FA Resources and Job Aids

Site: WSFR Training Portal
Course: WSFR Training Portal
Book: FA Resources and Job Aids
Printed by:
Date: Friday, March 29, 2024, 4:48 AM

Overview

Resources and Job Aids:

Visit the following page: https://fawiki.fws.gov/display/TRNG/WSFR+Course+Materials


Background Info for Standard Project Statements

Background

The process of developing standard project statements began at the Fall 2015 TRACS Working Group meeting.  At the meeting, the WSFR Training Branch was initially tasked with evaluating the current list of custom indicators used in TRACS, with a stated goal of determining if WSFR could implement standard objectives for various project statements in TRACS that would complement the efforts being done on the results chains.  The goal of this effort was to create a suite of standard project statements (best management practices) for the most common project types that States routinely perform using grant funds from WSFR programs.  


Objectives

(1) Create training and job aids that assists WSFR and State staff in performance of their respective grants management roles and responsibilities;

(2) Clarify what represents an adequate project statement in order to satisfy the requirements of regulation and policy;

(3) Provide a roadmap for the development of the project statement component for the TRACS enhancement; and

(4) Create efficiencies in the grants management process for both WSFR staff and our State partners by providing a clearer understanding of expectations for each element of a project statement.


Development Process

During the spring and summer of 2016, the Training Branch developed 14 standard project statements for various project types including fish hatcheries/stocking, research, land acquisition, boating access, coordination, survey, habitat management, hunter education, aquatic education, and construction activities under the clean vessel act and boating infrastructure grant program.  These project statements were crafted using the TRACS strategies and standard objectives developed by the TRACS Working Group.  The standard project statements were then released on June 15, 2016, to WSFR staff for an open commenting period.  This commenting period ended on July 29, 2016, during which time, the Training Branch incorporated constructive comments from staff on each standard project statement.  Following the WSFR staff commenting period, the standard project statements were then released on September 12, 2016, to State agency/partner staff for their comments.  This commenting period closed on October 14, 2016, during which time, the Training Branch again incorporated constructive comments from the States.

In July 2018, the Training Branch updated the 14 standard project statements to meet the new TRACS Enhancement matrix format.  The TRACS Enhancement is proposed for implementation during the fall/winter of 2019.

The Training Branch would like to express our sincerest appreciation to everyone who assisted in this significant effort.  The quality of the final project statements would not have been possible without the continuing effort and partnership that exists between WSFR and the States.  The Training Branch has received numerous requests to develop additional sample project statements  and we are committed to assisting in this continuing effort as time allows in the future.



Standard Project Statements

Directions

To view the sample standard project statements, please click on the links below to open a page with a link to download a Word version. We have also provided several additional sections (i.e. Related Pages, Resources, and References) that may benefit WSFR and State staff.   

If you have comments about any of the information provided in the standard project statements, please contact Ryan Oster at ryan_oster@fws.gov. The standard project statement samples are meant to be used as training aids. While some of the information provided in the project statement is based upon factual data, the entire project statement is not meant to represent an actual project statement or state agency. 


Standard Project Statements

The standard project statement samples are meant to be used as training aids. While some of the information provided in the project statement is based upon factual data, the entire project statement is not meant to represent an actual project statement or state agency. 


Aquatic Nuisance Species Outreach Program

Aquatic Resources Education Program

Boating Access Construction

Boating Infrastructure Grant Program Grant

Clean Vessel Act Program Grant

Coordination and Administration

Fish and Wildlife Technical Assistance and Environmental Review

Freshwater Public Waters Sport Fisheries Surveys and Monitoring

Habitat Management and Public Access

Hunter Education Program

Land Acquisition for Wildlife-Oriented Recreation

Land Acquisition - Statewide Habitat Conservation for Wildlife Diversity

Research - Wildlife Restoration

Sport Fish Stocking and Fish Hatchery Operations/Maintenance



To learn more about how these statements were developed, visit the FA wiki here: https://fawiki.fws.gov/display/WSFR/Standard+Project+Statements

WSFR-Administered Programs Quick Reference Guides

Below are links to the most current versions (updated as of August 2023) of the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) Administered Programs Quick Reference Guides that are incorporated into the WSFR Training classes (i.e. Project Leaders Course, Basic Grants Management, and Advanced Grants Management). These files are copyright-free and available for download. Please note that each WSFR Quick Reference sheet is available in both a color and black/white version.

