# Presentation: 936203

## Tribal Wildlife Grant & (TWG)Tribal Landowner Incentive Program (T-LIP) 

- Questions and Answers
- FY 2006

## Slide 2

## Slide 3

## TWG & T-LIP

-  What process does the Service propose to use to distribute T-LIP and TWG funds?

## TWG & T-LIP

- The proposed competitive process for federally recognized tribes throughout the U.S. will allow   eligible applicants to receive request proposals through a *Federal Register notice, direct contact, and other outreach methods*.
- The Regional Native American Liaisons will coordinate the process to screen proposals and rank them by nationally uniform criteria.
- A national panel will review regionally ranked proposals for recommendation to the Director.

## Tribal Consortiums and

- Tribal Non-Profit Organizations

## TWG & T-LIP

- What guidance is being provided for the submission of grant proposals?

## TWG & T-LIP

- Submitted grant proposals should provide technical and financial assistance for the development and implementation of wildlife programs including habitat protection and restoration for federally listed, proposed, or candidate species, or other at-risk species.

## TWG & T-LIP

- Proposals must include:
- cover letter briefly stating main features of the proposed project.
- project summary that describes, in one-half page, the type of activity that would take place if the Service funds the project.

## TWG & T-LIP

- project narrative that clearly identifies the problems that the proposal will correct or help solve and the expected results or benefits must contain:
- needs assessment
- project objectives,,
- project time line
- methodology
- geographic location (with maps)
- monitoring plan
- other quantifiable info. that support Service goals.

## TWG & T-LIP

- Proposals must also include:
- budget narrative that clearly justifies all proposed costs should include discussion of direct cost items such as:
- salaries
- equipment
- consultant services
- subcontracts and travel
- project matching or cost sharing info.

## TWG & T-LIP

- Applicants may cover new project administrative costs, but can’t include pre-existing administrative costs.
- A resolution of support from the Tribal governing body that states its support for the proposal or a letter submitted by an authorized tribal member on department letterhead.

## TWG & T-LIP

- Are matching funds required?

## TWG & T-LIP

- For the T-LIP, yes a minimum of 25% non-federal match for participation in T-LIP.
- For Tribal Wildlife Grants (TWG) no matching funds are required but the ranking criteria consider matching funds as an indication of Tribal commitment to the project and encourage partnerships.

## TWG & T-LIP

- 93- 638 Contract dollars
- Self Governance funds

- _Eligible Match_

- Match must be non-federal dollars
- unless they are from one of the
- following categories:

## TWG & T-LIP

- Are in-kind contributions eligible as matching funds?

## TWG & T-LIP

- Yes in-kind contributions may be used as a match to improve proposal ranking.
- “in-kind” is defined as non-cash contributions made by parties other than the Service.
- In kind contributions must be necessary and reasonable for carrying out the project, and must represent the same value that the Service would have paid for similar services or property if purchased on the open market.

## TWG & T-LIP

- what ranking criteria is the Service proposing to use?

## TWG & T-LIP

- The criteria and weighting factors for evaluating proposals total to 100 points and are; the benefit of the project, the work plan, the budget, the ecosystem approach, commitment, partnerships, and administrative costs

## TWG & T-LIP

- What additional information must be provided to the service once awards are announced?

## TWG & T-LIP 

- Once the Service notifies approved grantees of project funding, the recipient must submit a Standard Form 424 (application for Federal Assistance) along with a grant agreement and attachments as required by Federal regulations.
- As with other Federal programs, T-LIP agreements must comply with 43 CFR part 12 (_[www.nctc.fws.gov/fedaid/toolkit/4312toc.pdf](http://www.nctc.fws.gov/fedaid/toolkit/4312toc.pdf)_)
- NEPA, Section 7 of ESA, the National Historic Preservation Act, and all other applicable Federal laws and regulations.
- This program is also subject to provisions of Office of Management and Budget Circular No. A-87, A-102, A-128 (www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars)

## TWG & T-LIP 

- Are State Recognized Tribes or petitioning Tribes eligible to receive grants in the program?
- No. The Interior Appropriations Act, 2002, specifies that only federally recognized tribes are eligible.
- Can Tribal organizations or other non-Tribal entities receive program grants?
- No. The Service recommends that Tribal organizations seeking to enter into grant agreements may do so as subcontractors to federally recognized Tribes.

