Application Preparation for the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program
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Transcript of Application Preparation for the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program
Application Preparationfor the
National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant
Program
Topics• Contacts
• Introduction to the grant program
• Scoring criteria and making the best of it
• Rank, Review, and Selection Process
• Tips for a winning proposal
• Additional information
Regional Office Contacts
• Samantha Marcum, Coastal Program Regional Coordinator– Responsible for: project development, review & national
ranking ([email protected])
• Bart Prose, Grants Management Specialist– Responsible for: project eligibility, review, & grant
administration for restoration projects ([email protected])
• Becky Miller, Grants Management Specialist– Responsible for: grant administration for land acquisition
projects ([email protected])
What is the Coastal Program?
• 23 High priority coastal ecosystems recognized in the United States
• Four goals guide the program:– Serve coastal communities– Conserve pristine coastal habitats– Restore degraded coastal habitats– Focus resources through conservation alliances
Pacific Southwest Region Coastal
Program
Mission:
To efficiently achieve voluntary habitat conservation, through financial and technical assistance, for the benefit of Federal Trust Species.
Mission:
To efficiently achieve voluntary habitat conservation, through financial and technical assistance, for the benefit of Federal Trust Species.
4 Local Coastal Programs in CA:
-Humboldt Bay
-San Francisco Bay
-Southern California
-Central California Coast
Local Program Manager Contacts
Paula Golightly, Humboldt Bay, (707) 825-5123
John Klochak, Half Moon Bay, (650) 763-6595
Shawn Milar, North Central Coast, (831) 648-0623
Carolyn Lieberman, San Diego Bay, (760) 431-9440 x240
Samantha Marcum Regional Coordinator,Santa Cruz (831) 460-7553
Mary Root, South Central Coast, (805) 644-1766 x233
National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Program &Coastal Program Objectives
Coastal Program
1. To collaborate with state & other partners and provides technical assistance about the grant & proposal
2. To coordinate with partners to identify and develop projects and assist with application
3. To provide input into the development of program guidance and participates in the evaluation & ranking
NCWG
1. To conserve pristine coastal habitats;
2. To restore degraded coastal wetlands and adjacent habitats by working with partners;
3. To leverage financial resources and multiply the impact of taxpayer dollars.
National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Program Grants
Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, & Restoration Act(Sec. 305, Title III, Public Law 101-646, 16 USC 3954)
Purpose:- Long-term conservation of coastal wetlands ecosystems
- Help States acquire, restore, and enhance coastal wetlands
Up to $1 million/project
Past Years’ Project Funding Summaries
FY2014 – 21 projects, $16.5 MFY2013 – 24 projects, $20 MFY2011 – 24 projects, $19 MFY2010 – 25 projects, $19.1 MFY2009 – 25 projects, $20.1 MFY2008 – 29 projects, $20.8 MFY2007 – 24 projects, $18.7 MFY2006 – 19 projects, $15.1 MFY2005 – 16 projects, $13 M
Funding typically shared by 10-15 States
National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grants
Eligible Applicants
State agencies designated by Governor:– Coastal Conservancy– California Department of Fish and Game– Wildlife Conservation Board– California Natural Resources Agency– California Coastal Commission– Several Conservancies, CCC
Eligible Activities
1. Acquisition of a real property interest in coastal wetlands and/or waters.
2. Restoration, enhancement, or management of coastal wetland ecosystems.
Ineligible Activities
• Navigation, irrigation, flood control
• Mitigation
• Wetland creation
• Enforcement
Ineligible Activities
• Research
• Planning (as a primary focus)
• Operations & maintenance
• Upper portions of watersheds
Timeline•Now-May 2014 – Work with Coastal Program Local Managers, Bart Prose, and Samantha Marcum to design project and develop your application. •May 16 – Draft applications due for early review by FWS Regional Office (RO) – email to Bart and Samantha.•Jun 6 – RO will return draft applications with comments and suggestions by this date.•Jun 25 – Begin to submit final applications online.•Jun 27 – Final applications due to grants.gov by 8:59 PST.•Jul-Aug – Project eligibility is determined and applicants are notified.•Aug-Oct – Site visits by Regional Office & Coastal Program Local Managers.•Oct – National Ranking Team ranks proposals.•Jan 2014 – Awards announced.•Jan 2014-Dec 31, 2016 – Complete Environmental Compliance & obligate funds.