A bundle of all the quick reference guides is also available at the bottom if you are interested in downloading or printing all of them.

Aquatic Education Subprogram

pdf symbolWSFR Quick Reference Aquatic Education Subprogram (color)

pdf symbolWSFR Quick Reference Aquatic Education Subprogram (black/white)

Basic Hunter Education Subprogram

pdf symbolWSFR Quick Reference Basic Hunter Education Subprogram (color)

pdf symbolWSFR Quick Reference Basic Hunter Education Subprogram (black/white)

Boating Access Subprogram

pdf symbolWSFR Quick Reference Boating Access Subprogram (color)

pdf symbolWSFR Quick Reference Boating Access Subprogram (black/white)

Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program

pdf symbolWSFR Quick Reference Boating Infrastructure Grant Program (color)

pdf symbolWSFR Quick Reference Boating Infrastructure Grant Program (black/white)

Clean Vessel Act (CVA) Program

pdf symbolWSFR Quick Reference Clean Vessel Act Program (color)

pdf symbolWSFR Quick Reference Clean Vessel Act Program (black/white)

Endangered Species Act Program

pdf symbolWSFR Quick Reference Endangered Species Program (color)

pdf symbolWSFR Quick Reference Endangered Species Program (black/white)

Enhanced Hunter Education Program

pdf symbolWSFR Quick Reference Enhanced Hunter Education Program (color)

pdf symbolWSFR Quick Reference Enhanced Hunter Education Program (black/white)

Landowner Incentive Program

pdf symbolWSFR Quick Reference Landowner Incentive Program (color)

pdf symbolWSFR Quick Reference Landowner Incentive Program (black/white)

National Coastal Wetlands Program

pdf symbolWSFR Quick Reference National Coastal Wetlands Program (color)

pdf symbolWSFR Quick Reference National Coastal Wetlands Program (black/white)

Public Target Range Subaccounts

pdf symbolWSFR Quick Reference Public Target Range Subaccounts (color)

pdf symbolWSFR Quick Reference Public Target Range Subaccounts (black/white)

R3 - Multistate Conservation Grant (R3-MSCG) Program

  pdf symbol  WSFR Quick Reference R3 - Multistate Conservation Grant Program (color)

  pdf symbol  WSFR Quick Reference R3 - Multistate Conservation Grant Program (black/white)

Sport Fish Restoration (SFR) Program

pdf symbolWSFR Quick Reference Sport Fish Restoration Program (color)

pdf symbolWSFR Quick Reference Sport Fish Restoration Program (black/white)

State Wildlife Grants (SWG) Program

pdf symbolWSFR Quick Reference State Wildlife Grants Program (color)

pdf symbolWSFR Quick Reference State Wildlife Grants Program (black/white)

Traditional Multistate Conservation Grant (T-MSCG) Program

pdf symbolWSFR Quick Reference Traditional Multi-State Grants Program (color)

pdf symbolWSFR Quick Reference Traditional Multi-State Grants Program (black/white)

Tribal Wildlife Grants (TWG) Program

pdf symbolWSFR Quick Reference Tribal Wildlife Grants Program (color)

pdf symbolWSFR Quick Reference Tribal Wildlife Grants Program (black/white)

Wildlife Restoration Grant Program

pdf symbolWSFR Quick Reference Wildlife Restoration Program (color)

pdf symbolWSFR Quick Reference Wildlife Restoration Program (black/white)

Bundle of all the WSFR Quick Reference Guides

pdf symbolWSFR Quick Reference Bundle (color)

pdf symbolWSFR Quick Reference Bundle (black/white)

 

WSFR-Administered Program Funding Diagrams

Wildlife Restoration Act Funding

The Pittman-Robertson (Wildlife Restoration) Act was enacted in September 1937.  It created a financial assistance program whereby Federal funds collected through excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, pistols, revolvers, handguns, and certain archery equipment are deposited into the Wildlife Restoration Trust Fund.  A significant portion of these funds are then disbursed, by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) – Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) Program, to State and Territory Fish and Wildlife Agencies for use in approved wildlife-restoration; hunter education; public target range development; and hunter/recreational shooter recruitment, retention, and reactivation projects.

