Students and Addressing Wildlife Needs ($52,656 Fiscal Year 2002, $57,658 Fiscal Year 2003) National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program The Director of the Service administers the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program, which was established by the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act in 1990. All coastal States (except Louisiana) and Territories are eligible to submit project proposals to the appropriate Service Regional Office annually. The Division of Federal Aid and the Division of Fish and Wildlife Management and Habitat Restoration conduct a cross-program review of project proposals. The Director selects and awards the successful grants. Through the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program, the Service provides up to $15 million annually. Results of the last five years are as follows: Fiscal # of Awarded Acres Year Projects 1998 20 $9.8M 12,680 1999 18 $9.8M 24,900 2000 25 $11.8M 5,500 2001 22 $15M 11,350 2002 20 $14.5M 27,700 A total of 25 coastal States and one territory received grant awards under this Program between 1992 and 2002, for a total of 201 projects. Project participants in this Program are State and Territorial agencies, but have included county and municipal governments and non-government organizations as partners. For the nearly $109 million granted since 1992, approximately one hundred and thirty thousand acres have or will be protected and/or restored. Clean Vessel Act Pumpout Grant Program Congress passed the Clean Vessel Act (CVA) in 1992 to help reduce pollution from recreational vessel sewage discharges. The Act established a five-year grant program authorizing $40 million from the Sport Fish Restoration Account for use by the States. Federal funds make up 75% of all approved projects. TEA21 reauthorized CVA in 1998, providing $50 million over five years ending in Fiscal Year 2003. Since 1992, the CVA Program has funded the installation of more than 3,500 pumpout stations and more than 2,000 dump stations. During any given fiscal year the Service will award $10 million in CVA Program grants to States and Territories. Grants are available on a competitive basis for the construction, operation, and maintenance of pumpout and portable toilet dump stations. Priorities for awarding grants are given to proposals: n From coastal States with an approved pumpout plan. n Providing public/private partnership. n Using innovative techniques to increase availability and use of pumpout stations. n Incorporating an education component. n Benefitting waters affected by sewage discharge. n Affecting areas with low vessel/pumpout station ratios. 11 March 2002 States submit grant proposals each year to Service Regional Offices for review and submission to the WO. The Service convenes a panel of Federal employees including representatives from the Service’s WO, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Coast Guard. The panel reviews the proposals, making funding recommendations to the Director of the Service. Program guidance can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations (50 CFR 85). This includes information on appropriate types of facilities, surveys, plans, education, how to apply for grants, and guidelines for signs crediting the Program. Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Program The Service is implementing WCRP that was authorized in Title IX of the Commerce, Justice, State Appropriations Act of 2000. The Act appropriated $50 million to the Secretary of Interior to provide grants to States and Territories to enhance wildlife conservation and restoration. The Act directs States to provide priority funding for species with the greatest conservation need. The agencies may use the money for wildlife conservation, wildlife conservation education, and wildlife-associated recreation. The Act created a sub-account under the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act for WCRP, and structured a formula-based apportionment to the States and Territories. The law stipulated that no State receive more than 5 percent or less than 1 percent of the available funds. The District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico received one-half of 1 percent and Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands received one-fourth of 1 percent. While the new WCRP is operating using existing Wildlife Restoration Program guidelines for the most part, new requirements to utilize these funds were detailed in the form of guidelines to the States. Like the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program, WCRP pays for up to 75 percent of the cost of each project while the States contribute at least 25 percent of the cost. These funds are meant to supplement, but not replace, existing funds available from the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs for new projects and activities as well as to enhance ongoing ones. The Service, the States, and the IAFWA cooperated during the implementation of this new Program. Specifically, the Service took the following significant actions to facilitate the delivery of these new funds: n Developed and distributed WCRP implementation guidelines which made program requirements and planning clearer. n Sponsored three regional workshops with State and Regional Federal Aid partners to promote implementation. n Established a Comprehensive Plan (Comp Plan) Eligibility Determination Team. This team reviewed Comp Plan submissions, which were necessary for each State to establish eligibility for the funds, and worked expeditiously with any State whose initial Comp Plan was found lacking. All States and Territories submitted their Comp Plans by July 17, 2001, and the last agency had its Comp Plan approved by the