Significant Funding Level Inreases for Endangered Species Habitat Acquisition

Sean Skaggs

The last three Interior appropriation bills have contained truly significant increases in funding for habitat acquisition for threatened and endangered species. This funding increase has allowed for an expansion of programs under Section 6 of the ESA, the "Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund."

The Cooperative Endangered Species Fund consists of the following programs:

The Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) Land Acquisition Grant Program - This program has been in existence since the early 1990's. The purpose of the grants is to provide for habitat acquisition near existing HCPs in a manner that complements the conservation measures of the HCP. This program was funded at a relatively low $6 million per year until the recent sharp increases. This program received $69 million in FY01 and $61 million in FY02.

The HCP Planning Assistance Grant Program - This program was created in FY01 and serves to assist in the development of HCPs, especially the larger multi-species HCPs. This program received $7 million in FY01 and $ 6.6 million in FY02. This program represents the first formal funding of HCP preparation under Section 6 since the creation of HCPs in 1982.

The Species Recovery Land Acquisition Grant Program - This program was also created in FY 01 and is designed to provide funding to acquire habitat that is key to species recovery. This program received $11 million in FY01 and $17.8 million in FY02.

The Safe Harbor and Candidate Conservation Agreement Grant Program - This program provided incentive funding for private landowners willing to undertake voluntary proactive measures for species conservation. This program was phased out in FY02 because similar incentive funding is now being provided through the Land and Water Conservation Fund. In FY01 this program received $10 million.

The total appropriation for Section 6 programs in FY01 was $104 million and in FY02, it was $96 million. This level of funding represents a significant infusion of federal funding aimed primarily at existing and pending HCPs.

In addition to Section 6 funding, there are two new additional sources of federal funds for endangered species habitat for FY02. Title VIII of the Interior appropriations bill provided $85 million for State Wildlife Grants. Tribes are eligible to receive $5 million of the funds. The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) provided $50 million for States to establish or supplement existing Landowner Incentive Programs, and Private Stewardship Grants Programs.