F24AS00055 Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: HCP Land Acquisition

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is providing funding opportunities for the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: HCP Land Acquisition program. This program aims to reduce conflicts between the conservation of listed species and competing land uses on specific parcels of land associated with approved and permitted Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs). The Service will provide matching grants to States in support of land acquisition projects that will conserve species habitat in perpetuity. Some key points to consider include: * The program is designed to promote species recovery, prevent extinction, and preclude the need to list species under the ESA in the future. * All land acquired through these grants complements, but does not replace, the mitigation, minimization, and/or monitoring commitments of the HCP. * The acquired land will be conserved in perpetuity through fee simple acquisition or the acquisition of permanent conservation easements. * The program requires cost-sharing or matching funds from the applicants. * The opportunity is open to State agencies that have entered into a Cooperative Agreement pursuant to Section 6(c) of the ESA and have provided the information necessary for the annual renewal of their Cooperative Agreement. * The application package must include an SF-424, Project Abstract Summary Form, Project Narrative, Maps, SF-424C, Budget Information, and other supporting documents. * The application must be submitted electronically through GrantSolutions.gov. * The due date for applications is January 5, 2024. * The estimated funding available for this opportunity is $26,000,000, with an award ceiling of $26,000,000 and an award floor of $10,000. Some benefits of this program include: * The opportunity to conserve species habitat in perpetuity and promote species recovery. * The ability to leverage non-Federal investment in species recovery and connect conservation lands across the landscape. * The potential to prevent the decline or need for future listing of non-listed species that are covered in the HCP. * The chance to work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other partners to achieve conservation goals.