H. Dale Hall, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announced that twenty-five conservation projects benefiting fish and wildlife on more than 13,543 acres of coastal habitat in twelve States will be funded with $20.1 million from 2009 National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program.


Nationally, the grants will acquire, restore and enhance coastal wetlands and adjacent uplands to provide long-term conservation benefits to fish, wildlife and their habitat. States receiving funds include Texas,  Alaska, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Maine, New Jersey, Oregon, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. These federal grants will be matched by nearly $27 million in partner contributions from state and local governments, private landowners and conservation groups.


“Coastal wetlands provide valuable habitat for many fish and wildlife species, help keep our oceans cleaner, and serve as buffers to protect coastal communities from storms and flooding” Hall said. “The Service's National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program is a great example of a voluntary approach to habitat conservation.  By providing technical and financial assistance to our partners, we are able to enlist their help in conserving coastal areas threatened by development and predicted sea-level rise resulting from climate change.” 

The National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and funded under provisions of the 1990 Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act, drawing from Sport Fish Restoration Act revenue – money generated from an excise tax on fishing equipment and motorboat and small engine fuels. 


Including the 2009 grants, the Service has awarded more than $220 million to coastal states and territories since the program began in 1992. When the 2009 projects are complete, nearly 258,000 acres of habitat will have been protected, restored or enhanced. 


For a list of all projects funded by the 2009 grant program, go to:  www.fws.gov.