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April 29, 2006
Project Coordinator: Jed Wright (jed_wright@fws.gov; 207-781-8364 x12)
Request for Proposals from Maine Atlantic Salmon Conservation Fund
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Gulf of Maine Coastal Program and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation are pleased to announce a Request for Proposals for the 2006 Maine Atlantic Salmon Conservation
Fund. This
year, the program will award approximately $1 million funds
through a competitive grants process for projects that directly benefit
the recovery of Atlantic
salmon in the Penobscot River watershed and in the watersheds
containing Distinct Population Segments (DPS) of Atlantic salmon listed
under the
U.S. Endangered Species Act. Projects in other drainages may
also be eligible for funding, as long as the project demonstrates a strong
direct link to
Atlantic salmon conservation.
The Maine Atlantic Salmon Conservation Fund was established in October, 2000 through a special appropriation sponsored by Maine's Congressional delegation. In the five years since its inception, the Fund has supported more than 100 projects that promote the recovery of Atlantic salmon. Access has been restored to dozens of miles of historic salmon habitat and 54,000 acres of riparian habitat along salmon rivers have been permanently protected. In addition, the Maine Atlantic Salmon Conservation Fund has supported education initiatives, helped local NGO’s build capacity, and supported surveys and applied research needed to implement high priority acquisition and restoration activities. The Fund has also assisted agriculture and aquaculture industries develop practices that minimize impacts to wild Atlantic salmon. Grants have helped stimulate collaboration among state and federal agencies, local industry, community watershed councils, and conservation groups. Since its inception, the Fund has provided $8.7 million in federal funds, and has helped leveraged an additional $13 million for Atlantic salmon conservation. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Gulf of Maine Coastal Program jointly administer the program in partnership with Maine Atlantic Salmon Commission, Atlantic Salmon Federation, Maine State Planning Office, Land for Maine's Future Program, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, University of Maine-Machias, Wild Blueberry Commission, and local conservation groups.
With the Maine Atlantic Salmon Conservation Funds available this year, “we expect to direct roughly ¼ of the funds to Assessment and Prioritization activities, another ¼ to Outreach and Education, and the remaining funds to on-the-ground habitat restoration and protection projects,” commented Jonathan Mawdsley from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
“For more information about the Maine Atlantic Salmon Conservation Fund, for additional information on this year’s Request for Proposals, and for a grant application form, check out the website at http://www.nfwf.org/programs/mascf.. We strongly encourage all potential applicants to contact me or Jonathan early in the process of developing proposals for technical support,” commented Jed Wright from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Gulf of Maine Coastal Program.
Completed proposals must be postmarked by Friday, June 15, 2006. Grant awards will by announced Friday, Sept 29, 2006.
Contact information:
Jonathan Mawdsley
Program Director, Eastern Region
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
(202) 857-0166
Jonathan.Mawdsley@nfwf.org
Jed Wright
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Gulf of Maine Coastal Program
(207) 781-8364 ext. 12
Jed_Wright@fws.gov