SMALL RANGE GRANTS USING WILDLIFE RESTORATION HUNTER EDUCATION FUNDS - Partner with a Payer
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SMALL RANGE GRANTS USING WILDLIFE RESTORATION HUNTER EDUCATION FUNDS
THE FUTURE OF OUR SPORT WON’T GROW ITSELF. WE NEED YOUR HELP TO GROW THE SHOOTING SPORTS. If just 1 in 3 hunters and target shooters introduce one new person to the shooting sports, we’ll secure a strong future for generations to come. The +ONESM Movement is a mission to do exactly that. We need your help to spread the word about the single most unifying force in the shooting sports today. Together we’ll ignite the passion SM of millions of new hunters and recreational shooters. And build the future of the way of life we love. Be the one. Join the +ONE Movement. Visit nssf.org/plusone.
HOW THE WILDLIFE RESTORATION
PROGRAM CAME ABOUT
By 1869, vast herds of bison, for projects to be matched on agencies use Wildlife Restoration
pronghorn antelope, and other a 3:1 basis with State hunting funds for wildlife research and
game species across the U.S. plains license revenues. Firearm surveys, restoration of wildlife
had vanished. Herds of as many as ammunition companies supported species, public access hunting
100 million bison and 60 million the proposal and legislation was programs, wildlife management
antelope were reduced to a tiny drafted, becoming the Pittman- area operations and habitat
fraction of their historic numbers, Robertson Federal Aid in Wildlife restoration. Through the hunter
and many species were on the brink Restoration Act. Passed through education subprogram, hunters
of annihilation. Thirty to 40 million Congress, President Franklin D. are taught about safety, shooting
passenger pigeons—so dense in Roosevelt signed the bill into law ranges for firearms and archery are
numbers that reports said it took on September 2, 1937. Today it is built, operated, and maintained and
hours for the skies to clear during known as the Wildlife Restoration programs such as National Archery
their migrations—had disappeared. Program and it has proven its in the Schools and Scholastic Clay
Waterfowl populations plummeted. worth. Target Program are funded to
Species-rich swamps were drained support the next generation of
and converted to corn, cotton and Excise tax dollars paid by industry hunters and recreational shooters.
soybean fields and market hunting manufacturers for products
continued unabated. bought by sportsmen and Since inception, approximately $13
women are deposited into to the billion has been invested in the
Unfortunately, not much Wildlife Restoration Trust Fund Wildlife Restoration Program. It is
changed until the first part of the and the U.S. Treasury. The funds one of the most successful Federal-
20th century. Then, near total are transferred to the U.S. Fish and State-conservationist-sportsmen
responsibility for natural resources Wildlife Service’s Wildlife and Sport partnerships in history, and we
fell directly to sportsmen and Fish Restoration Program (WSFR) should be proud of what we have
women, their State hunting and and apportioned to State fish and accomplished together.
fishing license revenues providing wildlife agencies based on a formula
the one stable funding source to that includes land area and hunting
protect, restore, and manage fish license sales. State fish and wildlife
and wildlife resources. With the
creation of State fish and game
agencies in the early 20th century,
fish and wildlife were given a
legislative voice—and a bank
account. But it was not enough.
Underfunded, understaffed and
prone to political interference,
these fledgling wildlife agencies
confronted frustration and failure.
In 1936, a 10 percent Federal
excise tax on sporting guns and
ammunition already existed.
Congress was in the process of
abolishing such excise taxes, but
industry manufacturers, sportsmen
groups and other conservationists
saw an opportunity, proposing to
divert rather than repeal the tax.
Proceeds from the tax would go
to State fish and wildlife agencies
A RETURN ON INVESTMENT FOR YOUR BUSINESS
In 2011, a report entitled “Financial Returns to Industry from the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program”
was published by Andrew Loftus Consulting and Southwick Associates. This report attempted to describe the
return on investment to firearms, ammunition and archery manufacturers that pay the excise tax that funds the
Wildlife Restoration Program. Some highlights from this report include:
• By law, excise tax dollars spent by State wildlife • Every year since 1938, the amount of hunter
agencies must be matched by at least 25 percent license dollars protected has exceeded the
of outside funds. In reality, this match is much amount of excise taxes paid by manufacturers
greater because numerous other funding sources by as much as 1,000 percent, thus vastly
also contribute to wildlife restoration efforts. The increasing the purchasing power of the industry’s
impact of these funds is an inherent “return” investment.
