24.1 What is the purpose of this chapter? This chapter provides guidance for the establishment and use of land value as match for grants under:
A. The Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Programs,
B. The State Wildlife Grants Program, and
C. The Landowner Incentive Program.
24.2 What is the scope of this chapter? This chapter applies to all Service personnel who administer grants funded through the programs listed in section 24.1A through C.
24.3 What are the authorities for this chapter?
A. Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 777).
B. Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669).
C. Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments, Matching or Cost Sharing and Real Property (43 CFR 12.64 and 12.71).
D. Administrative Requirements, Federal Aid in Fish and Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Acts; Cost Sharing, Application of Federal Aid Funds, and Allowable Costs (50 CFR 80.12, 80.14, and 80.15).
E. Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Acts for FY 2001 - Land Conservation, Preservation and Infrastructure Improvement (P.L. 106-291).
F. Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Acts for FY 2002-2005 - State and Tribal Wildlife Grants (P.L. 107-63, P.L. 108-7, P.L. 108-108, and P.L. 108-447).
24.4 How does a State incorporate the value of a parcel of land it will use as a match? The State identifies a parcel of land that they will use as a match in a grant proposal. A "parcel" is a discrete piece of land as described in a recorded deed. States use an approved appraisal method to determine the market value for the parcel. The State incorporates that value into a grant proposal as a match for the grant.
24.5 If the value of a parcel of land is more than that required for a State’s match in a grant agreement, can the State use it for a subsequent grant? Yes. If the State does not use the entire value of a parcel of land as match during a grant agreement, they subtract the value used as match from the total value of the parcel. The remaining value becomes available for match in subsequent grants consistent with this chapter.
24.6 What restrictions apply to a parcel of land that a State uses as match in a grant proposal?
A. The entire parcel described in the grant proposal becomes subject to rules and regulations of the programs listed in section 24.1A through C, as applicable, at the time a State uses any portion of the value of the parcel as match in the initial grant agreement.
B. Authorizing legislation requires that at the time a State enters into the initial grant agreement, it must incorporate a covenant on the deed ensuring it will use the entire parcel in perpetuity for the purposes of the programs listed in section 24.1A through C, as applicable.
24.7 How can States use the remaining value of land for match? States can use the remaining value of a parcel of land as match for subsequent grants as long as the:
A. Purpose does not conflict with the scope and purpose of the original grant proposal,
B. Value of the match is an allowable and applicable cost,
C. State has not used the remaining value of the land as match for any other Federal grants, and
D. State maintains records that substantiate the remaining value available for match.