Provide technical and financial assistance to private
landowners and Native American Tribes interested in voluntarily restoring or
otherwise improving native habitats for fish and wildlife on their lands.
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:
Direct Payments for Specified Use. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
Assistance provided to private landowners and Native American Tribes. Program
goal is to achieve a 50 percent cost share on projects with matching funds and
in-kind contributions provided by the landowners and other partners.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant Eligibility: Private landowners and
Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments are eligible for financial and
technical assistance from the Partners Program.
Beneficiary Eligibility: Federally Recognized
Indian Tribal Governments and General Public.
Pre-application Coordination: None. This program is
excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure: Private landowner contacts
the local Partners Program coordinator who makes a site visit and works with
the landowner to design a project that will benefit Federal trust resources
and is acceptable for the landowner's needs. Environmental Impact Statements
are typically not required.
Award Procedure: After a project has been
designed and the cost calculated, the local Partner Program coordinator will
be able to inform the private landowner whether or not the Service will
provide cost-share assistance. When the landowner has signed a cooperative
agreement (a minimum of 10 years) work can begin on the project. The Service
reimburses the landowner after the project is completed and confirmed correct.
Deadlines: None.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Not
applicable.
Appeals: Not applicable.
Renewals: Not applicable. Private landowners may
request additional projects on their lands.
ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula and Matching Requirements: This program has
no statutory formula. The Program goal is to obtain a 50 percent match of
Federal monies by partnering with landowners, local community groups and other
local and national conservation organizations.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Cost-share
is a one time event that occurs after project construction.
POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports: Detailed biological reports are prepared on
a percentage of projects funded. All projects are monitored for accurate
construction.
Audits: In accordance with the provisions of OMB
Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local
Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that
expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a
single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal
entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt
from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No.
A-133.
Records: Accomplishments are recorded for each
project in the Habitat Information Tracking System (HabITS). HabITS tracks
habitat improvement accomplishments and program-specific technical assistance
workloads associated with the Coastal Program and Partners for Fish and
Wildlife Program.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
Account Identification: 14-1611-0-1-303.
Obligations: (Direct payments) FY 01 $23,600,000;
FY 02 est $24,300,000; and FY 03 est $23,400,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance:
Cost-share range per project is from $200 to $25,000. The average cost per
project is $5,400.
In fiscal year 2001, the Partners Program helped restore or enhance 49,000
acres of wetlands, 335,000 acres of native grasslands, 990 miles of riparian
corridors, stream banks and in- stream habitats, assisted with the removal of
100 fish passage barriers, and completed over 3,000 landowner agreements to
restore fish and wildlife habitat on private lands.
REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
Annual Performance Plan, Annual Performance Reports, and GPRA Accomplishment
Report.
INFORMATION CONTACTS:
Regional or Local Office: See Catalog Appendix IV
for addresses.
Headquarters Office: Chief, Branch of Habitat
Restoration, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, 4401
N. Fairfax Drive, Room 400, Arlington, VA 22203. Telephone: (703) 358-2201.
Use the same number for FTS. Fax number is (703) 358-2232.
Web Site Address: http://www.partners.fws.gov.
EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
Typical wetland restoration and enhancement techniques involve restoring the
natural hydrology of a site through the blocking of surface ditches, breaking
sub-surface drain tiles, building shallow berms to trap water, filling in
concentration pits, removing eroded sediment which fills in basins, installing
grass buffers, or installing fences along wetlands or stream corridors that
prevent cattle grazing within the stream or wetland. Other wetland enhancement
activities include working with the landowners to better manage the wetland
through the use of grazing, haying, discing, and burning. Upland restoration
and enhancement and riparian areas are restored and enhanced through
re-seeding or planting native grass, forbs, woody shrubs and trees. The
installation of cross fencing along with providing alternative sources of
water, assist landowners develop grassland/grazing management plans that have
greater benefits for wildlife. Removing barriers to fish migration and using
natural channel design techniques is the main focus of the Partners Program
in-stream restoration work. Riparian fencing and improved grazing systems
compliments stream restoration work.
CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:
Projects must benefit Federal trust species, involve on-the-ground habitat
restoration, and be cost- effective.