to industry since many of these projects would
not likely have been conducted without the core • With greater wildlife populations, the number
funding provided by excise taxes. of Americans hunting, i.e., the customer base
for businesses paying the tax, increased nearly
• Investment in conservation and access projects is 2½ times between 1937 and 1982. Even though
long-term and builds off investments by previous the number of hunters has recently declined,
generations. For example, land and water access there were still more than twice as many hunters
purchased now will benefit hunters and industry in 2010 as there were in 1937, based on State
for generations to come. Thus, some of the license sales.
financial returns attributable to any given year
may have been sown through investments made • In constant dollars, the estimated return on
in preceding years or decades. investment to manufacturers that paid the excise
tax (referred to as the “excise tax-related ROI”)
• Prior to passage of the Wildlife Restoration Act, ranged between a low of 823 percent in 1976 to a
State license fees paid by hunters were often high of 1,588 percent in 1997.
diverted for purposes unrelated to hunting,
such as supporting public schools. Now, prior
to receiving any excise tax dollars, States must
certify that their hunter license dollars are
used only for administration of fish or wildlife
programs, thus protecting those State license
revenues for programs benefiting hunting and
their supporting industries.
ELIGIBILITY
Most State fish and wildlife agencies have established shooting range programs, and those States use their
Wildlife Restoration funding to develop, operate and maintain shooting ranges on State-owned lands and/or in
partnership with local governments and non-profit organizations. Additionally, some States have developed small
grant programs to support work on privately operated ranges. (As of 2016, the following States offer small range
grant programs: Colorado, Indiana, Maine, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, North Dakota,
Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, and Wisconsin.) For an updated list of states contact the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service’s Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WFSR) Program and ask to speak with the Hunter
Education Program Lead: (703) 358-2156
If you operate a non-profit, private range, and are located in a participating State, the information in this
document can help you understand what is involved in the process and help you participate in one of these
programs. (NOTE: Not all States have a third-party shooting range grant program. Check with your State fish and
wildlife agency to see if this type of program is offered in your State.)
FAQS What is the definition of “public access?”
Grant recipients are required to provide public access
What entities are eligible to apply? Only the State agency during agreed upon times. The standard for public
with statutory authority to manage wildlife resources is access to ranges is a reasonable number (somewhat
eligible to apply for Wildlife Restoration funds, though correlated with grant investment) of regularly
such an authorized State agency may choose to pass scheduled, continuing public shooting hours for simple
funds through to a third-party for shooting range grants recreational shooting or target practice. Public access
including: does not have to be free, nor does it have to permit
access to the entire facility or be limited to the facility
• Non-profit, membership-based shooting portion benefited by the work accomplished under the
organizations having as their purpose the grant. A member of the public should not have to be
promotion of firearm and archery safe handling enrolled in a class, purchase a membership to a club, be
and proper care, and improving shooting a guest of a club member, participate in an organized
technique and marksmanship (e.g., rod and gun competitive event or pay more than a modest fee to
clubs, fish and game associations, sportsmen’s access the range facility. If a fee is charged, the fee must
clubs and firearm and archery ranges). be modest, cannot be punitive towards public users
and may only be used to offset or defray documented
• Units of State or local governments that own and operating, maintenance and management costs of
manage shooting ranges. the facility. Any such fee schedule must be approved
in writing and in advance by the State and by the
• Other governmental agencies (e.g., Indian tribal respective regional WFSR Program staff.
governments) that own and manage shooting
ranges. Must my shooting range be non-commercial and for
recreational use?
• Non-profit youth organizations and educational
institutions sponsoring opportunities for youth Yes. Facilities funded with Wildlife Restoration
participation in the shooting sports. (Hunter Education) grant funds must be for non-
Does your shooting range currently provide regularly commercial, recreational range use. Commercial
scheduled hours of public access? If not, will your orga- use of the facilities may be permitted provided the
nization commit to providing regularly scheduled hours commercial use does not interfere with public access
of public access if you receive grant funds? during those specific times and events as agreed upon
• Yes—You may be eligible to apply.
