Fish and Wildlife Technical Assistance and Environmental Review

 

KY – Fish and Wildlife Technical Assistance and Environmental Review Grant

Need

There is a need for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) to work collaboratively with both public and private entities in order to best manage and conserve the fish and wildlife resources of the Commonwealth and the meet the needs and expectations of anglers, hunters, and wildlife-viewers.  The landscape of Kentucky is approximately 94% privately owned, with only the remaining 6% in various forms of public (Federal/state/local county government) ownership.  Therefore, if the KDFWR is to effectively manage and conserve fish and wildlife populations (including their habitats), their professional efforts must be directed towards both public and privately-owned lands in order to have landscape-level effects.

Despite a growing urban population, the Commonwealth of Kentucky is still largely comprised of rural landscapes that are dominated by farms and large tracts of lands in private, individual ownership.  These landowners partake in fishing and hunting, yet lack the scientific expertise regarding landscape and habitat management practices to best enhance fish and wildlife populations.  Additionally, as development infringes upon these natural landscapes, contractors are increasingly seeking the wherewithal to incorporate fish and wildlife-friendly practices into their designs and permitting.  KDFWR staff provides fish and wildlife comments to all statewide development projects as a means to achieve landscape-level conservation efforts.  Additionally, staff meet with individual landowners and provide similar recommendations to ensure fish and wildlife resources are managed, not only on department-owned lands, but on larger privately-owned lands.  Without these activities, the KDFWR would not be able to meet its mission statement and conserve the fish and wildlife resources for all users.   

Purpose

The purpose of this grant is to provide technical assistance to private landowners and comment on statewide development projects affecting fish, wildlife, and their habitats.

Objectives

The objectives of this grant are to:

(1)    Provide technical assistance to 270 entities by June 30, 2017.

(2)    Review 653 projects by June 30, 2017.

Results and Benefits Expected

This grant will benefit the fish and wildlife resources of Kentucky by ensuring that agency staff have the opportunity to comment on state-wide development projects.  Their comments will ensure these projects incorporate best management strategies to conserve and manage fish and wildlife resources, including their habitats.  This grant will also help to encourage landowners to incorporate fish and wildlife-friendly practices on their lands.

This grant will also benefit recreational anglers and hunters by ensuring that development projects minimize or mitigate for potential impacts to these resources.  Anglers and hunters will also benefit from enhanced fish and wildlife practices on private lands. 

Approach

Objective 1 – Provide technical assistance to 270 landowners by June 30, 2017.

KDFWR fish and wildlife biologists will provide technical guidance regarding fish and wildlife management, including habitat manipulations, to private landowners seeking information.  Staff schedule on-site technical guidance meetings with landowners and develop landowner-specific management plans to meet the landowner’s desires for recreational fishing, hunting, and wildlife-viewing.  Staff will also conduct technical guidance via telephone and email when possible.   

Fisheries Management - For landowners interested in fisheries management, KDFWR fisheries staff may inspect, survey, or sample their existing lakes or ponds to determine the status of any pre-existing populations.  Sampling may include electrofishing or seining.  After each assessment is completed, fisheries staff will provide landowners with a site specific management plan to meet their individual expectations.  The KDFWR anticipates providing 125 fisheries technical guidance meetings with private landowners during the period of performance. 

Wildlife Management - For landowners interested in wildlife management, KDFWR wildlife staff may inspect, survey, or sample wildlife and/or habitat to determine the baseline status.  Using this information, along with the individual interests and expectations of each landowner, KDFWR wildlife staff will develop landowner specific management plans and recommendations to achieve the desired wildlife/habitat response.  The KDFWR anticipates providing 145 wildlife technical guidance meetings with private landowners during the period of performance.

(NOTE: TRACS activity tags for reporting purposes.)

     TRACS Activity Tag 1: Assistance to private landowners

     TRACS Activity Tag 2 (optional): None

Objective 2 – Review 653 projects by June 30, 2017.

Environmental biologist staff will review and comment on an estimated 450 proposed statewide development projects (5-year annual average) as part of the Executive Order 12372 (State Clearinghouse) process and other state mandated processes.  All reviews and comments will be focused on impacts to fish and wildlife resources and best management practices to be implemented in order to minimize or mitigate for negative impacts to such resources.

Environmental biologist staff will comment on an estimated 15 coal mine permit applications.  All reviews and comments will be focused on impacts to fish and wildlife resources and best management practices to be implemented in order to minimize or mitigate for negative impacts to such resources.  Staff will also attend various meetings, workshops, and conferences related to coal mining, reclamation, wetlands, biodiversity, endangered species, and general habitat management.

Environmental biologist staff will also comment on an estimated 105 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) construction permits located in navigable waters (Section 10 permits) and dredge/fill operations in waters (Section 404 permits).  All reviews and comments will be focused on impacts to fish and wildlife resources and best management practices to be implemented in order to minimize or mitigate for negative impacts to such resources.

Environmental biologist staff will comment on an estimated 35 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) projects involving pipelines and hydroelectric projects.  All reviews and comments will provide guidance to avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts to fish and wildlife resources.

Environmental biologist staff will comment on an estimated 23 KY Transportation Cabinet projects including planning, design, construction, and maintenance.  All reviews and comments will provide guidance to avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts to fish and wildlife resources.

