Deadline: 2-Mar-23
The Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking applications for the Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) Land Acquisition under the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund.
Established by Congress in fiscal year (FY) 1997, the HCP Land Acquisition Grant program was designed to reduce conflicts between the conservation of listed species and competing land uses on specific parcels of land associated with approved and permitted HCPs. Under this program, the Service provides matching grants to States in support of land acquisition projects that will conserve species habitat in perpetuity through fee simple acquisition or the acquisition of permanent conservation easements.
The Service considers the use of Federal acquisition dollars by States for habitat protection associated with HCPs to be an important and effective mechanism to promote species recovery, prevent extinction, and preclude the need to list species under the ESA in the future. All land acquired through these grants complements, but does not replace, the mitigation, minimization, and/or monitoring commitments of the HCP. Thus, this work is additive to the conservation commitments entered into when HCPs are permitted and serves as a meaningful way to leverage non-Federal investment in species recovery and connect conservation lands across the landscape.
Purpose
- These grants support the acquisition of land associated with both single-species and multiplespecies HCPs. As in previous years, 10 percent of the funding available will be used to support the acquisition of land associated with single-species HCPs.
- While all projects must be consistent with the conservation objectives outlined in a species’ most recently approved recovery planning document, those anticipated to significantly contribute to species recovery, preclude listing of a candidate species, or address threats to an at-risk species will be prioritized.
- Wildlife TRACS (Tracking and Reporting Actions for the Conservation of Species) is a tracking and reporting system used by the Service to capture information about conservation and related actions funded by its grant programs. TRACS serves as an electronic repository system for all performance, accomplishment, and real property reporting related to these Federal awards. TRACS highlights program accountability by documenting program accomplishments and results.
- The Service recognizes that, in the exercise of their general governmental powers, States possess broad trustee and police powers over fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats within their borders. Unless preempted by Federal authority, States possess primary authority and responsibility for protection and management of fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats.
- These grants encourage the cooperative implementation of the ESA by leveraging Federal investment in species recovery and demonstrate the Service’s commitment to cooperative conservation at the local level. Through this collaborative and inclusive approach to conservation, these grants further the Biden-Harris administration’s America the Beautiful initiative to conserve, connect, and restore 30 percent of our lands and waters by 2030 for the sake of the Nation’s economy, health, and well-being.
Funding Information
- Estimated Total Funding $21,638,000
- Maximum Award $21,638,000
- Minimum Award $10,000
- Expected Award Date June 30, 2023
- The maximum period of performance (PoP) for a grant awarded through this opportunity is three years, beginning on the effective date established at the time of grant approval or the date of award obligation, whichever is earlier.
Eligibility Criteria
- State governments
- Only State agencies that have entered into a Cooperative Agreement of the ESA and have provided the information necessary for the annual renewal (reconfirmation) of their Cooperative Agreement are eligible to apply for funding.
- Applicants that have not fulfilled both criteria will not be considered. While funding may only be awarded to States, groups such as counties or conservation organizations may work with a State agency that has a cooperative agreement on conservation efforts that are mutually beneficial, as a subgrantee.
- Projects must involve voluntary conservation efforts within the United States.
- If a proposal involves the collaboration of two or more States, the minimum non-Federal cost share decreases to 10 percent of the total project cost. The project proposal and budget must reflect the work and responsibilities to be carried out by each of the cooperating States. The source(s) of the non-Federal cost share is up to the applicants and may come from more than one source.
- Applications must include a commitment to funding for, and implementation of, management of the land in perpetuity consistent with the conservation needs of the species.
- State administrative costs must either be assumed by the State or included in the application in accordance with Federal requirements. Applications may not be submitted to cover administrative costs alone.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.