Resources
Gulf of Maine Library Collection
Identification of Important Habitats in
the Lower Casco Bay (Maine) Watershed
Chapter 15. Funding Opportunities
for Habitat Protection
Conservation organizations and private landowners may be interested in
using this report to identify important areas for habitat protection.
Voluntary habitat protection strategies include conservation easements,
land acquisition, restoration and management, agricultural incentives
and conservation education. Conservation Options (Schauffler 1994) details
other opportunities available for private landowners interested in land
protection. The following cooperative initiatives and funding opportunities
are currently available through the federal and state government to implement
habitat protection measures:
The North American Waterfowl Management Plan is an international
effort to conserve the continent's remaining wetlands and increase migratory
bird populations. It is a matching partnership program that includes the
governments of the United States, Canada, Mexico, states, provinces and
over 200 private groups. More than $30 million in funding for the Plan
has been funneled through the North American Wetlands Conservation Act
for habitat protection. The Atlantic Coast Joint Venture, which includes
coastal habitats in the Gulf of Maine, is one of nine Joint Ventures identified
by the plan. Over 60,000 acres of wetlands will be protected on the Atlantic
coast when this Joint Venture is completed.
The Partners for Wildlife Program improves and protects
fish and wildlife habitat on private lands through alliances between the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other organizations and individuals,
while leaving the land in private ownership. Since its establishment,
the program has restored thousands of acres of wetland habitat and associated
uplands through habitat restoration and management programs that blend
wildlife conservation with profitable land use. Besides habitat restoration
and management activities, the program also establishes habitat protection
programs, provides technical assistance with land management problems
such as reducing pesticide use and managing water levels, and conducts
demonstration projects to promote the importance of private lands for
fish and wildlife resources.
In 1988, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service began the
Challenge Grant program to restore living resources and habitats on National
Wildlife Refuges, Fish Hatcheries, research facilities, and private lands.
The program manages resources in partnership with non-federal public and
private organizations and individuals. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
will provide up to 50% of the total project cost. Partners or cooperators
provide the remainder -- in cash, material, equipment, land and/or services.
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is a non-profit
organization established by Congress to award challenge grants for conservation
activities on behalf of fish, wildlife and plant conservation. Programs
include habitat protection and restoration, research, public awareness,
education and management. Grants are awarded three times a year and are
distributed among federal, state, and provincial agencies, colleges and
universities, private corporations, and domestic and international conservation
organizations. Grants are awarded on a 2:1 matching basis; for every dollar
in federal funds awarded, two dollars in direct non-federal contributions
must be provided.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Northeast Region Wetland Concept
Plan identified nearly 850 wetland sites that warrant consideration for
acquisition within the 13 state region. The Plan was developed as part
of the Emergency Wetlands Resources Act of 1986 that directed the Service
to identify the location and types of wetlands that should receive priority
attention for acquisition by federal and state agencies using Land
and Water Conservation Fund appropriations.
This fund is used by the U.S. Department of the Interior to acquire lands.
The fund is also available by allocation to states to provide outdoor
recreational resources through their conservation, development and use.
The fund receives surplus property taxes, motorboat fuel taxes, certain
revenues from the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, and user fees collected
at National Parks and other federal fee collection areas.
The Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act
established a matching grant program for states requesting federal funds
for coastal wetland restoration projects. Projects eligible for grant
proposals include acquisition, restoration, enhancement or management
of coastal wetland ecosystems. Coastal Wetland Grants must demonstrate
quantifiable benefits to coastal wetland hydrology, water quality and/or
fish and wildlife species.
For additional information on these and other cooperative habitat protection
initiatives, contact the following offices of the Maine Dept. of Inland
Fisheries and Wildlife and/or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:
Ken Elowe, Director Wildlife Division
Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife
284 State St.
State House Station #41
Augusta, Maine 04333
(207) 287-5252
Stewart Fefer, Project Leader or Lois Winter, Outreach Specialist
Gulf of Maine Project
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
4R Fundy Rd.
Falmouth, ME 04105
(207) 781-8364
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