Environmental biologist staff will also comment on an estimated 25 various additional projects as requested by other state agencies and development entities.  These reviews will provide guidance to best incorporate fish and wildlife management strategies into development projects.

(NOTE: TRACS activity tags for reporting purposes.)

     TRACS Activity Tag 1: Review of proposed projects

     TRACS Activity Tag 2 (optional): None.

     TRACS Activity Tag 1: Review of proposed policies, plans

     TRACS Activity Tag 2 (optional): None.

 Additional activities that will be funded under this grant include:

• Answer telephone/email requests from the public concerning development projects involving fish and wildlife resources.
• General administrative functions (timesheets, developing reports, employee evaluations, record retention).
• Acquisition and maintenance of supplies.

Useful Life

No capital improvements over $10,000 will be made with this project proposal.

Geographic Location

This project will occur statewide.

Principal Investigator(s), for Research Projects

Not applicable.

Program Income

None.

Budget Narrative

                Federal Share:   $ 375,000 (75%) – Sport Fish Restoration / Wildlife Restoration

                State Share:       $ 125,000 (25%) – KDFWR restricted Fish and Game Fund

                Total Project:    $ 500,000

Funding from Sport Fish Restoration (subprogram 9514)

                                Federal Share:    $187,500

                                State Share:        $62,500

                                Total:                   $250,000

 Funding from Wildlife Restoration (subprogram 5222)

                                Federal Share:    $187,500

                                State Share:        $62,500

                                Total:                   $250,000

NOTE: Applicants may provide the budget information using the SF 424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs), SF 424C (Budget Information for Construction Programs), or using the applicant’s created budget displaying an equivalent or greater level of detail.

Salaries -  budget estimate comprised of staff (10-15) in the following classifications: (1) Statewide Wildlife Biologist; (2) Statewide Fisheries Biologist; (3) Statewide Environmental Biologist; and (4) Fish and Wildlife Technician.

Fringe benefits - consists of the required employer contribution of Social Security, Medicare, unemployment tax, retirement and employee health insurance, and is estimated at 51.47% of salaries.

Travel - staff will attend in-state meetings related to E.O 12372, coal mine, USACE, FERC, and KY Transportation Cabinet proposed projects.  Staff may also attend regional meetings involving large, multistate or multiagency projects that have the potential to impact fish and wildlife resources.  Travel costs will include lodging, transportation, and per diem following state policies and procedures.      

Equipment - the following equipment is necessary and reasonable for the accomplishment of grant objectives.

• (1) Ford F-150 ½ ton Supercab truck = $26,000.  Useful life = 6 years.

Supplies - budget estimate includes general office/lab supplies, field attire (raingear, overalls, rubber boots), GPS devices, field sampling gear, and cameras.

Indirect Costs: The KDFWR’s approved NICRA is 16.00% charged to the base of salaries and fringe.  A copy of the NICRA is on file in the WSFR Region 4 Office.

In-Kind Match: No in-kind match will be utilized for this grant.

Pre-Award Costs: No pre-award costs are requested for this grant.

Indirect Cost Statement: “We are (1) a U.S. state government entity receiving more than $35 million in direct Federal funding each year with an indirect cost rate of 16.00%.  We submit our indirect cost rate proposals to our cognizant agency.  A copy of our most recently approved rate agreement/certification is on file in the Region 4 Headquarters Office.”

Single Audit Reporting Statement: The Commonwealth of Kentucky was required to submit a Statewide Single Audit report for its most recently closed fiscal year and that report is available on the Federal Audit Clearinghouse Single Audit Database website.  The report is filed under the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s EIN (99-9999999).

Conflict of Interest Statement: KDFWR, at the time of this application, is not aware of any actual or potential conflicts of interest that may arise during the life of this award which may affect the KDFWR, its employees, or its subrecipients.  Should an actual or potential conflict of interest arise during the period of performance, then KDFWR will notify the WSFR Regional Office.

Multipurpose Projects

None.

Relationship with other Grants

None.

Timeline

July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017:

• Provide technical assistance to private landowners seeking guidance concerning fish and wildlife management on their lands.
• Review/comment on statewide development projects for their impacts on fish, wildlife, and their habitat.
• Attend meetings concerning concerning statewide development projects.
• Manage staff and complete employee evaluations.
• Draft final performance reports.

General

NOTE: 50 CFR 80.82 (c) requires that a project statement must include information pertaining to 13 data elements.  Element 13 requires that information be included in the project statement that (a) shows that the proposed activities are eligible for funding and substantial in character and design and (b) enables the Service to comply with applicable requirements under NEPA, ESA, and NHPA, and other laws, regulations, and policies.  If information is not provided in the project statement, please attach additional documentation regarding NEPA, ESA, and NHPA compliance.  

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Related Pages

Sport Fish Restoration Eligible Activities - WSFR

Sport Fish Restoration Program Apportionments- WSFR

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Resources

Project Statement_Technical Assistance and Environmental Review.docx

WSFR_Quick Reference_SFR

Sport Fish Restoration Funding diagram

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References

50 CFR 80.51 What activities are eligible for funding under the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act?

50 CFR 80.82 What must an agency submit when applying for a project-by-project grant?