1. Can I apply to the PFW Program?
Most of our Partners (Cooperators) are private, non- Federal, landowners. This includes individual private landowners, local and county agencies, municipalities, Native American Tribes, private/non-profit organizations, corporations, schools, and others. However, anyone interested in restoring and protecting wildlife habitat on private or tribal lands can get involved in the Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) Program.
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2. Are my lands eligible for restoration under this program?
Any privately-owned land is potentially eligible for restoration. “Privately-owned” for the purposes of the PFW Program includes any land not owned by the Federal Government or a State.
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3. Who does the restoration?
There are three options for completing restoration:
- the landowner restores the land and is reimbursed directly for some or all expenses;
- the landowner hires a contractor to complete the work and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) reimburses the landowner for payments made to the contractor; or
- Service employees can assist with on-the- ground work. (e.g., tree planting).
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4. What is the cost share rate for the Cooperator?
The percentage is flexible. Nationwide, the cost share rate is 50 percent, but in New Mexico it is often closer to 25 percent. In-kind services, such as labor, equipment use, and materials, can qualify as cost share, as well as landowner funds. The PFW Program works with other Federal, State, and local agencies, and private/non-profit organizations, whenever possible to leverage funding and in-kind assistance. Frequently, these partnerships result in more restoration activities and more acres or miles improved per project.
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5. How much funding can be requested for a project?
Project funding is generally limited to $25,000 or less. Higher amounts may be requested but may not be awarded without appropriate justification and approval.
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6. What is a Private Lands Agreement?
Before beginning a habitat restoration project, the Service, and the individual landowner (Recipient) must sign a Private Lands Agreement (PLA). This PLA states that the landowner will not return the project area to its former use, or alter or remove any project components (e.g., native vegetation, fences) for the specified term of the PLA. The term of the PLA is 10 years. If the Recipient wants to cancel the PLA, then he or she must reimburse the Service, on a pro-rated basis, for the Service funds expended on the project.
The Recipient retains all legal rights to the property. The PLA describes the work to be done, lists the project goals, and lists the cost estimates for the Service and the Recipient.
If the Recipient sells the property, the PLA goes with the land. The Recipient has the option to cancel the PLA and reimburse the Service, on a prorated basis, for the funds originally provided.
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7. What is a Cooperative Agreement?
Before beginning a habitat restoration project, the Service and the land manager or entity that is not an individual landowner (Cooperator) will sign a Cooperative Agreement (CA). Examples of a Cooperator are private landowners doing work as a business, Tribes, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and local or county governments. The CA states that the Cooperator will not return the project area to its former use, or alter or remove any project components (e.g., native vegetation, fences) for the specified term of the CA. If the Cooperator wants to cancel the CA, then he or she must reimburse the Service, on a pro-rated basis, for the Service funds expended on the project.
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8. When do I receive the money for the project?
PFW projects are reimbursable projects. This means that the Cooperator or Recipient is reimbursed for the costs they incur while implementing an approved project. For example, the Cooperator/ Recipient pays up front for materials, labor, and other project expenses and is then reimbursed by the Service. These funds are electronically deposited into an account authorized by the Cooperator/Recipient. The Cooperator/Recipient may perform the restoration and be reimbursed directly for acceptable expenses, or they can hire a contractor and the Service will reimburse the Cooperator/Recipient for those expenses. The Service does not pay the contractor directly. A Cooperator can also request Advanced Funds for scheduled supplies and work.
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9. How does the Service decide which projects are of highest priority?
Focus Areas within the State have been identified based on habitat and fish and wildlife species needs to receive priority ranking for well-qualified projects. These Focus Areas are displayed on the map, as the:
- Middle Rio Grande
- Upper Rio Grande
- Great Plains
- Southwest Montane
For the entire State, the Service focuses on projects in ecosystems and watersheds where conservation efforts will provide the greatest benefit for Federal trust species, such as migratory birds, declining species, and Federal- and State-listed threatened, endangered, and candidate species. The Service also gives special consideration to projects that:
- are on permanently protected private lands;
- are identified as high priority by State fish and wildlife agencies, Tribes, and other partners;
- are located near National Wildlife Refuges;
- reduce habitat fragmentation;
- conserve or restore natural communities that the State Natural Heritage Programs or Heritage Data Bases have designated as globally or nationally imperiled;
- are self-sustaining systems that are not dependent on artificial structures; and/or
- help to educate the public on ecosystems and their species.
When other considerations are equal, priority may be given to projects that:
- involve greater non-Service partnerships and/or cost-share contribution;
- and/or are most cost effective (e.g., low cost/acre).
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10. If my land is not in a Focus Area should I still apply?
