Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education and Safety

 

The Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act provides grants to State, Commonwealth, and territorial fish and wildlife agencies for projects to restore, conserve, manage, and enhance wild birds and mammals and their habitat. Projects also include providing public use and access to wildlife resources; hunter education and safety; the development and management of shooting ranges, and the promotion of hunting and recreational shooting.

Active 15.611 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of The Interior A - Formula Grants Fiscal Year 2017 No information available. The program receives and funds approximately 635 grant proposals annually. The project activities funded include: research, operation and maintenance, construction, habitat restoration, land acquisition, technical guidance, coordination and hunter education.
Fiscal Year 2018 The program receives and funds approximately 635 grant proposals annually. The project activities funded include: research, operation and maintenance, construction, habitat restoration, land acquisition, technical guidance, coordination and hunter education.
Fiscal Year 2019 The program receives and funds approximately 635 grant proposals annually. The project activities funded include: research, operation and maintenance, construction, habitat restoration, land acquisition, technical guidance, coordination and hunter education.
Fiscal Year 2020 The program receives and funds approximately 635 grant proposals annually.
Fiscal Year 2021 The program receives and funds approximately 635 grant proposals annually.
Fiscal Year 2022 The program received and funded approximately 635 grant proposals annually.
Fiscal Year 2023 Program has not yet completed selecting projects for funding.
Fiscal Year 2024 Program has not yet completed selecting projects for funding. Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act—Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education (16 U.S.C. §669 et seq., except as Pub. L. 106-553 is applied) as amended Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act (Public Law 116-17, May 10, 2019), as amended Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow’s Needs Act (Public Law 116-94, December 20, 2019). Agencies from the 50 States, the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands, and the territories of Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa with primary responsibility for fish and wildlife conservation may submit grant proposals to the Fish and Wildlife Service. To be eligible, they must pass assent legislation to the provisions of the Act for conservation of wildlife that includes a prohibition against the diversion of license fees paid by hunters for any other purpose than the administration of the fish and wildlife agency. General Public (While direct participation is limited to fish and wildlife agencies, the general public will ultimately benefit from these wildlife conservation measures.) Each year within 60 days of the apportionment notice, States, Commonwealths, and territories must notify the Secretary of the Interior that they want to participate in the program for the year. The State, Commonwealth, or territorial fish and wildlife Director must furnish a certification of the number of paid hunter license holders. Allocable costs are determined in accordance with 2 CFR 200. Preapplication coordination is required. An environmental impact statement is required for this listing. An environmental impact assessment is required for this listing. 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. An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State, the District of Columbia, Commonwealth, or territory for more information on this process when applying for assistance if the State has selected the program for review. This program is excluded from coverage under 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. The Regional Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service or his designee approves or disapproves proposed grants. Regional Offices are responsible for notification of grant approval to the grantee. Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines Average 30 days. Regional Directors will consider differences of opinion concerning the eligibility of proposals. Final determination rests with the Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service. Grantees may renew projects on an annual basis if justifiable and if funds are available. The State, Commonwealth, or territorial agency having lead responsibility for the management of their wildlife resources must submit the projects. The State, Commonwealth, or territorial agency selects those projects submitted for funding under the program. If approved, projects must meet the basic criteria outlined in the regulations and the Fish and Wildlife Service Manual. Approved activities include selection, restoration, rehabilitation, and improvement of wildlife habitat; wildlife management research; wildlife population surveys and inventories; land acquisition; coordination; development of facilities; facilities and services for conducting hunter safety. Law enforcement is not eligible under the Act. Performance Reports: Performance reports are required. Recipients must monitor and report on project performance in accordance with the requirements in 2 CFR 200.329. Final performance reports and final SF-425, Federal Financial Reports are due within 120 calendar days of the award period of performance end date, unless the awarding program approves a due date extension. The FWS details all reporting requirements including frequency and due dates in Notices of Award. Not applicable. Cost records must be maintained separately for each grant. Records, accounts and supporting documents must be retained for three years after submission of the Federal Financial Report (SF 425). Statutory Formula: Public Law 16 U.S.C. 669b

