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Describing collaboration with adjacent countries is not part of a required element. However, if species of conservation need and their habitats are shared with these countries, the Plans would benefit from this information and any identified joint conservation actions. Read More
Q15. What 15. What are the minimum requirements for Plan review prior to October 1, 2015?
A15. States must review their Plans by October 1, 2015, or by the date specified in their original approved Plan (if before this date). The updated Plan and summary documentation submitted prior by this deadline must demonstrate, at a minimum, that the entire Plan was examined and that all of the required eight elements were met, including an up-to-date public review as specified in elements 7 and 8. If no changes were made, the State must document and explain why none were necessary and identify the process used to make that determination.
Q1616. What are the consequences if a State does not submit the comprehensive review of its Plan by October 1, 2015, or the date identified in the State’s currently approved Plan when a full review or revision is scheduled for completion?
A16. The State is not entitled to receive newly apportioned funds from the SWG program until the reviewed Plan is submitted.
Q1717. What are the Regional Review Teams (RRTs) and how do they function in the State Wildlife Action Plan approval process?
A17. The RRTs were an integral part of the original Plan evaluation process, and are the entity which accepts and reviews updated Plans submitted by the States. The RRTs consist of two members: the Assistant Regional Director, or the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) Chief or a designee, and a State Director. RRTs are responsible for ensuring that submitted Plans meet all requirements described in the Guidance for Wildlife Action Plan Review and Revisions (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2007), including the Congressionally-defined “eight elements.”
Q1818. In what format should the revised Plan be submitted and where should it be sent?
A18. The State should consult with its RRT members for requirements regarding submission format (electronic or hard copy, number of copies, etc.). See the Table, below, for RRT members and Service contact information. You may send your revised Plan to your Service Region at the address given in the Table; Service staff will forward copies to the RRT members.
Q1919. Once a final Plan is submitted, when will the RRT and Director provide a decision to the State?
A19. The RRT is committed to providing as timely a review as possible. The RRT intends to do a thorough job in reviewing each Plan and providing a recommendation to the Director. The Director will in turn send a letter to each State with his decision. The RRT will work with States to accommodate specific timing/scheduling issues. WSFR encourages States to submit Plans earlier rather than later, to avoid a backlog in 2015.
Q2020. Can a draft Plan be submitted to the RRT for review and comment?
A20. No. There is no formal review of working drafts by the RRT; however, states may ask their Regional WSFR office for informal feedback prior to submission. Once the State has finalized the document, it should be submitted in final form to the WSFR office for distribution to the RRT members. See Q&A #18 for more information.
Q2121. What happens when the revised Plan is formally submitted to the RRT?
A21. The RRT will review the revised Plan. After requesting any clarifications and revisions as necessary, the RRT will make a recommendation to the Service Director to approve, disapprove or conditionally approve the Plan.
Q2222. What is conditional approval and what happens if the revised Plan is conditionally approved by the Service Director?
A22. If a revised Plan is conditionally approved, the State will receive a letter from the Fish and Wildlife Service Director summarizing additional required information. The State will then have six months after receipt of the Fish and Wildlife Service Director’s letter to resubmit a revised Plan for approval. During those six months, the State is eligible to receive State Wildlife Grants Program funds. However, activities of new grants must be based on the priorities of the existing Plan or be documented as emerging issues, as described in the Service’s policy.
Q2323. What happens if the Plan is disapproved by the Director?
A23. If a State fails to meet the requirements of a conditional approval, the Plan is disapproved and the State is no longer entitled to receive newly apportioned funds from the State Wildlife Grants Program. Should the State elect to submit a revised Plan in the future, it may do so but, until a Plan is approved, the State will not be entitled to receive any new SWG funds.
Q2424. If a State submits a revised Plan prior to October 1, 2015, when must it submit the next comprehensive review of its Plan?
A24. The next comprehensive review of Plans will be due 10 years after the date of approval following the first review, or October 1, 2025, whichever is sooner.
Q2525. Will the State Director on the RRT review his/her State’s Plan?
A25. No. That State’s Plan will be submitted to a different RRT to complete the review process. The RRT may or may not be from the submitting State’s Region.
Table 1. RRT Members and Contact Information by Service Region.
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