EMENT GRANT OFFERING
The Habitat Partnership Program (HPP) is pleased to announce the HPP Habitat Improvement Grant. This grant is designed to encourage multiple
entities to partner with the Habitat Partnership Program on large scale habitat improvement projects which, when completed, will provide benefits to livestock, private land owners, land managers, big game animals and other wildlife species.
The Habitat Partnership Program (HPP) was established in 1990 and is directed by Colorado statutes to “reduce wildlife conflicts, particularly those associated with forage and fence issues, and to assist the Division of Wildlife in meeting game management objectives...” HPP works with landowners, land managers, sportsmen, the CPW and others to resolve conflicts between ungulates and agricultural users.
One of the primary, long term methods used by the program to reduce problems is to improve existing habitat conditions in an area. Such improvement benefits wildlife and livestock by creating more and better habitat and forage resources for both.
While many current HPP projects are habitat projects, many have been done on a small, localized scale. While effective in reducing conflicts on this level, the State Council recognizes that the most effective projects and those that hold the most potential for resolving conflicts for the long term are those habitat improvement projects that encompass a large land area and involve multiple partners. Multiple partners allows for everyone’s limited funds to be leveraged while ultimately accomplishing more than we could have done alone.
Habitat improvement projects include using mechanical and chemical tools to improve/increase available habitat and forage. Typical habitat improvement projects done by HPP include brush manipulation (hydroaxing, roller chopping, Lawson aerating, burning, etc), weed control using biological and chemical means, water developments (maintaining existing water sources and developing new ones), fertilizing and reseeding.
This grant is intended to include one or more of the above methods to treat current vegetative conditions on a large landscape scale. Proposals that include other project types, either for funding or as an in kind contribution, will be disqualified. The State Council specifically desires this grant to improve habitat conditions by conducting treatments on specific acreages.
Most applicants have found it useful to discuss their project prior to applying for this grant and we encourage you to do so as well. Please contact Pat Tucker at the numbers below if you would like to do this.
All applications must be signed by the appropriate level person able to commit funds to this project and who can ensure they will remain available for the duration.
Additional information about the HPP program in general is available on the CPW’s web site at http://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/pages/habitatpartnershipprogram.aspx
HABITAT IMPROVEMENT GRANT
Who Can Apply: Any agency, entity, organization or individual.
Purpose of Grant: To improve habitat and range conditions for both big game wildlife and livestock on a large scale basis, which, when completed, will lessen conflicts between them..
Allowable Expenses: The State Council will fund habitat improvement projects that put a treatment on the ground for actual habitat work.
Unallowable Expenses: HPP funds cannot be used for agency staff time (permanent, seasonal or temporary), for the purchase of equipment or for materials that would not be used in the implementation of the project or which have a useable lifespan after the project is completed or for overhead and/or administration of the grant.
Number of Grants: Up to 5 grants may be awarded. Minimum grant request is $100,000.
Total Amount of Grant(s): Up to $500,000. Final amount may vary depending on applications.
Project Payment: Payment will be made on a reimbursable basis.
Project Location: Projects must be located within an area that has an existing HPP committee.
Project Application: Please use the attached application.
Project Partners: Projects with multiple partners will be given priority and a greater match amount from HPP over those with no/fewer partners. Letters from partners showing a commitment to the project if approved should be included with the application.
Local HPP Committee Involvement: Local HPP committees must be in support of the project and provide a letter to that effect. Priority will be given to those applications that have the monetary support of their committee. A letter from the local committee should be included with your application. Due to the variability of local HPP committee meetings, applicants are encouraged to contact their local HPP committee early in the process so that this support can be obtained. Failure to have written support from the local HPP committee will result in the project being disqualified.
Project Matches: Project applications must have at least a 50% cash match from non HPP sources. Landowners/Land Managers are required to participate financially. Match credit will not be given for in progress or completed projects. Projects with a greater amount of match money will be given priority and a greater match amount from HPP over projects with less match money.