Matching is voluntary. Grant funds may be disbursed to States for up to 75 percent of the total cost of a project. Grant funds may be disbursed from 75 to 100 percent of the total project costs to the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico, Northern Mariana Islands and the territories of Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa. Each Regional Director decides on the specific Federal share between 75 and 100 percent based on what he or she decides is fair, just, and equitable.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education Program funds are available each Fiscal Year and must be obligated within two years. A State may allocate up to 10 percent of its apportioned WR funds to supplement Enhanced Hunter Education (EHE) funds for acquiring land for, expanding, or constructing public target ranges. The allocated WR funds, in addition to Basic and EHE funds allocated for the same activities, will be available for 5 years with up to 90 percent Federal cost share for those specific activities. Program obligates funds and sends a notice of award to successful applicants. Recipients request funds in accordance with 2 CFR 200, Subpart E-Cost Principles, unless otherwise dictated by program-specific legislation or special award terms. Program will include any special payment terms and conditions in the notice of award. See Regional Agency Office Information: Wildlife Restoration Region 1, Pacific Region (Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, Pacific Islands) Heather Hollis, 503-231-6233 . Region 2, Southwest Region (Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas) Nicole Jimenez, 505-248-7466. Region 3, Midwest Region (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin) Jessica Piispanen, 612-713-5145. Region 4, Southeast Region (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, U.S. Virgin Islands) Diana Swan, 404-679-7058. Region 5, Northeast Region (Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia) Tom Decker, 413-253-8502. Region 6, Mountain-Prairie Region (Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming) Otto Jose, 303-236-8156. Region 7, Alaska Region (Alaska) Doug McBride, 907-786-3631. Region 8, Pacific Southeast Region (California, Nevada) Justin Cutler, 916-414-6457. Basic Hunter Education Region 1, Pacific Region (Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, Pacific Islands) Barb Behan, 503-231-2066. Region 2, Southwest Region (Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas) Andrew Ortiz 505-248-7459. Region 3, Midwest Region (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin) Fabian Romero, 612-713-5145. Region 4, Southeast Region (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, U.S. Virgin Islands) Diana Swan, 404-679-7058. Region 5, Northeast Region (Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia) Richard Zane, 413-253-8506. Region 6, Mountain-Prairie Region (Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming) Otto Jose, 303-236-8156. Region 7, Alaska Region (Alaska) Doug McBride, 907-786-3631. Region 8, Pacific Southeast Region (California, Nevada) Justin Cutler, 916-414-6457. Policy and Programs
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Headquarters, Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program, Policy and Programs Division, 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: WSFR
Falls Church, VA 22041 US
r9wsfr_programs@fws.gov
Phone: (703) 358-2156 https://www.fws.gov/program/wildlife-restoration 14-5029-0-2-303 (Formula Grants (Apportionments)) FY 22$1,107,157,974.00; FY 23 est $1,198,616,237.00; FY 24 est $1,016,030,384.00; - Range is $268,000 to $7,187,000; Average $2,750,000. 50 CFR 80 contains the program regulation for this program. Matching and cost-sharing requirements are discussed in 50CFR 80.85 and 2 CFR 200.306. Applicants can visit these regulations and guidance at http://fawiki.fws.gov/display/WTK/Toolkit+Homepage. Fiscal Year 2017 FY17: Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) is researching the population drivers of pronghorn in various habitat types including native shrub-steppe, altered shrub-steppe, and agricultural communities. This project will evaluate factors affecting pronghorn herds in eastern Idaho, and develop a reliable, cost-effective technique for monitoring status and trend of pronghorn herds in Idaho. Pronghorn will be captured, fitted with radio collars, have their body condition assessed, and be monitored with telemetry. Habitat quality, nutritional condition of vegetation, neonatal survival and cause specific mortality will be assessed. Monitoring methods will focus on the vital rates deemed most likely to influence populations. This information is necessary for conservation and management decisions, including hunting seasons, habitat improvement efforts, and technical assistance to public and private landowners. Oregon has a Statewide Habitat Management grant that covers habitat restoration efforts in seven distinct Watershed Districts (Deschutes, John Day, Malheur, Klamath, Rogue, South Willamette, and Umpqua). Goals of the project are to (1) maintain, restore, or enhance wildlife habitat on public and private lands to optimize wildlife populations, while paying particular attention to listed species; (2) evaluate, protect, or enhance existing habitat conditions or restore lost habitats on private and public lands; (3) assist landowners by providing resources to restore and improve fish and wildlife habitat; and (4) provide technical advice and assistance to local, State, and Federal agencies regarding land-use activities and proposed developments to promote conservation of fish and wildlife habitats. The areas managed under this grant are designed to provide year-round habitat for wildlife species and to reduce and/or minimize agricultural damage and depredation to surrounding communities by wildlife. By coordinating with agencies and private landowners to implement and administer the proposed activities, the general public can benefit from healthier habitats for many species. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Department, recently completed construction of the Koteewi Park Archery Range. The facility includes beginner archery ranges with 10-25 yard targets, advanced archer ranges with up to 90 meter targets, practice shooter ranges, and a 3-D target shooting trail. The facility provides a safe environment to learn about archery, shooting sports, and bow hunting that serves the local, regional, and national communities. This range is one example of many ranges that have been constructed throughout the country with Wildlife Restoration funds. