Service Seeks Proposals for 2009 Endangered Species Grants
July 28, 2008
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking proposals from States and U.S. Territories interested in obtaining federal grant assistance to acquire land or conduct planning for endangered species conservation efforts. For fiscal year 2009, the President’s budget request for the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund (the Fund) would provide approximately $75.5 million in grant funding for conservation planning activities and habitat acquisition for federally protected species. Proposals must be submitted to the California and Nevada Regional Office by September 22, 2008. They can be sent to: USFWS Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program, 2800 Cottage Way, Suite W-2606, Sacramento, Calif., 95825.
“Conservation grants are among the Service’s most important Federal-State partnership building tools,” said Service Director H. Dale Hall. “Local involvement is the cornerstone of conservation success. These grants help to States and Territories to protect vital habitat and work with local communities, private landowners and others to conserve threatened and endangered species.”
The Fund is authorized under Section 6 of the Endangered Species Act and provides grants to States and Territories to support participation in a wide array of voluntary conservation projects for species on the Federal list of threatened and endangered species, as well as for species that are candidates or have been proposed for listing.
By law, the participating state or territory must have a current cooperative agreement with the Secretary of the Interior and contribute 25 percent of the estimated program costs of approved projects, or 10 percent when two or more States or Territories undertake a joint project. The grants are expected to be awarded soon after federal appropriations are provided for fiscal year 2009.    Â
The Service is seeking proposals for the following three grant categories under the Fund:
Recovery Land Acquisition Grants - These grants provide funds to States and Territories for acquisition of threatened and endangered species habitat in support of approved and draft species recovery plans. Acquiring habitat in order to secure long term protection is often the critical element in a comprehensive recovery effort for a listed species.
Habitat Conservation Planning Assistance Grants - This category provides funds to States and Territories to support the development of Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs). The purpose of an HCP is to ensure adequate protection for threatened and endangered species, while at the same time providing for economic growth and development. These grants provide support for baseline surveys and inventories, document preparation, outreach, and similar planning activities.
HCP Land Acquisition Grants - These grants provide funds to States and Territories to acquire land associated with approved HCPs. Grants do not fund the mitigation required of an HCP permittee, but rather, support acquisitions by the state or local governments that complement actions associated with the HCP.
For more information about these grants and grant application requirements contact: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Consultation, Habitat Conservation Planning, Recovery and State Grants, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 420, Arlington, VA 22203, 703-358-2106. Information also can be accessed at http://www.fws.gov/endangered/grants/
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The Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund is identified in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance as number 15.615.
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 http://www.fws.gov/cno.
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Fish and Wildlife Commission to consider modifying regulations for coastal fall chinook
May 30, 2008
SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will meet June 5-6 in Salem at ODFW Headquarters to consider modifying coastal fall chinook fishing regulations. The Commission will also be asked to approve ODFW’s budget request for the 2009-2011 biennium.
On Thursday, June 5 beginning at 1 p.m., the Commission will participate in an Energy and Water Development workshop with representatives from Governor Kulongoski’s office, Oregon Department of Energy and Oregon Department of Water Resources. Issues including wave and wind energy projects’ impact on fish and wildlife and water supply and conservation will be discussed. The public is welcome to attend the workshop but no public testimony will be taken.
Friday’s meeting begins at 8 a.m. and proceeds chronologically through an agenda available at
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/agency/commission/minutes/08/06_june/index.asp
The Commission will be asked to approve in concept a set of one-year restrictive regulations for coastal fall chinook salmon in terminal, bay and river fisheries. The temporary regulations include reductions in daily and seasonal bag limits and area closures to protect spawning fish.
The new regulations are necessary to meet conservation goals in light of poor runs forecasted for this fall. In addition, the proposals meet Oregon coastal fall chinook conservation obligations under Pacific Salmon Treaty.
The Commission will review and be asked to approve the 2009-2011 Agency Request Budget. ODFW staff hosted a series of town hall meetings during the spring to present budget proposals and get feedback from the public. Based on the department’s need to maintain the level of services it currently provides, staff are recommending fee increases on both sport and commercial licenses beginning in 2010.
Revenue from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses and tags supports approximately one-third of the agency’s budget. These fees were last increased in January 2004. Once a proposed budget is approved by the Commission, it will be submitted to the Governor for his consideration. ODFW’s budget will ultimately be determined by the 2009 Legislature.
The Commission will adopt controlled hunt tag numbers for fall 2008 big game (deer, elk, bighorn sheep, Rocky Mountain goat, pronghorn antelope, spring bear) hunting seasons and will be asked to approve 2009 big game hunting regulations in concept.Â
The Access and Habitat Program will ask the Commission to approve grants for 10 projects that will improve hunter access and/or wildlife habitat on private land and the allocation of 2009 auction and raffle tags. The A&H program is funded by a $2 surcharge on hunting licenses and the annual auction and raffle of deer and elk tags. It has provided hunter access to more than 6 million acres of private land and improved more than a half million acres of wildlife habitat.
The Commission is the policy-making body for fish and wildlife issues in the state. The seven-member panel meets monthly. Agenda item exhibits may be requested by calling the ODFW Director’s Office at 800-720-6339 or 503-947-6044.
Public testimony will be held Friday morning immediately following the expenditure report. Persons seeking to testify on issues not on the formal agenda may do so by making arrangements with the ODFW Director’s Office, at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting, by calling 800-720-6339 or 503-947-6044.
Reasonable accommodations will be provided as needed for individuals requesting assistive hearing devices, sign language interpreters or large-print materials. Individuals needing these types of accommodations may call the ODFW Director’s Office at 800-720-6339 or 503-947-6044 at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting.
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