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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 9, 2010
Contact:
Ashley Spratt
612-713-5314
ashley_spratt@fws.gov
$13.4 Million Awarded To States in Midwest Region to Conserve Imperiled Fish and Wildlife
Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced recently that $13.4 million will be distributed to the fish and wildlife agencies of the Midwestern states including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin to help conserve and recover imperiled fish and wildlife through the State Wildlife Grant Program. Nearly $76.5 million will be distributed to the 50 states, territories and commonwealths across the nation, a significant increase in backing over the 2009 levels. Since the program's inception, Congress has provided over $573 million for conservation work on state and private lands across the country.
"The State Wildlife Grant plan is part of the Department of the Interior's ongoing commitment to the essential conservation efforts of states," said Salazar. "In our challenging economic climate, the plan ensures that states will have the necessary resources to help conserve their highest priority wildlife, plants, and habitat - an investment that will pay dividends for years to come."
The State Wildlife Grant Plan (SWG) provides federal grant funds for the development and implementation of programs for the benefit of fish and wildlife and their habitats, including species that are not hunted or fished. For the past 9 years, the grants Plan has provided a stable federal backing source for state fish and wildlife agencies. This stability has been critical to the recovery and resilience of many species in greatest need of conservation. This year's funds come from the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2010 (H.R. 2996).
FY2010 State Wildlife Grant Apportionments - Midwest Region
Illinois $2,516,654
Indiana $1,318,160
Iowa $936,060
Michigan $2,064,264
Minnesota $1,524,356
Missouri $1,520,387
Ohio $2,176,713
Wisconsin $1,357,336
TOTAL $13,413,390
Plans in the Midwest to be funded by SWG grants will:
- Build biological capacity for the Grand Prairie and Southern Till Plain Grassland Wildlife Ventures in Illinois through the Service's conservation partner, Pheasants Forever. "Farm Bill" biologists will work with landowners to develop projects for 6,000 acres of wildlife habitat on private lands.
- Support development of GIS and other research technologies and tools to support aquatic habitat management in Michigan. The backing will support the protection of high-quality riparian corridors through habitat evaluations, technical assistance and resource assessment and monitoring.
- Assess distribution, abundance and population changes of Double-crested Cormorant and American White Pelican in Minnesota. Evaluate double crested cormorant colonies in Minnesota to inform long term control efforts and determine the impact of control efforts on co-nesting waterbirds.
- Identify distribution and abundance of native and nonnative fish species in Iowa, in addition to assessing key habitat factors such as in-stream barriers and other stressors that influence fish distribution.
As these projects show, the program's impact will be felt throughout the Midwest in 2010.
The SWG Plan provides grants to states through a formula-based distribution calculated using the state's land area and population. Awarded funds support activities related to both planning and implementation. Planning activities must contribute directly to the development or modification of the state's Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Project (also known as Wildlife Action Plan) approved by the Director of the U.S.F.W.S. in October of 2005. Implementation activities are activities that a state intends to carry out to execute their Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan. All funded activities must link with species, actions, or strategies included in each State's Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan.
Please visit the U.S.F.W.S.'s Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Plan Web location at http://wsfrprograms.fws.gov/ for state, commonwealth, and territory backing allocations or for more information on the program.
The mission of the U.S.F.W.S. is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov
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