FEDERAL AGENCY:

FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

AUTHORIZATION:

Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act of 1950, 64 Stat. 430, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 777-777K; Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937, 50 Stat. 917, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 669-b, 669- i; The Fish and Wildlife Programs Improvement and National Wildlife Refuge System Centennial Act of 2000, 114 Stat. 1762.

OBJECTIVES:

To provide funding for sport fish and wildlife restoration projects identified by the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration funds may be 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.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   States, groups of States, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (for National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife- Associated Recreation only), non-governmental organizations. By October 1st of each year the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (IAFWA) will provide the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service a priority list of projects recommended for funding. The Director may fund only 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 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 43 CFR 12, Subpart C, "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments" and OMB Circular A- 87. Cost for grants to non-governmental groups who are nonprofit organizations will be determined according to 43 CFR 12, Subpart (F), and OMB Circular A-122. Cost principles for non-governmental groups which are commercial will be determined 48 CFR 31.2 and Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) 31.2. Non-government applicants must certify that they will not use any grant funds for activities, projects, or programs that promote or encourage opposition to regulated hunting or trapping of wildlife, or angling for or harvest of sport fishes.

Pre-application Coordination:   For State applicants, 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 to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedure:   States will use forms and procedures described in 43 CFR Part 12, Subpart C, "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments", and OMB-Circular A-102. Nonprofit organizations will use forms and procedures described in 43 CFR Part 12, Subpart F, "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit Organizations", and OMB Circular A-110. Commercial applicants and Fish and Wildlife Service applicants must use forms and procedures described in 50 CFR 80, the Program Rule for the Federal Aid in Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Programs.

Award Procedure:   The Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service will select projects to be funded, based on established criteria, from a priority list developed by the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (IAFWA).

Deadlines:   The deadline for submitting proposals will be announced each year in the Federal Register, generally in the spring. The International Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies must provide its priority list of project proposals to the Fish and Wildlife Service Assistant Director - Migratory Birds and State Programs by October 1st. The following January, the Service Director will publish in the Federal Register the list of projects selected for funding that Federal fiscal year.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   Approximately 6 to 9 months.

Appeals:   Final determination rests with the Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service.

Renewals:   None. Any requests for future funding will compete with requests for new projects.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   This program has no statutory formula or matching requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Projects may be approved for up to 3 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 Fish and Wildlife Service grantees must use reporting procedures described in 43 CFR 12.80(b).

Audits:   Audits: In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No.A-133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit 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:   Cost records must be maintained for each project for 3 years after submission of the final request for reimbursement. 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 Fish and Wildlife Service grantees must use record keeping procedures described in 43 CFR 12, Subpart C, and OMB Circular A-102.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   14-8151-0-7-303; 14-5029-0-2-303.

Obligations:   (Grants) FY 01 $6,000,000; FY 02 est $6,000,000; and FY 03 est $6,000,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  
Range is $10,000 to $1,000,000; Average $300,000.

Not available.

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 Fish and Wildlife Service Offices.

Headquarters Office:  
Director, Policy and Programs, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters, Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program, Policy and Programs Division, 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: WSFR, , Falls Church, Virginia 22041-3803 Phone: (703) 358-2156.

Web Site Address:  
http://wsfrprograms.fws.gov

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

Education and training, analysis and focus on the values and use of sport fish and wildlife programs and new technologies, and evaluation in restoration, recreation, enhancement, an/or protection of sport fish and wildlife and their habitats.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

Projects will be reviewed and evaluated for scope, significance, feasibility, cost effectiveness, and attention to one or more focus areas.