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) is renovating 11 Wildlife Management Areas to benefit waterfowl. In addition to replacing and upgrading pumps and pipeline for increased water management ability, AGFC is also establishing three new moist-soil units and expanding or renovating at least 20 more. More than 1,300 acres of waterfowl habitat will be created or improved and the ability to control water levels greatly enhanced on thousands of additional acres. FY17: California’s Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) used $245,016 of Wildlife Restoration funds to implement a four-year project to help establish a mountain lion conservation and assessment program. Hunters have expressed concern that the mountain lion population is increasing and impacting deer herds by high rates of predation. Conversely, other groups have suggested other factors (e.g. habitat loss and degradation, vehicle strikes, habitat fragmentation, depredation take, etc.) are likely causing the state’s mountain lion population and genetic diversity to decline to a point that would threaten the population’s viability. The establishment of a comprehensive mountain lion program will allow CDFW the ability to identify, verify, and/or address these concerns in a well-coordinated manner. Colorado’s Parks and Wildlife initiated large-scale research project to evaluate the state’s moose herd. Moose were captured in three different study areas in Colorado — along the Laramie River (Northeast Colorado), the southern portion of North Park and in the Williams Fork drainage (Northwest Colorado), and near Creede and the Rio Grande Reservoir (Southwest Colorado). Each captured moose was evaluated to document health and reproductive status, and fitted with a satellite GPS collar to track their movements. Results from this study will provide valuable information for managing moose herds across the State. Idaho’s Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) constructed a new 4,000 square foot Wildlife Health and Genetics Lab, replacing a 50-plus year old dilapidated, leased facility. The new building includes office space, a multi-purpose conference/training room, genetics lab, wet lab, and state-of-the-art necropsy lab. The Wildlife Health Program provides leadership for surveillance and management of wildlife diseases in Idaho, particularly those that can affect humans or livestock. The new lab was constructed on IDFG property adjacent to the Fisheries Health Lab and Fisheries genetics building, providing increased opportunity for greater collaborative efforts and increased administrative efficiencies. The $1.8 million dollar project was primarily funded with Wildlife Restoration funds plus match provided by Idaho sportsmen through license and tag fees, along with an important contribution from the State Permanent Building Fund. Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is building the Palm Beach County Shooting Park with Hunter Educations funds. The surrounding area has some of the highest demand for hunter safety courses in the state. Also, the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area is located west of the shooting sports complex, and has no place for hunters to sight-in their rifles or practice shotgun shooting. The first phase of construction will include the rifle and pistol ranges. The second phase will include sporting clays ranges, trap and skeet fields, and supporting structures. This shooting complex will offer hunter education classes. Partners on this project include the National Rifle Association, Palm Beach County, Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida, and South Florida Water Management District. Montana’s Fish Wildlife and Parks used over $1 million of Wildlife Restoration funds to purchase 320 acres of prime riparian corridor habitat adjacent to the Fish Creek Wildlife Management Area in Northwest Montana. The land purchase d 1.19 linear miles of stream habitat and associated wetlands from three distinct watersheds; Bear Creek, Trail Creek, and Winkler Gulch. This habitat serves as a crucial connectivity corridor for game, as well as non-game wildlife species. This purchase will provide high-quality access and recreational opportunities for anglers, hunters, and outdoor recreationists in Montana. In Nevada, thousands of big game and other wildlife are killed each year by motorists on busy sections of highways and interstates that intersect critical habitats for wildlife. Not only do these wildlife vehicle collisions pose a significant impact to wildlife populations, they jeopardize human safety. The Nevada Department of Wildlife used Wildlife Restoration funds, in collaboration with the Nevada Department of Transportation, to build and monitor the effectiveness of a first-ever “wildlife overpass” project along Highway 93 in Elko County. Other studies have shown that these structures were immediately used by migrating mule deer, and there was a greater use by the overpass than a comparable underpass. Most importantly, monitoring has shown these types of structures succeeded in removing a large number of mule deer from the roadway, making the highway safer for wildlife and motorists. North Dakota’s Game and Fish Department used Wildlife Restoration funds to do a comprehensive assessment of oil and gas development on mule deer populations in western North Dakota. A primary concern with increased oil and gas development is the potential loss of important wildlife habitat along with indirect effects (such as traffic and noise) that might reduce suitability of an area. Ungulates are particularly sensitive to human disturbances, but responses are variable among species and populations. This study will identify of mitigation measures intended to reduce and avoid impacts to mule deer populations, and model the effects of oil and gas development on population dynamics of mule deer populations in western North Dakota. Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources (WI DNR) used Wildlife Restoration funds for The Southwest Wisconsin Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), Deer, and Predator Study - the largest and most comprehensive deer research project ever undertaken in Wisconsin. The goal of this five-year study is to examine factors that could impact deer survival and deer population growth in southern Wisconsin including CWD, predation, habitat suitability, and hunter harvest. Simultaneous studies will take place in areas with differing rates of CWD infection, which will help WI DNR better understand how CWD may, or may not, be interacting with other factors that impact the deer herd. Uniquely, this study will directly estimate the abundance and distribution of deer predators (bobcats and coyotes) within the study areas, and examine their impact on deer survival and behavior. Over 113 landowners have agreed to assist with this research, allowing access to their land for trapping and tracking. Understanding factors that impact deer and deer populations is a high priority among deer hunters, county deer advisory councils, and wildlife managers in Wisconsin. This project helps build trust with local communities and hunters, and ensures hunters can utilize our natural resources.
