Code of Maine Rules › 09 - DEPARTMENT OF INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE › 585 - MAINE OUTDOOR HERITAGE FUND BOARD › Chapter 25 - MAINE OUTDOOR HERITAGE FUND - STRATEGIC PLAN (January, 2020)

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Overview
The Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund was established in July 1995
				through L.D. 717,
An Act to Establish the Maine Outdoor Heritage
				Fund
. As stated in Title 12, MRSA c. 903, section 10303,
"The fund is for the sole purpose of maintaining, improving and
				expanding state and local natural resource conservation programs and associated
				compatible public uses in accordance with the strategic plan provided for by
				section 10308, subsection 5, paragraph A."
Title 12, MRSA c. 903, section 10308 charges the Maine Outdoor
				Heritage Fund Board with adopting a strategic plan for each of the funding
				categories listed in section 10307. As the law states, "The strategic plan must
				identify the priority areas for funding... using the criteria listed in section
				10309. " This strategic plan is intended to fulfill the requirements of Title
				12, MRSA c. 903, section 10308 stated above, and to provide direction to the
				Board and natural resource agencies on the long-term funding priorities of the
				Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund.
Guiding Principles
The Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund Board will be guided by the
				following principles as it considers grant requests during the period of its
				duration, which is expected to be the next six years - through December, 2025.
				It will give preference to projects that most substantially accomplish one or
				more of these objectives:
conserve the best of Maine's outdoor heritage and achieve
				  outstanding natural-resource or recreational benefits;
								maximize degree and diversity of public/private
				  partnerships or other types of matching funds; projects with a cash match of
				  1/3 or higher are encouraged. Funds are intended to support only
				  project-related expenses, including salaries. Monetary match must consist of
				  funds raised specifically for the project proposed and does not include salary
				  costs of natural resource agency staff that are funded by the State General
				  Fund. In-kind contributions that occur during the duration of the project will
				  be considered matching funds. Proposals that are funded will receive funds
				  according to a schedule determined by the Board.
								form alliances between natural resource agencies,
				  interest groups, and organizations based on shared visions and mutual
				  responsibility. These groups and organizations could include Universities,
				  Municipalities, Conservation Groups, other Not-for Profits, and For Profit
				  Corporations;
								address natural resource concerns of statewide
				  significance and/or broad geographical distribution;
Fund Distribution Categories and Grant
				Criteria
As specified in Title 12, MRSA c. 714, section 10307, only
				Sponsoring Natural Resource Agencies may apply for a Maine Outdoor Heritage
				Fund grant. They may do so independently or in partnership with other entities.
				The Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund Board encourages non-governmental organizations
				interested in projects to contact the appropriate Sponsoring Natural Resource
				Agency as reported on the MOHF webpage,
www.maine.gov/ifw/mohf
.
				Applicants are encouraged to review and address State Priority Reports as
				listed on the MOHF webpage.:
Dollar amount of grants will vary. The Board will allocate
				funds according to four major fund distribution categories outlined in Title
				12, MRSA c. 714, section 10307 and stated below. The percentage of overall
				Board funding allocated to each of the four categories is also outlined in
				Title 12, MRSA c. 714, section 10307 and stated below.
1.
Conservation of fisheries and
			 wildlife, and habitat (35%)
The Board shall consider whether a project involves:
a) Protection/enhancement of a species,
			 species group, natural community or ecosystem adversely affected due to lack of
			 management or habitat loss;
b)
			 Protection/enhancement of a species, species group, natural community or
			 ecosystem that is adversely affected due to unusual vulnerability to human or
			 natural disturbances, or need for a special or limited habitat type;
c) Provision of benefits vital to the future
			 welfare of a species or species group;
d) Education about fisheries, wildlife,
			 natural community, and habitat conservation;
e) Equipment and training to improve
			 efficiencies in fisheries, wildlife and habitat conservation efforts;
f) Protection/enhancement of a species,
			 species group, natural community or ecosystem of statewide or regional
			 significance;
g) Long-term
			 monitoring of fisheries and wildlife, and habitat; or
h) Climate change, mitigation, resiliency or
			 adaptation strategies.