REMINDER: APPLICATIONS FOR COMMUNITY-BASED MARINE AND ANADROMOUS FISH HABITAT RESTORATION PROJECTS DUE MONDAY, June 7, 2010 BY 5:00 p.m. (EDT).
SPECIAL NOTE - For organizations along the Gulf coast that need to prepare for the potential impacts of the oil spill, we are allowing an additional two weeks to prepare and submit applications for these available funds; applications for these applicants are due June 21, 2010 (EDT). Please contact FAF at egeo...@asafishing.org if you plan to submit a Gulf Coast project. The FishAmerica Foundation announces the availability of approximately $1 million for local efforts to accomplish meaningful on-the-ground restoration of marine, estuarine and riparian habitats, including salt marshes, seagrass beds, mangrove forests, and freshwater habitats important to anadromous fish species (fish like salmon and striped bass that migrate to and from the sea). Approximately $200,000 of the available funding will be dedicated specifically to stream barrier removal projects furthering NOAA's Open Rivers Initiative. Visit FishAmerica's web site at http://www.fishamerica.org <http://www.fishamerica.org/> for the complete announcement, funding guidelines and application, and helpful contact information. Projects must result in the implementation of locally-driven habitat restoration projects that emphasize stewardship and yield ecological and socioeconomic benefits. These projects must clearly demonstrate significant benefits to marine, estuarine or anadromous fisheries resources, particularly sportfish, and should involve community participation through an educational or volunteer component tied to the restoration activities. Applicants are encouraged to incorporate the participation of NOAA Restoration Center staff to strengthen the development and implementation of sound restoration projects. Projects in the Great Lakes must restore habitat for diadromous sportfish such as lake sturgeon, walleye, and brook trout in the Great Lakes and applicable tributaries. Projects focusing on the management or removal of aquatic invasive/nuisance species will not be considered. FishAmerica and NOAA recognize the need to maintain flexibility in the way projects impacted by the recent Gulf Oil Spill are carried out. Funding cannot be provided through this solicitation for direct oil spill mitigation or clean-up, however other modifications to the project (e.g. delayed implementation) may be considered. All submissions must be sent to: FAF/NOAA RFP - Grant Applications FishAmerica Foundation 225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 420 Alexandria, Virginia 22314. Electronic mail and faxed applications will NOT be accepted. Funding is expected to be announced in October 2010. Anticipated awards are contingent on notification of federal funding to the FishAmerica Foundation.
