Application Preparation for the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program

1. Application Preparationfor theNational Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program

2. Topics Contacts Introduction to the grant program Scoring criteria and making the best of it Rank, Review, and Selection Process Tips for a winning proposal Additional information

3. Regional Office Contacts • Samantha Marcum, Coastal Program Regional Coordinator • Responsible for: project development, review & national ranking (samantha_marcum@fws.gov) • Bart Prose,Grants Management Specialist • Responsible for: project eligibility, review, & grant administration for restoration projects (bart_prose@fws.gov) • Becky Miller,Grants Management Specialist • Responsible for: grant administration for land acquisition projects (becky_miller@fws.gov)

4. What is the Coastal Program? • 23 High priority coastal ecosystems recognized in the United States • Four goals guide the program: • Serve coastal communities • Conserve pristine coastal habitats • Restore degraded coastal habitats • Focus resources through conservation alliances

5. Pacific Southwest Region Coastal Program Mission: To efficiently achieve voluntary habitat conservation, through financial and technical assistance, for the benefit of Federal Trust Species. • 4 Local Coastal Programs in CA: • Humboldt Bay • San Francisco Bay • Southern California • Central California Coast

6. Local Program Manager Contacts Samantha Marcum Regional Coordinator, Santa Cruz (831) 460-7553 Paula Golightly, Humboldt Bay, (707) 825-5123 John Klochak, Half Moon Bay, (650) 763-6595 Shawn Milar, North Central Coast, (831) 648-0623 Mary Root, South Central Coast, (805) 644-1766 x233 Carolyn Lieberman, San Diego Bay, (760) 431-9440 x240

7. National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Program &Coastal Program Objectives Coastal Program • To collaborate with state & other partners and provides technical assistance about the grant & proposal • To coordinate with partners to identify and develop projects and assist with application • To provide input into the development of program guidance and participates in the evaluation & ranking NCWG • To conserve pristine coastal habitats; • To restore degraded coastal wetlands and adjacent habitats by working with partners; • To leverage financial resources and multiply the impact of taxpayer dollars.

8. National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Program Grants Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, & Restoration Act (Sec. 305, Title III, Public Law 101-646, 16 USC 3954) Purpose: Long-term conservation of coastal wetlands ecosystems - Help States acquire, restore, and enhance coastal wetlands Up to $1 million/project

9. Past Years’ Project Funding Summaries FY2014 – 21 projects, $16.5 M FY2013 – 24 projects, $20 M FY2011 – 24 projects, $19 M FY2010 – 25 projects, $19.1 M FY2009 – 25 projects, $20.1 M FY2008 – 29 projects, $20.8 M FY2007 – 24 projects, $18.7 M FY2006 – 19 projects, $15.1 M FY2005 – 16 projects, $13 M Funding typically shared by 10-15 States

10. National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grants Eligible Applicants State agencies designated by Governor: Coastal Conservancy California Department of Fish and Game Wildlife Conservation Board California Natural Resources Agency California Coastal Commission Several Conservancies,CCC

11. Eligible Activities Acquisition of a real property interest in coastal wetlands and/or waters. 2. Restoration, enhancement, or management of coastal wetland ecosystems.

12. Ineligible Activities Navigation, irrigation, flood control Mitigation Wetland creation Enforcement

13. Ineligible Activities Research Planning (as a primary focus) Operations & maintenance Upper portions of watersheds

14. Timeline •Now-May 2014 – Work with Coastal Program Local Managers, Bart Prose, and Samantha Marcum to design project and develop your application. •May 16 – Draft applications due for early review by FWS Regional Office (RO) – email to Bart and Samantha. •Jun 6 – RO will return draft applications with comments and suggestions by this date. •Jun 25 – Begin to submit final applications online. •Jun 27 – Final applications due to grants.gov by 8:59 PST. •Jul-Aug – Project eligibility is determined and applicants are notified. •Aug-Oct – Site visits by Regional Office & Coastal Program Local Managers. •Oct – National Ranking Team ranks proposals. •Jan 2014 – Awards announced. •Jan 2014-Dec 31, 2016 – Complete Environmental Compliance & obligate funds.

