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ESMF
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| Grant application process |
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Protecting Utah's sensitive species one project at a time An electronic copy of the grant application in proper format should be submitted to the address below no later than 5 p.m. on the first business day in March. Emergency grant applications may be received and reviewed at other times of the year at the discretion of the Department of Natural Resources Executive Director. One paper-version grant application, including the signed cover sheet must be delivered to the address below. Documents must also be submitted in MS Word (or similar) electronic format, and can either be sent via e-mail as an attachment to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or put on a CD and mailed to the address below. Contact the Recovery Programs Office, (801) 538-5216, if questions or needs arise during proposal development. A DNR staff member is available to assist applicants with the proposal development process.
Send grant applications to:
Program brochure outlining the application processThe ESMF program office has adopted the three-tiered ranking system of the Utah Sensitive Species List and the Utah Wildlife Action Plan (UWAP; UDWR 2005) as the biological foundations for projects that warrant funding under ESMF; however, the program office recognizes that unforeseen circumstances, threats and/or opportunities can arise that may elevate the urgency of specific projects or species perhaps not considered immediate priorities in the UWAP. Therefore, inasmuch as species and project assessments are to a certain degree subjective, and individual species or projects may not be comparable under all considerations, the ESMF program office considers sensitive species rankings and/or actions identified in the UWAP as guidance and not as inflexible frameworks for determining funding allocations. Grant applications will be reviewed and ranked by objective technical experts according to the eligibility and scoring factors detailed below. Grant applications and technical rankings will be provided to the ESMF Advisory Committee made up of representatives from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Utah Farm Bureau Federation, the Utah Association of Counties, the Central Utah Water Conservancy District (representing water users), the Utah Petroleum Association, and the DNR. The ESMF Advisory Committee will review grant applications and rankings, particularly looking for conflicts or collaborative opportunities under their respective disciplines, and provide their recommendations to the Executive Director of the DNR. The DNR Executive Director will consider technical rankings and Advisory Committee recommendations and, after consultation with the DNR Leadership Team, will make the final funding decision on grant applications. Successful applicants will be formally notified in May and funding will be available July 1, the start of the state fiscal year. A grant contract will be formalized between the applicant and the DNR Executive Director prior to the commencement of work. ConclusionThe cover sheet and grant application format for ESMF funds follows. Funds are very limited. Projects which accomplish the program objectives while minimizing conflicts between sensitive species conservation efforts and local communities, and/or providing assistance to local communities in complying with the Endangered Species Act are encouraged. Effective partnerships with resource agencies, local communities, non-government organizations, universities and others will maximize the long-term benefit to federally listed and state sensitive species, and the impact of limited funds provided through the ESMF. ESMF grant eligibility criteria and scoring factors are provided below, following the application materials. DNR personnel are available to answer questions and provide assistance with the grant application process. If questions or needs arise during the grant application process, they should be directed Christopher Keleher at the address given above. |