Wildlife Restoration funds are a permanent, indefinite appropriation.  The Service annually provides these funds through three separate apportionments (Traditional Wildlife Restoration Program, Basic Hunter Education and Safety Subprogram, and Enhanced Hunter Education and Safety Program).  The Service apportions Traditional Wildlife Restoration funds to State and Territory Fish and Wildlife Agencies using a two-part formula: (1) 50% based on the area of each State bears to the total area of all the States; and (2) 50% based on the number of paid, certified hunting license holders in each State bears to the total number of paid, certified hunting licenses holders of all the States.  No State shall receive more than 5% or less than 0.5% of the total available funds.  Puerto Rico shall receive 0.5% of the total available funds, while the Territories shall receive 1/6 of 1%.

Basic Hunter Education and Safety Subprogram and Enhanced Hunter Education And Safety Program funds are apportioned using a different formula.  Each is a separate apportionment, and the formula is based on each State's population compared to the total U.S. population using the most recent census figures.  No State shall receive more than 3% or less than 1% of the total available funds.  Puerto Rico, Guam, Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Northern Mariana islands each receive 1/6 of 1%.  

pdf symbolClick here to view a visual representation of how the Wildlife Restoration excise taxes are collected and apportioned.   

Sport Fish Restoration Act Funding

The Dingell-Johnson (Sport Fish Restoration) Act was enacted in August 1950.  It created a financial assistance program whereby Federal funds collected through excise taxes on fishing equipment; electric motors; import duties on boats, yachts, tackle; motorboat fuel tax; and small engine fuel tax are deposited into the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund.  These funds are then disbursed, by the Service – WSFR Program, to State and Territory Fish and Wildlife Agencies for use in approved fish restoration and management projects.

Sport Fish Restoration funds are a permanent, indefinite appropriation.  The Service annually apportions the funds to State and Territory Fish and Wildlife Agencies using a two-part formula: (1) 40% based on the area of each State (including coastal and Great Lakes waters) bears to the total area of all the States; and (2) 60% based on the number of paid, certified sport fishing license holders in each State bears to the total number of paid, certified sport fishing license holders of all the States.  No State shall receive more than 5% or less than 1% of the total available funds.  Puerto Rico shall receive 1% of the total available funds, while the Territories shall receive 1/3 of 1%.

pdf symbolClick here to view a visual representation of how the Sport Fish Restoration program excise taxes are collected and apportioned.

State Wildlife Grants Funding

The State Wildlife Grants program is funded through annual appropriations of Congress and the total available funds may vary from year to year.  The purpose of the State Wildlife Grants program is to provide States and Territories federal financial assistance for the development and implementation of programs for the benefit of wildlife and their habitats, including species that are not hunted or fished.  Funding must benefit species identified by the State or Territory as “species of greatest conservation need” in their Wildlife Action Plan.

In order to be eligible to receive funding, States and Territories must have developed a comprehensive Wildlife Action Plan by October 1, 2005.  Approved plans must be reviewed and updated at a maximum of every 10 years.  The Service annual apportions State Wildlife Grants funding to State and Territories using a two-part formula: (1) 1/3 based on the area of each State bears to the total area of all the States; and (2) 2/3 based on the population of each State bears to the total U.S. population using the last census figures.  No State shall receive more than 5% or less than 1% of the total available funds.  The District of Columbia and Puerto Rico shall receive 0.5% of the total available funds, while the Territories shall receive ¼ of 1%.

pdf symbolClick here to view a visual representation of how State Wildlife Grant program is apportioned.