Landowner Incentive (15.633)
Program
15.633 Landowner Incentive
Federal Agency
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Authorization
Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2002, Public Law 107-63; Title I; Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965; 16 U.S.C. 4601-4 through 11.
Program Number
15.633
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To establish or supplement existing landowner incentive programs that provide technical or financial assistance including habitat protection and restoration, to private landowners for the protection and management of habitat to benefit Federally listed, proposed, or candidate species, or other at-risk species on private lands; and to encourage States to enhance private landowner conservation by providing these benefits to private landowners in an efficient manner.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
These grants are available for conservation efforts to be carried out on private lands, to provide technical or financial assistance to private landowners for the purpose of benefitting Federally listed, proposed, or candidate species, or other at-risk species on private lands. Assistance must be to protect, restore, or manage habitat on private lands.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Application is limited to States, Federally recognized Indian Tribal Governments, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and American Samoa agencies with lead management responsibility for fish and wildlife resources.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Land/Property Owner and Anyone/General Public. (While direct participation is limited to State fish and wildlife agencies, private landowners will directly benefit and the general public will ultimately benefit from these wildlife conservation measures.)
Credentials/Documentation
Only the agency that with primary management responsibility for fish and wildlife resources within the State may apply for these grants.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
Application procedures are spelled out in the "Federal Aid Grant Application Booklet" available electronically at: www.nctc.fws.gov/fedaid/fatrain. To receive a paper copy, contact the regional or local office.
Award Procedure
The Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service approves or disapproves proposed projects. Regional offices are responsible for notification of grant approval to the grantee by return of a completed agreement.
Deadlines
June 2002.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
Appeals rest with the FWS Director. In the event of continued disagreement, final determination rests with the Secretary of the Interior.
Renewals
Projects are funded on a one-time basis. Any requests for future funding must compete with requests for new projects.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
The Federal share of project costs is not to exceed 75 percent. Matching and cost-sharing requirements are discussed in 43 CFR Part 12, Section 12.64.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Funds are available until expended.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
A Performance Report is required for each grant or grant segment annually within 90 days after the end of the grant or segment period.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit 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 3 years after submission of final request for reimbursement.
Program Accomplishments
It is anticipated that 30 grant proposals will be received and 28 awarded in fiscal year 2002.
Financial Information
Account Identification
14-5496-0-1-303.
Obligations
(Grants) FY 02 $40,000,000; FY 03 est $39,740,000; and FY 04 est $40,000,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Not available.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002, Public Law 107- 63, Title I, language on Landowner Incentive Program, and 43 CFR 12.
Related Programs
15.605, Sport Fish Restoration; 15.608, Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance; 15.611, Wildlife Restoration; 15.615, Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund; 15.617, Wildlife Conservation and Appreciation; 15.625, Wildlife Conservation and Restoration.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
See Catalog Appendix IV for addresses.
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, Fax (703) 358-1837.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Not available.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Projects must be submitted by the State agency having responsibility for management of the State's wildlife resources. Projects are selected and approved based on criteria contained in the FWS Director's guidelines and 43 CFR 12.