(e.g. associated parking facilities).
• No—You are not eligible.
FAQS
What kinds of shooting range projects can be funded • Grant and match requirement.
with Wildlife Restoration (Hunter Education) funds? • Grant amounts.
• Improve public recreational firearm and archery • The grant application, selection and selection
shooting opportunities by providing small criteria processes.
grants to range-owning organizations for range
• The grant approval notification process.
enhancement.
• Accomplish improvements at existing firearm • The grant management specifications.
and archery range facilities. • The grant recipient obligations (including useful
• Develop new firearm and archery range facilities.
life for a range, public access requirements, etc.)
• Provide facilities accessible by persons with
disabilities, where feasible. • The contractual terms that will govern the
• Integrate safety, accessibility and environmental relationship between the State and the grant
best management practices into the physical
recipient(s).
facilities of ranges and the management of
ranges.
If I apply and receive an award, will I need to provide
• Support firearm and archery education to learn
matching funds?
safe and responsible hunting and shooting
practices. Yes. A minimum of 25 percent of the eligible and
State-approved costs must be matched from non-
What is the grant application process? Federal sources. This non-Federal match may include:
Please contact your State fish and wildlife agency • Cash contributions (e.g. private funding or non-
for details on the grant application process. This Federal, State or local funding) and/or
information will normally include: • In-kind contributions (e.g. the value of donated
or discounted labor, materials, services,
• Grant program objectives. equipment or land).
• Who may apply.
• Where grant funds can be used.
Photos this page: Brenda VonRueden - WDNR
FAQS
form of funds available for the regular operations
Where does the funding come from? and maintenance of the project. If the actual project
receiving funding from this grant program will generate
Funding for the Shooting Range Small Grant Program revenue, then that income must be documented,
is generated by Federal manufacturer excise taxes reported annually and returned to the general
collected on the sales of firearms, ammunition and operations and maintenance of the range facility
archery equipment. It is managed as a Federal grant only. Range fees must meet the definition of program
program to the States under the Wildlife Restoration income above to be counted as such. You must retain
Program (Section 4 - Hunter Education and Section all documentation of income earned on WSFR-funded
10 – Enhanced Hunter Education) by the U.S. Fish projects. More information about program income can
and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as a “User Pays Public be found in 2 CFR 200.
Benefits” program. Therefore, this grant program will
involve local communities and/or organizations in a Are there any Federal Compliance Requirements?
three-way partnership with a State and the USFWS’s
WSFR Program. Yes. A number of Federal requirements have to
be addressed for all WSFR-funded projects. These
What if the project earns program income or revenue? compliance issues are addressed as part of the Federal
grant application portion of the process, not during the
Program income or revenue is understood to mean initial application and panel review process. Depending
gross income earned by the non-Federal entity and on the complexity of the projects, substantial delays
which is directly generated by a supported activity or (nine months or more) may occur as a result of
earned as a result of the Federal award during the these requirements, although lengthy delays are the
period of performance. Applicants should be aware exception. The following table lists some compliance
that any income or revenue generated from a Federal assurances that are typically required as part of the
aid project must be returned to the project in the Federal review process:
POTENTIAL COMPLIANCE
WHAT IT IS, WHO TAKES LEAD ON ADDRESSING
REQUIREMENT
If the project may affect historic, cultural or tribal resources, consultation under NHPA
with the State Historical Preservation Office (SHPO) may be necessary for clear-
National Historic ing your project. The State or USFWS normally takes the lead on this. If the project
Preservation ACT (NHPA) requires a Cultural Resource Survey (CRS), additional costs and time will be required.
A CRS may be required any time soil is disturbed—building berms, digging founda-
tions, building roads, etc.
If the project may affect sensitive farmland, you’ll need a written confirmation from
Prime and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (previously SCS) clearing your project site
Unique Farmland from the unique or prime farmland restrictions. The State normally takes the lead on
this.
Clean Water Act (CWA), If the project may affect streams or wetlands, you’ll need a CWA permit or clearance
from the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE). The project sponsor normally takes the
Section 404 Permit lead on this, if applicable, through contact with the local ACOE Office.
