Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Programs on Indian Lands (15.039)

 

Program

15.039 Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Programs on Indian Lands

 

Federal Agency

BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

 

Authorization

Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, Public Law 93-638, as amended, 25 U.S.C. 450; Snyder Act of 1921, Public Law 67-85, 42 Stat. 208, 25 U.S.C. 13.

 

Program Number

15.039

 

Last Known Status

Active

 

Objectives

To promote the conservation, development, and utilization of fish, wildlife, and recreational resources for sustenance, cultural enrichment, economic support, and maximum benefit of Indians.

 

Types of Assistance

Direct Payments for Specified Use.

 

Uses and Use Restrictions

Tribes address fish, wildlife, and outdoor recreation issues and participate in associated resource management planning and other activities with their State and Federal counterparts. Also, funds are provided to restore bison to Indian homeland. Appropriations generally support continuous tribal programs and staffs, and are not usually available for new projects.

 

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments and Native American Organizations authorized by Indian tribal governments.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments and their members and Native American Organizations.

Credentials/Documentation

Initial application for financial assistance must be accompanied by a resolution of the governing body of the Indian tribe.

 

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Informal preapplication conference is recommended. Technical assistance in preparing the application is available upon request. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

Initial applications must contain the information specified in 25 CFR, Part 900, Subpart C, "Contract Proposal Contents." Wildlife and Parks applications should be submitted to the local BIA agency office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog; Bison applications are submitted directly to the Intertribal Bison Cooperative (ITBC).

Award Procedure

Wildlife and Parks: Awards for assistance can generally be approved at the agency level. In some instances, the application will be forwarded to the Regional Director for approval. The dollar value of awards depends upon the amount that has been prioritized by the individual tribe through tribal participation in the BIA's budget formulation for Tribal Priority Allocations. Rights Protection Implementation, Fish Hatchery Operations, Fish Hatchery Maintenance, and Tribal Management and Development Programs: Award requests are prioritized at the Regional level and then approved based on total available program funding. Bison Restoration: Applications are evaluated and awards determined by the ITBC under their established policies.

Deadlines

None.

 

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Appeals

Unsuccessful applicants may request an informal conference with the deciding official, or may appeal the denial of the application to the Interior Board of Indian Appeals, or may bring suit in U.S. District Court. Full appeal procedures are found in 25 CFR, Part 900.

Renewals

Awards may be renewed indefinitely upon satisfactory performance by the contractor/grantee. A notice of intent to renew should be submitted at least 90 days prior to the expiration of the current award.

 

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Not applicable.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Awards are made on an annual basis and the funds remain available until expended by the contractor/grantee. Payments may be made in advance or by way of reimbursement. The timing of payments will be negotiated with the grantee.

 

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Financial status reports, SF 269A, are required. The timing and nature of program accomplishment data will be negotiated with the contractor/grantee.

Audits

For awards made under this program, grantees and subgrantees are responsible for obtaining audits in accordance with the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (31 U.S.C. 7501 et seq.).

Records

Financial records must be retained for 3 years from the date of submission of the single audit report. Procurement records must be retained for 3 years from the date of final payment. Property records must be retained for 3 years from the date of disposition, replacement, or transfer. Records pertaining to any litigation, audit exceptions, or claims must be retained until the dispute has been resolved.

 

Program Accomplishments

The Bureau executes and administers awards with eight inter-tribal fish and wildlife commissions and authorities, 11 fish producing tribes, more than 100 tribal fish hatcheries and rearing facilities, and 32 individual fish and wildlife resource tribes, and 6 tribal fish and wildlife organizations.

 

Financial Information

Account Identification

14-2100-0-1-302.

Obligations

(Total Amount of Awards) Wildlife and Parks: FY 02 $2,173,000; FY 03 est $2,172,000; and FY 04 est $2,155,000. Rights Protection Implementation: FY 02 $20,060,000; FY 03 est $21,084,000; and FY 04 est $16,412,000. Fish Hatchery Operations: FY 02 $906,000; FY 03 est $911,000; and FY 04 est $920,000. Fish Hatchery Maintenance: FY 02 $128,000; FY 03 est $129,000; and FY 04 est $130,000. Tribal Management and Development Programs: FY 02 $6,533,000; FY 03 est $6,493,100; and FY 04 est $4,170,100.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$5,000 to $800,000; financial assistance for 30 Fish Hatchery Maintenance projects ranges from $1,500 to $22,000; averaging $12,000. Approximately $1,150,000 is awarded to the Intertribal Bison Cooperative that is used to support bison restoration programs of 50 tribes.

 

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

25 CFR, Part 900, and Subchapter J -- Fish and Wildlife.

 

Related Programs

15.034, Agriculture on Indian Lands; 15.035, Forestry on Indian Lands; 15.037, Water Resources on Indian Lands; 15.608, Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance; 15.617, Wildlife Conservation and Appreciation; 15.916, Outdoor Recreation_Acquisition, Development and Planning.

 

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Local Bureau of Indian Affairs agency offices are listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.

Headquarters Office

Office of Trust Responsibilities, Division of Water and Land Resources, Branch of Fish, Wildlife, and Recreation, Bureau of Indian Affairs, 1849 C Street NW, MS 4513 MIB, Washington, DC 20240. Telephone: (202) 208-4088. Contact: Gary Rankel.

Web Site Address

http://www.doi.gov/bia/otrhome.htm#Fish

 

Examples of Funded Projects

Projects are quite diverse including base line inventories; harvest management; habitat enhancement or protection; regulation of fishing, boating, camping, and related public use activities; and water quality compliance measures.

 

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Criteria considered include goals/objectives, potential benefit, capability of the applicant to successfully conduct the project and budget its effective use. As indicated previously, Bison Restoration proposals are handled external of the Bureau by the Intertribal Bison Cooperative.