YES, we will always consider all well-qualified habitat restoration projects throughout the State, especially projects that can provide exceptional benefits for Federal trust species.
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11. Is my land suitable for habitat restoration or improvement?
Almost any land, whether it has been cropped, grazed, mined, or cleared, can be restored, or improved. Bioengineering techniques can restore streams and arroyo channels that are unstable. Some habitats can be protected simply by fencing to exclude human and/or livestock impacts and allow for natural restoration. Non-native plant species can be removed, and native vegetation can be planted. A walk around the property with a PFW biologist is the best way to determine a site’s restoration potential.
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12. What techniques can be used to restore or improve fish and wildlife habitat on my land?
Projects are designed to restore native habitat to as near a natural state as possible. Methods used in freshwater wetland restoration include creating shallow water areas where wetland plants can grow. Stream restoration may include fencing areas to protect streams and adjacent habitat, providing alternative water sources for livestock, and thus allowing natural revegetation of streamside habitat. Sometimes non-native vegetation is removed, and native vegetation planted to speed restoration. For some projects, stream restoration involves the use of bioengineering techniques to stabilize the stream by creating the proper stream dimension, pattern, and profile. Planting native seeds or plants, and/or changing land management practices may be necessary to restore native grasslands or woodlands in upland areas. Thinning trees may be needed to restore forest health and reduce the chances of catastrophic wildfires. Prescribed burns (planned, controlled, and managed fires) can be used to improve grassland and forest health. Removal of plants (native and non-native) that have encroached upon or displaced the native plants normally found on a site can also benefit wildlife.
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13. Will the Service help me build a stock pond on my property?
The Service will consider funding stock pond construction if it is specifically designed to benefit Federal trust species. Stock ponds generally are designed to maximize the amount of open water while minimizing the growth of cattails and other aquatic plants. Such ponds provide limited habitat for wetland wildlife.
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14. Will the Service help me build a wildlife pond on my property?
The PFW Program will assist with technical advice and will consider funding shallow, open-water wetland restorations that restore wetland wildlife habitat functions lost within a floodplain adjacent to a river or stream due to human-induced impacts. These projects must be cost effective, supported by ground water, and require little or no maintenance. In general, the PFW Program does not provide funding for the creation of ponds in upland areas.
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15. What other issues must I consider, or permits do I need when deciding to restore or enhance fish and/or wildlife habitat on my land?
A PFW biologist can help you determine what type of permits and clearances might be required for your potential project. If you receive funding from the PFW Program, you must obtain all required Federal, State, or local permits prior to beginning work on the project. The following are examples of habitat restoration work that require additional permits or authorizations.
- Work in almost any wetland or stream channel, even an intermittent one, may require a permit under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and a Section 401 water quality certification from the State
- In New Mexico, PFW projects that involve ground disturbance require an archaeology survey and clearance by the State Historic Preservation Office.
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16. When will the work be started?
You must receive a final copy of your Private Lands Agreement or Cooperative Agreement signed by both you, the landowner (Cooperator/Recipient), and by the Service before you can begin work on the project. This is to prevent any unnecessary financial burdens on the landowner before funding is officially awarded by the Service. As described in the previous question and answer, you also must obtain any other necessary permits before beginning your project.
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17. When must work start and be completed?
Cooperators/Recipients are required to begin the project within 6 months of obtaining their signed agreement and complete the project within 18-24 months (as defined in the agreement) from the date of the Service’s signature on the agreement. The time can be extended for up to one year for justifiable delays by modifying the agreement.
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18. What kind of maintenance is required?
Most habitat improvement projects are designed to require little maintenance. This may include fence repairs, in-stream repairs, management of livestock and human use of the project, and control of non-native plant species. The project maintenance is the responsibility of the Cooperator/Recipient for the term of the agreement.
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19. If I sign an agreement, do I have to allow public access to my land?
No. Restoring habitat with the PFW Program does not mean that you have to allow public access on your land. Service employees occasionally need access to the project area to check on its progress and monitor its success. We will contact you to arrange these visits.
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20. How do I apply to the PFW Program? Is there a deadline to submit project proposals?
All potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the local PFW Program staff prior to developing a proposal. Funding for projects is allocated once a year to the PFW Program, but project proposals may be submitted throughout the year. We are available to answer questions, discuss potential projects, provide technical assistance, visit your property, and help develop a complete project design for funding consideration. If you need additional information or have any questions, please contact us at the numbers listed above.
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21. Do I have to pay taxes on funds received through my agreement with USFWS PFW Program?
Generally, our agreements are considered pass-through funding which does not require taxes to be paid. However, we advise that each landowner discuss this with a qualified tax consultant.
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