Hunter Education and Safety Program (15.626)
Program
15.626 Hunter Education and Safety Program
Federal Agency
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Authorization
Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937, 50 Stat. 917 as amended; 16 U.S.C. 669h-1.
Program Number
15.626
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To provide Section 10 funds for the enhancement of hunter, bow, and archery education programs and the enhancement of construction of firearm shooting ranges and archery ranges.
Types of Assistance
Formula Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
These funds may only be used for the enhancement of hunter education programs and construction of ranges until the State has used all of the 4(c) funds apportioned to it for hunter education and safety per 16 U.S.C. 669c.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Participation limited to State fish and wildlife agencies. States must have passed laws for the conservation of wildlife which includes a prohibition against diversion of license fees paid by hunters for purposes other than the administration of the State fish and wildlife agency. Also eligible are Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
Beneficiary Eligibility
State fish and wildlife agencies, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
Credentials/Documentation
Notification of desire to participate must be made annually to the Secretary. The State fish and wildlife director must furnish a certification of the number of paid hunting- license holders.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
The standard application forms furnished by the Federal agency and required by 43 CFR Part 12, Subpart C, "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments," must be used for this program. Environmental assessment is required to determine environmental impacts. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.
Application Procedure
Participating States will submit a narrative statement describing the need, objectives, benefits, approach, and estimated cost for the proposed grant along with the standard application forms furnished by the Federal agency and required by 43 CFR Part 12, Subpart C, "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments" and the Fish and Wildlife Service Manual.
Award Procedure
The Regional Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service approves or disapproves proposed grants. Regional offices are responsible for notification of grant approval to the grantee by return of a completed grant agreement.
Deadlines
None.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
Final determination rests with the Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service.
Renewals
Multi-year grants may be renewed on an annual basis through approval of a Grant Agreement.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Funds are apportioned on the basis of population of the States. No State may receive more than 3 percent or less than 1 percent of the total hunter safety funds apportioned. States may be reimbursed up to 75 percent of the total project cost. Statistical factors used for fund allocation are (1) State's percentage share of land area from the 2000 Census of Population (Statistical Abstract of the United States, 12th edition); (2) State's percentage share of number of paid hunting license holders, from the source annually certified by each State's fish and wildlife agency; (3) State's percentage share of population (hunter education) from the source 2000 Census of Population. Statistical factors used for eligibility do not apply for this program.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Funds are available for obligation for one year. Balances remaining unobligated after one year are returned to be reapportioned to certain States for use in wildlife restoration activities.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
An Annual Performance Report is required for each annual segment within 90 days after the anniversary date of the grant award.
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.) and OMB Circular A-133. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
Cost records must be maintained separately for each project. Records, accounts, and supporting documents must be retained for three years after submission of final request for reimbursement.
Program Accomplishments
Not available.
Financial Information
Account Identification
14-5029-0-2-303.
Obligations
(Grants) FY 02 $7,500,000; FY 03 est $8,000,000; and FY 04 est $8,000,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$12,500 to $225,000.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
50 CFR 80; Fish and Wildlife Service Manual.
Related Programs
15.605, Sport Fish Restoration; 15.608, Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance; 15.615, Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund; 15.617, Wildlife Conservation and Appreciation.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
See Catalog address appendix.
Headquarters Office
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, Washington, DC 20240. Contact: Chief, Division of Federal Aid. Telephone: (703) 358-2156.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Hunter and/or bow and archery education and training programs, shooting range construction and/or renovation and maintenance.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Grants must be submitted by the State agency having responsibility for management of the State's wildlife resources. The State agency selects those grants that are submitted for funding under the program. Grants are approved if they meet the basic criteria contained in the regulations referenced above.
