Wildlife Resource Management

 

The Wildlife Program fulfills the Department of the Interior visions of improving the management of wildlife and their habitats, and upholding trust and related responsibilities. The Wildlife Program is responsible for administering program activities that support maintaining functioning wildlife habitats, developing, and implementing restoration projects, and the inventory and monitoring of priority habitats and species to track trends and use on public lands. BLM-managed lands are vital to thousands of species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. To provide for the long-term conservation of wildlife and biodiversity on public lands, the Wildlife Program uses a science-based approach to manage public lands to identify projects that support meeting land health standards and desired resource objectives for priority species and habitats, as outlined in land use plans. The program is focused on addressing habitat connectivity issues and implementing projects that consider climate change impacts to short- and long-term objectives. The Wildlife Program uses a multi-scale approach that involves coordination with BLM offices and other programs; Federal, state, and tribal governments; and non-governmental partners to accomplish projects and coordinated management at appropriate scales. The BLMs primary partners in wildlife habitat conservation include the respective state fish and wildlife agencies, tribal governments, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Wildlife Program also collaborates with other agencies and numerous conservation partners to leverage resources and maximize the benefits for wildlife habitat. The BLM uses the latest geospatial data technologies to share wildlife and wildlife data within BLM and with partners to work more efficiently. This program will fund projects under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act PL 117-58, Section 40804(b) Ecosystem Restoration.

