Office of the Secretary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                      CONTACT: Hugh Vickery

January 31, 2002                                                                                                202-501-4633

 

Questions and Answers on the

Cooperative Conservation Initiative

 

Q. What is the Cooperative Conservation Initiative?

 

A. The Cooperative Conservation Initiative is a new initiative in the President’s 2003 budget request to Congress to remove barriers to citizen participation in the stewardship of our natural resources and to help them take conservation into their own hands by undertaking projects at the local level. To fund this initiative, the President is proposing $100 million in challenge grants by  Department of Interior agencies to landowners, land-user groups, environmental organizations, communities, local and state governments and industries for conservation projects that advance the health of the land and benefit people.

 

Q. How will the money be distributed?

 

Half of the new money, or $50 million, will be distributed to states to fund cost-share grants for innovative conservation projects. This will allow states to work within their communities to come up with innovative solutions to our conservation challenges. The other half will be used by the National Park Service, the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Land Management to fund cost-share grants.

 

Q. How would a citizen or private organization obtain a grant?

 

A. Citizens could apply for a grant either from their state government or from the National Park Service, the Fish and Wildlife Service, or the Bureau of Land Management. The grants will be awarded competitively.

 

Q. How much matching funding would be required?

 

A. The citizen or organization applying for the grant would be required to contribute at least 50 percent of the cost of the project. In-kind contributions such as supplies and labor would count towards the 50 percent.

 

Q. What kinds of projects would be funded?

 

A. Projects would have to restore or conserve natural resources such as wetlands, streams and other habitat for the benefit of wildlife and people. Restoration of cultural resources or recreation facilities are funded through other programs.

 

Q. Does the Interior Department’s budget include an increase in funding for conservation programs?

 

A. Yes, spending on conservation programs would increase in FY 2003 under the President’s budget request. As part of its priorities, the administration is shifting funds to take care of existing Interior Department lands and facilities and increasing cooperative conservation efforts.