Opportunity Information: Apply for F24AS00055
The F24AS00055 Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: HCP Land Acquisition opportunity is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (CFDA 15.615) that helps States buy land or secure permanent conservation easements tied to approved Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs). Congress established the program in FY 1997 with a clear purpose: reduce conflicts that arise when protected species conservation needs intersect with development, agriculture, infrastructure, or other competing land uses. The basic idea is to focus on specific parcels connected to permitted HCPs and ensure that the habitat value of those lands is conserved forever, either through fee simple acquisition (outright purchase) or through permanent conservation easements that legally restrict future use to protect habitat.
A central feature of the program is that it provides matching grants to State governments, meaning federal funds are intended to leverage non-federal dollars rather than cover the full cost of acquisition. The Service frames this as a practical and effective way to support recovery of species already listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), prevent extinctions, and, in some cases, reduce the likelihood that additional species will need to be listed in the future. By protecting key habitat areas in perpetuity and connecting them across a wider landscape, these acquisitions can strengthen long-term conservation outcomes beyond what can be achieved through smaller, fragmented actions.
An important condition is that land acquired with these grant funds must be additive to existing HCP obligations. In other words, purchases or easements funded under this program are not allowed to replace the mitigation, minimization, or monitoring commitments already required under an HCP permit. Instead, the acquisitions are meant to complement those commitments and expand conservation benefits, serving as an extra layer of habitat protection that can increase resilience and continuity of conserved lands.
Eligibility is narrow and specific. Only State agencies are eligible applicants, and even then, only those that (1) have entered into a Cooperative Agreement under ESA Section 6(c) and (2) have submitted the required information for annual renewal or reconfirmation of that Cooperative Agreement. States that have not satisfied both requirements are not considered for funding. While awards can only be made to States, other entities such as counties, local governments, and conservation organizations can still participate by partnering with an eligible State agency and operating as subgrantees on mutually beneficial conservation efforts.
From the source details provided, this opportunity is offered by the Fish and Wildlife Service, categorized under the Environment funding activity area, with an original application closing date of January 5, 2024. The listed award ceiling is $26,000,000, indicating that individual awards can be substantial, particularly for high-cost land acquisitions that secure priority habitat associated with permitted HCPs.Apply for F24AS00055
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "F24AS00055 Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: HCP Land Acquisition" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.615.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2023-09-26.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-01-05. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $26,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the F24AS00055 Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: HCP Land Acquisition program?
F24AS00055 is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under CFDA 15.615. It provides funding to help States buy land or secure permanent conservation easements that are tied to approved Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs).
Who runs and administers this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service).
What is the main purpose of this program?
The program exists to reduce conflicts that arise when the conservation needs of protected species intersect with development, agriculture, infrastructure, or other competing land uses. It does this by permanently conserving habitat on specific parcels linked to permitted HCPs through land acquisition or conservation easements.
What kinds of projects or activities does the funding support?
The funding supports two main approaches tied to approved HCPs: (1) fee simple acquisition, meaning outright purchase of land, and (2) permanent conservation easements that legally restrict future uses in order to protect habitat values forever.
What does "HCP Land Acquisition" mean in practice?
It refers to acquiring specific parcels of land, or securing permanent easements over them, when those parcels are connected to an approved and permitted Habitat Conservation Plan. The goal is to ensure the habitat value of those lands is conserved in perpetuity.
Why does the program emphasize "in perpetuity" conservation?
The program is designed to conserve habitat forever, either by purchasing land outright or by placing permanent legal restrictions through conservation easements. This long-term protection is intended to strengthen species recovery and prevent habitat loss over time.
How does this program relate to the Endangered Species Act (ESA)?
The Service describes the program as a practical way to support recovery of species listed under the ESA, help prevent extinctions, and in some cases reduce the likelihood that additional species will need to be listed in the future by protecting key habitat areas permanently.
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Only State agencies are eligible applicants, and only if they meet two conditions: (1) they have entered into a Cooperative Agreement under ESA Section 6(c), and (2) they have submitted the required information for annual renewal or reconfirmation of that Cooperative Agreement. States that do not satisfy both requirements are not considered for funding.
Can counties, cities, tribes, nonprofits, or conservation organizations apply directly?
No. Awards can only be made to eligible State agencies. However, other entities such as counties, local governments, and conservation organizations can participate by partnering with an eligible State agency and operating as subgrantees.
What does it mean that this is a "matching grant" program?
It means federal funds are intended to leverage non-federal dollars rather than cover the full cost of acquisition. The program is structured so that State-led projects use federal funding alongside non-federal contributions.
Does the program allow using grant funds to replace mitigation already required under an HCP?
No. A key condition is that land acquired with these grant funds must be additive to existing HCP obligations. The acquisitions cannot replace mitigation, minimization, or monitoring commitments already required under an HCP permit.
What does "additive to existing HCP obligations" mean?
It means any land purchase or permanent easement funded under this program must complement and expand conservation benefits beyond what the HCP already requires. The funded acquisition is intended to be an extra layer of habitat protection, not a substitute for permit obligations.
What is the conservation strategy behind funding these acquisitions?
The program aims to protect key habitat areas in perpetuity and connect them across a wider landscape. By doing so, acquisitions can strengthen long-term conservation outcomes beyond what can be achieved through smaller, fragmented actions.
What is the funding activity area for this opportunity?
The opportunity is categorized under the Environment funding activity area.
When was this program established?
Congress established the program in Fiscal Year (FY) 1997.
What is the application closing date listed for this opportunity?
The original application closing date provided is January 5, 2024.
How large can awards be under this opportunity?
The listed award ceiling is $26,000,000. This indicates individual awards can be substantial, which can be important for high-cost land acquisitions associated with permitted HCPs.
What types of land interests can be funded: purchase vs. easement?
Both are supported. Projects may use fee simple acquisition (outright purchase) or permanent conservation easements that restrict future use to protect habitat.
What is the role of an approved Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) in eligibility or project fit?
The program is focused on specific parcels connected to permitted HCPs. The land or easement being acquired must be tied to an approved HCP, consistent with the program purpose described.
What is CFDA 15.615 and why is it mentioned?
CFDA 15.615 is the program identifier associated with this U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service grant program. It helps distinguish this funding stream from other federal assistance programs.
What is ESA Section 6(c) and why does it matter for applicants?
As described in the opportunity information, only States that have entered into a Cooperative Agreement under ESA Section 6(c) and completed required annual renewal or reconfirmation information are eligible to be considered for funding.
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