Opportunity Information: Apply for F22AS00146
The Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) Land Acquisition Grants Program is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (CFDA 15.615) that was created by Congress in FY 1997. The program is meant to ease real-world conflicts that often come up when protecting federally listed species while also accommodating competing land uses like development, agriculture, forestry, or infrastructure. It does this in a practical way: by helping states secure key parcels of land tied to approved and permitted Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs), so the habitat needed by listed species is protected for the long term and the conservation outcomes promised under those plans are more likely to succeed.
At its core, the program provides matching grants to state governments to acquire land or secure lasting legal protections over land that supports species conservation. The conservation benefit must be permanent, which is why the program focuses on either fee simple acquisition (outright purchase/ownership of the property) or the purchase of permanent conservation easements (a durable legal restriction that prevents incompatible uses while leaving ownership in place). The intention is to lock in habitat protection "in perpetuity" so that the conserved areas remain available for species recovery, contribute to preventing extinction, and potentially reduce the likelihood that additional species will need to be listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in the future.
A key feature of this funding is that it is additive to an HCP, not a substitute for it. In other words, land bought or protected using these federal dollars cannot replace the mitigation, minimization, or monitoring measures that the HCP permit holder is already required to carry out. Instead, the land acquisition is meant to complement those commitments by expanding the conservation footprint beyond the baseline requirements of the permitted HCP. This approach is also described as a way to leverage non-federal investment, since the federal grant is a match and therefore encourages states and their partners to bring additional, non-federal dollars to the table. Over time, this can help connect separate conservation parcels across a broader landscape, improving habitat continuity and resilience.
Eligibility is narrow and specific. Only state agencies are eligible applicants, and they must have an active Cooperative Agreement under Section 6(c) of the ESA. In addition, the state must have supplied the information required for the annual renewal (reconfirmation) of that cooperative agreement. States that have not met both of these conditions are not considered eligible for funding. While only states can receive awards directly, the program recognizes that conservation work is often collaborative. Counties, conservation organizations, and other groups can participate by partnering with an eligible state agency and may be included as subgrantees when the state submits and manages the application.
For the particular funding opportunity referenced (Funding Opportunity Number F22AS00146), the agency is the Fish and Wildlife Service and the opportunity category is discretionary, using the grant funding instrument type. The activity category is environment. The original closing date listed was 2022-04-26, and the award ceiling shown is $19,638,000. The program is structured to support land protection actions associated with approved and permitted HCPs, using permanent acquisition tools to deliver long-lasting habitat conservation outcomes while reinforcing, rather than replacing, the commitments already embedded in HCP permits.Apply for F22AS00146
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) Land Acquisition Grants Program" 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 2022-02-18.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-04-26. (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 $19,638,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: HCP Land Acquisition Grants Program?
It is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (CFDA 15.615) that was created by Congress in FY 1997. It provides matching grants to support land acquisition or permanent legal protection of land tied to approved and permitted Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs), with the goal of securing long-term habitat conservation for federally listed species.
What problem is this program designed to address?
The program is meant to ease real-world conflicts that often arise when protecting federally listed species while also accommodating competing land uses such as development, agriculture, forestry, or infrastructure. It does this by helping states protect key habitat parcels connected to approved and permitted HCPs.
Who runs this grant opportunity?
The grant opportunity is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The CFDA number is 15.615.
What is the purpose of funding under this program?
The purpose is to help states acquire land or secure lasting legal protections over land that supports species conservation under approved and permitted HCPs, so the habitat needed by federally listed species is protected for the long term and the conservation outcomes promised under those plans are more likely to succeed.
What types of land protection actions can this program fund?
The program focuses on actions that provide permanent conservation benefits, specifically: (1) fee simple acquisition (outright purchase/ownership of property) and (2) purchase of permanent conservation easements (durable legal restrictions that prevent incompatible uses while leaving ownership in place).
Does the conservation benefit have to be permanent?
