Highlands Conservation Act - Pilot - Under-Resourced Communities Funding Round | F24AS00447

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this grant opportunity?

The Highlands Conservation Act - Pilot - Under-Resourced Communities Funding Round (Funding Opportunity Number F24AS00447) is a discretionary federal grant program administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (CFDA 15.667). It supports projects that permanently protect land and important natural resources in the Highlands Region.

What is the main purpose of the funding?

The funding is intended to help permanently conserve land with high conservation value in the Highlands by supporting acquisition projects from willing sellers. This includes full land purchases and purchases of interests in land, such as conservation easements, to secure long-term protection for key landscapes, habitat, water resources, and other conservation priorities.

What makes this funding round a "pilot"?

This notice is described as a pilot funding round focused specifically on land protection projects that benefit under-resourced and under-served communities within the eligible Highlands Region, using a mapped eligibility layer to define those communities.

Which states are included in the eligible Highlands Region?

The Highlands Region covered by this program spans parts of four states: Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

How do we confirm whether a project location is eligible?

Eligibility is confirmed using an online mapping tool (an ArcGIS experience referenced in the notice). A proposed project must fall within both (1) the broader eligible Highlands area and (2) the mapped layer labeled "under-resourced communities in the highlands region." Applicants are instructed to open the ArcGIS tool and turn on that layer to confirm whether the parcel is eligible.

Does a project have to be within the under-resourced communities map layer to qualify for this pilot round?

Yes. For this pilot round, projects must fall within the eligible Highlands area and also within the mapped layer labeled "under-resourced communities in the highlands region."

Who is eligible to apply to this funding opportunity?

Only state governments are eligible applicants. Specifically, only the Lead State Agency (or agencies) designated by each Governor may apply.

Can counties or municipalities apply directly to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for this pilot round?

No. Local entities generally do not apply directly under this opportunity. The state Lead Agency is the applicant of record, although the state may pass through some or all of the award via subawards to counties or municipalities within the Highlands Region, or to another state conservation agency.

How can a county or municipality participate if it cannot apply directly?

Counties and municipalities can participate by working with their state's Lead State Agency on an acquisition or easement project that the state includes in its application. If funded, the state may issue a subaward to support local implementation.

Are partnerships allowed under this program structure?

The notice allows the state to pass through funding via subawards to counties, municipalities, or another state conservation agency. This structure supports local participation while keeping the formal federal application responsibility at the state level.

What types of land protection activities are supported?

The program supports acquisitions from willing sellers, including full fee-simple land purchases and purchases of interests in land such as conservation easements, with the goal of permanent protection.

Is this funding for permanent protection or short-term conservation actions?

The stated purpose is permanent land protection, achieved through acquisitions or conservation easements and similar interests in land.

Is the grant funding provided as a cost-share?

Yes. Funding is provided on a cost-share basis, subject to federal appropriations.

How much of a project's total cost can be requested from the federal program?

Governors of the four Highlands states may submit proposals requesting up to 50 percent of the total cost of a land conservation project.

What is the anticipated maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The anticipated award ceiling listed in the notice is $830,862.

How many awards are expected?

The notice includes an "Expected Awards" field, but the information provided here does not include a number.

What is the application deadline?

The closing date listed in the notice is December 31, 2024.

Can the same project be submitted to multiple Highlands Conservation Act funding opportunities?

No. The notice states that the same project cannot be submitted to multiple Highlands Conservation Act funding opportunities. A project must be proposed under only one round.

How does this pilot round relate to other Highlands Conservation Act funding categories?

In recent years, Highlands Conservation Act appropriations have been split into Base and Competitive categories that are announced separately. This pilot round is distinct from those other categories.

What happens if a Governor has designated more than one Lead State Agency?

If a Governor has designated more than one Lead Agency, the agencies must coordinate before submission to ensure the request stays within the maximum allowable amount for this funding opportunity.

Can program boundaries change over time for community eligibility?

The notice states that Highlands states can request that the Service add municipalities located in the identified Expanded Opportunity Area for the Highlands Landscape to the Highlands Region. This may broaden what communities or places qualify under program boundaries over time.

Is there an informational session or overview webinar for this funding round?

Yes. The Fish and Wildlife Service scheduled an online overview for Friday, September 27 at 11:00 AM Eastern. Attendance is available by invitation after emailing the Service contact referenced in the full notice (Section G.1).

Who are the Lead State Agencies and contacts for each Highlands state?

The notice identifies the following Lead State Agencies and contacts as primary entry points:

• Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection: Matt Starr (matthew.starr@ct.gov)
• New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation: Lynn Kovach (lynn.kovach@parks.ny.gov)
• New Jersey Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council: Liz Ward (elizabeth.ward@highlands.nj.gov)
• Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: Dan Pierce (danipierce@pa.gov)

If our community is interested in a project, who should we contact first?

Because only state Lead Agencies apply directly, counties and municipalities should start by contacting the Lead State Agency for their state using the contacts listed in the notice.

Which federal agency runs this funding opportunity?

The program is run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

What is the CFDA number associated with this program?

The notice lists CFDA 15.667.