Service Director on August 16, 2001. State and Territorial fish and wildlife agencies obligated over $13 million to wildlife projects prior to the end of Fiscal Year 2001. To date, Congress has not provided any funds for Fiscal Year 2002 for this Program, but the States continue to obligate their remaining Fiscal Year 2001 WCRP funds. Focus on Specific Programs and Activities FWS photo: Dave Menke March 2002 12 State Wildlife Grants and the Landowner Incentive Program Two new programs were initiated through the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002. This Act included $85 million for a State Wildlife Grants Program and $40 million for a Landowner Incentive Program. Only State agencies and Tribes are eligible. The State Wildlife Grants Program is formula-based, and is intended to fund a wide range of projects to benefit wildlife species with the greatest conservation need. The Tribal portion of the State Wildlife Grants Program will be competitively awarded. The Landowner Incentive Program is to award grants to States and Federally recognized Tribes on a competitive basis with the funds going to support technical and financial assistance to landowners for the protection and management of habitat to benefit Federally listed, proposed, or candidate species or other at-risk species on private lands. Federal Aid will administer the States’ directed portions of these new programs and is currently working with the States and the IAFWA to develop implementation guidelines. The Service’s External Affairs Program will implement the Tribal portion of these programs with Federal Aid providing fiscal administration. Federal Aid National Training Program The National Federal Aid Training Program functions as part of the WO of Federal Aid. The training program develops and delivers grants management training for Federal Aid staff and State wildlife agency grantees. Our training courses increase the knowledge, skills, and abilities of State and Federal personnel who manage Federal Aid grants. This training helps to ensure that Federal Aid grant managers consistently apply the laws, rules, and policies which govern Federal Aid Program administration. Approximately 300 people completed the Basic Grants Management Course since it was first offered in 1996. Approximately 90 people completed the Project Leaders Course. More than 425 students completed courses developed by or offered in cooperation with the Federal Aid Training Program. The demand for courses continues to grow. Currently, Basic Grants Management courses are scheduled once each year. Since the Project Leaders Course pilot in March 2000, interest and demand for the State specific Federal Aid Project Leaders Course has grown. Six Project Leaders Courses are scheduled for Fiscal Year 2002. These courses are customized to meet State’s needs and offered upon request in cooperation with the Training Program, the Federal Aid Regional Office, and State staff who are responsible for Federal Aid grants. Efforts to develop additional courses for Federal Aid grant managers are in progress. Currently a course for Federal Aid fiscal managers and a compliance issues course are being developed. The Federal Aid Training Program also provides training tools, resources, instructors, and assistance in developing other grant management training. To date, this training has focused on grant writing skills for the Boating Infrastructure Grant Program, Clean Vessel Program, and boating access grants. Course descriptions, an on-line application, training materials, and grant manager’s resources are available on Federal Aid’s Training Program internet site at: http://www.nctc.fws.gov/fedaid/ fatrain.htm. 13 March 2002 Appendices With the exception of the following table (Hunter Education Section 10 Funds for FY 2001), all other information and tables previously found in the appendices in earlier Program Updates are now on the Federal Aid Home Page where they are maintained at: http://fa.r9.fws.gov/. Note that this service may be temporarily unavailable due to Department of Interior restrictions on Internet use. Hunter Education Section 10 Funds (Dollars) FY2001 State Apportioned Obligated Alabama 169,260 169,259 Alaska 75,000 75,000 Arizona 195,276 195,276 Arkansas 75,000 75,000 California 225,000 225,000 Colorado 163,710 0 Connecticut 129,619 129,619 Delaware 75,000 75,000 Florida 225,000 225,000 Georgia 225,000 225,000 Hawaii 75,000 75,000 Idaho 75,000 75,000 Illinois 225,000 225,000 Indiana 225,000 225,000 Iowa 111,378 111,378 Kansas 75,000 75,000 Kentucky 153,833 153,833 Louisiana 170,093 0 Maine 75,000 75,000 Maryland 201,588 201,588 Massachusetts 225,000 225,000 Michigan 225,000 225,000 Minnesota 187,240 0 Mississippi 108,270 108,270 Missouri 212,958 212,958 Montana 75,000 75,000 Nebraska 75,000 75,000 Nevada 75,000 75,000 State Apportioned Obligated New Hampshire 75,000 75,000 New Jersey 225,000 225,000 New Mexico 75,000 75,000 New York 225,000 225,000 North Carolina 225,000 225,000 North Dakota 75,000 75,000 Ohio 225,000 225,000 Oklahoma 131,335 114,319 Oregon 130,221 130,221 Pennsylvania 225,000 225,000 Rhode Island 75,000 75,000 South Carolina 152,701 151,760 South Dakota 75,000 75,000 Tennessee 216,538 216,538 Texas 225,000 225,000 Utah 75,000 75,000 Vermont 75,000 75,000 Virginia 225,000 225,000 Washington 224,334 224,334 West Virginia 75,000 75,000 Wisconsin 204,146 204,146 Wyoming 75,000 75,000 Puerto Rico 12,500 0 Guam 12,500 0 Virgin Islands 12,500 0 American Samoa 12,500 0 N. Mariana Islands 12,500 0 TOTAL 7,500,000 6,898,499 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Fish &Wildlife Service Division of Federal Aid http://www.fws.gov |
Tag | Library-Source-pubs |
Date created | 2012-08-08 |
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