If projects may affect Federally listed species or critical habitat, consultation with
Endangered USFWS’s Ecological Services may be necessary. The State normally takes the initial
lead on assessing the presence of any ESA species or critical habitat. USFWS normally
Species takes the lead if ESA consultation is necessary. If ESA issues arise, the project sponsor
(ESA) should work with the State to determine how to modify the project to avoid and miti-
gate any impacts.
Projects that affect the human environment require NEPA documentation, which can
National Environmental require the preparation of an Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS). NEPA is a Federal responsibility, but the State normally takes the
Policy Act (NEPA) lead in document preparation. See NEPA section 102. (http://www.epw.senate.gov/
nepa69.pdf)
Americans with Projects must be ADA compliant (though public entities may not necessarily need
to make their existing facilities ADA accessible.) The State usually takes the lead for
Disabilities Act (ADA) ensuring ADA requirements are met.
FAQS
What are the elements of a successful project? • Finish your grant project before your grant
expiration date. If you need an extension to the
• Start planning your project early and communicate date on your grant agreement, contact the State fish
with your State fish and wildlife agency often about and wildlife agency well before the grant expiration
your project goals. date to request an extension. Costs incurred prior
• Before applying for a grant, spend some time to the grant agreement start date or after the end
discussing needs, goals and expectations of the date of the grant agreement are not eligible for
grant program. reimbursement.
• Employ best management practices (BMPs). • Most importantly, ask questions if you don’t know
Planning and design of improvement projects how to proceed or need clarification on topics such
should conform to generally accepted practices as eligible costs or grant administration procedures.
and the BMPs as described in several publications
by governmental agencies and by recognized and
respected national shooting sports organizations. Are there any additional requirements?
A range management plan is an additional BMP
consideration. The Environmental Protection A State may include additional requirements. Your
Agency’s (EPA) BMPs for lead management at State fish and wildlife agency will be the best source of
ranges should be followed as well. information about requirements and the application
• A project may only proceed after the State fish and process.
wildlife agency agrees upon and awards the grant.
• Many but not all States administer this grant
program as a reimbursement program. If your
state is one of these, this means you must incur
and pay all costs associated with the project before
seeking reimbursement from the State. As costs are
incurred, save all invoices, receipts and other proof
of purchase and proofs of payment.
• Make sure to document volunteer hours worked
as the value of these hours can be used as your
local share (match). The State has volunteer
time sheets available for your use, and these must
include volunteer name, date, hours worked and,
activity and be signed by both the volunteer and a
State employee who can verify the hours. Taking
these actions from the beginning of your project
eliminates frantically searching for documents and
trying to remember number of hours worked and
who worked them at the last minute.
Find your state’s Hunter Education
Administrator contact here and find
out if your state offers a small range
grant program:
ihea-usa.com/instructors/directory-
Photos this page: Nevada Department of Wildlife of-administrators
and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
EXAMPLES OF SHOOTING RANGES THAT RECEIVED
WILDLIFE RESTORATION FUNDS
Oregon’s Tioga Sports Park is a brand new shooting Wisconsin’s Yellowstone Range received Wildlife
range complex that is currently under construction Restoration funds, along with funds from the NRA and
and is being developed in Coos County, Oregon, where the Association of Wisconsin Firearms Owners Ranges
firearms training facilities are currently unavailable for Clubs and Educators, for improvements at the Lafayette
public use. The cost is in excess of $1 million, but the County facility, which include:
range is benefitting from a partnership project utilizing
funds from the Wildlife Restoration Program, NSSF, • A new parking area for more than 30 vehicles,
Oregon Hunters Association and the National Rifle including ADA-compliant stalls, new ADA-compliant
Association (NRA). This facility will include: shooting platforms, side berms, backstops for the
100- and 50-yard ranges and a brand-new 25-foot
• 600-yard and 100-yard ranges. range for handgun shooters.
• A tactical range. • New shooting sheds with up to nine firing positions
• Archery ranges. at each range, accompanied by a unique swivel seat
• Plans to provide hunter education, firearms safety design to accommodate both left- and right-handed
classes and youth programs for hunter safety. shooters.