Active 15.247 Bureau of Land Management, Department of The Interior B - Project Grants Fiscal Year 2017 Made over 240 awards – Projects funded include those in collaboration with more than 20 western colleges and universities to advance knowledge for decision support tools and conservation practices. All western States Fish and Game agencies were awarded at least two to three awards to assist in achieving mutual objectives for wildlife conservation. Invasive species projects were awarded to at least 25 western counties to advance the control of invasive species that impact wildlife habitat. All wester bird observatories were awarded projects to help planning and NEPA decision support tool development. The highest priority areas for sage-grouse conservation within the BLM wildlife program are the Sagebrush Focal Areas identified by the FWS in October 2014 and subsequently identified by the BLM as Sagebrush Focal Areas in the proposed land use plans. Some of these Sagebrush Focal Areas cross state boundaries so those BLM State Offices will continue to demonstrate landscape scale management of sage-grouse habitats utilizing partners. BLM programs will work with partners to focus research on assessment of other sage obligate species as BLM implements sagebrush conservation. BLM will support enhancement of knowledge of migratory pathways of migratory wildlife, in particular that of big game. In addition, will be partnering with states to assess conservation needs of species of economic value and species in decline.
Fiscal Year 2018 Projects funded include those in collaboration with western colleges and universities to advance knowledge for decision support tools and conservation practices. Western States Fish and Game agencies to assist in achieving mutual objectives for wildlife conservation. Invasive species projects were awarded to advance the control of invasive species that impact wildlife habitat.
Fiscal Year 2019 Monitoring of golden eagles and assess winter eagle and other raptor densities to document raptor migration volume at strategic observation points. Evaluate the effects of large-scale wildfire on sage-grouse habitat and population demographics and to improve emergency stabilization and rehabilitation efforts post-fire. Restore habitats to support habitat quality in big game migration by identifying specific seasonal pronghorn distribution and ranges.
Fiscal Year 2020 Worked with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) to restore Big Game habitat in priority corridors on BLM Public Lands as identified by AZ, CA, CO, ID, OR, MT, NV, NM, UT, WA, and WY game & fish agencies.
Fiscal Year 2021 Worked with Backcountry Hunters and Anglers to coordinate volunteer workforce to assist state and field offices with on-the-ground restoration projects. Developed an agreement with Mule Deer Foundation to help foster cross-boundary big game habitat restoration projects throughout the West. Continued to work with NFWF on soliciting habitat restoration projects that benefit big game and other wildlife in priority corridors. Worked closely with the Wildlife Management Institute, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and the Wildlife Society to support interagency coordination and information exchange, provide training and research updates to key BLM staff.
Fiscal Year 2023 Pollinator Partnership promoting informed land management strategies to support pollinator and ecosystem conservation, Great Basin Bird Observatory enriching the AIM monitoring program and data set with land bird occurrence data.
Fiscal Year 2024 Unknown at this time. Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, (FLPMA) 43 U.S.C. §1737 (b)
Watershed Restoration and Enhancement Agreements, 16 U.S.C. §1101 (b) Anyone/general public with the exception of other federal agencies. Applicants must competitively apply to postings on Grants.gov to opportunities posted by the office that has funding and the desire to accomplish conservation cooperatively with an applicant that can deliver to a level of public purpose that addresses the wildlife conservation need outlined in the opportunity listing. All Public Land users. Not applicable. Preapplication coordination is required. An environmental impact statement is required for this listing. An environmental impact assessment is required for this listing. 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. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. 2 CFR, Part 200, Subpart C--Pre-Federal Award Requirements and Contents of Federal Awards. A Standard Form 424, Application for Federal Assistance, Standard Form 424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs, Standard Form 424B, Assurances for Non-Construction Programs, and a written proposal, budget spreadsheet, a budget narrative/breakdown, and any other requirements specified in the Notice of Funding Opportunity Notice and must be submitted through www.grants.gov. State plan is not required for this application. All applications will be initially screened for eligibility and compliance with the requirements stated in the program Notice of Funding Opportunity Announcement. Applications passing this screening process will be forwarded for review by the proposal evaluation criteria, and any additional review factors, as stated in the funding announcement. State and District Office level and funding recommendations are made through the State's annual work plan. Final budget approvals rest with the State Director. Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines Award time varies depending on the type and complexity of the project, but should not be more than five years. Further information will be available for each program at the time the Notice of Funding Opportunity is posted on www.grants.gov and may be obtained by contacting the point of contact listed in the funding opportunity announcement. Most awards are anticipated within 90 days or less after the announcement closes. Final award decisions are not subject to appeal; however, the Bureau of Land Management will provide all applicants with information on why their proposal was not selected for award. Not applicable. First Level Screening -Basic Eligibility. Applications will be screened by the Grants Management Officer to ensure that applications meet basic eligibility requirements. Must meet the requirements of the Notice of Funding Opportunity posted on www.grants.gov, screening may include, but is not limited to: Program and/or legislative authority requirements are met; Submission is timely; and complete and properly executed SF-424 application package documents. B. Applications must satisfy basic eligibility screening requirements to be considered for further review. Second Level Evaluation -- Merit Review Evaluation is stated in each Notice of Funding Opportunity noticed post on www.grants.gov Third Level Review Pre-Award Clearance and Approvals. BLM will also complete a business evaluation and determination of responsibility. During these evaluations, the Grants Management Officer will evaluate variables such as: Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System, financial stability, quality of management systems, past performance meeting prior award terms and conditions, reports and findings of audits performed, and applicant's ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory or other requirements. Projects are primarily conducted on lands administered by the BLM but may also be conducted on other public or private lands. Projects not on public lands should demonstrate effects on wildlife resources that share use of public and non-public lands. Projects may also include development of decision support tools and information to enhance wildlife conservation. Most of these lands are located in the Western United States and Alaska. Assistance can be used to help protect, restore, and assess wildlife resources and to provide related public contact/education opportunities. Funding is highly variable each fiscal year. Performance Reports: Shall submit at the minimum an annual Performance Report in accordance with the 2 CFR, Part 200.328 within 90 days after the anniversary date or as indicated in the Notice of Award. Upon completion of the agreement, recipients shall submit a final report no later than 120 calendar day after the award end date. Not applicable. All recipients of Federal awards shall maintain project records in accordance with 2 CFR 200.333 Retention requirements for records. Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other non-Federal entity records pertinent to a Federal award must be retained for a period of three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report or, for Federal awards that are renewed quarterly or annually, from the date of the submission of the quarterly or annual financial report, respectively, as reported to the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity in the case of a subrecipient. Federal awarding agencies and pass-through entities must not impose any other record retention requirements upon non-Federal entities, except as noted in 2 CFR 200.333. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. No specific restrictions. However, most projects are funded on a year to year basis and no more than five years. Funds are expended during a particular fiscal year. Most awards are anticipated within 90 days or less after the announcement closes. Frequency of recipient payments will be determined for each awarded assistance agreement at time of award. None/Not specified. Division of Wildlife, Aquatics & Environmental Protection
760 Horizon Drive, Suite 324
Washington, DC 81506 US
lcardena@blm.gov
Phone: 406-396-2513 14-1109-0-1-302 (Cooperative Agreements (Discretionary Grants)) FY 22$9,782,775.00; FY 23 est $1,374,224.00; FY 24 est $2,000,000.00; FY 21$12,003,616.00; FY 20$12,003,616.00; FY 19$12,191,962.00; FY 18$30,850,320.00; FY 17$27,411,958.00; - Past partnership projects have ranged from $10,000 to $1,000,000. Average amounts approximately $68,300 or less. Manuals provide basic program operational guidance for Wildlife Conservation (BLM Manual 6500) may be obtained by contacting the Headquarters Office. In addition, 43 CFR 24 guides the BLM to collaboratively conserve resident wildlife with the state agencies. Migratory birds, a federal responsibility, also outlined in 43 CFR 24, are also collaboratively managed with state and other federal agencies. Sikes Act,16 USC 670h(c) Fiscal Year 2017 WY Sage Grouse as it pertains to Assessment, Inventory and Monitoring Implementation, Wild and Scenic Rivers, National Trails, Central AZ Grasslands, Upper Rio Grande, Milk River International Central Basin and Range, Healthy Land Initiative Programs Bureau wide, WY Special Status Species Population and Habitat, multiple state Bird Conservation Partnerships for identifying sage obligate species information, Sage Grouse Habitat Owyhee Uplands, migration corridor assessment in Wyoming, grassland and desert scrub habitat assessment for birds and other species.
Fiscal Year 2018 Utah - Improving habitat quality in big game migration corridors: Identifying big game migration corridors by conducting research and gathering empirical data on wildlife movements. OR/WA -Western Snowy Plover: Study of winter use of the Western snowy plover on the Coos Bay North Spit to ensure plovers are protected appropriately based on data about their habitat use.
Fiscal Year 2019 Assess winter eagle and other raptor densities to document raptor migration volume at strategic observation points. Restoring habitats to support habitat quality in big game migration Quantify and evaluate the effects of spring cattle grazing on sage-grouse habitat and population demographics.
Fiscal Year 2020 AZ Coordinated Bird Monitoring, CO Strengthening Partnerships for Wildlife Resource Management, AK Population Modeling for the Haines/Skagway Mountain Goat, ID Land Stewardship through Wildlife Habitat Inventory, MT Sage-Grouse Grazing Study, OR/WA Rock Creek Elk Habitat, UT Wildlife Migration Initiative.
Fiscal Year 2021 Worked with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to restore Big Game habitat in priority corridors on BLM Public Lands as identified by AZ, CA, CO, ID, OR, MT, NV, NM, UT, WA, and WY game & fish agencies. BLM funded 211 project under this program.
Fiscal Year 2023 Promoting informed land management strategies to support pollinator and ecosystem conservation, Enriching the AIM monitoring program and data set with land bird occurrence data, Supporting the professional development, science, and communication of agency wildlife biologists and managers through a professional society.
Fiscal Year 2024 Unknown at this time