Objective:
To enhance fishing opportunities in or near Montana
communities by providing funding that may be used
to construct or improve public fishing ponds. Preference
will be given to projects that create or enhance
opportunities for youth/family angling and youth/family
angler education.
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Eligibility:
State agencies, cities, counties, angler groups,
civic organizations, or other community-based organizations
are eligible to sponsor a project. Sponsors must
be working with a representative of Montana Fish,
Wildlife and Parks usually a fisheries biologist.
The project sponsor is responsible for providing
the property or access to the property where the
project is located. Projects may be located on
private property but public fishing access must
be guaranteed through easements or binding written
agreements.
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Use of Funds:
Community pond program funding may be used for
costs of design, construction, repair, or enhancement
of ponds for which public angling is a primary purpose.
Improvements that enhance handicapped access or
safety may also be funded. Funds may be used only
for those portions of the project that are necessary
to create or enhance angling opportunity. Funds
may not be used for acquisition of property. Project
sponsors are responsible for routine maintenance
of the completed project.
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Matching Funds Required:
Applicants must provide a minimum of 30% of the
costs associated with the project. In-kind contributions
such as heavy equipment time, construction materials,
labor, engineering services, etc. may be used as
match.
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Application:
Application forms are available from Fish, Wildlife
and Parks offices located in Kalispell, Missoula,
Bozeman, Great Falls, Billings, Glasgow, Miles City,
and Helena. Applications may be submitted at any
time but are reviewed in February of each year.
Complete applications must be submitted on or before
February 1 to be considered for the ensuing 12 months.
Applications must be sent to the Montana Fish, Wildlife
and Parks, Fisheries Division, Habitat Protection
Bureau, 1420 6th Avenue East, Helena,
MT 596200701. Clearly detailed conceptual project
plans as well as a detailed itemized budget of project
expenses must be submitted with each application.
Incomplete applications will not be considered for
funding. Late applications will be considered during
the following funding cycle.
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Project Selection:
A review team consisting of at least three Fisheries
Division representatives will determine which projects
will be funded. Decisions will be based on the degree
to which proposals meet program objectives. Cost
sharing, cost effectiveness, and availability of
funding will also be determining factors. Projects
may be funded wholly, partially, or not at all.
Applicants will be notified of funding decision
by March 1.
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Project Administration:
Sponsors of approved projects must enter into a
written agreement with FWP. Funds granted for projects
must be used only for purposes described in the
final project agreement. Itemized invoices of expenses
approved by the sponsor must be submitted to FWP
for payment. Project expenses incurred prior to
the date on the signed project agreement are not
eligible for reimbursement. Sponsors must also keep
records of all expenditures of matching funds as
well as in-kind contributions and must meet state
procurement requirements. Photographic records of
project construction must be kept and submitted
for inclusion in the project files.
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Montana Environmental Policy
Act:
Please note that sponsors of projects that are
selected for funding will be required to adhere
to the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA).
Projects that have the potential to affect the human
or physical environment, which includes most projects,
will require completion of a MEPA environmental
checklist or preparation of an Environmental Assessment
or Environmental Impact Statement. FWP will provide
successful applicants with examples of MEPA documents
for projects similar to theirs. As part of the MEPA
review, sponsors will also be required to provide
State Historic Preservation Office clearance for
the project.
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Environmental Permits and
Other Requirements:
Finally, sponsors must secure all permits required
from local, state, and federal regulatory agencies.
For pond projects this typically includes a 404
permit from the Army Corps of Engineers and a water
use permit from the Department of Natural Resources
and Conservation. Ponds may not be located within
the 100-yr floodplain nor can they impact jurisdictional
wetlands.