Wisconsin’s Yellowstone Range
Photo: Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources
Photo: Connie Martin - Board Member for Tioga Sports Park Association
Sometimes, shooting range grant projects solve complex
problems. The Douglas Ridge Rifle and Pistol Club is
located 20 miles from Portland, Oregon. With $20,000
of Wildlife Restoration funding, Douglas Ridge was
able to install an enormous shot curtain to contain shot
from shotguns, allowing the facility to host shotgun
shooting disciplines. This project protected wetlands on
the property from being impacted by shotgun pellets,
making the range environmentally safe and provided
additional shooting opportunities. The total project cost
was approximately $500,000 and involved a 50-foot-high
by 500-foot-long shot containment curtain. This unique
project serves as an example of how shooting ranges can
add shotgun disciplines while providing for high level of
safety and environmental stewardship.
Photo: Keith Warnke – WI Department of Natural Resources
Nevada - Humboldt Cou
EXAMPLES OF SHOOTING RANGES THAT RECEIVED
WILDLIFE RESTORATION FUNDS
Maine’s Big Pine Gun Club is a rural facility in Nevada’s Humboldt County Shooting Park project in
Willimantic. Members and non-members travel more Winnemucca is a true grassroots effort that brought
than an hour to get there. After receiving a Wildlife many volunteers and donors together at the local level.
Restoration Program grant in 2013, the range has seen a The shooting range includes:
major increase in non-member usage, due to increased
shooter capacity. Improvements completed include: • Two 50-yard pistol ranges, 100-yard and 400-yard
rifle ranges, and a parking area.
• A new covered shooting area on a concrete pad and • The building is the first county building to be
employing maxinum use of natural light via clear totally powered and heated by solar energy and
panels in the roof, plus a storage shed for range provides recreational shooting opportunities and
supplies and maintence tools. hunter education classes.
• Four shooting stations and an ADA station, with
ADA parking next to the concrete pad.
• The range covers 25-, 50- and 100-yard shooting
opportunties.
• Additional side berm and erosion control work will
be completed under a new grant.
Maine’s Big Pine Gun Club
Photo: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Photo: Nevada Department of Wildlife and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Colorado’s Summit County Shooting Range,
located outside of Frisco, received a $100,000
Wildlife Restoration grant, along with other
monies, to help with facility renovations and
upgrades. Upgrades included new concrete pads
on the pistol and rifle ranges, redesigned culverts
for drainage in the mud season, a new restroom,
two ADA-approved benches, an ADA-accessible
ramp from the parking lot and a staircase at the
main entrance. These upgrades make the shooting
range more accessible to everyone, including
recreational shooters with disabilities. The Summit
Range Association worked closely with a local
double amputee and sportsman who helped fine-
tune the plans for the ADA benches. When paired
with the ADA ramp, the 50-yard pistol range and
100-yard rifle range are now easily accessible by Colorado Photos: USFWS-WSFR
wheelchairs.EXAMPLES OF SHOOTING RANGES THAT RECEIVED WILDLIFE RESTORATION FUNDS Thank you We would like to thank the dedicated staff of the firearms and ammunition manufacturers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, State fish and wildlife agencies and the sportsmen and women of America for their support of the Wildlife Restoration Program. This document would not have been possible without the efforts of Zach Snow, NSSF Manager, Shooting Promotions, and Christina Milloy, National Lead for the Wildlife Restoration Program and Hunter Education for USFWS-WSFR. Many others provided input and review of the document, including the USFWS-WSFR Regional Hunter Education Coordinators and many State fish and wildlife agency Hunter Education Administrators. Barbara Behan (Region 1) Dee Blanton (Region 5) Justin Cutler (Region 8) Kyle Daly (Region 3) Otto Jose (Region 6) Phil King (USFWS- National Conservation Training Center) Doug McBride (Region 7) Andrew Ortiz (Region 2) Fabian Romero (Region 3) Ruth Utzurrum (Region 1) Wayne Waltz (Region 4) Richard Zane (Region 5)
ADDENDUM FOR NSSF/WSFR
SMALL RANGE GRANT PUBLICATION
ADDENDUM – TARGET PRACTICE AND MARKSMANSHIP TRAINING SUPPORT ACT
EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2019
The President signed the Target Practice and 116-17 until a final regulation is published. The Interim
Marksmanship Training Support Act (Public Law (Pub. Guidance is in effect until superseded by other guidance,
L.) 116-17) into law on May 10, 2019. The purpose of superseded by a final rule, or rescinded. States and
Pub. L. 116-17 is: “to facilitate the construction and partners may begin applying the law to projects effective
expansion of public target ranges, including ranges on October 1, 2019. The Service recommends that those
Federal land managed by the Forest Service and the interested in participating in these projects read the
Bureau of Land Management.” It amends the Wildlife Interim Guidance in its entirety, as this Addendum is
Restoration Act (also known as the Pittman-Robertson only an overview.