Assembling the PackageAssembling the Package
Content and Form of the Proposal Package
• Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)• Budget Information (SF 424A, 424C, or similar
table)• Assurances (SF 424B or 424D)• Project Statement – 10 PAGE LIMIT!!• Letters of Commitment from non-State match
providers
Project Statement
• Sets Rationale and Objectives• Delineates Annual Work Segments• Lists Results and Benefits• Describes Approaches & Evaluations• Establishes Estimated Costs• Lists Personnel and Location of Work
Project Statement
Need
• Why is the project being undertaken?
• How does the identified need relate to the grant program?
• What evidence is there of the need?
Project StatementObjectives
• What – not how
• Specify exactly what you hope to accomplish in relation to the problem or need
• If grant proposal is part of a larger project, clearly distinguish the elements proposed for the grant
• Specify a date everyone recognizes as when it will be accomplished
Project StatementObjectives
• Output / Benefit Oriented
• Realistic given the time, funds and materials
• Accomplishments must be measurable or verifiable
Objectives
SMART– Specific– Measurable– Achievable– Realistic– Time-limited
Writing the ObjectivesExample By December 31, 2011:
• Protect 563 acres of coastal wetlands;
• Restore or enhance 450 acres of palustrine emergent and estuarine intertidal emergent wetland habitat comprising 80% of the project area;
• Manage the project area in perpetuity for the conservation of coastal wetland habitat and the fish and wildlife populations that depend on them.
Project Statement10 page limit for 2015
Expected Results
• Increased benefits to coastal lands, waters, fish, and wildlife - What and how is this determined?
• Increased access and use – How much, how measured and who will benefit?
• Economic impact – How measured?
• Increased recreational opportunity – How measured?
Project StatementApproach
• How will you reach the objective(s) in the time allotted?
• Specific procedures
• Schedules
• Key project staff functions
• Cooperators
Project Statement
Location
• Where will the work be done?
• Include 3 maps at different scales
• Photos
Project Statement
Estimated Cost
• How much does it cost? How do you know?
• Federal & Grantee share (based on federal grant amount)
• Non-federal Cost Share only based on part of project funded by grant (not total project)
• Cost Detail – Cost categories or job costs?
• No Miscellaneous or Contingency costs
Project Statement
Other Elements
• Description of State Trust Fund
• Contribution to other ongoing efforts in the region
• Key personnel
• Public involvement
Ranking Criteria20 Page Limit for 2015
1. Wetlands Conservation (7 points)2. Maritime forests on coastal barriers (0 points)3. Long-term conservation (7 points)4. Coastal watershed management (3 points)5. Conservation of threatened and endangered species (5
points) 6. Benefits to fish (5 points)7. Benefits to coastal-dependent or migratory birds (5
points)
Ranking Criteria (cont.)8. Prevent or reduce contamination (5 points)9. Catalyst for future conservation (4 points)10. Partners in conservation (4 points)11. Federal share reduced (5 points)12. Education/outreach program or wildlife-oriented recreation (3 points)13. Other factors (4 points)
“Summary of the Ranking Criteria” is a good format to follow
Wetlands Conservation
Maritime Forests on Coastal Barriers
“Broad-leaved forests that occur on barrier islands and along the mainland coast from Delaware to Texas”
0 POINTS= We do not have this habitat type in California
Long-term Conservation
Coastal Watershed Management
Conservation of Threatened and Endangered Species
Conservation of State Species of Concern
(Maximum of 5 points for Category 5a and b; maximum of 2 points for 5b)
Benefits to Fish
Benefits to Coastal-Dependent or Migratory Birds
Prevent or Reduce Contamination
Catalyst for Future Conservation
Partners in Conservation
Note: These contributions will not Note: These contributions will not ““countcount”” if if there is no corresponding letter of commitment!there is no corresponding letter of commitment!
Federal Share Reduced
Education/Outreach Program or Wildlife-Oriented Recreation
Other factors
Other Factors• Rare or threatened habitat types, biologically
diverse habitats
• Cost effective
• Invasive species
• Cultural or historical resources benefits
• Climate Change
Additional Considerations
• Used as tie breakers• Must be addressed
– Would prevent the destruction or degradation of habitat from pending sale.