15. Assembling the Package

16. Content and Form of the Proposal Package Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) Budget Information (SF 424A, 424C, or similar table) Assurances (SF 424B or 424D) Project Statement – 10 PAGE LIMIT!! Letters of Commitment from non-State match providers

19. Project Statement Sets Rationale and Objectives Delineates Annual Work Segments Lists Results and Benefits Describes Approaches & Evaluations Establishes Estimated Costs Lists Personnel and Location of Work

20. Project Statement • Need • Why is the project being undertaken? • How does the identified need relate to the grant program? • What evidence is there of the need?

21. Project Statement • Objectives • What – not how • Specify exactly what you hope to accomplish in relation to the problem or need • If grant proposal is part of a larger project, clearly distinguish the elements proposed for the grant • Specify a date everyone recognizes as when it will be accomplished

22. Project Statement • Objectives • Output / Benefit Oriented • Realistic given the time, funds and materials • Accomplishments must be measurable or verifiable

23. Objectives SMART Specific Measurable Achievable Realistic Time-limited

24. Writing the Objectives • Example • By December 31, 2011: • Protect 563 acres of coastal wetlands; • Restore or enhance 450 acres of • palustrine emergent and estuarine intertidal emergent wetland habitat comprising 80% of the project area; • Manage the project area in perpetuity • for the conservation of coastal wetland habitat and the fish and wildlife populations that depend on them.

25. Project Statement 10 page limit for 2015 • Expected Results • Increased benefits to coastal lands, waters, fish, and wildlife - What and how is this determined? • Increased access and use – How much, how measured and who will benefit? • Economic impact – How measured? • Increased recreational opportunity – How measured?

26. Project Statement • Approach • How will you reach the objective(s) in the time allotted? • Specific procedures • Schedules • Key project staff functions • Cooperators

27. Project Statement • Location • Where will the work be done? • Include 3 maps at different scales • Photos

28. Project Statement • Estimated Cost • How much does it cost? How do you know? • Federal & Grantee share (based on federal grant amount) • Non-federal Cost Share only based on part of project funded by grant (not total project) • Cost Detail – Cost categories or job costs? • No Miscellaneous or Contingency costs

29. Project Statement • Other Elements • Description of State Trust Fund • Contribution to other ongoing efforts in the region • Key personnel • Public involvement

30. Ranking Criteria20 Page Limit for 2015 Wetlands Conservation (7 points) Maritime forests on coastal barriers (0 points) Long-term conservation (7 points) Coastal watershed management (3 points) Conservation of threatened and endangered species (5 points) Benefits to fish (5 points) Benefits to coastal-dependent or migratory birds (5 points)

31. Ranking Criteria (cont.) 8. Prevent or reduce contamination (5 points) 9. Catalyst for future conservation (4 points) 10. Partners in conservation (4 points) 11. Federal share reduced (5 points) 12. Education/outreach program or wildlife-oriented recreation (3 points) 13. Other factors (4 points) “Summary of the Ranking Criteria” is a good format to follow

32. Wetlands Conservation

33. Maritime Forests on Coastal Barriers “Broad-leaved forests that occur on barrier islands and along the mainland coast from Delaware to Texas” 0 POINTS= We do not have this habitat type in California

34. Long-term Conservation

35. Coastal Watershed Management

36. Conservation of Threatened and Endangered Species

37. Conservation of State Species of Concern (Maximum of 5 points for Category 5a and b; maximum of 2 points for 5b)

38. Benefits to Fish

39. Benefits to Coastal-Dependent or Migratory Birds

40. Prevent or Reduce Contamination

41. Catalyst for Future Conservation

42. Partners in Conservation Note: These contributions will not “count” if there is no corresponding letter of commitment!

43. Federal Share Reduced

44. Education/Outreach Program or Wildlife-Oriented Recreation

45. Other factors

46. Other Factors Rare or threatened habitat types, biologically diverse habitats Cost effective Invasive species Cultural or historical resources benefits Climate Change

48. Additional Considerations Used as tie breakers Must be addressed Would prevent the destruction or degradation of habitat from pending sale. Would protect unique and significant biological diversity. Has lower cost per acre conserved. Provides lands as matching funds.

49. Grant Writing Tips - General

50. Writing Competitive Grants • Key Points • Address all ranking criteria • Identify critical dates in the process • Understand how ranking criteria effects your score