Yes. The program emphasizes permanent conservation benefits and describes the intention as protecting habitat "in perpetuity" so conserved areas remain available for species recovery over the long term.
How does this program relate to Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs)?
Funding is intended to support land protection actions associated with approved and permitted HCPs. The program helps secure key parcels tied to those plans to strengthen the long-term success of the conservation outcomes committed to in the HCP context.
Can land acquisition funded by this program replace required HCP mitigation or other permit obligations?
No. A stated feature of the program is that it is additive to an HCP, not a substitute. Land acquired or protected with these federal dollars cannot replace mitigation, minimization, or monitoring measures the HCP permit holder is already required to carry out.
If it is not a substitute, what does "additive" mean in this program?
It means the land acquisition or protection is meant to complement existing HCP commitments by expanding conservation beyond the baseline requirements of the permitted HCP, rather than taking the place of measures already required under the permit.
What is meant by "matching grants" in this program?
The program provides matching grants to state governments, meaning federal funds are intended to be paired with additional non-federal dollars. This structure is described as a way to leverage non-federal investment by encouraging states and partners to contribute additional funds.
Why does the program emphasize leveraging non-federal investment?
Because it is a match program, it encourages states and their partners to bring additional, non-federal dollars to projects. Over time, this can help expand and connect conservation areas across broader landscapes.
What conservation outcomes is the program trying to achieve?
The program aims to secure habitat needed by listed species for the long term, contribute to species recovery, help prevent extinction, and potentially reduce the likelihood that additional species will need to be listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in the future.
Who is eligible to apply for these grants?
Eligibility is limited to state agencies.
Are all state agencies eligible automatically?
No. The state agency must have an active Cooperative Agreement under Section 6(c) of the Endangered Species Act, and the state must have supplied the information required for the annual renewal (reconfirmation) of that cooperative agreement.
What happens if a state has not met the cooperative agreement conditions?
States that have not met both conditions (an active Section 6(c) Cooperative Agreement and submission of the required annual renewal information) are not considered eligible for funding.
Can counties, conservation organizations, or other non-state entities apply directly?
No. Only state agencies can receive awards directly. However, counties, conservation organizations, and other groups may participate by partnering with an eligible state agency and may be included as subgrantees when the state submits and manages the application.
What role can partners play if they are not eligible applicants?
Partners can collaborate with an eligible state agency and may participate as subgrantees under the state-managed application, reflecting the program's recognition that conservation projects are often collaborative.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for the opportunity described?
The Funding Opportunity Number is F22AS00146.
What is the opportunity category and funding instrument type?
The opportunity category is discretionary, and the funding instrument type is a grant.
What is the activity category for this opportunity?
The activity category is environment.
What was the original closing date listed for this opportunity?
The original closing date listed was 2022-04-26.
What is the award ceiling shown for this opportunity?
The award ceiling shown is $19,638,000.
What kinds of land uses and pressures does the program acknowledge?
The program acknowledges that species protection often intersects with competing land uses such as development, agriculture, forestry, and infrastructure, and it is designed to help reduce conflict by securing habitat through permanent protection tools.
How does the program help with long-term habitat continuity?
By supporting permanent land acquisition or permanent easements linked to HCPs, the program can help connect separate conservation parcels over time, improving habitat continuity and resilience across a broader landscape.
What does "fee simple acquisition" mean in this program?
It refers to outright purchase and ownership of the property to ensure long-term habitat protection.
What is a "permanent conservation easement" in this context?
It is a durable legal restriction placed on land to prevent incompatible uses while leaving ownership in place, designed to secure conservation benefits permanently.
Does the program only apply to lands connected to approved and permitted HCPs?
Yes. The program is described as supporting land protection actions associated with approved and permitted Habitat Conservation Plans.
How does this program support Endangered Species Act (ESA) goals?
By permanently protecting habitat for federally listed species tied to HCPs, the program supports species recovery objectives, helps prevent extinction, and may help reduce future ESA listings by improving long-term conservation outcomes.
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