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***Please note that two additional habitat types, 'Coastal headwater pond' and 'Non-tidal freshwater marsh', and their definitions, have been added to Appendix B of the application instructions. Revised application instructions can be accessed by clicking on the link below***

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Atlantic Coast Fish Habitat Partnership (ACFHP) are requesting project proposals to restore and conserve habitat necessary to support coastal, estuarine dependent, and diadromous fish species that qualify as federal trust species. Federal funding available under the National Fish Habitat Action Plan (NFHAP) through the USFWS will be used to fund the top ranked proposals. All proposed projects should be developed in coordination with a USFWS Sponsoring Office (listed by state in Appendix D of the application instructions). In addition to submitting all application materials to the e-mail addresses below, the application should be submitted to the USFWS Sponsoring Office.

We expect awards to range from $10,000 to $50,000. Larger projects may be considered, but might not receive the full amount requested. These funds can only be used for direct, on-the-ground habitat conservation and improvement projects. Projects with a minimum of a 1:1 match from other sources are preferred. Funds cannot be used for acquisition in fee or easement or for mitigation activities resulting from regulatory actions. Projects can include related design, monitoring, and outreach activities. Recipients will be expected to provide annual reports until project completion. The funding amount and date of availability is not known at this time (In FY11, close to $75,000 was distributed for ACFHP projects). You will be notified of your project's ranking score and funding status as that information becomes available.

Please click here for application instructions

Please click here for a blank application

Please click here for a photo release form

Applications must be received by September 16, 2011 at midnight. Applications in electronic format (MS Word format only) should be e-mailed to Julie Devers at Julie_Devers@fws.gov and to the ACFHP coordinator, Emily Greene at egreene@asmfc.org. Proposals received after the deadline will not be considered or retained.

All questions about the application materials should be directed to:

Address: Julie Devers

                  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
                  177 Admiral Cochrane Dr.
                  Annapolis, MD 21054
Phone:       410-573-4508
E-mail:        Julie_Devers@fws.gov

To view the criteria that will be used to evaluate project applications, please click here.