$9.5 M Available 4 Wetland Enhancement

$9.5 Million Available for Wetland Enhancement Projects

             Bozeman, Mont.--Up to $9.5 million in funding is now available
nationally for wetland restoration, creation, enhancement, or easement
acquisition projects. The funding, available from the Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS), is open to state and local governments,
nonprofit organizations, tribes, and individuals.
              “The emphasis of this program is to restore and protect habitat
for migratory birds and other wetland-dependent wildlife,” said Dave
White, NRCS state conservationist for Montana. “The program also relies
heavily on partner groups to initiate and lead local efforts that have
significant environmental benefits important to NRCS and others.”
             Proposals are being solicited for multiple-program operations,
wetland creation, and enhancement on projects enrolled in the Wetlands
Reserve Program prior to 2006, easement management, and proposals
that provide for technical assistance contributions from partners. NRCS
will accept proposals for single or multiyear projects, not to exceed three
years.
Montana project proposals are due by close of business on March 28,
2006, to Dennis Dellwo, NRCS, Federal Building, Room 443, 10 East
Babcock Street, Bozeman, MT   59715. Each state will rank the proposals
and submit two for national competition. Proposals that address the most
significant wetland habitat resource concern and contribute the greatest
level of technical assistance will receive the highest ranking.
             The Wetlands Reserve Enhancement Program announcement of
program funding can be found at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/
wrp/.