GLIN==> Funding Opportunity - Great Lakes Watershed Restoration Program - application deadline is Nov. 17

["Matt Doss" <mdoss@glc.org>]

Title: Mich-RAP: Funding Opportunity - Great Lakes Watershed Restoration Program - application deadline is Nov. 17

ArcelorMittal Great Lakes Watershed Restoration Program Request for Proposals

Applications must be postmarked:  November 17, 2008

Eligible Projects
To be eligible for consideration, projects must be located within the Great Lakes watershed.  Potential Canadian grantees are urged to check with the NFWF technical contact to ensure eligibility developing an application.  In addition, where applicable, projects should be coordinated with local and regional watershed management plans that address the water quality, fish, or wildlife needs in the Great Lakes.  Finally, projects must also directly address at least one of the priority areas identified by the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration’s Habitat/Species Strategy Team:

• Restore, enhance, and protect near shore and off shore native fish communities and other wildlife resources and their habitats, to provide for a balanced ecosystem.
• Restore, enhance and protect the wetlands that are vital to the survival and diversity of the fish and wildlife resources of the Great Lakes.
• Restore, enhance and protect the tributaries and their watersheds that support the fish and wildlife resources of the Great Lakes ecosystem.
• Restore, enhance, and protect the Great Lakes shoreline and upland habitats.
• Address terrestrial and aquatic invasive species throughout the Great Lakes watershed.
• Promote individual stewardship and assist individuals, community-based organizations, businesses, local governments, and schools to undertake initiatives, including watershed planning, to achieve the above goals.

Please note that preference will be given to projects that 1) demonstrate measurable ecological or environmental benefits, 2) include specific provisions for long-term management and protection, as appropriate, 3) support implementation of a local or regional habitat plan and 4) take a collaborative approach to project planning and implementation. 

Emphasis on Coastal Wetland and Tributary Restoration
All proposals that address one the above identified priorities will be considered for funding.  In 2008, however, we are placing a special emphasis on and are encouraging submission of proposals that address coastal wetland and tributary restoration.

Examples of activities associated with coastal wetland restoration include:

• Promote protection and reduce fragmentation in remaining coastal wetlands
• Modify agricultural and forestry practices to reduce sedimentation in coastal wetlands
• Promote improved function of coastal wetlands through management of water levels, control and removal and invasive species, and other actions. 
  

Examples of tributary restoration include:

• Dam removal, culvert remediation and other actions to facilitate fish passage for native species.
• Modify agricultural and forestry practices to reduce sedimentation and streambank alteration. 
• Promote riparian wetlands restoration.
• Streambank stabilization, restoration and re-vegetation (in key locations for critical fish habitat).  

For the purposes of this program, the Great Lakes watershed will be defined by the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement: Article 1. (h) "Great Lakes System" means all of the streams, rivers, lakes and other bodies of water that are within the drainage basin on the St. Lawrence River at or upstream from the point at which this river becomes the international boundary between Canada and the United States.

Ineligible Projects
Projects that seek funding for land or easement acquisition, political advocacy, lobbying, or litigation are not eligible.

Grant Guidelines
In making award decisions, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (Foundation) seeks to represent the geographic diversity and the variety of communities and organizations in the Great Lakes watershed. The following guidelines will be used by an advisory team of experts from the Great Lakes region to evaluate proposals requesting support under the Great Lakes Watershed Restoration Grants Program.

• Grants range between $35,000 and $100,000.
• A 1:1 match is required for this program.  Matching funds must be non-federal and may be generated through contributions of funds, goods or services (including in-kind contributions) from project partners. In exceptional cases, the review committee may consider projects that have less than the required match.  See application form for additional details.
• Projects should demonstrate broad partnerships, in particular demonstrating strong community and/or local government support; letters documenting the support/contributions of project partners (including local, state and federal agency partners) are strongly encouraged.
• Projects must be ready to complete within approximately eighteen months upon receipt of grant award; however, projects may be a discrete part of a multi-year restoration project, so long as there are definable outcomes for the proposed phase of the overall effort. The project narrative should include a clear timetable or schedule for project completion.
• Projects must be technically sound and feasible and carried out by qualified organizations. Documentation of technical assistance received or review by appropriate state and federal agencies is required.  NOTE:  Please do not send technical plans and drawings.  Rather, send details about how technical plans have been developed and which partners have been involved in technical oversight. 
• Projects that only seek funding for citizen monitoring activities are less competitive than projects combining citizen monitoring with other priority activities.
• If applicable, successful applicants will be required to provide sufficient documentation that the project expects to receive or has received all necessary permits and clearances to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, and any other Federal, state or local ordinances.  In addition, successful applicants may be required to develop a Quality Assurance Plan, monitoring plan, or other documentation. 

Technical Assistance
For assistance with questions regarding the application, contact Moira Mcdonald at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Moira.Mcdonald@nfwf.org.

Applicant Eligibility
Eligible applicants are either non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations, tribes, or state and local governments (i.e., counties, townships, cities, boroughs, conservation districts, planning districts, utility districts, school districts or other units of local government) from the Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, or Wisconsin portions of the Great Lakes watershed. Individuals, federal government agencies, and private for-profit firms are eligible for grants only through the Fish Enhancement, Mitigation and Research Fund for Lake Ontario/St. Lawrence Basin (see below).

Lake Ontario/St Lawrence Basin Projects
Projects in the Lake Ontario watershed or the St. Lawrence River Basin will be reviewed for funding by both the Great Lakes Watershed Restoration Program and the Fish Enhancement, Mitigation and Research Fund (FEMRF).  The FEMRF has no applicant restrictions. Individuals, federal government agencies, and private for-profit firms are eligible for FEMRF funding, as well as non-profit organizations, tribes, and state and local governments.  For more information on the FEMRF visit http://www.fws.gov/northeast/nyfo/fwc/femrf.htm

Submission
A complete application package should include the following:

• A completed application via NFWF’s Egrants system;
• A map indicating the location of the project (e.g., USGS quadrangle map);
• Letters documenting partner contributions; and
• Additional materials as appropriate (e.g., letters of support, figures, photos).

Please include one original and two copies of the application package.  Please do not bind application materials.  Applications must be postmarked no later than November 17, 2008, and should be sent to:

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Attn: Great Lakes Watershed Restoration Grants Program
1 Federal Drive
Ft. Snelling, MN 55111

Timeline
Applications must be postmarked:  November 17, 2008
Anticipated announcement of awards:  April 15, 2009 
 

General Procedures for Recipients
After project selection, Foundation staff will prepare grant agreements and other necessary paperwork. Additional information about the project as well as the grantee’s organization and its finances will be solicited during this time. Please note that preparation of grant agreements will take approximately 6-10 weeks after receipt of the additional information by the Foundation. However, the Foundation will work with grant recipients on a case-by-case basis to expedite grant awards as necessary. Funds will be advanced to qualified grantees based on immediate cash needs of the project; some awards may be made on a reimbursable basis. Grantees will be expected to submit interim and final financial and programmatic reports. Grantees must also include 35mm slides or digital images that depict the accomplishments of the project made under this grant. Additional information on the grant process will be provided to successful applicants after project selection.

Partner Information
For additional information on the partners involved in this program and their work in the Great Lakes see the following links:

ArcelorMittal – www.arcelormittal.com/usacr
EPA – http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/fund/glf.html
FWS – http://www.fws.gov/midwest/greatlakes/glcoastal.htm
FEMRF – http://www.fws.gov/northeast/nyfo/fwc/femrf.htm