01 Dec
2023
Pacific Marine and Estuarine Fish Habitat Partnership
Grant Amount: $350,000
Information
The Pacific Marine and Estuarine Fish Habitat Partnership (PMEP) is accepting grant applications.
PMEP is seeking project proposals that restore nursery habitats for PMEP focal species within smaller estuarine systems (with an emphasis on habitat connectivity) or that increase our understanding of fish habitats in estuarine and nearshore habitats.
Smaller estuarine systems are defined as having an Estuary Size Class of 0-250 acres in the PMEP Estuary Explorer data tool
Eligible projects:
Restoration and protection projects – PMEP funding may be used to pay for a small habitat restoration or protection project or parts of a larger project. Restoration and protection projects should clearly describe the need for the project relative to regional or local restoration and protection planning efforts. Proposals should clearly detail which part of the proposed project will utilize PMEP funds in the project budget.
Assessment projects – PMEP will fund assessment projects that fill data gaps identified for estuary and nearshore marine fish habitats in its region. Proposals should clearly justify the assessment in relation to needs identified in PMEP or other planning documents. PMEP encourages projects that assess the effectiveness of restoration techniques. If PMEP funds will be used to pay for a part of a larger assessment project, proposals should clearly detail which part of the project will utilize PMEP funds in the project budget. Any data collected should conform with data collection methods recommended or used in PMEP assessments.
Acquisition projects – The ACE Act allows a state, local government, or other nonfederal entity to receive NFHP funds for the acquisition of real property or protective easements involving willing sellers if the acquisition ensures public access for fish and wildlife-dependent recreation or contributes a scientifically based, direct enhancement to the health of fish and fish populations as determined by the NFHP Board. Acquisition projects will be evaluated using the same criteria as restoration projects and must address PMEP priorities. Please contact PMEP’s Coordinator if you have a project request that includes real property acquisition.
PMEP Focal Species are:
• Green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris)
• Leopard shark (Triakis semifasciata)
• Bat ray (Myliobatis californica)
• Pacific herring (Clupea pallasi)
• Bay shrimp (Crangon franciscorum)
• Dungeness crab (Cancer magister)
• California halibut (Paralichthys californicus)
• English sole (Parophrys vetulus)
• Starry flounder (Platichthys stellatus)
• Shiner perch (Cymatogaster aggregata)
• Steelhead(Oncorhynchusmykiss)
• Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)
• Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
• Brown rockfish (Sebastes auriculatus)
• Staghorn sculpin (Leptocottus armatus)
Match
America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Act was passed by Congress and signed by the President on October 30, 2020. Importantly, the legislation made significant changes to project requirements to be eligible for NFHP funding. The ACE Act places an emphasis on restoration efforts that will improve recreational fishing opportunities and public use of the resource. Improvements in public access as a component of projects are also encouraged. The ACE Act requires that all NFHPfunded projects demonstrate matching funds, with some exceptions:
- All projects must show 1:1 non-federal financial match . Matching funds may be in the form of in-kind support from non-federal sources and must be spent during the project period.
- Matching funding requirements are waived for projects proposed by tribal sponsors where the tribe is the applicant and funding recipient. Providing matching funds