## TWG & T-LIP

- Can Grantees use T-LIP funds to cover cost of environmental review, habitat evaluation, permit review (ie. Section 404) and other environmental compliance activities associated with a LIP project?
- Yes, The Service can fund projects where the costs relate directly to the protection of wildlife and habitat.

## TWG & T-LIP

- What activities aren’t allowed under the guidance of T-LIP?

## TWG & T-LIP

- A proposal can’t include activities required to comply with a Biological Opinion or include activities required to comply with a permit (i.e. mitigation responsibilities)
- However a proposal can include activities that implement conservation recommendations.

## TWG & T-LIP

- What species are considered endangered, threatened, candidate species, or other at-risk species?
- The species federally listed as endangered, or threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, or species proposed or candidate for such listing or at-risk species (i.e. species formally recognized as a species of conservation concern, such as species listed by Tribe or State.)

## TWG & T-LIP

- Does the term “private lands” in the LIP appropriation language exclude Tribal Trust lands from participation in T-LIP?
- No. Tribal Trust lands are not “public lands.” For the purposes of inclusion in the T-LIP, Tribes are considered landowners and are eligible.

## Tribal Landowner Incentive Program (T-LIP) & Tribal Wildlife Grant (TWG) 

- Is T-LIP and TWG a continuous revenue source for Tribal wildlife programs?
- There is no authorization for appropriation of funds beyond FY 2006. Funds appropriated in FY 2006 are available until expended..

## TWG & T-LIP

- When will the Service award grants?
- Request for Proposals (RFP) will last for 90 days from the date of publication in the Federal Register. After 90 days the submitted proposals will be reviewed, ranked, and recommendations will be given to the Director for designation of awards.

## TWG & T-LIP

- What compliance documents does the Service require before it can obligate funds to the grantee?

## TWG & T-LIP

- Before it obligates funds, the Service will require the grantee to submit all NEPA documentation and other environmental compliance. Grantees must submit:
-  signed Assurance Statement, SF-424 B or D,
- Grant Agreement.
- Must comply with all applicable Federal statutes and regulations.

## TWG & T-LIP;

- How will funds be disbursed once the Service has awarded grants?

## TWG & T-LIP

- Approved grant funds will be electronically delivered to the Health and Human Services’ SMARTLINK payment system.
- Through this electronic funds transfer (EFT) grantees will be able to receive their funds on a reimbursement basis.
- Some of the tribal grantees may not be EFT compliant. In order to insure optimal service to potential grantees within the current Federal Aid processes, grantees will need to obtain EFT capabilities.
- Grantees may request an advance of no more than 25% of the total grant. These will be individually reviewed and honored if sufficient hardship or need is demonstrated that would preclude the success of the proposal if funds aren’t available.

## TWG & T-LIP

- Will tribal representatives be involved in the reviewing or ranking process?
- Due to possible conflicts of interest, only Federal employees will rank proposals. Future consideration of Tribal representative participation may be explored.

## TWG & T-LIP

- Can Tribes submit more than one grant proposal?
- 		Yes.
- Is there a maximum level of funding that will be considered under the proposals?
- 		No more than 5% of the total available funds.
- Is there a minimum level of funding that will be considered?
- 		No recommended minimums.
- Can the grantee hold grant funds in an interest-bearing account?
- 		No.

## My Contact Information

- (503)231-6123 phone
- (503)231-2122  fax
- Email: scott_aikin@fws.gov

## http://pacific.fws.gov/ea/tribal

- Tribal Liaison Website