$62 Million In State Grants Support Wildlife And Habitats
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced more than $62 million in wildlife grants to State and Territorial wildlife agencies. The State Wildlife Grants are designed to assist State-specific programs that benefit declining wildlife and their habitat. The Grants are funded under the 2005 Interior Department Appropriations Act.
Some examples of ongoing State Wildlife Grant projects include:
–The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is restoring 90 acres of tallgrass prairie and 70 acres of wheatgrass playa grassland on existing wildlife management areas in the Rainwater Basin of south-central Nebraska. These plant communities will provide important habitat for an array of sensitive prairie species.
–The New Mexico Game and Fish Department is determining the population numbers and trends of flammulated owls. Data resulting from this project will help resource managers make informed decisions about land management actions affecting these birds.
–The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is partnering with the City of Chicago to purchase 102 acres at Hegewisch marsh. The new acquisition provides optimum nesting habitat for the little blue heron, yellow-headed blackbird, pied-billed grebe, and common moorhen.
–The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is gathering wild Atlantic sturgeon from the Delaware River to analyze genetic profiles in an effort to restore this species.
The Service is working closely with State planners to develop Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategies. To be further eligible in FY 2006 for State Wildlife Grant funds, each State must complete a Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy by October 1, 2005.
States may use the funds for either planning or project implementation activities. State may receive no more than 5 percent or less than 1 percent of the total available funds.
The District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico will receive one-half of 1 percent and Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marina Islands will receive one-fourth of 1 percent. For the 50 States,the apportionment is based on a formula that uses each States land area and population.
