The Department of Natural Resources is accepting applications for both the 2008 and 2009 Inland Fisheries Grant programs, which offer grants up to $200,000 for local projects that enhance the state's aquatic resources.

The Inland Fisheries Grant program is intended to foster citizen and community understanding and appreciation of inland fisheries resources and to encourage participation and commitment to the improvement and protection of inland fishing opportunities, habitat, and fish communities. Eligible applicants include individuals, nonprofit organizations and units of government -- including school districts. Preference is given to nonprofit organizations and governmental units.

For both 2008 and 2009, the focus area for the IFG program is the Management of Dams. Projects will only be considered if they mitigate the impacts on a fishery caused by the operation of a dam. Examples of the types of projects that will be considered include, but are not limited to, those that:

• Enhance recreational fishing access or use.
• Improve safety and security.
• Enhance stream habitat and fisheries.
• Improve water quality and stream ecology.
• Address sediment quantification and removal including contaminated sediment removal and/or control.
• Restore natural stream form and function.
• Restore stream stability so that it is able to maintain its channel dimension, pattern and profile.

The DNR Fisheries Division receives an annual appropriation of up to $200,000 to administer the Inland Fisheries Grant program. Projects proposed for funding must cost between $10,000 and $400,000. The program has a 50 percent match requirement; thus awarded grants will range from $5,000 to $200,000 and will not exceed one-half of the total project cost. Applicants must provide the other half of the project cost in any combination of cash, paid or volunteer labor, and provision of materials or equipment.

Applicants are strongly urged to seek assistance from DNR Fisheries Division staff in preparing their application. Applications must be postmarked no later than March 31, 2008.

For more details about project eligibility, contact a fisheries biologist at the nearest DNR Fisheries Management Unit Office. Go to www.michigan.gov/dnr for a directory and watershed map that shows the boundaries for each Fisheries Management Unit. Application forms and instructions for the 2008-09 grant programs are available online and at each Fisheries Management Unit Office.