Multistate Conservation Grant Program

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Program Accomplishments

From over 100 project proposals received each year, between 10 and 20 project grants are awarded annually.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration funds used for sport fisheries and wildlife research projects, boating access development, hunter safety, aquatic education, habitat improvements, and other projects consistent with the purposes of the enabling legislation.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

States, groups of State, Fish and Wildlife Service (for national Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation only), and non-governmental organizations.

By October 1st of each year the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) will provide the U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service a priority list of projects recommended for funding.

The U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service Director may only fund project proposals on the priority list.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Projects must benefit at least 26 States, or a majority of the States in a region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, or a regional association of State fish and game departments.

Credentials/Documentation

Costs for grants to States or groups of States will be determined in accordance with 2 CFR Part 225, Cost Principles for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments (OMB Circular A-87). Cost for grants to non-governmental groups who are nonprofit organizations will be determined according to 2 CFR Part 230, Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations (OMB Circular A-122). Cost principles for non-governmental groups which are commercial will be determined the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) 31.2. Non-government applicants must certify that they will not use grant funds for activities, projects, or programs that promote or encourage opposition to regulated hunting or trapping of wildlife, or to the regulated taking of fish.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

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 when applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedures

Applicants will use standard Federal Application and Assurance forms recently approved by OMB, as well as proposal formatting requirements established by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies in their spring request for Multi-State Conservation Grant project proposals. Standard Federal forms include the Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424), the Budget Information for Non-construction Program (SF-424A), and the Compliance Assurances for Non-construction Programs (SF-424-B). Specific application procedures for States are described in 43 CFR Part 12, Subpart C, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments. Specific application procedures for Nonprofits are described in 43 CFR Part 12, Subpart F, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Nonprofit Organizations. Specific application procedures for commercial applicants and Fish and Wildlife Service applicants are described in the FAR, Subpart 31.2, Contracts with Commercial Organizations, and 50 CFR 80, Administrative Requirements, Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration and Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Acts.

Award Procedures

The Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will select projects for funding from a priority list developed by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) based on established criteria.

Deadlines

The exact date in June of each year for submitting proposals to the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) will be announced generally in the Spring of each year at http://www.fishwildlife.org/multistate_grants.html. AFWA must submit its priority list of project proposals to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Assistant Director for Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs by October 1. The list of priority projects submitted by AFWA will be published in the Federal Register by the end of each calendar year.

Authorization

The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000, Public Law 106-408, as amended; the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act, 64 Stat. 430 as amended, 16 U.S.C. 777m and the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act, 50 Stat. 917 as amended, 16 U.S.C. 669h-2.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Approximately 6 to 9 months from the deadline established by AFWA for submitting proposals.

Appeals

Any differences of opinion over the eligibility of proposed activities or differences arising over the conduct of work may be appealed to the Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service.

Renewals

None.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

None.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Projects may be approved for up to three years with funding dependant on annual competition.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Reporting requirements for grants to States are described in 43 CFR 12, Subpart C, and OMB Circular A-102.

Reporting for grants to nonprofit organizations are described in 43 CFR 12, Subpart F, and OMB Circular A-110.

Commercial grantees and U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service grantees must use reporting procedures described in 43 CFR 12.80 and FAR Subpart 31.2.

Audits

Audits: In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No.A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program specific audit conducted for that year. Non-federal entities that expend less than $500,000 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 for three years after submission of the final Financial Status Report. Record keeping requirements for grants to States are described in 43 CFR 12, Subpart C, and OMB Circular A-102. Record keeping requirements for grants to nonprofit organizations are described in 43 CFR 12, Subpart F, and OMB Circular A-110. For Commercial grantee and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service grantees must use record keeping procedures described in 43 CFR 12, Subpart C, and OMB Circular A-110.

Financial Information

Account Identification

14-8151-0-7-303; 14-5029-0-2-303.

Obigations

(Grants) FY 07 $6,000,000; FY 08 est $6,000,000; and FY 09 est $6,000,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$25,000 to $500,000; $140,000.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

43 CFR 12; 50 CFR 80; Sections 521, 522, and 523 of the Fish and Wildlife Service Manual.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

See Catalog Appendix IV for Regional U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Offices.

Headquarters Office

Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Federal Assistance, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 4020, Arlington, VA 22203. Contact: Multistate Conservation Grant Program Coordinator. Telephone: (703) 358-2156.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Projects will be reviewed and evaluated for scope, significance, feasibility, and cost effectiveness. In addition, projects must address one or more focus areas as described in the National Conservation Needs established annually by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA).