NAWCA North American Wetlands Conservation Act North American

NAWCA North American Wetlands Conservation Act

North American Waterfowl Management Plan Found a need for funding to protect and restore wetlands Envisioned a federal funding program Developed a system to bring partners together to access these funds (Joint Ventures) NAWCA – North American Wetland Conservation Act

Establishment Act passed in 1989 n Currently authorized up to $75 Million n In addition to appropriations, program funding comes sources such as fines, Federal fuel excise taxes (for coastal ecosystem projects) and interest. n FY 2008 total funding = $84. 4 Million n Funds projects in CN, MX and the US n

Act Implementation Joint Ventures are the venue through which NAWCA grants are run. NAWCA proposals should be submitted with know-ledge of the JV “responsible” for the project area. JV’s rank multiple projects within same funding cycle. Ranks contribute to funding decisions.

Types of Grants Two types available: Standard – $75, 001 to $1 Million funding (3 grants funded in NM) Small – up to $75, 000 funding (0 grants funded in NM)

Standard Grant Requirements n n n n 1: 1 match required. But best to propose at least a 2 non-federal: 1 federal dollar match. High documented waterfowl use or the ability to show that “they will come” Partners are everything – you’ll need many with several giving 10% of the request in match Location, location Putting land under perpetual easement or outright purchase is highly valued by the grantor as are Declining wetland types Documented benefit to other wetland-

Small NAWCAs are often better for areas with isolated, small or linear wetlands $2. 5 Million in FY 2008 for Small Grants Program = 33+ grants

Fewer requirements: Much less writing; 5 pages maximum Fewer overall match dollars needed More emphasis on habitat than waterfowl Smaller landscapes Fewer partners Works well with riparian areas

Before you begin…. Potential Regulatory requirements after grant receipt: Acquisition support letter Historic Preservation Survey Contaminants Survey NEPA U. S. Federal restrictions on purchases

Intermountain West JV administrati ve boundaries Playa Lakes

How grant funds may be spent equipment expenses that are prorated; n material and supply costs; n annual payments for conservation agreements of at least 15 years or for the maximum duration allowed by State law; n restoration or protection costs; and n initial management costs. n

Match Requirements n n Must be at least 1: 1 match. More non-federal to federal is better May use non-federal funds or in-kind contributed no earlier than 2 years prior to the date the proposal is submitted or during the 2 -year grant agreement period Funds cannot have been used to match any other federal funds Must send letters from all contributors, noting value of contribution, with the application

Potential Sources for matching funds Bird habitat groups – DU, NWTF, PF, QU, etc. City and County funds Civic or community groups NMDGF other state resource agencies (Forestry, State Parks) Private landowners RC & D’s Soil and Water conservation districts Sportsman’s clubs Tourism groups or boosters TNC, TPL and land trusts– acquisitions or easements Tribal dollars Universities and colleges Volunteer efforts

Summary Small NAWCA proposals make sense for our area: 1) relatively sparse populations; few corporations 2) few “easy” non-federal dollars 3) many private landowners 4) scattered or linear wetlands 5) few large concentrations of waterfowl

Talk to JV staff. Playa Lakes Intermountain West www. pljv. org www. iwjv. org Deadline for small grants will be November 28 For further information check out: www. fws. gov/birdhabitat/Grants/NAWCA/Small/index. shtm