Fiscal Year 2018 The Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education Program funds many important projects across the United States including black bear research in North Carolina; mountain lion population assessments and conservation in California; large-scale moose herd research in Colorado; a wildlife health and genetics laboratory in Idaho; a recreational shooting park in Florida; wildlife overpasses in Nevada to prevent accidents and protect human safety; comprehensive assessments of oil and gas development on mule deer populations in western North Dakota; the study of chronic wasting disease in deer populations in Wisconsin; and basic hunter education and safety courses across all 50 States.
Fiscal Year 2019 The Wildlife Restoration Program funds many important projects across the United States including: acquiring more acres for the Frog Bayou Wildlife Management Area in Arkansas to improve wildlife management, habitat, and expand recreational opportunities; conducting research in Oregon on the Sierra Nevada Red Fox, a species that could be at risk and may be in need of conservation; conducting a prescribed fire in Massachusetts to benefit native wildlife and plants such as the New England cottontail, barren’s buckmoth, American woodcock, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and wild lupine; constructing a state-of-the-art shooting range facility and administration building in Kansas at the El Dorado State Park; and managing Tule elk populations in California - what was once a single surviving herd on a private ranch has been nurtured to more than 6,000 elk distributed among 22 herds.
Fiscal Year 2020 The Program funds the selection, restoration, rehabilitation, and improvement of wildlife habitat; wildlife management research; wildlife population surveys and inventories; land acquisition; coordinating, developing, operating, and maintaining facilities, acquiring land for, expanding, or constructing public target ranges (up to 10 percent); provisions for public use of wildlife resources, and public relations activities as well as provides training in the safe handling and use of firearms and archery equipment, hunter responsibilities, ethics, and survival; construction, operation, and maintenance of public target ranges; recruiting, retaining, and reactivating hunters and recreational shooters; and basic wildlife management and identification.
Fiscal Year 2021 The Program funds the selection, restoration, rehabilitation, and improvement of wildlife habitat; wildlife management research; wildlife population surveys and inventories; land acquisition; coordinating, developing, operating, and maintaining facilities, acquiring land for, expanding, or constructing public target ranges (up to 10 percent); provisions for public use of wildlife resources, and public relations activities as well as provides training in the safe handling and use of firearms and archery equipment, hunter responsibilities, ethics, and survival; construction, operation, and maintenance of public target ranges; recruiting, retaining, and reactivating hunters and recreational shooters; and basic wildlife management and identification.
Fiscal Year 2022 The Program funds the selection, restoration, rehabilitation, and improvement of wildlife habitat; wildlife management research; wildlife population surveys and inventories; land acquisition; coordinating, developing, operating, and maintaining facilities, acquiring land for, expanding, or constructing public target ranges (up to 10 percent); provisions for public use of wildlife resources, and public relations activities as well as provides training in the safe handling and use of firearms and archery equipment, hunter responsibilities, ethics, and survival; construction, operation, and maintenance of public target ranges; recruiting, retaining, and reactivating hunters and recreational shooters; and basic wildlife management and identification.
Fiscal Year 2023 The Program has not selected projects for funding. The Program anticipates funding projects to restore, conserve, manage and enhance wild birds and mammals and their habitats; to provide hunter development and safety programs; and promote hunting and recreational shooting.
Fiscal Year 2024 The Program has not selected projects for funding. The Program anticipates funding projects to restore, conserve, manage and enhance wild birds and mammals and their habitats; to provide hunter development and safety programs; and promote hunting and recreational shooting.