– Would protect unique and significant biological diversity.
– Has lower cost per acre conserved.– Provides lands as matching funds.
Grant Writing Tips - General
Writing Competitive Grants
Key Points
• Address all ranking criteria
• Identify critical dates in the process
• Understand how ranking criteria effects your score
Writing Competitive Grants
Key Points
• Maximize non-federal share
• Include partners
• Complete package
Grant Writing Tips - General
• Allow enough time• Carefully follow guidelines• Shorter is better• Include only requested information• Proper grammar & spelling• Make the application easy to read• Neat, complete, and on time• Clear and definitive
Grant Writing Tips - Budget
• Realistic budget• Check for consistency• Do not include a “miscellaneous” budget
category• Have Service staff review draft
Application Package
1. Executive Summary2. Proposal3. Budget Breakdown4. Letters of Commitment and Support
DON’T:
Be ambiguous
“Fudge” or add “glorifications”
Have big eyes and a tiny stomach
Include terms/costs having no relationship to the proposal
Include “interested parties” who may be supportive but have no solid contribution
Congratulations-You were awarded funding!
What Happens Next?
AWARD
AWARD
• Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program (WSFR) receives notification that the Service Director approved the Awards
• WSFR sends an official Award notification to the Grantee
AWARDProject Leader asked to provide documents pertaining to environmental compliance:–Coastal Zone Management–Uniform Relocation Assistance & Real Property Acquisition Policies Act –Floodplain Management, Protection of Wetlands–National Environmental Policy Act–National Historic Preservation Act–Endangered Species Act
AWARD• Fiscal Officer review AFA • When environmental compliance is completed, the
WSFR Grant Manager approves• Chief of WSFR reviews and approves the Notice of
Grant Award• Funding is obligated• Grantee receives signed copy of Notice of Grant
Award with information, legal requirements, Provisions and Conditions
• If grantee draws funds, it indicates they agree to all the terms, provision and conditions
AWARD
• Award Letter Contains:– Federal ID # - Grant number– Performance period, effective dates– Federal share of funding that is awarded– Terms of Acceptance– Provisions and Conditions– Signature of the Chief of WSFR
AWARD• The Agency Coordinator should assure that:
– Project Leader/Administrative staff are aware of Provisions and Conditions• Only partial funds obligated• Level of reporting required (Project or Grant-
level)• Other required documents before work starts• For land acquisitions, there is a “laundry list”
Post Award: Monitoring, Amendments and Reports
Monitoring
• The Grantee monitors the grant and Project progress to ensure:
– The grant will not expire prematurely– Funds are accurately drawn– Non-federal share is available– All ongoing compliance with grant provisions and
conditions are met– Project is accomplished according to the grant
project description
Amendments
• An amendment will be needed if:– Grant is expiring– Change in Project Contact/staff– Source or proportion of nonfederal match is
changed– Scope of project changes– Need new parcels– And MANY others – if in doubt, call WSFR
ReportsReports
Your Opportunity to Show Your Progress Your Opportunity to Show Your Progress and Successand Success
Performance and Financial Status Reports
PerformanceHow were objectives met?
Account for each objective in grant narrativeBe as specific as possible
Only include grant/project funded activitiesDiscuss deviations from achieving the objectives
FinancialCompleted by your Agency Fiscal Staff
SHOULD COORDINATE WITH WSFR – BART PROSE OR BECKY MILLER
Grant Close-Out
Grant Closure Process
– Final Performance Report• Land Acquisition Documentation
– Final Drawdown
– Final Financial Status Report (SF- 269)
After Closeout Monitoring• Land Acquisitions
– Must continue to serve the purpose for which acquired- In perpetuity. . . Yes. . .FOREVER
– Must get WSFR approval to encumber or dispose of the property
– Can be audited for compliance• Restoration/Enhancement
– Must continue to serve the purpose - Useful life (+20 years) or In perpetuity
– Must get WSFR approval to change the status – Can be audited for compliance
Early and Frequent Communication
Monitor Progress and Expenditures
Monitoring AFTER the Grant
Questions ?Questions ?