State Wildlife Grants (15.634)
Program
15.634 State Wildlife Grants
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.
Program Number
15.634
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To develop and implement programs for the benefit of wildlife and their habitat, including species that are not hunted or fished.
Types of Assistance
Formula Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Approved activities include those which develop and implement programs for the benefit of wildlife and their habitat, including species that are not hunted or fished.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Participation is limited to fish and wildlife agencies of the States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the United States Virgin Islands.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Anyone/General Public (While direct participation is limited to fish and wildlife agencies, the general public will ultimately benefit from these wildlife conservation measures.)
Credentials/Documentation
Only that agency that has management responsibility for fish and wildlife resources within the State may apply for these grants. No State, territory, or other jurisdiction shall receive a grant unless it has developed or committed to develop by October 1, 2005, a comprehensive wildlife conservation plan, which must consider the broad range of the State, territory, or other jurisdiction's wildlife and associated habitats, with appropriate priority placed on those species with the greatest conservation need and taking into consideration the relative level of funding available for the conservation of those species.
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. A paper copy is available from the Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Federal Aid by calling 703- 358-2156.
Award Procedure
The Regional Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service or his or her designee approves or disapproves proposed projects. Regional offices are responsible for notification of grant approval to the grantee by return of a completed agreement.
Deadlines
None.
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 renewed on an annual basis through approval of a grant agreement.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
The Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill for FY 02, Public Law 107-63, Title I requires that: (1) The Secretary of the Interior shall, after deducting administrative expenses and $5,000,000 for Tribal grants, apportion the remaining amount in the following manner: (A) to the District of Columbia and to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, each a sum equal to not more than one-half of 1 percent thereof: and (B) to Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, each a sum equal to not more than one- fourth of one percent thereof. (2) The Secretary shall apportion the remaining amount in the following manner: (A) one-third of which is based on the ratio to which the land area of such State bears to the total land area of all such States; and (B) two-thirds of which is based on the ratio to which the population of such State bears to the total population of all such States. The amounts apportioned under this paragraph shall be adjusted equitably so that no State shall be apportioned a sum which is less than 1 percent of the amount available for apportionment under this paragraph for any fiscal year or more than 5 percent of such amount: The Federal share of project costs is not to exceed 75 percent for a planning grant, nor 50 percent for an implementation grant. Matching and cost-sharing requirements are discussed in 43 CFR Part 12, Section 12.64.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Apportioned funds are available for obligation by the State for a period of 2 years. Reimbursements can be requested on a continuing basis as expenditures are verified. Balances remaining unobligated after the period of availability, or unspent after the final grant closeout are returned to the Service for reapportionment.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
A Performance Report is required for each grant 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 receive 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 the final request for reimbursement.
Program Accomplishments
It is anticipated that at least 56 grant proposals will be received and approved in fiscal year 2002 (an average of one per State).
Financial Information
Account Identification
14-5474-0-1-303.
Obligations
(Grants) FY 02 $84,800,000; FY 03 est $59,610,000; and FY 04 est $59,983,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
The smallest formula grant apportionments will go to the territories of Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands who will have an estimated $194,000 available for obligation. The largest formula grant apportionments will go to Alaska, California and Texas who will have an estimated $3,800,000 available for obligation. The average apportionment for the 56 States and Territories is $1.38 million.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill for FY 02, Public Law 107-63 language on State Wildlife Grants, and 43 CFR Part 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 address Appendix IV for addresses.
Headquarters Office
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street NW., 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. The State agency selects the projects that are submitted for funding under the program. Projects are approved if they meet the basic criteria contained in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director's guidelines and 43 CFR Part 12.
