$3.2 Million in Grants Available to Help Restore and Protect Rare Species in California

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reminding conservation agencies, non-governmental organizations, groups and private citizens that there is still time to apply for a share of $3.2 million Fiscal Year 2007 Central Valley Project grants. Applications for the grants, which help restore habitat for threatened and endangered species, will close December 1, 2006.

The grants are funded through the combined 2007 Central Valley Project Conservation Program (CVPCP) and Central Valley Project Improvement Act Habitat Restoration Program (HRP) and continue 12 years of funding fee title acquisitions, conservation easements, habitat restoration projects, management/planning actions and surveys/studies.

Funding proposals will be considered for six categories of activity: (1) the serpentine soils of Santa Clara County, (2) vernal pool habitats throughout the Central Valley, (3) alkali sink, alkali scrub, and Valley grassland habitat on the San Joaquin Valley floor, (4) the areas of eastern Contra Costa Country, where a major Habitat Conservation Plan is nearly completed, and eastern Alameda County, (5) wetland and associated upland habitat, and (6) the gabbro soils area of El Dorado County.

The grant programs are open to federal, state, and local agencies; to private profit and non-profit organizations; and to individuals. The deadline for applications is Dec. 1, 2006. Parties planning to submit proposals may also make oral presentations to program managers and the CVPCP/HRP technical team on November 1 and 2, at the Federal Buildings Cafeteria Conference Room C-1003, 2800 Cottage Way in Sacramento.

Each of the focus areas for funding are supported by a recovery plan for one or more threatened or endangered species, developed by the Service with public input. The recovery plans are long-term road maps providing a strategy and guidance as to how the imperiled species can be restored to a healthy, viable status.

More information about the grant programs and proposal submission guidelines can be obtained at the Service's website at www.fws.gov/cno.