Pending Matches: The state council realizes that potential matching money may not be known when HPP awards our grants. To accommodate this, applications must clearly show matches which are confirmed and matches which are pending. The state council will award initial grants based on confirmed matches. HPP awards will be increased if pending matches are confirmed prior to June 1st. Additional match money must show the additional accomplishments that will be gained by the addition of this extra money. The 50% ratio will be maintained if grant amounts are increased.
Project Monitoring: Projects must provide for monitoring using an appropriate technique(s) to demonstrate success or failure of the treatment.
Special Note for Burning and Weed Control Applications:
a. Due to the uncertainty of burn windows in any given year, applicants are discouraged from submitting burn projects for this grant. However, HPP is supportive of burn projects in general and funding is available from local committees and the state council for them.
b. Due to the persistent nature of weeds and the multiyear efforts needed for successful control, applicants proposing to do weed control must also provide information and commitment for an additional 3 years of follow up weed control treatment.
Application and Notification Timeline: Applications must be received no later than Monday, February 2, 2015 to the address above. Submittals should include all necessary documents, maps, partner information and any other relevant materials. 12 copies should be provided. Submissions received after 5pm on February 2nd will not be considered.
After submittal, the State Council will review and prioritize applications. The top project proposals will be asked to make a presentation to the State Council at their March 2015 meeting (date/location to be determined).
Successful project applicants will be notified by April 1, 2015. A State purchasing contract must be approved before work can began. Pending approvals, projects should be able to start in early July 2015 and must be completed and billed out no later than June 30, 2016. Extensions will not be granted. A project summary detailing final costs, partners and accomplishments is required.
Who to Contact for More Information: Pat Tucker, HPP State Coordinator can be contacted at the address above or at (970) 255.6188 (w), (970) 260.9855 (c) or via email at .
I: Name of Project:
II: Requested Amount:
III. Requestor/Contact Information (include email):
IV: Existing or Foreseeable Big Game/Agricultural Conflicts:
VI: Project Purpose and Description:
VII: Partnerships:
VIII: NEPA status: (if applicable)
IX: Project Monitoring Plan:
X: Describe how this projects benefits agriculture, wildlife and the resource:
XI: Miscellaneous:
· Any other pertinent information, local committee and other letters of support, etc.
XII: Please provide appropriate location maps and project specific area maps in your application.
XIII: Signature of Applicant
Completed Grant Requests should be sent to:
Pat Tucker
HPP Program
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
711 Independent Avenue
Grand Junction, CO 81505
Habitat Partnership Program
Habitat Improvement Grant Funding Detail Sheet
Indicate all costs associated with completion of this project and how they will be covered by the project’s funding sources. Put an “*” next to all funds that are pending.
Partner / Match $ / In Kind $ / In Kind HoursLandowner/Land Manager
TOTAL
$ - real dollars paid to a 3rd party as a part of the cooperator’s contribution
In Kind $ - the value of services or labor that the landowner or cooperator contributes as determined by them.
In Kind Hours – the amount of time that a cooperator contributes to the project as their partnership contribution. Do not count both in kind $ and in kind hours for the same work.
1. Total Amount Requested from HPP $ ______
2. Total Confirmed Match $ $ ______
3. Total Pending Match $ $ ______
4. Total Additional Grant Money Available $ ______
If Pending Match $ is Approved
(50% of Line 3)
5. Local HPP Committee Funds $ ______
6. Estimated Project Accomplishments:
# of acres treated ______
# of water developments ______
Other Accomplishments ______
Suggested/Preferred Vendor ______
FINAL AMOUNT AWARDED: $______
HPP Grant Application Checklist
Applicant made initial contact with HPP Coordinator
Written support of local HPP committee included with application
Letters of funding commitments (confirmed and pending) from all partners included with application
12 printed copies of application submitted to HPP
Applications must be received by HPP by the application deadline (February 2, 2015)
Project map(s) included with application
Amount of Money requested is no more than 50% of project total
Matching % calculated on committed, non HPP funds
Partner contributions only allowed from project year – not from previous or future years work
Overhead and/or Administrative costs are not included in the request for HPP funds
Agency confirmation of availability of funds
Acknowledgment that project timeline is from July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016.