Aquatic Habitat Grant Program

Program objective

The purpose of the Aquatic Habitat Grant Program is to improve desirable fish and other aquatic organism populations by protecting intact and rehabilitating degraded aquatic habitat.

Criteria

Projects that focus on affecting key processes, as opposed to treating symptoms, will be given priority. Key processes include hydrology, connectivity, material recruitment and movement, geomorphology and water quality.

Eligibility

Any local, state, federal, or tribal units of government or non-profit groups.

Application process

1. Submittal of a pre-proposal.
2. Evaluation by DNR staff.
3. Submittal of a full grant application (invitation based).
4. Evaluation by DNR staff.
5. Final approval of grant awards by the DNR Director.

Deadline

Pre-proposals are accepted on an annual basis and are typically due in late August of each year. Invitations to submit full proposals are sent out in late September and full proposals are due in November.

Timeline

• Request for pre-proposals begins late July.
• Pre-proposals due late August.
• Invitation to submit full applications begins late September.
• Full applications due mid-November.
• Awards announced by mid-April.
• Project period begins upon execution of grant agreement.
• Project periods are one and a half years (two construction seasons).

Grant limits

• Minimum grant request amount: $25,000.
• Maximum grant request amount: Amount of funds appropriated in a given fiscal year, typically around $1.25 million.
• Minimum match of 10% is required.

Source of funds

Game and Fish Protection Fund

Authority

Part 5 of Act 451, P.A. 1994, as amended

Contact

Fisheries Division: Joe Nohner, 517-284-6236
Grants Management Section: Chip Kosloski, 517-284-5965