Division of Bird Habitat Conservation

North American Wetlands Conservation Act Grants Program

Purpose

History

The Act was passed, in part, to support activities under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, an international agreement that provides a strategy for the long-term protection of wetlands and associated uplands habitats needed by waterfowl and other migratory birds in North America. In December 2002, Congress reauthorized appropriations for the Act through Fiscal Year (FY) 2007, reflecting its and the public’s support of the Act’s goals. Congress increased the appropriation authorization to $55 million in 2003, with $5 million increases to occur annually until FY 2007, when the appropriation cap will be $75 million..

Funding

In FY 2004, Congress appropriated $37.5 million to fund the grants program. Additional funding comes from moneys received from fines, penalties, and forfeitures under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 and from interest accrued on the fund established under the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937. Amendments to the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act of 1950 directed a portion of the moneys collected from Federal fuel excise taxes on small gasoline engines be allocated for use under the Act for coastal ecosystem projects. The Presidents's FY2005 budget request is $54 million, an increase of $16.5 million.

The North American Wetlands Conservation Council

The Act established the Council to review and recommend project proposals to the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, which has the authority to approve funding for projects. The Council is comprised of nine members. The Director of the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Executive Secretary of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation have permanent seats on the Council. Four state representatives (one from each flyway) and three non-governmental organization representatives (each from a different non-governmental organization that is an active partner in wetlands conservation) are appointed by the Secretary of the Interior. These members serve 3-year terms. Non-voting ex officio members are also appointed by the Secretary. There are currently two ex officio members representing non-governmental organizations and one each representing Canada and Mexico. The Council meets three times each year.

Accomplishments

Standard Grants Program: From September 1990 through June 2004 more than 2,024 partners have been involved in 1,074 Standard Grant Act-supported projects. Canadian and U.S. partners focus on protecting, restoring, and/or enhancing critical habitat. Projects must support long-term wetlands acquisition, restoration, and/or enhancement and partners must minimally match the grant request at a 1-to-1 ratio. Mexican partners may develop training and management programs and conduct studies on sustainable use as well.

More than $605.1 million has been invested through the Act; total partner contributions have amounted to more than $1.7 billion. Approximately 22.1 million acres of wetlands and associated uplands have been affected across the continent.

Small Grants Program: Small Grants support the same kinds of activities as Standard Grants but usually involve fewer project dollars. In FY 2004, $2 million was allocated for projects. Except that grant requests may not exceed $50,000 and that funding priority is given to projects that have a grantee or partners that have not participated in an Act-supported project before, criteria for funding a project are the same as for Standard Grants.

From 1996, when the program began, to June 2004, 240 projects, involving more than 666 partners, have been funded. Partners added more than $69.4 million to more than $10.2 million in grants to conserve some 81,814 acres of habitats in the United States.

Contacts

Standard Grants proposals: David Buie (david_buie@fws.gov), (301) 497-5870
Small Grants Program proposals: Keith Morehouse (keith_morehouse@fws.gov), (703) 358-1888. General office number: (703) 358-1784.