DEP OFFERS GRANTS TO PROTECT
THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES
(04/95) TRENTON -- Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell announced
today that financial assistance is available to landowners
interested in conserving threatened and endangered species
on their properties. DEP is taking applications now under
its Landowner Incentive Program (LIP).
"These grants support habitat protection on private
lands, recognizing that landowners are often the best stewards
of our natural resources," said Commissioner Campbell.
"The grants will help New Jersey preserve the richness
and diversity of its natural resources and rare species,
while recognizing the interests of private owners."
Most rare species in New Jersey are found on privately
owned lands. As development increases, so does the possibility
that critical wildlife habitat will be lost. There are over
70 species listed on the Department's threatened and endangered
species list.
LIP encourages creative, innovative and cost-effective
projects for conserving rare species. The types of projects
that might qualify for the Landowner Incentive Program are
as diverse as the many rare species and habitats they depend
upon. Some examples of potential projects that could enhance
habitat for rare New Jersey species include:
Habitat Improvements
- Native vegetation restoration
- Vernal pool restoration
- Invasive species control
Habitat Management
- Changing haying or grazing regimes
- Prescribed burns
- Implementing sustainable forestry practices
Habitat Protection
- Constructing enclosure fences
- Gating caves
- Fencing off streams
To apply, the following criteria must be met:
- The project must contribute to the enhancement of at
least one rare species or its habitat in a significant
way. Rare species include animal and plant species that
are federally or state listed as threatened or endangered,
as well as species of special concern in New Jersey.
- Results of the project must be measurable. You must
agree to allow biologists onto your property for both
a pre-agreement survey and periodic progress checks.
- Applicant must sign a project agreement and management
plan with the Division of Fish and Wildlife. Each agreement/management
plan will be designed to meet the individual landowner's
unique conservation and land use needs and objectives.
- There is a required 25 percent cost share provided
by the landowner. Typically this cost share is labor and
materials.
- The property must be owned by a private landowner.
While there is no minimum acreage requirement, most projects
will require larger acreage (greater than six acres) to
achieve the desired management objectives. There are some
projects that LIP will not fund including pond dredging,
research efforts and mitigation projects that are required
by any land use regulatory program.
The Landowner Incentive Program is an annual competitive
grant program fully funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service and appropriated by Congress. In New Jersey, LIP
is administered by DEP's Division of Fish and Wildlife.
A competitive grant process has been developed and proposals
will be accepted until September 1, 2004. Applicants will
be notified of an award by November 15, 2004.
To learn more about the LIP program, visit DEP's website
at:
www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/ensp/pdf/lip_broch.pdf
[PDF 134 Kb]
To qualify for LIP, individuals must first fill out an
application, which can be obtained by visiting www.njfishandwildlife.com
or by calling 609-292-9400.
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