Migratory Bird Joint Ventures

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Program Accomplishments

Six original Joint Ventures were formed in 1987 to implement the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. As of 2007, there are 17 joint ventures that focus on regions containing critical habitats and 3 that focus on individual species in the US, Canada, Mexico. Joint venture partners have invested more than $2.2 billion to protect, restore or enhance more than 9 million acres of wetlands, grasslands, forests and riparian habitats in the U.S. alone. Joint ventures adapt program principles to their own geographic and cultural conditions and pool limited resources to successful conservation actions that involve a variety of public and private stakeholders.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Joint Ventures are public/private partnerships, are guided by a Management Board of public/private representatives snd use a Fish and Wildlife Service approved Implementation Plan that establishes conservation goals, priorities, and strategies.

The Implementation Plan typically includes stepped down goals and objectives from a variety of national and international bird planning efforts.

A Joint Venture Coordinator facilitates the coordination and implementation of the Joint Venture.

The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides basic administrative funding to Joint Ventures to cover costs associated with coordination; planning; monitoring, evaluation and applied research; communications and outreach; and project development and implementation.

Joint Ventures may provide federal assistance to partners within these categories to achieve the goals of the Joint Venture.

The FWS does not fund the entire scope of Joint Venture operations.

Joint Venture partners are expected to contribute funding towards one or more of these categories.

Non-federal match is not required, but leveraging FWS dollars provided for Joint Venture administration is a critical component of the Joint Venture program.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Federal, State and local government agencies, Federally recognized Indian Tribal governments, private nonprofit institutions/organizations; public nonprofit institutions/organizations; profit organizations, interstate and intrastate entities, and individuals or families who are also private landowners.

Beneficiary Eligibility

General Public.

Credentials/Documentation

Must participate or intend to participate in strategic conservation planning, implementation and evaluation activities designed to meet Joint Venture objectives as identified in an approved Implementation Plan and all related plans.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

None.

This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.

12372.

Application Procedures

Joint venture partner/potential partner contact Joint Venture Coordinator to discuss Joint Venture (JV) needs and objectives, or JV Coordinator may initiate the contact. Coordinators work with partners/potential partners to design projects and discuss cost-share programs/activities that will contribute to meeting Joint Venture goals. Preparation of Environmental Impact Statements is not a prerequisite for receiving federal assistance/funding. State Plans are not required.

Award Procedures

Applicant must complete the Standard Form (SF) 424, and the appropriate Budget and Assurances forms (SF 424A and SF 424B - Non Construction; or SF 424C and SF 424D - Construction). Once the project is designed and either fits within an approved Implementation Plan or is reviewed and approved by a Joint Venture Management Board, a cooperative agreement or grant agreement is written and work can begin.

Deadlines

None. Funding decisions are made at least annually. All applications received will be held for consideration during the next review period.

Authorization

Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 742a-754; Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1958, 16 U.S.C.661-667(e); Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C, 2901-2911; and Migratory Bird Treaty Act, (16U.S.C. 709a).

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

180 Days.

Appeals

None.

Renewals

None. Partners/potential partners may request additional projects to meet Joint Venture goals and objectives.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

None.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Cooperative agreements are normally written for a 1 to 5 year period. For project cost-share grants, a 2 year period for expenditure of funds is the norm. Payments are generally made on a quarterly basis.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

All projects and activities are monitored for progress and compliance with agreed on scope of work.

Written reports on completion of the project are generally required.

Recipients are required to submit annual Financial Status Reports using SF 269 or SF 269A within 90 calendar days after the grant year (i.e., 12 months after the approved effective date of the assistance agreement and every 12 months thereafter until the expiration date of the assistance agreement).

A final Financial Status Report is required 90 calendar days after the expiration or termination of the assistance agreement.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that receive financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records

The Recipient shall maintain a complete, detailed accounting system to report expenditures of grant funds and accomplishments achieved under the award. Records, accounts, and supporting documents must be retained for 3 years after submission of the final Financial Status Report.

Financial Information

Account Identification

14-1611-0-1-303.

Obigations

(Project Grants) FY 07 $4,019,000; FY 08 est $5,000,000; and FY 09 est not available.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$2,400 to $900,000; $225,000.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

Fish and Wildlife Service Policy 721 FW6, Joint Venture Implementation Plans, Joint Venture Accomplishment Reports.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

See Catalog Appendix IV for addresses.

Headquarters Office

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, Division of Bird Habitat Conservation, Joint Venture Liaison Officer, Mail Stop MBSP 4075, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203. Telephone: (703) 358-1784; Fax: (703) 358-2282. Email: DBHC@fws.gov.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Applicants must be an existing or potential partner of a Joint Venture, and must agree to support Joint Venture goals and objectives. Project must fall within scope of a Management Board approved Joint Venture Implementation Plan and related conservation plans. Projects must contribute to overall Joint Venture goals and objectives. Project must be cost-effective. Projects that leverage grant funds with partner funds or in-kind services will receive preference.