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Background

The Conservation Fund established the REX East Migratory Bird Account (Account) as part of a Memorandum of Agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) to receive monies to conserve and restore migratory bird habitat in Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and Ohio. Money deposited in the REX Account (the “Rex East Funds”) is a result of an agreement entitled “Guidelines for Achieving Compliance with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Executive Order No. 13186 Through the Voluntary Compensation Measures” between the Rockies Express Pipeline, LLC and the Service associated with the construction, maintenance and operation of the Rockies Express Pipeline-East in Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and Ohio (the “Pipeline”). These funds are non-Federal funds and can be used as match for Federal funds.

The REX East Account will be used to conserve and restore forest habitat that benefits migratory birds and for restoration of gaps in forest habitat blocks and riparian corridors. The conservation and restoration projects should target forest dwelling avian species impacted by the Pipeline including the Cerulean Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler, and Kentucky Warbler and Bewick’s Wren. Consideration will also be given to proposals that have an impact on species of concern on the secondary list, including the Red-headed Woodpecker, Northern Flicker Whip-poor-will, Prothonotary Warbler, Willow Flycatcher, Black-billed Cuckoo Wood Thrush, and Louisiana Water-thrush that are the secondary focus for protection. The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Regional Office has developed guidelines on the use of the REX East Account Funds in collaboration with State Technical Teams.

A Missouri State Technical Team was established to determine proposal criteria, review proposals, and determine which proposal will be funded with the $178,880 portion of the REX East Funds allocated for Pipeline impacts in the State of Missouri. The team consists of representatives from the Missouri Field Office of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and The Conservation Fund. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region III’s Regional Team and Division of Migratory Birds will provide project oversight. Proposals are welcome from agencies and nonprofits.

Projects Eligible for Funding

The REX East Migratory Bird Account will be used to fund one (1) eligible land acquisition and/or restoration project in Missouri in Marion, Monroe, Pike, Lincoln, Ralls, and Audrain Counties which is generally located between Batchtown, Illinois and Hannibal, Missouri. An acquisition project shall be defined as the fee or easement purchase of one or multiple preferably contiguous parcels of land under one common ownership and not the acquisition of multiple parcels of land or easements owned by different parties. Eligible projects may be either bottomland or upland bird habitat or restoration projects and must satisfy the following criteria:

• Documented proof that the proposed land acquisition or restoration project will target forest dwelling avian species impacted by the Pipeline including the Cerulean Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler, and Kentucky Warbler and Bewick’s Wren. Please add comments if the proposed project will also have an impact on species of concern on the secondary list, including Red-headed Woodpecker, Northern Flicker Whip-poor-will, Prothonotary Warbler, Willow Flycatcher, Black-billed Cuckoo Wood Thrush, and Louisiana Water-thrush.
• Confirm that the proposed project will be targeted for completion by December 31, 2011 for land acquisition and for restoration. Projects may involve land acquisition in fee, acquisition of a perpetual conservation easement, or restoration of forest gaps or riparian corridor gaps on applicant owned properties.
• Any proposed acquisition and conservation easement property must be free of debris or environmental contaminants.
• Fee title to land or a conservation easement may be acquired by a governmental agency or non profit.
• Conservation easements must be placed on the property after the date of the grant agreement.
• Any proposed land acquisition or conservation easement must include all mineral and timber rights.
• Applicants are encouraged to propose projects with greater than a one-to-one match from other sources of funding.
• Any proposed land acquisition project must have clear title, a completed (clean) environmental review, current appraisal, contract and survey.
• Except under rare circumstances, only a proposed project that is under contract as of the grant application date will be considered.

 

Project Costs Eligible for Funding

The REX East Migratory Bird Account may only be used to cover the direct cost of land and/or forest habitat restoration. No staff time organizational overhead costs may be paid for by the REX East Account.

To discuss applications contact:

Rick Hansen, 573-234-2132 x 106 or Rick_Hansen@fws.gov

or

Peg Kohring at 616-510-1221 or pkohring@conservationfund.org.

 

Deed Restrictions

Any project funded with REX East Funds shall have deed restrictions placed on the project as part of the grant disbursement process. These deed restrictions are set forth on the template Notice of Grant Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A of the Grant Agreement. If fee interest in property is not being acquired as part of a funded project, then the fee simple owner of the land being eased or restored will be required to join in execution of the Notice of Grant Agreement.

 

Application Submittal - Deadline has passed

Deadline was in January 2011.

 

Project Selection Process

The Missouri Technical Team will review proposals to determine how well the objectives of the REX East Migratory Bird Account will be met, including all of the eligibility factors described previously. Nonprofit organizational applicants must provide a current financial report and audit. The Regional Oversight Team will also review the proposals. Upon receipt of approval from the Missouri Technical Team and the Regional Oversight Team, The Conservation Fund will develop a grant agreement to be signed by successful applicant agency or organization awarded the funds. A draft grant agreement is attached to this Call for Proposals.