Act) by adding a definition for public target range,
which means a specific location that— If you have questions about funding provided through
the Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support
• Is identified by a governmental agency for Act, who to contact for your State, or would like a copy
recreational shooting; of the Interim Guidance, please contact Christina Milloy,
National Lead for the Wildlife Restoration and Hunter
• Is open to the public; Education programs at 703-862-5761 or christina_
milloy@fws.gov.
• May be supervised; and
• May accommodate archery or rifle, pistol, or
shotgun shooting.
The Act also provides advantages for a State engaging
in activities for 1) acquiring land for, 2) expanding, or
3) constructing public target ranges. These advantages
include allowing a State to allocate up to 10 percent
of its apportioned Wildlife Restoration (WR) funds to
supplement Enhanced Hunter Education (EHE) funds
for these activities. The allocated WR funds, in addition
to Basic Hunter Education (BHE) and EHE funds
allocated for these same activities, will be available for 5
years with up to 90 percent Federal cost share.
There is no requirement for a State to commit any funds
for these activities, and a State may determine to limit
funding only to BHE or EHE awards.
Implementing the Act will require the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (Service) to make regulatory changes,
however, the Service engages in the regulatory process
cooperatively with our partners to ensure the regulations
not only address the new law, but also how the new
law will be applied “on-the-ground.” In the interim,
the Service has provided Interim Guidance for States
to start using the project and financial advantages
offered by the Act for acquiring land for, expanding, or
constructing public target ranges. The Interim Guidance
describes how the Wildlife & Sport Fish Restoration
Program (WSFR) and States will implement the Wildlife
Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669) as amended by Pub. L.Frequently Asked Questions apportioned Wildlife Restoration (4(b)) funds for
and what has changed? A State may use WR funds for
What do references to 90/10/5 activities mean? any eligible activity described at 50 CFR 80.50(a). In
addition, the amended Pittman-Robertson Wildlife
90/10/5 is a shortcut reference for activities for
Restoration Act allows a State to choose to allocate up
acquiring land for, expanding, or constructing public
to 10% of their annual WR apportioned funds, to be
target ranges that will benefit from a 90% Federal/10%
“combined with Enhanced Hunter Education funds”
non-Federal cost share and 5 year period of availability.
(Pub. L. 116-17) for 90/10/5 activities. The desired
What does “expanding” a public target range mean? allocation, up to 10% of the WR apportioned funds,
supplements EHE funding for 90/10/5 projects. Once
Expanding means (for the purposes of projects for allocated, these funds are no longer WR funds and may
acquiring land for, expanding, or constructing public only be used for 90/10/5 projects. Some amount of EHE
target ranges) physical improvements to an existing funds must be combined with the WR funds allocated to
public target range that add to the utility of the range 90/10/5 projects to meet the requirements of the law,
in a manner that ultimately increases range capacity to but there is no minimum required amount.
accommodate more participants. Physical improvements
do not necessarily have to increase the size of the facility, How does Pub. L. 116-17 change the Federal/State
but must result in an increase in usability that will cost shares in hunter education programs under the
accommodate more participants. Wildlife Restoration Act? Pub. L. 116-17 will allow a
State to use up to a 90% Federal/10% non-Federal cost
What does “constructing” mean when referring to share for projects for acquiring land for, expanding, or
public target ranges? constructing public target ranges. For all other activities
under WR, BHE, or EHE that are not allocated to the
Constructing (for the purposes of projects for acquiring designated subaccounts for 90/10/5 activities, the cost
land for, expanding, or constructing public target share remains at 75% Federal/25% non-Federal.
