Great Plains Fish Habitat Aquatic Conservation Projects

It is time to ask for your consideration in submitting habitat project ideas for funding or support from the Great Plains Fish Habitat Partnership (GPFHP).  The Great Plains FHP is one of twenty partnerships that span the nation under the initiative of the National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHP).  The GPFHP area of focus; rivers, streams, riparian corridors and watershed health of the northern half of the Great Plains that include habitats within all or portions of 10 states and 28 Tribes.  

Eligible projects examples include watershed, riparian or in-stream habitat restoration, barrier removal or construction, population or watershed assessments needed for project evaluation, prioritization and planning, evaluating stream flows or lake water levels, community outreach and education…and includes fish habitat assessment projects.

You’ll find a few changes in this request from previous project requests.  The America Conservation Enhancement Act was passed in October, 2020 and made significant changes to project requirements and will affect how these project funds are distributed.  This request is actually for the FY2023 time period.  We will continue trying to find ways to make this work efficiently as we navigate the new process.  What is new this round is:

• All projects must show 1:1 non-federal financial match with the exception of projects proposed by tribal sponsors.
• Protection (including acquisition) projects are eligible.
• All NFHP funded projects must include an outreach/education component.
• Monitoring and evaluation measures must be included as part of the project application.
• Awards under this program are made under the authority of the America’s Conservation Enhancement Act—National Fish Habitat Conservation Through Partnerships ( L. 116-188 [S. 3051], 134 Stat. 924-938).
• Awards are made under the Assistance Listing Number and Title 608, “Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance”.
• Entities selected for funding under this program must register in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) to do business with the federal government as a financial assistance recipient

For questions and a copy of the application, contact Steven Krentz, GPFHP Coordinator, at 701-355-8547 or Steven_Krentz@fws.gov.