Grants Fund Wetland Conservation Projects In 15 States
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will award more than $15.7 million in grants to 15 states to conserve, restore and protect coastal wetlands.
States awarded grants for fiscal year 2003 under the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program are Alabama, Alaska, California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Virginia and Washington State.
The grants, which will help fund 21 projects, will be awarded through the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant program and will be supplemented by $33 million from state and private partners.
The Service makes yearly matching grants to coastal states and U.S. territories for projects involving the acquisition, restoration or enhancement of coastal wetlands. Projects are administered for long-term conservation benefits to wildlife and habitat.
“Our state and private partners are key to protecting this nation’s natural heritage for future generations to enjoy,” said Service Director Steve Williams. AThrough cooperative projects such as those funded by Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grants, we can help provide habitat for hundreds of species, and in many cases, public use opportunities as well.” Partners in this year’s Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grants projects include state natural resources agencies, land trusts, universities, several timber companies, private landowners, and conservation groups such as Ducks Unlimited and The Nature Conservancy.
To date, the Service has awarded more than $120 million in grants to 25 states and one U.S. territory under the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program.
When the 2003 grants projects are complete, more than 17,000 acres will have been protected and/or restored; nearly 150,000 acres will have been protected or restored since the wetlands grant program began in 1990.will have protected and/or restored
National Coastal Wetlands Conservation grants are awarded through a competitive process. The program is one of three conservation efforts funded by the 1990 Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act. Funding for the program is generated from excise taxes on fishing equipment and motorboat and small engine fuels.
These taxes are deposited into the Sport Fish Restoration Account of the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund (commonly called Wallop-Breaux after its Congressional sponsors).
For more information about the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grants program contact the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Room 840, Arlington, VA 22203 or Division of Federal Aid, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Room 140, Arlington, VA 22203; or check the program’s Internet home page at www.fws.gov.