ranges) means building a public target range. Only
construction that meets this definition to build a new May a State apply the same cost share to operation
public target range, or construction associated with and maintenance for public target ranges?
expanding an existing public target range, is eligible
for 90/10/5 funding. Other construction at a public No. The cost share for operation and maintenance
target range may still be eligible under BHE and EHE activities (O&M) or anything other than acquiring land
using 75% Federal/25% non-Federal funds, but not as for, expanding, or constructing public target ranges
90/10/5 funding. will continue to use a 75% Federal/25% non-Federal
cost share. Costs for all activities must be appropriately
What activities may a State use Basic Hunter Education allocated to the correct funding source. If a single
funds for and what has changed? project includes activities related to acquiring land,
expanding, or constructing a public target range and
A State may use BHE funds for any eligible activity also O&M, then O&M activities must apply the 75%
described at 50 CFR 80.50(b). These include Federal/25% non-Federal cost share. O&M activities
constructing, operating, or maintaining existing or new must not be included for 90/10/5 funding.
public target ranges. The amendments under Pub. L.
116-17 do not add to the eligible activities under BHE, Must a project for expanding or constructing a public
but allow a more advantageous cost share and extended target range be on public land?
period of availability for projects for acquiring land for,
expanding, or constructing public target ranges. No. Projects to expand or construct public target ranges
may be on either publicly or privately owned land (see 50
What activities may a State use Enhanced Hunter CFR 80.132). A State fish and wildlife agency must hold
Education funds for and what has changed? title to an ownership interest in real property acquired
under a grant to the extent possible under State law (see
A State may use EHE funds for any eligible activity 50 CFR 80.130). If the project is not on property owned
described at 50 CFR 80.50(c). These include enhanced and controlled by the State fish and wildlife agency, the
construction and development of existing or new public agency must enter into a legally binding agreement with
target ranges. The amendments under Pub. L. 116-17 do the third party that addresses all applicable requirements
not add to the eligible activities under EHE, but allow a and responsibilities. The agency must also address how
more advantageous cost share and extended period of they will monitor the facility to ensure compliance.
availability for projects for acquiring land for, expanding, Items to be considered in a legally binding agreement
or constructing public target ranges. are described at: WSFR Best Practices for Third-Party
Agreements.
What activities may a State allocate some of itsWhen acquiring land for, expanding, or constructing a public target range, to what supporting activities may a State apply the 90% Federal/10% non-Federal cost share and 5 year period of availability? There are many activities that support a project for acquiring land for, expanding, or constructing a public target range that are essential to the primary purpose. As long as these activities directly support the acquisition, expansion, or construction of a public target range, they are eligible for the 90/10/5 advantage, including: • Supplemental activities eligible for the 90/10/5 advantage may include preliminary activities in anticipation of acquiring land for, expanding, or constructing public target ranges. Examples are planning, compliance, appraisals, engineering, and other associated activities. A State, in the grant application, must clearly describe how the preliminary activities connect to the purpose of acquiring land for, expanding, or constructing a public target range in order to utilize the 90/10/5 advantage. • Auxiliary activities and amenities that support the primary project and are necessary to the public’s ability to fully utilize the public target range may include public rest rooms, storage facilities, protective bunkers or barriers, signs and markers, roads and parking, and installing utilities; or improvements necessary to prevent a facility from becoming inoperable or having a diminished capacity. • Personnel costs directly associated with the 90/10/5 activities and supporting activities described in this guidance are eligible for 90/10/5 funding. Activities described above - when not associated with a project for acquiring land for, expanding, or constructing a public target range - are not eligible for 90/10/5 funding. States must continue to use the 75% Federal/25% non-Federal cost share. Personnel costs not associated with acquiring land for, expanding, or constructing a public target range are not eligible to for 90/10/5 funding. For example: A target range coordinator may be paid using 90/10/5 funding only for the time spent working directly on an acquisition for a public target range or a project to expand or construct a public target range. The time a target range coordinator spends operating, maintaining and controlling the range, training participants, or supervising range activities must use the 75% Federal/25% non-Federal cost share. Costs for long-term monitoring of the expanded or constructed public target range is not eligible for 90/10/5 funding. NOTE: States should consult with their Regional WSFR office to determine how to apply for funding this type of long-term project.
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